Japan destinations steeped in history
The Nisshinkan Samurai School“I always wanted to explore Fukushima so I headed north from Tokyo station for a short ride on the Tohoku Shinkansen Toward Koriyama station… I boarded our chartered bus on the way to Nisshinkan Samurai school located in Aizu. It was the most prestigious institution…(572 words)
DeepJapan
History architecture Samurai Japanese Culture Castle Matome
3 Tips for Surviving Rush Hour in Japan
From my point of view, as someone who has to deal with the morning rush every morning, its difficult to understand why anyone would want to experience it. During the morning rush, all the trains and platforms are congested with people. Not only people but many grumpy people who are already in a bad…(350 words)
GenS
Japan Rush hour Tokyo Train Yokohama Event Music Sport Railway platform
Kurokawa Onsen in Kumamoto Prefecture
The first onsen I ever visited in Japan was Kurokawa Onsen in Kumamoto Prefecture. Although I've visited many other onsens in the 19 years I've been in Japan (and they're all nice!), my favorite is still Kurokawa Onsen. Why? Because the view is FANTASTIC! The rotenburos (outdoor hot spring pools) a…(106 words)
Andrea Miyata
Onsen Kumamoto River Outdoor recreation Beef Spring
Flee market at Toji Temple - Kyoto
On the 21st of each month, a famous flea market is held on the grounds of To-ji from 7am until around 4pm in the evening. It will be open even when it's rain, but there will be with less shops in such a case. This market is popularly called "Kobo-san", in honor of Kobo Daishi, who died on March 21.…(180 words)
EmiOnishi
Kyoto Tera (Temple) History Evening Garden To-ji Temple
Local Secret: Plum Tree Valley in Okurayama
While sakura usually steal the show in spring, I personally have a soft spot for the hardier, brighter ume (plum trees).Some trees are covered in pinkish-white blossoms, so that they resemble sakura, however ume can also be shockingly fuchsia or a deep lacquer red.Bairin (plum tree groves) …(202 words)
Chiara
local secret Park Spring Music Japanese plum
Local Secret: Sakura at Zenpukuji
In a bid to get away from the crowds of Nakameguro, Ueno and Shinjuku, I found out about a minor sakura covered park in Nishiogikubo, about 20 minutes away from the station. Zenpukuji is a miniaturized version of the famous Inokashira park, and has the same lovely cherry trees stretching over a…(202 words)
Chiara
Cherry blossom local secret Park Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing) Inokashira Park City Convenience store Shinjuku
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
If you ever visit Okinawa, make it a point to spend a day at the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium （沖縄美ら海水族館）, located in Motobu. The largest aquarium in the world until 2005, it houses over 26,000 animals with as many as 740 different species.The aquarium consists of four floors, with tanks ho…(149 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Aquarium Churaumi Okinawa Visit Sea Beauty Naha Nature
Bizen Osafune Sword Museum
I studied ancient Greek when I was in college and although fascinating, it was hard to use phrases like, "the donkey pulls my cart" in everyday conversation. Sword making is an ancient tradition in Japan and as with ancient Greek, I was curious as to whether it held some utility in today's society.…(403 words)
Kenji
Museum City Visit Art Samurai Movie tradition
Tama River Rafting
Flowing from high in the mountains of Yamanashi the Tama River makes its way to the ocean after traversing a nearly 140 kilometer long trail. The last several kilometers of the river is the dividing line between Tokyo and Kanagawa. The river is dammed along the way, forming Lake Okutama, a major so…(616 words)
Joe Peters
River Tama River Rafting Tokyo Sport Nature Tree Cruising Fishing and angling
Easy hike through Kamakura
Seeking to combine some sight-seeing with a bit of hiking, I found a short hiking course in Kamakura, starting at Kita Kamakura Station and ending up near the Daibutsu, from where the walk can be extended until the sea shore.The trail starts right next to Jochiji temple, and winds into the hill…(427 words)
Chiara
Kamakura Tera (Temple) Sea Jinjya (Shrine) Nature Hiking Buddha
Old Saidaiji Railway
Saidaiji is well-known for its Hadaka Matsuri or Naked Festival but few people, even locals are aware that there was once a light rail line that ran to central Okayama City. Saidaiji Railway was in operation from 1911 to 1962 and provided transport along the 11.4 kilometers between what was then Sa…(364 words)
Kenji
Train City Trip History River Nature Bicycle Tennis
Beautiful Kyoto
Kyoto is a beautiful city where you discover small temples and shrines around the corner. One step inside and you are in another world, free from the noise of the city, stressless, peaceful. All it takes is a walk along Kamo river, and some curiosity to look around the corners... So, if you ha…(391 words)
Claire
Kyoto Visit Tera (Temple) Jinjya (Shrine) River
Kyoto Love: Kiyomizu-dera & Jishu Shrine
Kiyomizu-dera 清水寺 is a beautiful temple in Kyoto up on the hills, with a view over the city. The temple grounds are a nice place to walk around and look at the many halls, gates, and pagodas from different angles. This is a very famous place and it might get a little crowded, but it is really wo…(276 words)
David
Kiyomizudera Temple Kyoto Tera (Temple) Autumn Color Cherry blossom Garden Light-up love view
Summer is here time to head to the beach!
Hello!It's getting hot and today I would like to recommend a few places to go to cool off at the beach.I live in the Tokai area, there for my advice are for people in Nagoya area.At the end of I will post a link for surf spots locations that is near you regardless of where you live in Japan.…(411 words)
Yuuki I
Summer City Nagoya Camping Toilet Weather
Ride Local Trains for an Different and Deeper View of Japan
The Little station in Yokohama Caught me Off GuardI was there on a visit with my friend Keiji to see one of his colleagues at one of Japan’s largest Engineering firms. It was like a slip back in time to step off the train onto a long cement platform with no safety barrier, no electronic sur…(456 words)
Train
Japan
History
Kanagawa
Transportation
Japan Travel
Enoden
Hakodate
Tokyo
Yokohama
Children Love Pokémon (and Pokémon Centers)!
Pokémon needs no introduction. But just in case you've been living under a rock in a cave for the last two decades, it is Nintendo's media franchise created in 1996, which has gone on to become their second-most successful character in history.What not so many people know, however, is that ther…(263 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Souvenir Shopping Pokemon Character Goods Landmark Tower Yokohama
Local Secret: Kawasaki Wind-chime Festival in July
Each year, for 5 days always including the 20th and 21st of July, the grounds of the Kawasaki Daishi temple are taken over by a wind-chime market. The creators of these lovely crafts come from all across Japan, representing almost every prefecture, to display and sell their chimes. The varietie…(206 words)
Chiara
local secret July festival Tera (Temple) Market wind-chime Kanagawa Yokohama
Doraemon in Roppongi Hills
Doraemon everywhere. I'm not sure how many there are, but I'd say around a hundred of them. There all over the plaza, on the walls, in the water fountains.There's Doraemon doing magic. Singing. Dancing.I understand it is to celebrate the movie that came out recently. The Stand By Me 3D…(341 words)
mikekato
Roppongi Hills Doraemon Public art Roppongi Kids Art
Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto: Walking the stairs to heaven....
There are many beautiful things to visit in Kyoto and for very good reasons. If you fancy a little bit of fresh air and a walk in the forest, Inari Shrine of Fushimi is the place to go.Inari Shrine is one of the many UNESCO world heritages in Kyoto and it attracts many tourists. But if yo…(553 words)
Claire
Jinjya (Shrine) Kyoto Visit Trip Walk
Jukai trekking at Mt. FUJI
There is a deep forest around Mt. Fuji, called Jukai. You will feel the power of nature walking through many trekking courses. The ground is a lava bed and the topsoil is only 10 centimeters, so roots of trees go horizontally. Therefore there are many fallen trees. Direction: The nearest sta…(185 words)
Keiko, OTT
Mount Fuji Lake Kawaguchi cave
Edo Wonderland - See the Legends!
I will admit that this was one of the most memorable adventures of my first trip to Japan. It is all very interactive and you can actually experience the Edo period lifestyle first-hand. This is a wonderful place to see and take part in the living history and culture of the Edo period. This cult…(223 words)
Dolores
Edo Period Nikko Park Trip History Play Japanese Culture Live activities Lucky
Japan Bible Home - Perfect Getaway place from Tokyo!
Most people know Minakami for skiing in winter, water sports in summer and bungee-jumping. It is a good place to make a one day trip from Tokyo and you can find a lot of economical ski lots and eating places. However, in summer this year I visited this place tucked away in the mountains and I w…(460 words)
Biju Paul
Tokyo Summer Trip Winter Sport River Nature Play Beauty Dinner
Bizen Osafune Sword Museum
Japan is synonymous with master sword-making. This status has been cultivated through popular culture with the myriad of samurai and ninja movies that have been made over the years. While Hollywood often focuses on the fanciful side of the Japanese sword, within Japanese popular culture it tends to…(307 words)
Kenji
Museum City Visit Food Art History Play Samurai Okayama
Tokyo Skytree Winter Illumination & Events
Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Solamachi are illuminated beautifully in the winter. Tall Skytree itself shines every evening of the year in changing colors and now the big Solamachi shopping mall at its base is also sparkling with lights and decorations.I took a walk around Solamachi to see the Tokyo …(450 words)
David
Tokyo Skytree illumination Winter Projection Mapping Christmas Souvenir
Japan's Sengakuji and the 47 Famous Samurai (Part 2)
December 14 marks the day 46 Samurai (not 47 and I will explain why later) brought the head of Kira and submitted themselves to justice at Sengakuji Temple.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBngXIDIiWEThis is a video showing a re-enactment of the Samurai leaving Ako (performed in Ako City in Hy…(538 words)
47 Ronin
City
Yokohama
Food
Event
Tera (Temple)
Ticket
Museum
History
Sengakuji Temple
5 recommendations to take your pictures wearing KIMONO in Asakusa
There are many good places to take pictures when you wear Kimono in Asakusa. Three gates to Sensoji, Kaminarimon, Hozomon and Nitenmon, are the best of course as well as Gojunotou (five-storied pagoda). However, I would like to recommend the places where is not in your guidebook.Izumiya is a sh…(236 words)
Keiko, OTT
Asakusa Kimono Restaurant Building Tera (Temple) Jinjya (Shrine) Shop Tempura Business Photography
Ume (plum) blossoms in Sumida-ku
Can not wait Sakura? February is the time for Ume (plum) blossoms. In Sumida-ku, there are some places famous for Ume blossoms. Though Kameido Tenjin is also famous for wisteria, there are over 300 Ume trees. 15 minutes walk from JR Kameido Station.Omurai-Katori Shrine is a small shrine, which …(118 words)
Keiko, OTT
Japanese plum Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing) Visit Jinjya (Shrine) Garden Kameido flowers
Yokohama Treasures: Yokohama Museum of Art
Yokohama is rife with things to do and see, boasting countless places to eat and enjoy oneself. There is old and new, local and international, every shade of interesting to delight in. Soon, visitors from all over the country and world will flock here to marvel at blossoming "sakura" (cherry trees)…(309 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Yokohama Art Museum City Restaurant Visit Building History Landmark Tower Yokohama Treasures
Japanese Stationery that Frees Your Creativity
Japan is a country and culture that takes its stationery and stationery shops super seriously - arguably to the point of insanity. For those people who don't care about what pen or pencil they use, the Japanese obsession with office and home supplies probably seems a waste. But for those who do car…(402 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Stationery Fashion design Music Shop Movie Market Shopping 100 yen shop Tokyo
Horseback riding at the foot of Mt Fuji
What's your plan for the next weekend ?If not decided, how about horseback riding ?No, it's not that difficult nor scary experience at all as you might imagine.They can even take the first time riders out for trekking on horses!After learning basic control, how to go forward, turn left or…(289 words)
Zara
Nature horseback riding Mount Fuji Tokyo Train Kids Lake Kawaguchi
Daikoku Pier C-4 Container Terminal - Port of Yokohama
A visit to a container terminal - You can gaze at piles of containers and huge cranes from the windowFor some people, the Hikawa Maru ocean liner or the passenger ship terminal may come to mind when they think of the Port of Yokohama, but in fact it is the trading port that serves as the hub of…(678 words)
Kanagawa P.G.T.D.
Yokohama Sea port view Visit
A Summer Day Tour in Misaki Port and Jogashima
If you have a day to get out and adventure, I suggest you make your way to Miura's Misaki Port and neighbouring island, Jogashima. Only one hour away from Yokohama, it makes for a perfect day trip.Misakiko, now a thriving tuna port (the locals call it the "City of Tuna), it boasts a fish market…(424 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Visit Yokohama Trip Summer port Tokyo City Shopping Jinjya (Shrine) Bus
Maid Cafe experience
Take a sneak peek at Maid Cafe --- yes, I've been curious but not motivated enough much so far.But as a professional Tokyo tour guide, I needed to have the experience before I take guests there. So I went with seven other guide friends.There are tons of maid cafes in Akihabara, different co…(363 words)
Zara
Maid Cafe Tokyo Akihabara Play Drink English Kawaii
Nihon Minka-en Enjoy a quiet stroll through a collection of old style traditional village houses
Escape the busy city for a while and let the olden days of Japan enrich your life. Located in Kawasaki's Ikuta Ryokuchi Park, the "oasis for the heart" of Nihon Minka-en might just bring traditional Japanese scenery alive for you (photo 1).Nihon Minka-en has 25 structures on display, including tr…(622 words)
Kanagawa P.G.T.D.
City style Traditional Train Trip Art Kawasaki Visit
Exploring Western Architecture in Kitano
For a recent meeting, I had the privilege of heading out to Kobe in Hyogo Prefecture and spending the day in Kitano. Kitano is a city known for its historic Western-style homes, many of which were built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when the Port of Kobe opened up the region to greater …(226 words)
Petra
architecture City Hyogo Japan Shopping English Souvenir Traditional
Untouched, Friendly and Awaiting your Arrival; Shizukuishi, Iwate Japan.
I planned to arrive in Shizukuishi, Iwate Prefecture while the sun was still shining, but a speech in Chiba City delayed my arrival until long after the moon rose on this village of just over 17,000 residents in Northeast Japan. It was a sweltering day with temperatures around 36 degrees Celsiu…(1112 words)
Japan
Iwate
Jinjya (Shrine)
Walk
Shinkansen Bullet Train
Japanese Culture and Style
Tokyo
Tanuki
Kokonotuido Home-Fired Suenosato Hand-blown Glassworks Make your own original glass creation
“Kokonotuido Home-Fired Suenosato Hand-blown Glassworks”, where you can try your hand at glassblowing, is a 10-minute bus ride from JR Ofuna Station. After walking through a peaceful rural area for around five minutes, Haruka Sato and Kaname Onoguchi came to meet me from the glassworks (photo 1).…(777 words)
Kanagawa P.G.T.D.
Make your own Tokyo Restaurant Food Summer Art Shibuya Bus Sake (Rice wine) Cuisine
Visit Niigata Japan: Rice Paddies, Toki Birds and Noh Experience
"Get the latest updates here on Deep Japan as we collaborate with Tokyo Broadcasting System(TBS) Television, JNN(Japan News Network/TBS nation wide affiliates)'s seven-station network across Japan and Vietnam's VTV station to bring the people in Vietnam informative and fun reports from the fantasti…(611 words)
sarajean
Japan Niigata Visit Japanese Noh Rice cracker Sake (Rice wine) Shinkansen Bullet Train Travel Local Japan Vietnam
Kusatsu Onsen, one of Kanto, Japan’s less discovered gems
I recently visited Kusatsu for Deep Japan with the goal of re-discovering the magic of this mountain town that is consistently ranked as one of Japan’s best hot spring resorts. It was my visit to the town and it remains one of my top destinations in Japan. In this series of five articles I’ll cover…(542 words)
AndrewShuttleworth
Japan Onsen Kanto Visit Park Hotel Shopping Beer Spring Walk
Oita Prefecture in Japan is a Haven of Onsen and Beautiful Scenery
"Get the latest updates here on Deep Japan as we collaborate with Tokyo Broadcasting System(TBS) Television, JNN(Japan News Network/TBS nation wide affiliates)'s seven-station network across Japan and Vietnam's VTV station to bring the people in Vietnam informative and fun reports from the fantasti…(637 words)
Phil
Japan Onsen Scenery Mountain Japanese inn Kyushu Oita Vietnam Beppu Onsen Japan Travel