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Hanami - another way to enjoy (for the next year)
Belatedly, let me introduce another way to enjoy cherry blossoms - please take this FYI for the next year :-)Yakata-Bune is the traditionally shaped smallish boat to go up and down the river. There are a few boat operators in Tokyo and one of them is in the canal near Shinagawa station. It ha…(170 words)
KIH
Enjoy Japan Travel Even More with the Cheap, Kanto Area Train Pass
The Japan Rail Pass, which allows tourists unlimited rides on all JR trains (including bullet trains across the country), is one of the great ways to see lots of different cities without breaking the bank.For non-Japanese residents, or tourists with more limited time or means, there is also the…(302 words)
Chiara
Should I Get The Japan Rail Pass?
One of the first things travelers often bring up when we’re discussing their trip is purchasing the Japan Rail Pass.However, while it’s commonly thought to be *hands-down* the best – and least expensive – way to travel around Japan, in fact it’s not always the best option!JAPAN RAIL PASS “B…(656 words)
Andres Zuleta, Boutique Japan
Local Secret: YaNeSen
You know you are in for something special when, on the way to Nippori station on the eternally jammed Yamanote line, you find yourself in an almost empty train watching the buildings get smaller and smaller.Affectionately known as YaNeSen (Yanaka-Sendagi-Nezu), this part of Tokyo was untouched …(307 words)
Chiara
The Hakone Open Air Museum : Amazing place!
The Hakone Open Air Museum is a beautiful landscape park with wonderful arts and the mountains as a backdrop. I recommend this as an unforgettable stop while exploring Hakone. We went there in the afternoon on the way back from our Hakone trip as it has been always my favorite Hakone spot. We stay…(255 words)
EmiOnishi
Sasebo
Sasebo is located in Kyushu, in Nagasaki Prefecture. Sasebo is a very scenic city with a large natural sea port. There are 208 islands near Sasebo and there are many boat tours available. There are many wonderful views you will be able to capture during your trip to Sasebo.Sasebo is a touris…(112 words)
Kevin
Book your tickets for the May Sumo Grand Tournament!
The May Sumo Grand Tournament is soon upon us! Between Sunday May 11th and Sunday May 25th the sumo wrestlers of Japan will be fighting it out at Ryōgoku Kokugikan. 15 days of matches, starting with the beating of drums at 08:00 each morning and ending at 18:00 with a bow dance ceremony. Head o…(204 words)
Emelie Fågelstedt
Wisteria: Fuji - Spring Flowers in Japan
Tokyo changes all the time, but there are a few places left that feel unchanged. Kameido Tenjin Shrine is a place like this. I was there today for the wisteria flower festival and it was like walking through the old print from "One Hundred Famous Views of Edo" by Utagawa Hiroshige. Wisteria flo…(154 words)
David
The beauty hidden in mountains of Japan. - Satoyamas
Here is an interesting tour which i recently used for vising Hida area in Gifu.The tour contains various components and its amazing to be in nature and classic township models from the past.you can check out the possibilities on their site including cycling tours! It sure is an experiences and …(72 words)
idivilayil
Golden Week in Nihonbashi
Time to Goldenweek here in Japan the end of April to the first week of May.Many people will go to overseas for a trip or going back to a home town.Many sightseeing places will be packed.If you would like to feel "modern Japan" during the golden week, I will recommend "COREDO Muromachi" in …(186 words)
yukorose
JRA Japan Horse Show on Golden Week
Japan Horse Show will be held on May 3 to 5 at Baji-Kouen that is now use for training hurdle race horses. This park contains several small playground for children with lots of big trees and it's a good place to visit taking lunch box. Attention ; no pets allowed inside.This is free charge …(126 words)
Moo Moo
Maid Cafe in Akihabara!
I’ve heard about Japanese “Maid Cafes” and I was very curious to see what kind of place it was. So I decided to go to one of them in Akihabara with my cousins. (There are many maid cafes in Akihabara) So here is my experience:When I got off at Akihabara station, a woman dressed up as a maid was…(276 words)
Natalie
Visiting Japan? There's an App for That!
For thousands of years, Japan has been building sustainable systems for everything, from rice planting to entertaining overseas visitors. So, if you're planning to visit, we've been waiting for you! All you have to do is plug in, let a Licensed Private Tour Guide know your interests and itinerary, …(221 words)
LoveJapanChika
Kameido Tenjin Shrine
If you still have a few hours to kill in Tokyo, Kameido's Tenjin Shrine is a nice spot to visit. It is at walking distance from the Skytree Tower. I like the way modern constructions mixe with traditional ones.The shrine is located in quite a large parc with a pond and a forest of palawnia. Fuj…(303 words)
Claire
Yoshima YMCA Retreat
oshima Island is located off the southern tip of Shodoshima in Japan’s Seto Inland Sea. It has an area of 2.2 square kilometers and is about 1 kilometer from the main island of Shodoshima. Although Yoshima is part of Shodoshima and therefore Kagawa Prefecture, it is administered by the Kobe YMCA.…(421 words)
Kenji
Hakone
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5201.html in the Hakone area. http://wikitravel.org/en/Hakone Hakone is a great place to visit for a day or two or more and is only around and hour and a half to two hours from Tokyo. And the other shot is of the large torii http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torii at the …(977 words)
TokyoTom
5 Unique Japan Guidebooks For An In-Depth Japan Experience
A general Japan guidebook can be great if you’re looking for general information on Japan travel.But if you’re looking for more specialized, in-depth information, most guidebooks won’t cut it. That’s why we love these specialty Japan guidebooks.*OLD KYOTO: A GUIDE TO TRADITIONAL SHOPS, REST…(472 words)
Andres Zuleta, Boutique Japan
You Salty Dog You!
Salt. Salt of the earth. Pillars of salt. Earn your daily salt. Take it with a grain of salt.If you visit Shioya (Salt Store) in Azabu Juban you can get all the grains of salt you'll ever need, and then some.Opened just a few months ago Shioya does a booming business in all things salt or …(203 words)
Joe Peters
Ribbit said the frog. RIBBIT!! said the GIANT frog.
Kaeru in Japanese means to return. The same sounding word, kaeru, means frog.Many Japanese return to the Juban Inari Shrine time and again to offer a prayer or see these two frogs that sit just to the right of the steps leading up to the shrine. This shrine is also one of the stops during t…(262 words)
Joe Peters
Take a walk on the nearly wild side
One of the many characteristics of Japanese people is their large tolerance for fashion. Aoyama district is the fashionable place to be for all fashion victims "with classe". Aoyama street is the place to be for fashion designers of the world. They show off their season collections in really ni…(308 words)
Claire
The season of fireworks will start soooooon!
Summer is the season of fireworks. In Japan, it is an absolutely orgiastic affair. Not to be missed. To attend these fireworks, you need to prepare for extreme crowds, more or less disciplined, and to gear up with: drinks (if possible alcoholic one if you are more than 20 years old), a yukata (…(162 words)
Claire
Where can I take a nice jog in Nagoya?
You might of heard of Kin-shachi if you have visited Nagoya.The Kin-shachi or the golden dolphin is known for the symbol of Nagoya.Where does this Kin-shachi come from?There is actually two and they proudly sit on top of the the Nagoya castle.The Nagoya castle is known for one of the we…(159 words)
Yuuki I
Mt. Fuji Station #5 (Fuji Subaru Line)
Mt. Fuji, as most of us know, is the highest peak in Japan, standing at 3,776 m (12,388 ft) and it is a very popular tourist destination, with an estimated 320,000 climbers scaling the mountain during the two month summer season (from July 1st to August 31st) annually. The mountain's new new statu…(547 words)
jdlawrence
Asakusa area has a lot of great sightseeing spots
Asakusa area has a lot of great sightseeing spots and you can ride on a “jinrikisha” (rickshaw) to travel around popular historical spots, enjoying interesting explanations given by jinrikishaman. You can select a tour time from a couple of options such as 30 minutes and 60 minutes. We had one arou…(110 words)
Daijo
I like this place... I could live in Japan
Whether you've had a passion for Japan since you were young, developed it through study, perhaps through seeking adventure through travel or considered it because of work or business opportunity (yours, or a partner's), one day you might find yourself seriously considering living here.Unless yo…(1469 words)
GoodPeople
Kabuki - True Japanese Traditional Entertainment!
Perhaps I may be minority here, but many Japanese people have never seen Kabuki or Sumo live. Until today, I couldn't care less, honestly.But, boy was I wrong! I went to the latest one at Meiji-za (not Kabuki-za) with my mother where Ichikawa Somegoro did a very interesting and entertaining p…(228 words)
KIH
Sunsets in Japan
As Japan is an island nation, if one enjoys sunsets and I think pretty much everyone loves sunsets, then this island nation of Japan has coastlines galore. Take a break from the big city, take a train or drive to the coast, take some photographs with your family and friends. These particular phot…(74 words)
Kevin
Where to visit when your in Aichi
Recommended place for family, couples, and friends.Nagashima Onsen has it all.I went there last year stayed at a near by Ryokan for a night.The first day my friends and I went to the Theme Park.One of the many must rides is the Steal Dragon.It takes you up 97 meters feet dangled from yo…(208 words)
Yuuki I
Musubin, the Health-Advocate Cute Cartoon Character in Fuji City, in Japan
Musubin Is the Character for Fuji CityOne of the things I love about Japan is the cute Yuru Kyara characters they have for so many cities. Almost every city in Japan is adopting the Yuru Kyara promotion plan to publicize what is special and unique about their City or maybe to raise awareness ab…(473 words)
Psychedelic Buddhas
Fukagawafudo is so funky. There is a hidden path behind the main stage (?) with thousands of crystal towers. I visited many temples but this is something insanely beautiful. All I can say is wow, who made these???Then go upstairs. There is a dark room with glow in the dark buddhas. There ar…(84 words)
Hitomi
Local Secret: Kappabashi
A 15 minute walk down 'Butsudan Road' (where all the Buddhist altar companies have their showrooms) from Ueno station lies Kappabashi, a street full of restaurant goods. These range from awesome crockery to individual taiyaki (fish-shaped cake) forms, and of course the amazing plastic food you…(167 words)
Chiara
Kamakura: the hydrangeas of Hasedera
June is really probably not one of the best times to be in Japan. Endless days of rain, laundry that doesn't really dry, excursions cut short because of squalls...However the plentiful watering does bring one positive event with it: the riotous blooming of hydrangeas. An attractive weed, they g…(200 words)
Chiara
Yukata Festival in Hiroshima
Tokasan festival is one of the big festivals of the year in the Hiroshima city center. Food, drink and game stalls to enjoy as well as a dancing area to take part in traditional Japanese "obon" style "odori" dancing around the central drum and music tower. Tokasan is held on the first weekend i…(314 words)
jjwalsh
Great Mt.Fuji viewing spot : GOTENBA Premium Outlets
The Gotemba Premium Outlets are Japan's most popular and largest outlet mall, located in Gotemba City. Seen from Gotenba City right at the base of Mt. Fuji, the Mountain looks even bigger and because of that Gotenba City is the popular sight-seeing spot. Gotenba Premium Outlets were opened in this…(140 words)
Daijo
Tokyo Bay Fireworks - HANABI Special buffet Dinner
The Tokyo Bay Fireworks are held north of the Rainbow Bridge in Tokyo Bay. They feature about 12,000 fireworks launched from barges anchored in the water. They have official viewing spots at Harumi Park (15 minute walk from Toyosu Station), but transportation will be really bad especially after…(319 words)
EmiOnishi
Nakamise, the main street of Asakusa between Kaminarimon and Hozomon
There are about 90 shops here in Nakamise. You can find Japanese traditional crafts, Kimonos, Japanese dolls, Ukiyoe, tenugui (Japanese towels) and chopsticks as well as Ningyoyaki (sponge cake), Osenbei (rice crackers), Japanese sweets and shaved ice. At Funawa, cold Matcha drink and sweet potato …(144 words)
Keiko, OTT
Service Robot “Sacchan” – Meet her at Huis ten Bosch
Huis ten Bosch Theme park in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture is one of the popular sightseeing spots for both international visitors and Japanese residents. They will have a new attraction called "Game Kingdom" starting from 5th of July. At the Game Kingdom, our service robot "Sacchan" will serve a…(267 words)
Takerobo
Surprise Views of Mount Fuji
Japan's highest peak, the iconic Mount Fuji was designated UNESCO World Heritage in June 2013. You can experience Mount Fuji during the short climbing season in the summer months, but you might spot it on any day of the year."Fujisan, sacred place and source of artistic inspiration: The beauty …(287 words)
David
Sumo!!
Sumo-the image conjured up in many gaijin minds is that of a couple of overweight guys in adult diapers belly-bumping each other until one of man falls off a raised platform like a drunken Baby Huey. As a martial artist, I never really thought of sumo in that way, but I get why others would. Still,…(1153 words)
Dave
Tsuyu
Rain. Water. The source of Life itself.Tsuyu. It's that time of year again. It's not exactly like the monsoons of southeast Asia, or the hurricanes and tornados of most of the United States. Japan's got the typhoons, too, but that is later in the summer and hails the coming of fall and the …(358 words)
mikekato