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Smell the spring in the air! images

Smell the spring in the air!

Looks like we are up for some cold weather next week.Today was nice and warm in Hamamatsu.A cup of coffee in the morning and decided to take a walk in the nice weather.It's one of the things I like to do in the summer time but today seemed like a great day to start.I live on a small isl…(309 words)

Yuuki I image

Yuuki I

Spring Summer Coffee Cherry blossom Cherry Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing)
1-hour small yet great trip from Kyoto Station – Toji Temple images

1-hour small yet great trip from Kyoto Station – Toji Temple

My favorite spot in Kyoto is Toji Temple, a world heritage site which has history of 1,200 years!Located within 15-minute walking distance from Kyoto station (1 Kujo-cho, Minami-ku, Kyoto City), it is easy to access. As everybody knows the famous temple, you can ask anyone for the direction on the …(126 words)

Eddie image

Eddie

Trip Kyoto Tera (Temple) City History Taxicab World Heritage Site To-ji Temple
Kamakura: there is a reason why! images

Kamakura: there is a reason why!

If you like both, Kamakura is a sure spot. There are many beautiful places in Kamakura and it is tough to sort them out and make choices. But if you like to take your time, try to go on a week day, and visit the Great Buddha, Hase tera and Gorakuji.Well, this is the ABC of basics but there …(391 words)

Claire image

Claire

Kamakura Tera (Temple) Visit Sea Cherry blossom Lunch
Walk & Play at Sumida Park in Asakusa images

Walk & Play at Sumida Park in Asakusa

When you visit Asakusa, don't only go to Senso-ji temple. Also go to Sumida River and take a walk in Sumida Park. The park has great views of Tokyo Skytree and a big playground for children. There are also two small cafes here overlooking the river. To reach Sumida Park go towards the river from As…(143 words)

David image

David

Asakusa Playground Tokyo Skytree Park Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing) Sumida river Tokyo Cherry blossom Children
Morning sumo practice in the Kitanoumi-beya images

Morning sumo practice in the Kitanoumi-beya

I got up early one morning to go visit the morning sumo practice, keiko, at the Kitanoumi-beya in Kotu-ku, Tokyo. We were instructed not to talk, move, or show the back of our feet out of respect to the training sumo wrestlers and trainees. One hour watching these men train for the upcoming tournam…(223 words)

Emelie Fågelstedt image

Emelie Fågelstedt

Sumo History Osaka Sport Ticket Tokyo Trip Visit
Parks in Japan: Kairakuen images

Parks in Japan: Kairakuen

“Kairakuen”On Sunday, March 16, 2014 I visited a place call “Mito, Ibaragi” Prefecture. The thought I had was to do some investigative work on a person by the name of Mito Mitsukuni kou (commonly known as Mito Koomon) who appears on a very well-known Jidaigeki TV series.However, I found a treas…(607 words)

AustinA image

AustinA

Parks in Japan Cherry blossom Day trip from Tokyo Plum trees Japan Day Travel Japan Easy Access Adventure Mito Beautiful Spring Japan
Ohanami in Tokyo images

Ohanami in Tokyo

If you have time now you should go to Yasukuni shrine and Chidorigafuchi beside of Kitanomaru park. A lot of Cherry blossom trees blooming now. Tomorrow will be rain so you should go now! You have casual Japanese good with sake for dinner at Yasukuni shrine. If you have time now just go!(53 words)

noby image

noby

Tokyo Park Cherry blossom Jinjya (Shrine) Sake (Rice wine) Cherry Dinner Chidorigafuchi
Tourist information desk inside of Shibuya Station images

Tourist information desk inside of Shibuya Station

Deep in the catacombs of Shibuya Station, somewhere between JR and the Hikarie Building is one of the most pleasant tourist information desks that I've seen in Tokyo. It is jointly operated by Tokyu Railways and Tokyo Metro, providing maps and information in English, Japanese, Chinese, and Spanish…(275 words)

mikekato image

mikekato

Shibuya lost Tokyo Building English Railways Metro Transportation Subway
Free downloadable walking maps and guides for Japan images

Free downloadable walking maps and guides for Japan

There are maps you can download on your iPhone or iPad for several cities in Japan.To find them do a search in the app store for "gpsmycity japan" (quotes are not necessary).The screen shots attached here show you what the apps look like. There are free versions and paid versions (.99).…(207 words)

Joe Peters image

Joe Peters

Convenience store Internet iPhone apps for Japan Lawson Walking Tours
The Madding Crowds images

The Madding Crowds

Now that the sakura blossoms are nearing their end, at least in Tokyo, the next 'season' coming up in Japan is Golden Week. (If you still want to see sakura head north and it's possible to have another couple of weeks or more of sakura blossom viewing.)Golden week this year starts from Tuesday,…(253 words)

Joe Peters image

Joe Peters

Tokyo Train Visit Cherry blossom Train station Onsen Golden Week
Kitchens Galore and More images

Kitchens Galore and More

Last Sunday was a rainy day in Tokyo. We had friends visiting from the states and they are getting ready to remodel their kitchen and bathroom at their home.On Saturday we had gone to Shiodome to see the Panasonic Living Center. You can wander through their four floors to see the latest in Japa…(291 words)

Joe Peters image

Joe Peters

Tokyo Park Shinjuku Toilet Rainy Day Shiodome Panasonic Lixil
Tokyo bay cruise images

Tokyo bay cruise

If you are Tokyo tour proficient, you must know the name "Hato Bus". Well, Hato Bus is not only a tour bus company but also owns cruise company. You can enjoy nice lunch or dinner on the Tokyo bay cruise together with buy tour to other places. I went with family for Christmas lunch and it wa…(123 words)

KIH image

KIH

Tokyo Cruise Tokyo Bay Bus Christmas English Lunch Dinner view
Happy Nogeyama Zoo in Yokohama images

Happy Nogeyama Zoo in Yokohama

We visited Nogeyama zoo today.It is just about a right size zoo for little kids and my little boy was running all over. I admire Yokohama city to run this place as a free zoo beside Kanazawa zoo (also a free zoo) and Zoorasia (Admisson fee 600 yen/person). We would love to visit the other two i…(235 words)

EmiOnishi image

EmiOnishi

Yokohama Zoo Nogeyama Zoo City Visit Children Respect for the Aged Day
Children's Day images

Children's Day

If you see giant carp streamers flying over homes or in the fields at this time of the year it isn't because the home owner is bragging about the size of the fish he or she just caught.It's the celebration of Children's Day, which officially falls on May 5, during Golden Week.The village of…(118 words)

Joe Peters image

Joe Peters

Children Saitama Golden Week Children's Day (Japan)
La Folle Journee au Japon images

La Folle Journee au Japon

If you happen to be in Tokyo during the "Golden Week" as you should prefer to, you can spend time walking the streets of Marunouchi and discover street performances and concerto.What is Golden Week: it is a week blessed with so many national holiday that you do not work at all during that week.…(224 words)

Claire image

Claire

Tokyo City Music Event Marunouchi Golden Week
Hanami - another way to enjoy (for the next year) images

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 image

KIH

Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing) Tokyo Asakusa Cherry blossom River Lunch view Cruise Yakatabune
Enjoy Japan Travel Even More with the Cheap, Kanto Area Train Pass images

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 image

Chiara

Cheap Kanto Area Pass Chiba Karuizawa Summer Train Winter
Should I Get The Japan Rail Pass? images

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 image

Andres Zuleta, Boutique Japan

Japan Rail Pass Train Shinkansen Bullet Train Express train Japan Travel Tokyo Hotel Ticket Trip Train station
Local Secret: YaNeSen images

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 image

Chiara

local secret Tokyo Visit Jinjya (Shrine) Curry Wagashi Nippori
The Hakone Open Air Museum : Amazing place! images

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 image

EmiOnishi

Museum Hakone Park Building Trip Lunch English Play Gallery Kids
Sasebo images

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 image

Kevin

Sasebo City Trip Visit Sea Castle Kyushu Nagasaki Huis Ten Bosch
Book your tickets for the May Sumo Grand Tournament! images

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 image

Emelie Fågelstedt

Sumo Sports enthusiasts Ryogoku Kokugikan
Wisteria: Fuji - Spring Flowers in Japan images

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 image

David

Spring Flower Kameido Jinjya (Shrine) Japanese festivals Ukiyoe April
The beauty hidden in mountains of Japan. - Satoyamas images

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 image

idivilayil

Beauty Nature Gifu
Golden Week in Nihonbashi images

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 image

yukorose

Golden Week Tokyo City
JRA Japan Horse Show on Golden Week images

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 image

Moo Moo

Golden Week Horse Park Visit Event Museum Children Playground Setagayaku
Maid Cafe in Akihabara! images

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 image

Natalie

Maid Cafe Akihabara Cafe Tokyo Food
Golden Week images

Golden Week

Golden Week - that period of many holidays in Japan - is upon us! For some, the long holiday period started on April 29 (Tuesday) and will stretch through Sunday, May 11. A "hearty" few even took April 28th off, giving them 16 days of vacation time with only 7 days of actual vacation days used. Man…(489 words)

Joe Peters image

Joe Peters

Tokyo Park Shibuya Ginza Jinjya (Shrine) Onsen Harajuku Shinkansen Bullet Train Narita International Airport
Visiting Japan? There's an App for That! images

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 image

LoveJapanChika

Japan Travel Licensed Private Tour Guides
Kameido Tenjin Shrine images

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 image

Claire

Jinjya (Shrine) Kameido Tokyo Sushi Visit
Yoshima YMCA Retreat images

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 image

Kenji

Sea Sport Beaches Nature Outdoor recreation Tennis Okayama Kobe Bar Food
Hakone images

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 image

TokyoTom

Hakone Yunessun Spa Resort Lake Ashi Owakudani Hotel Shopping Visit Museum Mount Fuji Tourism
5 Unique Japan Guidebooks For An In-Depth Japan Experience images

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 image

Andres Zuleta, Boutique Japan

Tokyo Sushi Kyoto Sake (Rice wine) Onsen Izakaya Japan Travel Japanese cuisine Japanese inn Japanese Culture
You Salty Dog You! images

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 image

Joe Peters

Building Visit Souvenir Subway Salt Walk Azabu Juban
Ribbit said the frog. RIBBIT!! said the GIANT frog. images

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 image

Joe Peters

Frog Tokyo Jinjya (Shrine) Subway Azabu Juban Coin May
Take a walk on the nearly wild side images

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 image

Claire

Walk
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

Fireworks Tokyo Summer Asakusa Kamakura
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

Nagoya Park City History Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing) Castle Kids Nagoya Castle
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

English Mount Fuji Mountain Mt Fuji 5th Station Shizuoka Summer Tera (Temple) Trip World Heritage Site Yamanashi
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

Asakusa Communication jinrikisha