Surfing in Chiba
Getting out of Tokyo for a 1.5 hour train ride, one can find plenty of surfing spots along the Pacific coast in Chiba. For Tokyoites, Chiba offers relatively good waves and clean water--much cleaner than the beaches of nearby Shonan (Kanagawa).Although it's easier to travel out to the beach by…(132 words)
slapshot
Tokyo Train City Beaches Chiba KanagawaDigging for clams during May-July season
there are many seasides that open for visitos to collect clams during May-July. The nearest to Tokyo is the seaside at Funabashi city. If you haven't tried this, it would be a good experience, as thousands of locals will flock the seaside (quite muddy). Not like any other seasides, clams are easily…(85 words)
lucaslim
Tokyo City Beachesrent a bicycle to cover the wider yokohama
I have tried both, walk or cycle, and found that cycling is fun in Yokohama. One can cover all the lanes/streets by bicycle easily within a day, enjoying the elegant building structure and discover the old and new Yokohama. If you stay at Balian resorts, they have bicycles (free) standby for their…(57 words)
lucaslim
Yokohama Building BicycleFrom Luxurious Shops to Majestic Gardens: Tokyo Midtown
There is almost too much to see at Tokyo Midtown to write it all down here. One of the best things about the area are the floor guides who wear beautiful uniforms that change with the season and can help you in several different languages. There are many different shops that feature excellent Japan…(182 words)
Tokyo Tokyo Midtown Park Building Tea Art UniqloNoge Street Performance Festival
Many street performers participates to this local festivals in Noge, Yokohama. It's best to take public transport to Minato Mirai, Sakuragi-Cho, or Hinode cho stations. FYI:this year of 2013, the festival will be held on the weekend:5th, 6th Oct.(40 words)
lenamum
Tokyo YokohamaNissan World Headquarters in Minato Mirai, Japan great place for Tech-Savvy people
If you want to see cutting edge green cars of the future getting ready for mass production, the Nissan World Corporate Headquarters in Minato Mirai is a great place to visit. The Showroom is state of the art and you can take a look at the history of Nissan and how the cars have evolved over the yea…(103 words)
Japan Nissan Technology Yokohama History Visit WalkHama Rikyu
I also recommend Hama Rikyu garden near Shiodome. It is an oasis in the middle of central Tokyo. There is one view that shows a very traditional Japanese garden (Hama Rikyu) with the tall buildings of Shiodome as the backdrop.I have written about Hama Rikyu here:http://www.alifelessnormal.co/…(54 words)
Jase
TokyoMyoko Kogen
I recommend Myoko Kogen in Niigata. It is not on a shinkansen (bullet train) line so it is a lot less busy to other more famous ski resorts on the shinkansen lines. You can read more about Myoko Kogen here (http://myokokogen.net/resorts/suginohara/)If you prefer nice powder snow, I recommend …(76 words)
Jase
Train Shinkansen Bullet Train Hokkaido Niigata Skiing Snow SnowboardingTokyo for Under ¥10,000/day
You might consider wandering through Tokyo station and its environs. There are many fine restaurants and the building itself has been magnificently restored.(23 words)
Joel
Beer me up!
Have you skied in the Rocky Mountains and looking for some powder snow?A weekend trip up to Hokkaido is recommended. If your from Australia and looking for a place to hit the slopes I've heard there are places in Hokkaido that Aussies hang out.Don't have the time? Well people in the Shizu…(141 words)
Yuuki I
Beer Hokkaido Nagoya Skiing Snow Nagano Snowboarding Shizuoka TripUFO madness
You've seen the "crane games" the UFO catchers before I'm sure. As I remember when I was young at amusement parks and arcades and such, I would see stuffed animals and candy and try tirelessly to get what I wanted.Japan has taken the "UFO catcher" addiction to new heights with dedicated areas i…(202 words)
KurtisW
Tokyo Souvenir Amusement parkKagura, northern Honshuu
Last winter I went to a place called Kagura ski resort, located on Mt. Naeba. This area is in Niigata which is on the northern part of the main island in Japan; about a 3 hour drive from Tokyo. You can always take a bus in the early morning from Shinjuku on a snowboard day trip, but we took a car.…(140 words)
KurtisW
Tokyo Shinjuku Bus Mountain Niigata Skiing Snow Snowboarding Trip WinterSnow in the Weather Forecast? Here is a collection of spots for skiing and snowboarding
A friend of mine had a collection of links and reccommended spots.Madarao Sanpatekku and/or Madarao KogenThese are places in Nagano prefecture. The price is reasonable and they have nice ski slopes, hotel and onsens. Distance is around 300km from Tokyo area. The Itinerary with night bus w…(492 words)
Biju Paul
Skiing Bus Holidays Hotel Mountain Nagano Shinjuku Ticket Tokyo TrainKaruta !
Karuta is Japanese traditional playing cards and people enjoy Karuta during New Year’s holidays. The game uses two types of cards – Yomifuda and Efuda. When the reader reads out a poem on the yomifuda, players quickly search for matching efuda. Usually there is one reader and Karuta is played by mo…(79 words)
OKAKI-sun
New year Game Holidays PlayingMusic in Japan is not just about AKB
Are you looking for some good music tracks to put in your IPOD?Well my mistake was relying on watching top ranking music shows on TV.Turn off your TV set and get out to some live music.There are many popular music festivals in Japan.Fuji Rock in Julyhttp://www.fujirockfestival.com/…(156 words)
Yuuki I
Music Camping City Summer SushiWant to Disco Down in Tokyo?
I try to keep everyone up to date with new events and various concerts going on around Tokyo. You can learn more about various activities by tuning into my weekly podcast here. http://www.japantoday.com/category/podcast/view/kamasami-kong-interviews-lionel-richieIn this edition of the Kong Sh…(173 words)
Kong
Event Japan Travel Disco Party Tokyo Dance Party Tokyo Kamasami Kong Japan Today Podcast Tokyo Events Entertainment Tokyo Nightlife TokyoInterFM: "Funk 'n' Stuff" with DJ Marvin live from Tokyo & Nagoya
A message to all the funk-a-teers of the world. From Motown to To-Town now to yo town via Interfm; I wanna say “hello” and “how do ya do” to all the folks out there • keeping it real • living ya life day by day • trying to stay above ground • keeping ya noses above the water • making and creating p…(259 words)
DjMarvin
Tokyo Nagoya Live Drink Music Shoes dance radio request FunkFor next year Mother's Day or GW or Whatever....
I know I have posted about "Cruise lunch" before, but I just took my mother and sister on Mother's day to one and once again (this time the ship is bigger than the last one) it was a blast. My mother loved it and I am sure you will love it, too.These cruise lunch or dinner can be used for many…(135 words)
KIH
Tokyo English Lunch Dinner Cruise Tokyo Bay FireworksAn Exciting Evening of Baseball at Yokohama Stadium in Japan
With the commencement of the interleague baseball season, I got to go and watch the Softbank Hawks from the Pacific league challenge the Yokohama DeNA Baystars at their home stadium in Yokohama last week. While I’ve seen baseball games at many of the stadiums in Japan, I find a unique friendly char…(354 words)
GenS
Yokohama Baseball Park Spring Game Okonomiyaki Food Kanagawa Sport Yokohama StadiumBest Way to Enjoy the FIFA World Cup in Japan
Are you a soccer fanatic, bummed out that you won't be in Brazil to witness the excitement of the 2014 FIFA World Cup? Don't worry, even if you're here in Japan, on the opposite side of the globe, there are ways to thoroughly enjoy the world cup. You must go to one of the multiple Public Viewing ev…(290 words)
GenS
Fifa World Cup Public Viewing Sports bar Tokyo Shibuya Event Sport Odaiba Play SoccerYoshidamachi-ju Beer Garden Block Party
I mentioned one of Yokohama's summer highlights in my last post: Yokohama Fireworks Show: Sparkling Twilight 2014http://www.deepjapan.org/a/3287Here's another - BEER GARDEN BLOCK PARTY!What started off as an attempt to bring Yoshidamachi's old-school neighborhood businesses together h…(153 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Beer Yoshidamachi Yokohama Summer Drink Music Food dance July AugustSummer in Shinjuku Chuo Park
Want a place to entertain your kids in the midsummer in Tokyo for free?Well, look no further than Shinjuku Chuo Park The paddling pool じゃぶじゃぶ池 is fantastic. It is fairly big.It seems that the water of these paddling pools are drained on a daily basis, so in theory, the water should…(116 words)
Steve
Park Summer Shinjuku Tokyo Beer Play Garden Kids Playground PoolPLAY BALL! Baseball in Japan
Certain things go with Japan in summer: fireworks, matsuri (festivals), cold beer on a rooftop and, of course, baseball. Between the months of April through October, you can flip through TV channels and, somewhere, odds are better than even that a game will be shown somewhere. Known as Yakyu (野…(586 words)
jdlawrence
Play Baseball Tokyo Summer Yokohama Shinjuku Osaka Game KoshienFirst time we've seen free entrance for all internationals at a Huge Tokyo Anime Event
Last weekend there was another brick laid in to the proverbial wall of internationalization in Japan.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLtlwT_UT3QAfter many years in Japan, I have never seen a huge anime event mostly in Japanese that was so well attended by internationals. Yes, everyone turns…(309 words)
Kong
Tokyo Event Anime festival TourismJoin the Tokyo Harvest Festival in Roppongi
We have traditional customs to thank for a successful harvest on the autumn. As harvest of each year becomes important stock for the country to survive, it is said the customs started about 1,500 year ago. November 23 is designated as a national holiday called “Labor Thanksgiving Day". Autumn is th…(295 words)
Eddie
Roppongi Hills Event Food English Roppongi Tokyo Autumn StayBe A Princess at the ACCJ Annual Charity Ball
Stately men in tuxedos escort elegant ladies into a brightly lit ballroom. Each holds a tall glass of tasty champagne and as they seek out their place at the decorative reception tables, they greet friends and colleagues with a smile. The Ball has a theme like “New York, New York” or “Saturday Nigh…(303 words)
annual Tokyo Hotel History Business Holidays elegance Event5 Offbeat Tips for Travelers
Looking to get beneath the surface of Japan, instead of just seeing the main tourist spots? Well, here are a few tips:1- Read UpBesides Deep Japan, check out English language publications (like Time Out) and see what is going on. Join in food festivals (for instance Tokyo Harvest in Novembe…(312 words)
Chiara
Tokyo Train City Food Kyoto English Hokkaido Tours offbeatI'm Punched
At a recent bonenkai (year-end party), one of the entertainers was Neko Punch. Neko Punch is a band, led by singer/songwriter Leanne and producer/bass player Macc. Later, the duo was joined by dancer, Pinky. The group formed, apparently, in London in the summer of 2012, but has recently caught sto…(291 words)
mikekato
Music Pop culture dance Tokyo Summer Event style PartyParty in the 2.5th Dimension!
Somewhere between the real and virtual is a strange and exciting dimension that is absurdly geeky and gorgeous. On the one hand, there is an abundance of beautiful women, powerful cars and motorcycles, and tasty food. On the other, there are a panoply of geeky and nerdy otaku, as well as fun-seek…(761 words)
mikekato
Yokohama Event Otaku Food Music Kanagawa BuildingDinner Cruises in Tokyo: Awesome Yakatabune
Want to celebrate a special occasion, or experience an only-in-Japan cruise? Then look no further than the 'yakatabune'.These are the descendants of the 'pleasure boats' owned by the ancient nobility of Japan, where they held parties and other raucous events. The interior of most of these boats…(184 words)
Chiara
Tokyo Dinner Yakatabune Tempura Christmas Seafood Party Cruise TatamiLooking for Outdoor Adventure? Look No Further!
Japan is a country rife with mountains, forests, and unusual curious terrain. Who hasn't wanted to get out and explore it all? Whether your're experienced in hiking trails and combing the wilderness or completely with a yen to try, I highly recommend you let Kanto Adventures show you how.Kanto …(378 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Climbing Outdoor recreation Hiking Adventure Trip Mountain Bank Kanto YenSKY HOP BUS
SKY HOP BUS is a sightseeing bus you can freely hop on and hop off as much as you want within the validity period of your ticket. The ticket is available in 1 Day or 2 Day Pass. There are three tour routes; Asakusa-TOKYO SKYTREE course, Odaiba course, and Roppongi-Tokyo Tower course. You can hop on…(202 words)
OH
Bus Tokyo Asakusa Hotel Building English Ticket Roppongi Japan viewSumida River Fireworks Festival
Sumida River Fireworks Festival is one of the major annual events of summer in Tokyo. The evening sky of Tokyo turns into dazzling colors with spectacular fireworks.Good spots for viewing the fireworks display are along the Sumida River from downstream of Sakurabashi Bridge to upstream of Kotot…(177 words)
OH
River festival Fireworks Tokyo Japan Summer Asakusa Event Walk GinzaWear Yukata (summer Kimono) and stroll around Tokyo!
Do you know a Japanese summer garment called, Yukata? Yukata is often worn at festivals and fireworks displays, which has been summer feature of Japan.Yukata is a kind of Kimono which is more casual and easer to wear, comparing with traditional Kimono.Would you like to visit a festival or strol…(63 words)
OH
Tokyo Summer Kimono Visit Japan festival Traditional Yukata (Light kimono) Fireworks Japanese SummerJazz Music Sounds Abound in Yokohama
Yokohama is no stranger to jazz. In fact, Yokohama is regarded as the jazz capital of Japan. The Kannai area is especially known for its abundance of live jazz clubs and jazz events. Perhaps the biggest and most popular of them is Kamome - in the Bashamichi area.Owner Sasaki Motoyoshi opened Ka…(333 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Yokohama Music Jazz Sounds Visit Japan Food Beer Walk SubwayOnsens and Outdoors in Kusatsu
Ranked for last 12 years straight as one of the Top 100 onsens in Japan, it really is for the onsens that visitors come to Kusatsu. There are public onsens and of course ryokan and resort hotels with their private onsens. A few of the the famous public onsens are Sainokawahara (西の河原露天風呂)…(307 words)
Alana
Japan Onsen activities Spring Bus Kids Japanese inn Outdoor recreation Yen SnowWho would ever think up a festival like this and then keep it going for 1,200 years
Who would ever think up a festival like this and then keep it going for 1,200 yearsIt was our second day of pulling a ten-ton log down a mountain with 50 hefty men clad in fancy gear riding on top of it that my friend Andrew visiting from Australia turned to me and said, "who would ever dream up …(971 words)
Phil
festival Jinjya (Shrine) Japanese festivals Japan Spring Nature Sake (Rice wine) River ChildrenSailing at Beautiful Zushi Beach with Tiwal Japan
Do you like the ocean? Do you like sailing? Or perhaps you've always wanted to but didn't know how? Well, I'm here to tell you about an exciting opportunity that will give you just that chance. Allow me to introduce you to the world of Tiwal.Tiwal 3.2 is the first high-performance inflatable mu…(736 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Japan Zushi Beach Beaches Visit Sport Children Kids Fujisawa HayamaA large lake loved by European ambassadors directly in front of the temple
Nikko is a famous tourist destination located about two hours away from Tokyo by train. Nikko Toshogu Shrine is a popular sightseeing spot that attracts a multitude of visitors daily. Sometimes lost is the fact that Nikko is also home to many other famous places.One of these places is the area ar…(308 words)
DeepJapan Editor
Tera (Temple) Lake Nikko Tokyo Train History Japanese NatureThe trip has completely changed my impression of Nara.
When thinking about Japan's "Nara", just about everyone thinks about the famous deer and the great Buddha. It's too bad, because most visitors come to Nara only occasionally. If you stay in Nara for 1 or 2 days, you are sure to find there are several beautiful locations that are worth sightseeing…(1174 words)
DeepJapan Editor
Nara Japan City Trip Japanese Tera (Temple) Summer English