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The season of fireworks will start soooooon! images

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 image

Claire

Where can I take a nice jog in Nagoya? images

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 image

Yuuki I

Mt. Fuji Station #5 (Fuji Subaru Line) images

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 image

jdlawrence

Asakusa area has a lot of great sightseeing spots images

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 image

Daijo

I like this place... I could live in Japan images

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 image

GoodPeople

Kabuki - True Japanese Traditional Entertainment! images

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 image

KIH

Sunsets in Japan images

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 image

Kevin

Where to visit when your in Aichi images

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 image

Yuuki I

Musubin, the Health-Advocate Cute Cartoon Character in Fuji City, in Japan images

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)

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Psychedelic Buddhas images

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 image

Hitomi

Local Secret: Kappabashi images

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 image

Chiara

Kamakura: the hydrangeas of Hasedera images

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 image

Chiara

Yukata Festival in Hiroshima images

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 image

jjwalsh

Great Mt.Fuji viewing spot : GOTENBA Premium Outlets images

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 image

Daijo

Tokyo Bay Fireworks - HANABI Special buffet Dinner images

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 image

EmiOnishi

Nakamise, the main street of Asakusa between Kaminarimon and Hozomon images

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 image

Keiko, OTT

Service Robot “Sacchan” – Meet her at Huis ten Bosch images

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 image

Takerobo

Surprise Views of Mount Fuji images

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 image

David

Sumo!! images

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 image

Dave

Tsuyu images

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 image

mikekato

Places to feel like locals in Asakusa images

Places to feel like locals in Asakusa

Do you know the third oldest underground passage in Japan is at Asakusa Station? The street is connected to a ticket gate of Ginza Line and the entrance of Shin-Nakamise Street. Most of the tenants are restaurants such as Sushi, Soba, Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai foods. You also find a fortune-tell…(157 words)

Keiko, OTT image

Keiko, OTT

Ku-tan Narita International Airport Character in Japan images

Ku-tan Narita International Airport Character in Japan

Continuing in my series of funny, cute and adorable Japanese mascot characters or “Yurukyara”, I would like to introduce you to Ku-tan from Narita Airport. You can see him here with some friends, along with some cool plane-related machines, etc., at a recent Narita Airport Festival.I am surprised…(362 words)

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Kamakura Daibutsu and the Beach images

Kamakura Daibutsu and the Beach

For a great day trip on the weekend, visiting Kamakura is a great place to visit. The Daibutsu (Great Buddha) in Kamakura is one of the most famous and well known Buddha statues in all of Japan. In fact, you can actually go inside of the statue and see what it looks like from the inside. In the …(200 words)

Kevin image

Kevin

600 Cherry Blossoms Fill Japan's Air with Sweet Aroma images

600 Cherry Blossoms Fill Japan's Air with Sweet Aroma

Beautiful white flowers framed the quiet pond in the corner of the garden. I wander this place often as it reminds me of "The Secret Garden" depicted in one of my favorite childhood stories. It IS truly hidden from the main road and casual passersby.Those inside the Tokaido, Yokosuka, Yaman…(283 words)

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Hama Rikyu Gardens - a beautiful park in Central Tokyo images

Hama Rikyu Gardens - a beautiful park in Central Tokyo

A short walk from JR Shimbashi station (12 minutes) or either the Shiodome or Tsukiji Ichiba stations on the Toei Oedo line (7 minutes from either station), is one of the most beautiful and well kept parks in Tokyo. This park was created for the powerful Daimyo ruling class (feudal lords) during t…(126 words)

Kevin image

Kevin

Whitewater Rafting in Gunma Pref. images

Whitewater Rafting in Gunma Pref.

Living in the concrete jungle of Tokyo can be overwhelming after a while. (Like the frog being boiled in a pot.)I was looking for a place to get back to nature within a short Shinkansen ride from Tokyo. A friend turned me on to a place called Minakami in Gunma prefecture. There the Tone Riv…(112 words)

JiyugaokaPaul image

JiyugaokaPaul

Awa Dance Festival in Tokushima Pref. images

Awa Dance Festival in Tokushima Pref.

In Japan, we have Obon holiday in the middle of August, where we believe the spirits of ancestors will return to this world and revisit the household altars. People return to ancestral family places and we have Bon Odori (盆踊り) throughout the country. Bon Obori, meaning Bon dance is performed dur…(299 words)

Suetsumuhana image

Suetsumuhana

Torinoiru Cafe for Bird Lovers images

Torinoiru Cafe for Bird Lovers

Hello everybody! Alex aka Subtokyo is back for another interesting animal cafe, this time an owl cafe!There are a handful of owl cafes around the Tokyo area. Kiba, Tsukishima, and a couple other locations in Tokyo. I visited the owl cafe or bird cafe in Kiba, Tokyo. This was the Torinoiru Cafe …(317 words)

Alex Kobayashi /Subtokyo image

Alex Kobayashi /Subtokyo

Tourist friendly town at Hida Takayama images

Tourist friendly town at Hida Takayama

Places to go in the Tokai area I recommend going to Hida Takayama.It is in the mountains of Gifu Prefecture. 3 hour train ride from Nagoya station to Takayama station (3,350yen one way).The hotel I stayed at was the Takayama Ooan(高山桜庵)right next to the Takayama Station.The entranc…(300 words)

Yuuki I image

Yuuki I

EPSON Shinagawa Aqua Stadium images

EPSON Shinagawa Aqua Stadium

This aquarium is a couple of minute walk from the Takanawa exit of Shinagawa station and located within the Shinagawa Price Hotel complex. The aquarium is rather small, but good size for little kids to walk around. A variety of colorful fish will entertain your eyes. Their tropical fish submari…(193 words)

EmiOnishi image

EmiOnishi

Short trip in Fukuoka? There is Dazai Tenmangu and Toto factory to visit images

Short trip in Fukuoka? There is Dazai Tenmangu and Toto factory to visit

In Kyushu, there are many lovely things to visit and usually, Fukuoka, is not a must-go on the list.But, if you go there, you can certainly enjoy your time.Dazai Tenmangu is a temple dating from the 10th century and built by a Michizane Sugawara, an high-rank administrator of the Heian gov…(344 words)

Claire image

Claire

Enjoy to watch making something on the streets in Asakusa images

Enjoy to watch making something on the streets in Asakusa

In Asakusa, there are many shops where you can see the procedure to making something. Iriyama Senbei is located at Sushiya Street, while Ichiban Hanaya is located at Shin-Nakamise Street.There are many Ningyoyaki shops along Nakamise Street. Japanese tend to prefer the hand-made Ningyoyaki and of c…(95 words)

Keiko, OTT image

Keiko, OTT

JR East - Japan Railway Company images

JR East - Japan Railway Company

http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/index.htmlThe JR East train homepage is a great way to learn about train routes, fares and activities throughout what is known as Eastern Japan. This site: http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/routemaps/index.html shows the routes that the different bullet trains take from the T…(201 words)

Kevin image

Kevin

Travel back in time to Edo images

Travel back in time to Edo

Chiba Prefecture's Boso no Mura http://www.chiba-muse.or.jp/MURA/index.htmlThis attraction recreates life as it was, along with the scenery, from 150 years ago. You can walk around freely and experience what it is like to live in old Japan, during the Edo period. The homes have kitchens with woo…(114 words)

Kevin image

Kevin

Shibata Castle, Niigata Prefecture images

Shibata Castle, Niigata Prefecture

I first visited Shibata in April 2013. Shibata is located in Niigata prefecture which is on the western coast of Japan's main island and is known for its pristine landscape. Within the prefecture is the second most extensive land area devoted to National Parks. Ijimino Park and Ominesan Sakura P…(171 words)

Dolores image

Dolores

Gathering Place for Gundam Japanese Character Fans in Odaiba, Tokyo images

Gathering Place for Gundam Japanese Character Fans in Odaiba, Tokyo

He stands towering over the surrounding garden of Divercity Tokyo Plaza! (3 minute walk from Tokyo Teleport Station/Linkai Line or 5 minute walk from Daiba Station/Yuri Kamome Line).http://www.divercity-tokyo.com/en/ Notice the Diver-City name pun? Cute right? The full scale of the Mobile Su…(308 words)

SEIJAN image

SEIJAN

Experience old Japan in Kanazawa images

Experience old Japan in Kanazawa

In the Edo period Kanazawa had about the same poplulation as Nagoya.Edo being largest then Osaka, Kyoto then Kanazawa and Nagoya.During WW2 Kanazawa was not bombed and the old scenery of the Japanese culture can be seen today.Higashi Chayagai (東茶屋街) is one of the places you can experien…(173 words)

Yuuki I image

Yuuki I

Local Secrets: Asagaya Tanabata Festival in August images

Local Secrets: Asagaya Tanabata Festival in August

The Tanabata Matsuri (Star Festival) usually occurs in early July, celebrating the one day per year two star crossed lovers of legend can meet across the Milky Way. However, in some prefectures Tanabata is celebrated later, which is why the wonderfully colorful Asagaya Tanabata Festival occurs …(242 words)

Chiara image

Chiara

Thoughts on Japan Entry Documents images

Thoughts on Japan Entry Documents

We often describe what to do once you arrive in Japan but I am in the process of returning to Japan and decided to write an article to inform you what you will be going through to get through Japanese Customs whether your flight arrives in Narita, Haneda, Osaka or any other Japan port of entry.…(567 words)

AustinA image

AustinA

A beautiful gorge in Miyazaki images

A beautiful gorge in Miyazaki

Looking for scenery that's impossible to capture with a camera? Miyazaki Prefecture has a beautiful gorge named Takachiho-kyo, one of the must-go places in Kyushu. It is filled with greenery and the water has a beautiful turquoise tint.There are also areas to eat typical Japanese food and purch…(94 words)

RieS image

RieS