Kawagoe, Saitama - so near, yet so far away…in time
Many people, whether visiting Japan or residing here, long to experience the traditional side of this fascinating culture. They want to walk the streets as the samurai once did.But whether due to time or other factors, the prospect of a trip to Kyoto may be difficult. Even a visit to Nikko - th…(542 words)
GoodPeople
Traditional Kawagoe Saitama Tokyo City Event Trip Tera (Temple) Kyoto Castle
Adventures in Kesennuma
If you have been around Japan for a while, and have explored many of the beautiful, uniquely distinctive regions and are looking for a great day or overnight trip, then I suggest you take a well-worth adventure to Kesennuma. This sleepy little fishing community lies in the north eastern shore of th…(636 words)
Alex
Sendai Travel Kesennuma Hotel sento Sumo Food Pizza K-Port
Ginkgo Biloba, Get Ready for a Gold Tokyo!
I live in the city of Shinagawa and on my way to Shinagawa JR train station, I walk along the properly spaced and placed trees along the main road along the JR train tracks. The tree I am describing is titled Ginkgo Biloba or at times it is known by maidenhair tree. According to Wikipedia, “Gin…(541 words)
AustinA
Tokyo Train City Summer Art Tera (Temple) Food Spring Jinjya (Shrine) History
A Temple Less Crowded yet Equally Divine
Say the word Kyoto and immediately images of temples and shrines and all things traditionally Japanese spring to mind. It's Kyoto's inseparable association with the most beautiful and noble that Japan has to offer that makes it a choice destination for over 50,000,000 tourists that visit "The City …(399 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Kyoto Tera (Temple) Jinjya (Shrine) City Visit Travel Park
Art in the Heart of Roppongi
Roppongi is usually talked about for its high and night life, but it's equally well-known as home to two of the most astounding art museums in Tokyo, if not all of the country. Within walking distance of each other, these must-experience venues should be definitely be included in your itinerary whi…(210 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Art Roppongi Museum Roppongi Hills Visit
Japanese Chrysanthemums, A Wonderful Sight To See During Your Visit in Japan
"Kiku" is the Japanese word for Chrysanthemum. After residing in Japan for some 28 years, I understand that the Japanese relationship with this beautiful flower is deep, intricate and somewhat mysterious especially when you are a newbie visitor.I happen to live next to Japan’s second larges…(798 words)
Chrysanthemum
Yokohama
Summer
Convenience store
Art
Jinjya (Shrine)
Tea
Yahiko Niigata
Niigata
Kiku Matsuri
Rikugien Japanese Garden in Tokyo
There are a number of old Japanese gardens in Tokyo that have survived fast city development and natural disasters. Rikugien is one of them and an especially nice park in Tokyo.See the autumn leaves at nightThis is the Japanese Garden Rikugien at night. I visited it for the first time last …(359 words)
David
Japanese garden Autumn Color Cherry blossom Park Tokyo illumination Light-up Walk
Enoshima - "Jewel of Shonan" Festival
Enoshima Island has been lit up for the "Jewel of Shonan" Festival, with delightful night time illuminations at various locations, including the Sea Candle Lighthouse, Samuel Cocking Garden, some of the local cafes and restaurants. It is chosen as one of the three major illumination spots in the Ka…(263 words)
EmiOnishi
Enoshima Island festival Shonan Visit Spring Sea Winter Walk Mount Fuji view
Japan's Sengakuji Temple and the 47 Famous Samurai (Part 1)
Have you heard of “Chushingura” or the legacy of the Forty-Seven Ronin?The image of elegant Samurai, a picture of honor and integrity; this is the path of the “Bushi” or warrior. “Bushi-do” literally means “Warrior-path” with “do” the Chinese Character for “Path”.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v…(387 words)
Tera (Temple)
Ronin
Tokyo
Art
Samurai
Kids
Sengakuji Temple
47 Ronin
Visit
Japan's Sengakuji and the 47 Famous Samurai (Part 4)
One figure stands out among the line of Samurai statues standing quietly behind protective glass in the Sengakuji Temple Museum. It was chilly in the stark room but the items behind the glass caught my heart and instilled a warmth of pride even though I am not Japanese and I don't really know the f…(995 words)
Ronin
47 Ronin
Tokyo
Event
Asakusa
Tera (Temple)
Museum
History
Samurai
Sengakuji Temple
Hakone & Lake Ashi
If you are in search of that idyllic movie setting lakeside outing, then you have stumbled upon the right guiding information here. Look no further than a visit to the city of Hakone, which lies in the Kanagawa prefecture. Just under a two hour drive from Tokyo proper, you can be immersed in nature…(227 words)
Alex
Hakone Lake Lake Ashi City Visit Nature Kanagawa view Outdoor recreation ropeway
Places to visit in Shitamachi to pass an exam
"Yushima Tenmangu is a Shinto shrine commonly called Yushima Tenjin. This shrine was originally established in 458 A.D. in order to worship Ameno-tajikaraono-mikoto, one of deities appears in the Japanese myths. Later, in February 1355, the spirit of Sugawara Michizane, a historical figure, was als…(177 words)
Keiko, OTT
Jinjya (Shrine) Lucky Visit Tokyo Ueno Earthquake Kanto Kameido yushima
2-Day Trip to Fujigoko (Five Lakes of Mt. Fuji) in winter 2/3
This festival also offers not only ice trees but also Japanese traditional performance such as “Wadaiko” (Japanese drums) and lively “Yosaki” modern dancing performance. Also you can experience “Mochi-tsuki“(pounding boiled rice into mochi). So, it is a great festival where you can experience sever…(685 words)
ZEROIN -INTERNSHIP
Trip Winter day trip Tokyo Restaurant City Visit Park Summer Hotel
Yokohama Treasures: Nippon Maru and the Maritime Museum
Walk out of Sakuragicho Station towards either Queen's Square or the ocean and you can't miss it. The Nippon Maru, in all its magnificence, a Yokohama landmark since 1984. It was built in 1930 in Kobe as a training ship for cadets, and has for 54 years until her retirement trained some 11,500 cadet…(474 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Yokohama Museum Yokohama Treasures Nippon Maru History
Hanami at the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno Park
Ueno Park is one of Tokyo's most famous places for hanami during the cherry blossom season. Inside the park, make sure to visit the Tokyo National Museum and its beautiful Japanese garden in the spring. This garden lies hidden from view behind the main building. It is open to the public during …(227 words)
David
Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing) Japanese garden Tokyo National Museum Art Cherry blossom Exhibition Spring Ueno Park
Enjoy the Changing Seasons at Tenryū-ji
Of all the places I've been to in Japan thus far, I can honestly say Tenryū-ji is among the most beautiful. With spring just around the corner, it's a perfect time to plan a trip out to western Kyoto to see this temple and its immaculate grounds.Nestled at the foot of the mountains in Arashiyam…(366 words)
Petra
Tera (Temple) Kyoto Tourism
Tourist Tip #9: One-stop Super Shopping Stores
In July and August of last year, I wrote about a few excellent places to shop for souvenirs:http://www.deepjapan.org/a/3317http://www.deepjapan.org/a/3432However, this morning I noticed that I'd completely left out one of my personal favourite places to shop at, one I visit at least onc…(291 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Shopping Tourist Tip Visit Yokohama Art Music Akihabara Camera Toy Stationery
LiveYell Wedding Hall and My Experience in Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture in Japan
In Yamaguchi Prefecture for the first time, I arrived by Bullet Train for to speak to local business, military and government leaders about my book “33 More Reasons to be Proud”. My speech was held at a Wedding Hall called “LiveYell”. While I sipped hot coffee in the waiting room, I chuckled to…(355 words)
Yamaguchi
Japan
Train
English
History
Airport
Business
love
100 steps to heaven in the metropolis
There are some great Japanese gardens in central Tokyo.Imperial Palace, Shinjuku Gyoen, Rikugien, Hamarikyu, Koishikawa....These are located within central Tokyo, surrounded by skyscrapers and highways, so they also serve as 'oasis' in the metropolis, for the business people to breathe fresh a…(310 words)
Zara
Garden architecture Art Beauty Hotel History Visit
Sanja Matsuri/Festival in Asakusa - Summary and report
Of all the festivals in Asakusa year around, Sanja Matsuri Festival should be the most famous and the biggest one. If you have a chance, I encourage you to make a plan to see it once, referring to this and other sempai posts listed below. 1-2-3 basics;Sanja matsuri festival is held every y…(567 words)
Zara
Asakusa Sanja Matsuri Festival Jinjya (Shrine) Japanese festivals Tokyo portable shrine omikoshi
Beautiful Places to Visit in Japan
TripAdvisor published a list of 20 beautiful spots to visit in Japan that are not so well known yet. Let this list inspire you when you plan your next trip - there are islands, forests, temples, and lakes included here that not every guidebook describes. Go out of the city and explore the nature an…(252 words)
David
Japan Travel Japan Visit Nature Trip
How to Spend a Rainy Day, Local Style (Top 5 Recommendations)
In Japan, June is the Monsoon season. Many of the days are very moist and humid. Therefore, it’s good to know ways to have fun in Japan, even on a humid or rainy day. Here are my top 5 recommendations!HANWAY（ハンウェイ）1. Why not purchase a fancy Umbrella?@Roppongi HANWAYThe…(263 words)
Eddie
style Rainy Day Tokyo Trip Art Tera (Temple)
Exploring Japan through Beer: Kirin "Beer Village" Brewery Tour
Plan to be in Yokohoma for a few hours? Like beer? Why not head over to Kirin Brewery's Beer Village for a free look into the home of the Japanese beer industry!Located in northern Yokohama's Namamugi (Keikyu Keihin Line), this well-known tourist destination for both locals and international vi…(431 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Beer Kirin Yokohama Japan Exploring Japan Brewery Restaurant Food English History
Samurai battlefield spectacle -tradition over 1000 years -
Soma-nomaoi (literally means wild horse chase in Soma) is a traditional Shinto ritual and local festival in Soma City, held every July for three days, its history over 1000 years Originally developed as a military training and now it's widely known as the biggest samurai on horse festival i…(722 words)
Zara
Samurai tradition Fukushima Horse festival Event Tokyo TCK Horse racing
A Must Do Japanese Craft Beer Tour
It's been a little over a year since Baird Beer realized their dream of opening (another) brewery in the quiet hills of Shuzenji, Izu, and some 15 years since opening their first taproom in Numazu, Shizuoka - making beer history in Japan as the country's first operating technically non-Japanese cra…(380 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Beer Japanese Craft Beer Drink Tokyo Visit City Japan Food Trip
Kamakurabori Museum Encounter the world of Kamakurabori carving, a traditional handcraft
Even if you have never heard the name “Kamakurabori”, I am sure that many people would say “oh, I have seen this before!” when they see the real thing. Some might incorporate Kamakurabori carvings in their daily lives, whether in a tray, incense container or tea canister. It is a traditional handcr…(1148 words)
Kanagawa P.G.T.D.
History Museum Traditional City Building Art Jinjya (Shrine) Walk Tea Cherry blossom
Awa Odori （阿波おどり） – Summer Festival in Tokushima Prefecture
Tokushima Prefecture is located on Shikoku island and they hold one of the most famous dance festivals across Japan once a year in summer. Awa Odori has a very long history whose origins date back 400 years and everybody knows this traditional arts in Japan. The festival attracts large numbers of d…(380 words)
OKAKI-sun
Summer festival Tokushima Visit City Japan History Music Bus Osaka
Visit Enoshima Aquarium when you visit Enoshima Island
As a former long-time resident of the area, I'll admit: I used to think Enoshima Aquarium was an overpriced tourist trap. But with each new visit, especially after their renewal, I've grown to really appreciate and enjoy the aquarium.First, the price - at 2100 yen for an adult ticket, it's real…(273 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Visit Enoshima Island Aquarium Japan English Sea Kanagawa Children Kids
On your way to Hakone or Mt. Fuji, stop by great spots in Odawara
Odawara city in Kanagawa Prefecture was once a center of politics, culture and administration overseeing the Kanto region back in the Sengoku period (the Age of Civil Wars) in Japan. Historically, Odawara Castle was governed by the feudal lords of five generations called “Hojo five generations” for…(1120 words)
ZEROIN -INTERNSHIP
Hakone Odawara Ninja
Today I went to Tokushima on Shikoku Island Japan
This place was the Awa Han (Awa Clan), across the mountains from Kochi, where Ryoma Sakamoto began his effort to forge a new future for Japan.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jv3hU-oBTT8I spotted the dancers as soon as the escalator neared the first floor of the newly opened airport terminal…(737 words)
Japan
Shikoku
Tokushima
Art
Event
Tera (Temple)
Walk
Awa Odori Festival
Bon Festival
Enoshima Island Spa
Anyone who scratches the surface of daily life in Japan, will realize that it is the land of best kept secrets. However, the land of the rising sun is also often home to matrioshka-style ones; best-kept secrets within best-kept secrets, within best-kept secrets. One of my very favorites in that…(866 words)
Laurier Tiernan
Enoshima Island spa
Kinokoen Oyama no Taisho
Providing the rich bounty of nature to urban dwellersEating wood-grown shiitake mushrooms freshly picked? There is a place where such a luxurious delight, hardly imaginable by city dwellers, can be experienced all year round. It is called Kinokoen Oyama no Taisho, a restaurant run by a farmin…(561 words)
Kanagawa P.G.T.D.
Restaurant Yokohama Spring Nature style Mountain Tokyo City
Indulge myself with a small luxury : a minitrip to Kusatsu
Have you ever had that feeling that your mind is stuck with your work and you need to get away from the office for a while? Staying home is not an option because then, you will not stay focus on your backlog work. In such a case, I go to Kusatsu hot spring. It is three hours away from home in T…(537 words)
Claire
Luxury short trip Onsen Hot Spring Japan Kusatsu Onsen
Ishikawa: Top 10 Sightseeing Spots
Ishikawa Prefecture is found in the Hokuriku area of the Chubu region, in the middle of Honshu on the coast of the Japan Sea. The prefectural capital city is Kanazawa City. It is long north to south, and is shaped like the letter F. Ishikawa’s southern Kaga region has a long coastline on the Japan …(1108 words)
Japanista
Ishikawa Kenrokuen Garden Art museum kanazawa castle park
The Ultimate One-stop Souvenir Shop in Ginza
Need to buy souvenirs for someone or a group of people and don't have a clue what to buy or where to go? Well, you *could* read any of the following articles on the subject:http://www.deepjapan.org/a/4160http://www.deepjapan.org/a/4171http://www.deepjapan.org/a/4179Or you could just…(282 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Park Toy Souvenir Tokyo English Japan Food Shopping Must have souvenir Ginza
Driving to Kusatsu
It’s sometimes easy to forget that Japan, with all its grinding work hours, high tech wizardry and futuristic architecture, can also offer spectacular vistas and natural phenomena. To witness this transformation when urban, turns to suburban and then downright country, we drove from the sea in Shon…(291 words)
Alana
driving Japan Winter Hotel Sea Onsen Work Snow architecture new
Aomori Japan: Vibrant and Productive with Rich History and Strong Tradition
"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…(784 words)
Japan
Nebuta Matsuri Festival
Aomori
History
tradition
Summer
Drink
Spring
Vietnam
Apple
Japan has an annual Ninja Festa (Kids welcome!)
Iga-Ueno City's Ninja Festival celebrates Japan's famed warriors and its place in their history. Few iconic figures are more closely identified with Japan than the ninja; a combination of elite warrior and intelligence agent whose basic mission continues in various forms to this day. "The art o…(549 words)
GoodPeople
Japan Kids Visit Train Event Ninja Castle festival Shiga Tokyo
Camping at Lake Motosuko near Mt. Fuji
Ask five campers what they want out of a camping experience and you're likely to get at least three different ideas. This review is for those who like to drive to a camp area, set up a tent and have amenities such as a place to wash your dishes, shower, buy fire wood and other useful supplies on on…(251 words)
Aron
Lake Camping Lake Motosu Park English Japanese Yen buy car
Okutama, easy access and abundant nature in western Tokyo.
Okutama Town is located on the western edge of Tokyo. It is 40 miles west and two-hour train ride from Tokyo Station via Shinjuku and surrounded by green mountains but certainly within Tokyo Prefecture. It is a part of Chichibu Tama Kai National Park but major local tourist attractions are within s…(442 words)
Hagi
Tokyo Nature Train Hotel Onsen Fishing cave Soba noodles Okutama Yoga