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Advice about Stay

Licensed To Drive..Finally!!

This article was originally published on my blog site on January 2008. Please come and visit http://mirai.hayashi-web.net to see more about my experiences in living and working in Japan.About 6 years ago I attempted to get a Japanese drivers license, since I was still driving with an internati…(4721 words)

MiraiZ

Minshuku, the Best Way to Experience Japan

There are many different kinds of ryokan/minshuku in Japan and you can see definitions of them at http://JapaneseGuestHouses.com/ryokan-styles/Personally I like minshukus best as they small and more personable. The owners run the minshuku and cook the meals. They take great pride preparing meal…(141 words)

Jeff Aasgaard

Kusatsu Onsen: Rated No.1 of Japan’s 100 Best Hot Springs for 12 consecutive years !

Kusatsu Onsen in Gumma Prefecture is known as one of Japan's three best hot springs. By the way, Arima in Hyogo Prefecture and Gero in Gifu Prefecture are the other two locations. These three were originally described by a priest in the classical poetry anthologies of Shokoku-ji Temple in Murom…(530 words)

ZEROIN -INTERNSHIP

Recycling is good for our living enviornment

The positive attitude towards recycling system will change our action completely. It will be really easy to seperate burnable and non-burnable once we get used to it. I was still seperating all the trash when I was visiting America since I can never mix everything again once I have done it all the …(144 words)

JennyS

Izu Hokkawa Onsen Bousui: A Heavenly Onsen in Japan,

My first experience at Bousui was just 5 years ago and then the second was last month. In 2006 I was a newbie exploring the Hokkawa Hot Spring district , in 2014 it was my second visit as a devoted fan of hot spring perfection wanting to share this haven with my life partner and best friend.htt…(1039 words)

Kusatsu Onsen: Rated No.1 of Japan’s 100 Best Hot Springs for 12 consecutive years ! (3/3)

Karuizawa is another great sightseeing spot as a nice resting point following a relaxing visit to Kusatsu Onsen. Karuizawa is one of the most popular sightseeing spots in Japan. There is a Summit planned for next year (2016) in Japan and Nagano Prefecture is proposing Karuizawa town as a candid…(715 words)

ZEROIN -INTERNSHIP

The pleasure of Kagurazaka: The Agnes Hotel

No matter if you are a first time visitor or a veteran, The Agnes Hotel and Apartments is a pleasure. A small hotel with an excellent bar and restaurant, the elegant Kagurazaka quarter is there for you to explore. It is a 5 minute walk from Iidabashi Station served by the JR Sobu Line and 4 metro…(91 words)

Woody

Enospa Sojourn Part 1: “Far from the madding Tokyo crowd at Enoshima Island Spa”

Some days, even on one of those lovely sunny mid-winter days that Tokyo is often blessed with, it can still feel too close and up in your face to contemplate another day of stress and strain in the maddening Tokyo streets. When you feel like that, especially when mulling over your first cappucc…(359 words)

Andrew Grimes

Wi-Fi for travelers in Japan: Getting out and about (2 of 2)

So, you logged on and were able to touch base with home. Great. Now, you’re ready to leave the airport. What do you do? Well, keep your device in airplane mode. Remember, you will still be hit for international roaming charges if you go over the Japanese networks. So, to answer the last que…(314 words)

jdlawrence

Hoeiso ryokan in Hakone

Hoeiso is a ryokan, a Japanese traditional style inn, situated in the beautiful green mountains of Hakone, right by a river. Hoesio is a family owned Ryokan, opened in 1956, with around 20 rooms that are big enough to fit a family. Enjoy indoor and outdoor onsen, and feast on traditional Japanese d…(170 words)

Emelie Fågelstedt

Recharge in Luxury at the Hyatt Regency Tokyo

Being sick is no fun at all, especially when there is work to be done. Thankfully, the last time I found myself ill in Tokyo, I was checked into the Hyatt Regency hotel and it proved to be a perfect place to get some rest during a hectic week.Located in Shinjuku, the Hyatt Regency Tokyo isn't f…(347 words)

Petra

Tips for Staying in a Japanese Hotel

To properly enjoy Kusatsu Onsen, you really should make it an overnight trip. Staying for two or three days allows you the chance to fully explore the town and enjoy the benefits of the hot springs. Believe me, you’ll leave feeling like a new person.When booking your accommodations, there are t…(337 words)

Petra

Uji-kintoki is best in summer!

Japanese shaved ice is called kakigori. There are a variety of flavors, and a traditional kind is Uji-kintoki which is flavored with green tea syrup and anko (sweet azuki beans). Kakigori is available in a wide range of quality: ranging from average quality found at the local grocery, to high q…(90 words)

EmiOnishi

Experience the Unique Joy of a Traditional Japanese Hotel

If you stay at a ryokan (traditional japanese-style hotel), you will come across many unique services. The two I enjoy the most are the baths and the yukata. Any ryokan will have a large bath for all of the customers to share. The bigger ryokan will have an actual hotspring while others may just ha…(138 words)

GenS

Bed and Breakfast Japanese Style!

The prices of Japanese inns (ryokan) and bed and breakfasts (minshuku or pensions) vary depending on the place. Some of the famous ryokan in the atami or izu area will cost you 1000 dollars per night. These places will definitely have superb service including traditional meals using fresh local ing…(197 words)

GenS

Tokyo area resorts

There are a very wide variety of resorts around Tokyo. Of course, the accessibility varies greatly, when even getting across Tokyo itself by public transportation can take well over an hour.For the resort areas closest to Tokyo, most residents on the west side show a preference for Hakone, whi…(184 words)

mikekato

Japanese Traditional Bed and Breakfasts: Minshuku

A minshuku is a traditional Japanese bed and breakfast. Minshuku can be found all over Japan but are common especially in tourist spots. Unlike larger ryokan, which are more like traditional Japanese hotels with hot springs and other facilities, minshuku are usually run by the family and are small.…(197 words)

GenS

PIPING HOT YAKIIMO!

Other than observing the leaves change color from green to brown, red and yellow, to me autumn means delicious food. My favorite thing to do in autumn is to wait for the yakiimo (cooked sweet potato) truck come around town, selling piping hot sweet potato. The smell of the sweet potato wafts to you…(102 words)

RieS

Stay in Minatomirai

One of the nicest hotels are Pan Pacific and Intercontinental Hotel in Yokohama, Japan. Although not in Tokyo, it is right smack in the middle of Minatomirai, a district with a breathtaking night view and amazing experiences. From these hotels, you can easily access any of the main facilities/build…(118 words)

RieS

Be flexible and plan ahead!

Rule number one: plan ahead. It's possible to do Tokyo affordably, but cheap accommodation gets booked up fast. If you want a super-cheap place, be prepared for tiny spaces and locations that are less than ideal.If you're REALLY strapped for cash, you'll either need to stay overnight in a manga…(325 words)

lrnelson

The must-do of Japan: get a "hair-spa"

Or when you want to relax, enjoy time for yourself, get a nice hair brushing, refresh, get rid of your jet lag, all you need to do is pick up one of the numerous hair salons and ask for a head-spa.It takes 2 hours of your time, but, it is totally worth it. The hairdressers in Japan are doing ma…(187 words)

Claire

Kusatsu Onsen: Rated No.1 of Japan’s 100 Best Hot Springs for 12 consecutive years ! (2/3)

There are three bathing styles unique to Kusatsu. They are jikan-yu , Agari-yu and Awase-yu. Guests are encouraged to enjoy these about 3 times per day and try to remain in the onsen for an extended to take a full advantage of the special curing properties.Jikan-yu: These are timed baths where…(466 words)

ZEROIN -INTERNSHIP

8 Hotel: A cute, convenient place to stay at in Fujisawa

If ever you need to stay in-or-around the Fujisawa area (think Enoshima, Kamakura, Odawara), then 8 Hotel could be just the place for you. 8 Hotel is a no-frills boutique budget hotel, perfect for a one-night stay for single travelers or couples who don't mind sharing close quarters.Located jus…(217 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Japan offers you a "Retreat of the Heart"

I read recently about how it is very important to be able to retreat within yourself. Are you able to do that? Do you find peace and calm for retrospection as you walk around, take care of daily tasks or ride a bus?If you are like me, I bet a lot of the time, you are kind of on alert. One of my…(637 words)

Japanese Bed and Breakfast Manners

Japanese bed and breakfast facilities resemble their British bread and breakfast lodgings, but often with several differences. Many Japanese establishments offer both dinner and breakfast. Before arrival, make sure which meals are offered. More often than not, "breakfast" will beJapanese st…(177 words)

TimN

Japan has most national holidays in number around the world!

Here are the list of national holidays in Japan - 2013 version. Wow - We have 16 holidays in total, which is the biggest in number around the world!January 1 - New Year's DayJanuary 14 - Coming‐of‐Age DayFebruary 11 - National Foundation DayMarch 20 - Vernal Equinox HolidayApril 29 …(145 words)

EmiOnishi

Conbini Trashcans

If you are a resident of Japan, throwing away your household garbage at a convenience store is somewhat scorned. You may ask, "why use a convenience store?". Many wards and cities in Tokyo require that you purchase special garbage bags for your household trash, with a large bag running about 100 ye…(187 words)

KurtisW

Recommendations - How to spend your extended stay in Tokyo

If you are staying by yourself then suggest to sleep over at a local Capsule hotel. Capsule hotels are unique invention of japan namely for the weary office workers ("salarymen") who travel long distances daily or for those looking for a cheaper and cleaner alternative for a good night`s sleep. If …(292 words)

Samir Bodhe

Delicious foods

A variety of delicious foods are harvested during Autumn in Japan. You can go out to rice paddy, fields and mountains to enjoy harvesting rice, mushrooms and potato. To cook and eat such foods with your friends is an awesome way to enjoy the season.(45 words)

OKAKI-sun

Manga Stores, the New Fun Hotels in Japan

Manga kissa or manga cafes can be found all over Japan. For about 300 yen an hour (the price depends on the place) you can use all facilities, which includes a private cubicle with a mattress, thousands of manga, DVDs, a personal TV, personal computer, internet, and games. Some places also have a s…(105 words)

GenS

Some of the best food in Japan

The high class hotels such as Pan Pacific and Intercontinental in Minatomirai have quality food from Japan, Italy, France and China with amazing service. If you're willing to pay the price for some of the best food in Japan, I suggest going to a restaurant in a hotel. For celebrations, my family of…(83 words)

RieS

HANAMI (a MUST-DO)

THE thing to do in Japan during the spring is hanami. Even as a Japanese who has lived and grown up in Japan, I am still astounded by the beauty of the cherry blossoms. It can be difficult to estimate when the cherry blossoms will fully bloom, because the condition changes depending on the temperat…(212 words)

RieS

2000 Yen: One Night, Unlimited Manga

It is debatable as to whether a manga kissa can be considered a "lodging facility". The original idea of a manga kissa began as a cafe where you can relax and read manga. Now, you can pretty much do anything at a manga kissa. First of all, you are assigned a comfortable and private little booth wit…(149 words)

GenS

New Year's like a true local

If you want to have a relaxing winter, I recommend staying at a ryokan with a “kotatsu.” Kotatsu are tables with a futon and a heater that keep your feet (and therefore your body) warm during the cold winter months. Families often stay under this and eat mikan (a type of tangerine sold during the w…(108 words)

RieS

Make Mochi! A Fun New Years Family Event in Japan

In my opinion, there is nothing better to do in Japan during winter than participate in "mochi-tsuki" and eat fresh and delicious mochi. Mochi-tsuki is a Japanese New Year's tradition and events will be held around the first of January. Usually "Mochi-tsuki" is hosted by the neighbourhood communit…(123 words)

GenS

Stay in a Japanese Hotel Without the Extra Costs

If you are interested in saving some money on accommodation but you still want to stay at a minshuku (Japanese bed and breakfast), consider doing "sudomari". Typically, a stay at a minshuku will include at least one meal. Although this meal will probably be very delicious, made using the best local…(96 words)

GenS

Try a Family-Run Bed and Breakfast in Japan

"Minshuku" or Japanese bed and breakfasts have similar origins to bed and breakfasts. Minshuku began with families living by tourist areas providing one or more of their extra rooms as accommodation for tourists. Thus, minshuku were family-run and toilet and bathing facilities would be shared among…(104 words)

GenS

Find Out Why Family-Run Hotels are So Comfortable in Japan!

There aren't any strict manners that you wouldn't have to follow at a regular hotel but do at a Japanese bed and breakfast or minshuku. However, the unique aspects of a minshuku create some space for extra things you could be mindful about. First of all, minshuku are almost always family run. They …(173 words)

GenS

Natsumatsuri and Suika Wari - like a local

During the summer, other than going to the beach and pool, there are two things that I love to do:1) Go to natsumatsuri (summer festival). These are festivals held throughout the country to celebrate the summer season. Many Japanese women wear yukata (traditional Japanese summer clothing) (men …(208 words)

RieS

Go for some magic at Tokyo Disney Resort

The resort that I would like to go to the most would be the Disney Resort. This way, I can go to Tokyo Disneyland and Disneysea one after another as well as enjoy the services offered at the Disney Resort. There are three hotels with different themes - one in Disneyland, one that has an old-fashion…(108 words)

RieS