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Craziest Amusement Park in Japan, Fujikyu Highland images

Craziest Amusement Park in Japan, Fujikyu Highland

I was at Fujikyu Highland the other day for a speech and from the window in the hotel I spied this unbelievable drop on their huger roller coaster. Yes, you are right, it actually inclines like that and you could hear the screams of delight all through the day. The park did not seem very crowded on…(125 words)

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Fujikyu Highland Japan Tokyo Park Hotel Bus Onsen Food
Guys images

Guys

Wear dark-colored suits from fall (October)(6 words)

Mike's image

Mike's

Tokyo
Otaku Battles images

Otaku Battles

There are groups who dress up in camouflage clothing and run about in various settings - woods, countryside, even urban - shooting at each other with air guns. These outings are actually organized and some of the participants will own several models of air guns. They even have magazines dedicated t…(75 words)

Joe Peters image

Joe Peters

Otaku Hobby
Falling leaves, not always falling temperatures images

Falling leaves, not always falling temperatures

Fall in Japan can still be quite warm. Of course, it all depends on where you are. If you are in Tokyo expect dayttime temperatures in the high 60s (F) or even higher in the early part of fall and even into late October. Nights usually drop to the lower 50s, sometimes a bit cooler.Bring along a…(162 words)

Joe Peters image

Joe Peters

Tokyo Mountain Uniqlo Trip
The Mandarin Oriental, the ShangriLa, the New York Grill (Shinjuku Hyatt) images

The Mandarin Oriental, the ShangriLa, the New York Grill (Shinjuku Hyatt)

To name a few.I suppose you could go up to them for free for a look. But it is better to go there for lunch or afternoon tea.The view from the toilets at the Mandarin are pretty spectacular by the way.(43 words)

Steve image

Steve

Tokyo Shinjuku Tea
Travel Travails & Coupons images

Travel Travails & Coupons

Actually, travel coupons are few are far between in Tokyo. You can see coupons for hotel discounts if you are signed up for Groupon Japan, or Ponpare (like Groupon), but you'll have to be able to read Japanese or use the Google translate function on your browser to get a fair idea of what the coupo…(180 words)

Joe Peters image

Joe Peters

Tokyo Train Hotel Subway
I concur about Roppongi Hills Observatory but don't forget the Big Picture too images

I concur about Roppongi Hills Observatory but don't forget the Big Picture too

Indeed, I second the advice that the Roppongi Hills Observatory - the night view in particular - is to be recommended. But in fact I think you can get a nice view from many other locations in the Roppongi Hills area, whether in the Roppongi Hills Mori Tower (Academy Hills) facilities on 49th floor,…(143 words)

Mike's image

Mike's

Roppongi Roppongi Hills Building City Hotel Odaiba Tokyo Tram
Sumida River Cruse, and more! images

Sumida River Cruse, and more!

I highly recommend the very inexpensive and wonderful Tokyo "Sea Bus" river cruise. Many great cities in the world have rivers, and Tokyo has the Sumida River. How many bridges, and what can you see? http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3042.html(42 words)

Yobochusha image

Yobochusha

Tokyo Sea River Bus
Kyoto images

Kyoto

You can do a day trip to Kyoto from Tokyo. Take the first Shinkansen at 6:00 from Tokyo or Shinagawa to Kyoto, and return with the last Shinkansen leaving Kyoto around 22:30. Here are tips what to do in Kyoto:http://www.fasol.com/2013/08/26/tips-for-kyoto/(43 words)

gerhard image

gerhard

Tokyo Kyoto Shinkansen Bullet Train Trip
Japanese Rituals - New Year and Hatsumode images

Japanese Rituals - New Year and Hatsumode

Not sure on the exact spelling of "Hatsumode" but it is the first trip to the temple to pray? for the new year...not all Japanese are constant/weekly church/temple visitors but come new year - watch out for the crowds at the temples - especially on the 1st of Jan. I think every Japanese person vi…(83 words)

Mick Lay image

Mick Lay

Tera (Temple) Harajuku Hatsumode Trip New year
Music games are hot images

Music games are hot

Music game is one of the newest otaku hobbies. Every game centers install music game machines usually called Oto-ge. It is popular widely among all ages. You can play not only in game centers but also at home. A lot of people play it with their phone.Actually old otaku hobbies are also still po…(67 words)

Kim-san image

Kim-san

Building Music Game Otaku Amusement arcade
Kamakura images

Kamakura

Kamakura is one hour away from Tokyo, on the Yokosuka line.You can enjoy the mountain, the beach and walk to Enoshima. Temples, with the great Buddha statue is a must while quite touristic. It is impressive though. There are other beautiful temples, around Hase and Kita Kamakura. In automn, the…(84 words)

Claire image

Claire

Tokyo Tea Kamakura Coffee Mountain Enoshima Island
Space Battleships images

Space Battleships

A bit different than the way many consider "nerd hobbies" in America, for example wizards and knight games, Star Wars collectibles, video games, etc, Japan's "Otaku" classification is a bit broader in scope. Otaku will sometimes be less concerned about the actual appearance or collection aspect of …(187 words)

KurtisW image

KurtisW

Game Otaku Playing Television
Sunrise on the New Year's Morning images

Sunrise on the New Year's Morning

You will only get one chance a year at this, but if you happen to be in Japan during the new year, you can see literally the first sunrise on earth. Many people will either stay up all night or wake up especially early to see the first sun in "the land of the rising sun" no less.However, even i…(148 words)

KurtisW image

KurtisW

New year Tokyo River Tama River Winter
Shinjuku South Exit images

Shinjuku South Exit

If you exit Shinjuku station out the south exit, or better yet the "new" south exit, you arrive in a promenade with Krispy Kreme donuts, Starbucks, Tokyu Hands, and other shops.This whole area is lit up with spectacular lights, and being right outside the station, is a great place for a stroll.…(114 words)

KurtisW image

KurtisW

Shinjuku Tokyo Shopping Takashimaya
Shinjuku - Southern Terrace images

Shinjuku - Southern Terrace

Across from Takashimaya, Southern Terrace - some pretty good illuminations.(10 words)

Steve image

Steve

Tokyo Shinjuku Takashimaya
First Visit for the New Year - Hatsumode images

First Visit for the New Year - Hatsumode

Many Japanese people visit shrines and temples during the first days of the year. It is a way to start into the new year. The new year starts at midnight, so people line up already in the evening of December 31. At the big popular places like Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa or Meijijingu in Harajuku it …(161 words)

David image

David

New year Hatsumode Tokyo Asakusa Tera (Temple) Senso-ji Temple Jinjya (Shrine) festival
The Magical DisneySea Perfect for Families images

The Magical DisneySea Perfect for Families

It seems a no-brainer that Disney Sea would be one of the places you dont want to miss during your visit to Japan. Disneyland is in a few places around the world, but Japan is the only country to have a Disney Sea (the fourth most visited theme park in the world) that focuses on the nautical, explo…(375 words)

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Amusement park Tokyo Park Hotel Sea Visit
Try all the buttons images

Try all the buttons

I like the empirical way of doing things.You can try pushing all the buttons, but I recommend not at the same time, and while sitting.I actually try them while standing up and watching, because scientific testing does not necessarily exclude wariness. But it can be quite,..., splashing.(49 words)

Claire image

Claire

 
Robert Yellin is the person to talk to about Japanese Pottery images

Robert Yellin is the person to talk to about Japanese Pottery

I have never met anyone who knows more about Japanese pottery than Robert Yellin. I visited his Kyoto gallery a few years ago as was deeply impressed with his selection of pottery and his love of Japan. He is also a super nice guy and very easy to talk to. You can learn more about Robert athttp:/…(73 words)

Jeff Aasgaard image

Jeff Aasgaard

Kyoto
Itami in Hyogo Prefecture images

Itami in Hyogo Prefecture

Itami city is located in Hyogo Prefecture – known as a town for Itami Airport. Itami is also known as a is the birthplace of Seishu (refined sake). They have the oldest Sake storehouse in existence that is clear when it was build. They are important cultural property that pass on the history of t…(91 words)

OKAKI-sun image

OKAKI-sun

City Tea Airport History Sake (Rice wine) Hyogo
Asakusa's Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise Street in the Evening images

Asakusa's Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise Street in the Evening

Many tourists visit Asakusa and the Senso-ji temple during the day and it gets quiet in the evening. As one of the major tourist attractions in Tokyo, it is usually quite crowded here, but by the time the shops close in Nakamise-dori between 18:00 and 19:00 most visitors leave. At night, the temple…(194 words)

David image

David

Asakusa Senso-ji Temple Japanese style shopping arcade Tera (Temple) Evening Art painting illumination
The Waka Poetry Garden - Rikugien images

The Waka Poetry Garden - Rikugien

Rikugien is a very nice garden for walking the park paths, up the gentle hills, and around the pond while taking in the sights and sounds of this park within the confines of a busy city. The garden was created based on the theme of Waka poetry. It's a typical example of the gardens of the Edo perio…(175 words)

Joe Peters image

Joe Peters

Tokyo City Park Subway Visit
Day Trekking at Mt. Takao images

Day Trekking at Mt. Takao

At 599 meters, or just under 2,000 feet, Mount Takao - Takaozan in Japanese - isn't an especially high mountain. However, with over half a dozen trails leading to the top, in addition to a cable car and chair lift that goes about halfway to the summit, Takaozan offers a great place for a day outing…(822 words)

Joe Peters image

Joe Peters

Takao Tokyo Train Restaurant Shinjuku Trip Soba noodles Jinjya (Shrine) Shoes Mountain
When visiting Kyoto... do not forget the Gold Pagoda images

When visiting Kyoto... do not forget the Gold Pagoda

I love Kyoto. It is a city with a soul. A city where people actually live. (weird to so but when living in Tokyo, Kyoto feels like a real city with people!) I often go there for my job (tough life, yes, I know!) and usually, I visit a new place, of some of my favorites: Adashino, a bit far in t…(341 words)

Claire image

Claire

Kyoto Cherry blossom Mountain Nature Castle Snow Visit Imperial Palace
Free WiFi in Osaka for Travelers images

Free WiFi in Osaka for Travelers

Osaka has started to offer free WiFi to travelers to help them connect with the city. All you have to do is check WiFi connections on your device, registrar and then connect. Usage time is limited but should be enough to check maps, find restaurants and check email. For more information please see…(59 words)

Jeff Aasgaard image

Jeff Aasgaard

City Osaka Wi-Fi
Dark Souls Cafe in Roppongi Until April images

Dark Souls Cafe in Roppongi Until April

Oz cafe in Roppongi has collaborated with the game Dark Souls to bring you the Dark Souls Cafe! Open until April they have set up an entertaining theme restaurant with statues, decorations, swords, costumes, and a crazy themed menu. They will also hold special events such as the release of Dark Sou…(101 words)

Alex Kobayashi /Subtokyo image

Alex Kobayashi /Subtokyo

Roppongi Tokyo Restaurant Game Visit Dark Souls Subtokyo Themed Restaurant
Mineral-rich Hot Spring in Japan Great for Skin images

Mineral-rich Hot Spring in Japan Great for Skin

It is a rare onsen (hot spring) where visitors can bathe in their bathing suits. When I first came to Japan way back when, I dreaded entering a hot spring area where naked bodies eased in and out of steaming mineral scented water. As I grew accustomed to the custom...I learned to practice the same …(431 words)

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Enoshima Island Day Spa Japan Bathing suit friendly onsen Hot Spring Japan Shiatsu Massage Japan Onsen Shinjuku Shibuya Coffee Kaitenzushi (Conveyor belt sushi)
Kyoto lovely spot to stay images

Kyoto lovely spot to stay

Kyoto is THE place to visit, and visit again, and again. It does not matter how many time you go, there is always a new wonder to discover. Flee markets such as the one of Toji (every 21st of the month) where you will find nice Japanese objet from kimono to ceramics..., or such as public bath s…(243 words)

Claire image

Claire

Kyoto Hotel River Kimono Wine Visit Evening
Look at this watermelon images

Look at this watermelon

Look at this watermelon water tank in Chiba!!It is 33.8 meters in diameter and 37 meters tall. I wish it was filled with watermelon juice! Such a cute way to decorate. It makes you feel cool just to look at it!This city is in the North of Chiba and is called Tomisato. It is Japan's seco…(73 words)

Eddie image

Eddie

City Chiba Watermelon Juice
The Plum Blossoms are the tough guys... images

The Plum Blossoms are the tough guys...

People think of Japan and many think of Cherry Blossoms first. Actually Apricot and Plum Blossoms are the tough guys, they push past the snow, they stand firm in rainstorms and endure the rainstorms... Posting this photo was inspired by a kind Facebook Friend who had spotted the early plum blos…(317 words)

Andrew Grimes image

Andrew Grimes

Tokyo Train Park Shinjuku Sushi Cherry blossom Cherry Flower Spring Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing)
Do you need a taxi? images

Do you need a taxi?

There are plenty of taxi in Japan. They are cheap, easy, they won't try to cheat on you, they have white lace cover seats and they are safe. You even feel like a VIP when the driver has white gloves. But their driver might not understand other language than Japanese, and worse, he might not kno…(388 words)

Claire image

Claire

Taxicab Tokyo City Trip Kyoto
Enjoy Japanese department stores basements ! images

Enjoy Japanese department stores basements !

You might associate a Japanese word “department store” with expensive stores, but every Japanese department store has its own depachika and all of which are crammed with attractive shelves containing a wide range of foods from a delicious bento box to gorgeous sweets yet for reasonable prices. Aisl…(308 words)

fujimorison image

fujimorison

Department store Depachika Bento (box meal) Takashimaya Sweets Mitsukoshi
Hara Museum of Contemporary Art in Gunma images

Hara Museum of Contemporary Art in Gunma

You can find nature in Japan! And you may find it about 1hour and a half away from Tokyo: in Gunma prefecture.There is that contemporary art museum in the middle of the mountain that is fabulous. It is managed by the Hara Museum, and hosts collections that do not fit in the mother museum based …(193 words)

Claire image

Claire

Art Museum Tokyo Visit
Cherry blossoms: Sakura Time & Timing in Japan images

Cherry blossoms: Sakura Time & Timing in Japan

Sakura 桜 are all things cherry, everything cherry blossoms and cherry trees. Think of sakura as a season in Japan, the height of spring. When will the cherry blossom start to open and how long will they last? This question is essential for hanami planning and discussed in detail in the media e…(345 words)

David image

David

Spring Cherry blossom Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing) Flower Asakusa Japanese Culture Japan Travel
Nostalgia in Yokohama images

Nostalgia in Yokohama

Yokohama is still something of a grand dame. Perhaps no longer the celebrated talk of the town, but with sparkle showing that, in her heyday, she was a beauty to be reckoned with.The long wandering walk from Kannai to Nihon Oodori gives a glimpse into the exciting Meiji and Showa days, when thi…(206 words)

Chiara image

Chiara

Yokohama Kannai Hotel Yamashita Park Chinatown
Museum of Industry and Technology images

Museum of Industry and Technology

Nagoya is usually not on touristic tour in Japan. But if you are on business there, and you have some time to spend, or, if you are with your children and you want to attract their interest to science, or, they do love science, there is one place you want to visit: the Toyota Commemorative …(264 words)

Claire image

Claire

Museum Visit Nagoya
If you are an ancient car freak! images

If you are an ancient car freak!

This museum is located in Nagakute. It is a bit far from Nagoya city center, in a place where there is not much of anything else, really. But you can go there easily with the metro and then the "linimo". Linimo is this line that was build for the Nagoya Expo in 2005. It is a magnetic levitation tra…(174 words)

Claire image

Claire

Museum Visit Nagoya
How to visit shrines in Tokyo Metropolis! images

How to visit shrines in Tokyo Metropolis!

Japanese shrines generally are based in Shintoism and temples are based on Buddhism. Buildings have different names depending on religions just as we have churches for Christianity and mosques for Muslims. An easier way to tell which one is which is that you’ll find tori archways at shrines and gr…(349 words)

Eddie image

Eddie

Tokyo Jinjya (Shrine) Meiji Shrine Ueno Akihabara kanda yushima kanda shrine
Koyo in Inokashira Koen images

Koyo in Inokashira Koen

Inokashira Koen, a brief walk away from Kichijouji station on the Inokashira line, is mainly famous for its beautiful cherry blossoms, which reflect on the lake, and for the 'cursed' swan boats. Supposedly, if you ride in a swan boat with your significant other, you will break up!However, the p…(181 words)

Chiara image

Chiara

Park Inokashira Park Kichijouji Tokyo Coffee Autumn Lake Museum