Odawara, a castle town
Odawara Castle is probably the best example of a castle to visit in the immediate Tokyo area. The museum in the main keep has a nice collection of artifacts, armor, and weapons. They have also done a great job reconstructing some gates and maintaining the castle groundsThe history of Odawara Castle…(340 words)
Kintaro-man
Castle Odawara Tokyo Visit City History Museum Tea Kanagawa festival
My favorite trips to the old towns in JAPAN
SugitoTtown（杉戸町）, which located in Saitama Prefecture is one of the post-station towns developed along the Nikko Highway（日光街道） in Edo period.The Highway starts from Nihombashi（日本橋） in Tokyo and reach Nikko in Tochigi Prefecture.This town is one of the 21 post towns along the Hig…(566 words)
Erika1228
Japan Tokyo Visit Train City English Trip Asakusa Event History
Japanese style wedding, what it is like?
According to national statistics in Japan, a bit more than 600,000 couples got married in 2017. Another private survey for such newly married couples showed that two-thirds of them had a wedding ceremony and that only 17% of them chose Japanese traditional style, Shinto wedding ceremony, while 65% …(453 words)
TomokoI
wedding Tokyo Event Jinjya (Shrine) Kimono experience Kimono fashion for men Kimono Chiba Tokyo Bay Sake (Rice wine)
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
Go to Kamakura Using the Yokosuka Line in Japan
Living in Hodogaya, a stop on the Yokosuka Line, the Yokosuka Line is one of the trains I ride most frequently. The line itself runs between Yokosuka station in Kanagawa prefecture and Tokyo station. Many of its stops overlap with the Tokaido line but there are many points of distinction. First of …(200 words)
GenS
Train Japan Tokyo Yokohama Kamakura Airport Chiba Kanagawa Narita Express
Enjoy a Shiatsu Massage and Great Scenery at Enoshima Island, Japan
Shiatsu massage (finger pressure massage) is a traditional Japanese massage in which the practitioner uses his or her fingers and palms to put pressure on different parts of the body. A shiatsu massage can be done all over the body but my favorite is the Shiatsu foot massage. Feet have multiple ner…(190 words)
GenS
Enoshima Island Japan Tokyo Yokohama Mount Fuji Trip Visit
It is ok to drink in public in most of Japan
In Tokyo and all of Japan, there are not many laws prohibiting the consumption of alcohol in public, whether it's on the sidewalk or in a park. Some parks, such as Shinjuku Gyoen park, prohibit, but if there's no signs posted, then it's fine. However, it's best to be considerate of others and not g…(83 words)
KurtisW
Tokyo Park Etiquette Shinjuku Drink Beer
Everything about Trains between Yokohama and Tokyo
Born and raised in Yokohama, I know a lot about trains running between Yokohama and Tokyo. Here is a list of each of the trains with shorts explanations.JR1. The Tokaido LineThe Tokaido line is the fastest way to get from Yokohama to Tokyo. Between Yokohama station and Shinagawa station, it…(425 words)
GenS
Tokyo Yokohama Train Shinjuku Shibuya Asakusa Airport Chiba Haneda Airport Ikebukuro
Shimbashi, the Yakitori Haven in Japan
If you go to the Shimbashi area at night, you will find numerous funky little izakaya and eateries filled with Japanese salarymen letting go after a long day of work. Yakitori is considered a great snack to eat along with drinking alchol and so these izakaya usually have yakitori. When a bunch of i…(122 words)
GenS
Yakitori Japan Tokyo Izakaya Walk Eat style Work
The Legendary Tengu
One common statue at various Japanese temples is the Tengu. It is defined by its characteristically long nose, and round face often with a beard that gives it the appearance of an elderly man.The earliest Tengu however were origingally depicted with a beak, likening it to a bird of prey. In fac…(128 words)
KurtisW
Tokyo
Fisherman's Lunch in Tsukiji
If you are looking for a cheap and delicious in Tokyo, I recommend going to the Tsukiji fish market. Tsukiji is famous for being the largest fish market in the world. You may visit it early in the morning to watch the fishermen negotiating the prices for tuna. When you are done with that, DO NOT FO…(134 words)
AustinA
Tsukiji Tokyo Ramen noodles Sashimi (Raw fish)
Asakusa-Odaiba Direct Line (Sea & River Boat Cruise)
Asakusa-Odaiba Direct Line connects Odaiba and Asakusa.http://www.sunnypages.jp/travel_guide/tokyo_leisure/water_busses/Asakusa-Odaiba+Direct+Line/1875http://www.suijobus.co.jp/cruise/line/as_od_line.htmlOdaiba (お台場 or simply Daiba 台場) is a popular newly-redeveloped waterfront area wit…(197 words)
maxnino
Asakusa Sea River Tokyo Shopping Hotel Building Tera (Temple) Odaiba Television
Where can you buy a Kimono for a good price in Japan?
I love to wear Kimono to weddings and parties in Japan. It is also really fun to get dressed up early on a Saturday morning and spend the day at Midtown or Shinjuku Gyouen in Kimono. You would be very surprised at how easy it is to wear and how comfortable the little zori slippers are. You will fee…(190 words)
Kimono
Tokyo
Roppongi
Tera (Temple)
Art
Hair
Slippers
Kimono experience
Hard Rock Cafe Tokyo
Gekka Bijin Beauty Salon Roppongi
Beautiful Sumidagawa River near Asakusa or Shinagawa Tokyo. Japan from a river view is truly lovely.
Honestly, when I hear the word "Yakatabune", what comes up in my mind first is; a night river cruise in a decent sized house boat with inner tables, legless chairs installed on a tatami floor in it, where, you are probably with your close friends or good colleagues at work, and will be served tradi…(392 words)
Masa
Asakusa River Building Odaiba Sake (Rice wine) Sashimi (Raw fish) Sushi Tempura Tokyo Wine
Getting contact lenses in Japan - Megane Super
There are a lot of contact lens and eye glasses super stores around Tokyo, but I have always had a good experience at Megane Super. You do need to get an eye exam the first time, but that is easy enough and not too expensive, probably about 3500 JPY.Then they fit you for your lenses, most l…(103 words)
William Nealy
Tokyo Contact lens
Breakfast in Japan
Japan just doesn't have the "eat breakfast out" culture the way that , say , the USA has with diners offering breakfast almost anytime, or cafes in Europe offering coffee, breads/cheese and pastries.A typical breakfast for the Japanese is fish with rice, pickles, natto (fermented beans) and mi…(170 words)
slapshot
Coffee Fast food Miso Miso soup Natto (Fermented soy beans) Teishoku Toast Tokyo
Did you know you can eat Raw noodles in Japan?
Tsuke-men can be one of the best Ramen Experiences ever! You can get a soft boiled egg along with the dish and I like to cut the egg in half with my chopsticks and put it in the sauce to add the juicy egg-yolk to the mix. You pick up cooler noodles and then dip them into the sauce. This is differen…(163 words)
Eat
Japan
Tokyo
Restaurant
Ramen noodles
Soba noodles
Cleanliness in Key in Japanese Shops
One thing I absolutely love about Japan is how clean everything is. Today I was at a soba shop and I noticed the little cup of toothpicks was knocked over and that about 20 toothpicks were strewn across the countertop. I noted this to the staff in the restaurant and he immediately said "So Sorry!" …(183 words)
Fast food
Tokyo
Restaurant
Etiquette
Soba noodles
Coffee
Shop
Theft Prevention
Bike crime in Tokyo is certainly present, so locking up your bike is always a good choice. Because so many people ride bikes in Tokyo, the registration system is somewhat strict, and police will enforce the system by checking bike registration at random, to make sure that the bike belongs to you.…(201 words)
KurtisW
Tokyo Police Bicycle
Tsukishima Mizukake Matsuri
Tsukishima is one of the small island in Tokyo Bay. It is famous for its monjayaki street today. Tsukishima in English mean the Island of the Moon, which is quite poetic, but it used to be a place for fishing in the past (it must be why it is called so as fishing occurs early morning, before th…(179 words)
Claire
Japanese festivals Tokyo Sea Hair
Omnipresent "KOBAN" - translated as "police detached station"?
You have seen them! They are everywhere, omnipresent, nearly invisible and they are among us: the KOBAN. Koban are small police stations, detached from the main office and in charge of peace within a small territory. Usually, the policemen and women are in the little station, either sitting or …(263 words)
Claire
Police Tokyo Bicycle
Hanami
Hanami is the Japanese traditional custom of enjoying the beauty of flowers and people eat “bento” and drink alcohols under the trees. Every television and newspapers share the blossom forecast early March each year, which shows how hanami is a cherished annual event for the whole nation. T…(95 words)
Daijo
Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing) Tokyo Event Roppongi Cherry blossom Cherry Bento (box meal)
Planning An Amazing Trip To Japan, But Not Sure Where To Go?
Are you thinking about or planning a trip to Japan, but not sure where to go?Check out this amazing 2 week sample itinerary that includes some of Japan's most unique & worthwhile places to visit!DAYS 1-3: TOKYO - One of the world’s most fascinating cities! Stay in a modern & stylish hotel (like…(443 words)
Andres Zuleta, Boutique Japan
Kyoto Hiroshima Naoshima Osaka Japan Travel Tsukiji Kinkaku-ji Temple Japanese inn Miyajima Tokyo
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
The Perfect Birthday Dinner at Antonio’s, Minami-Aoyama, Japan
For my mother’s Birthday last night, my sister and I decided to treat her to a special dinner at Japan’s oldest Italian restaurant, Antonio’s. We couldn’t have left more satisfied, a truly five-star experience. Antonio’s was originally established in 1944 by Mr. Antonio who was a chef for the I…(259 words)
GenS
Dinner Birthday Japan Tokyo Restaurant Cuisine Food Italian cuisine
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
Railway rules - “Mutual Cooperation Culture” in Japanese commuter trains
Rush hours are extreme in Tokyo as well as Japan's other major cities. In order to make this brutal moment of every day less stressful, both commuters and train companies are making invisible efforts.During the morning rush hours, people will get in line and stand in a queue. They will get on train…(449 words)
yumin
Train Subway Rush hour Tokyo Ticket Winter English Japanese Culture Railway platform Vending Machines
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
Traditional American Thanksgiving
As a native Californian living in Japan there are some food holidays and flavors I really miss from home! Food is an amazing part of our socialization and culture. The food in Japan is amazing but we also like a bit of home too. Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner are a couple of those times! Also, b…(186 words)
Traci Pink Cow
Traditional Thanksgiving Tokyo Event Food Dinner festival Holidays Region Christmas
Japan’s Farmers Markets
Since the onset of the notion of people bringing their consumable goods together in one area for others to sample, enjoy, and obtain, they were unknowingly creating the concept of markets as we know them today. What might come to mind when I say the word market are smartly lined shelves, refrigerat…(321 words)
Alex
Farmers Market Ameyoko Shopping Tokyo Train Building Ueno Edamame (Green soybeans) octopus kabob
Send Out the Towels
Ikeuchi Organic is a Japanese company that makes towels like no other. Towels are not its only products, but towels are the company's core products. And what wonderful towels they are!The company philosophy is totally organic. Certified organic: There are no chemical fertilizers or agricultural…(813 words)
mikekato
towels Imabari textiles Tokyo Kyoto Shop Shikoku Ehime
Visiting Nokogiriyama
Earlier this month I was able to visit a mountain a bit further from my normal territory, in Chiba prefecture. Nokogiriyama is located in Futtsu, South Western Chiba, and the name of the mountain translates to "Saw Mountain" due to the mountain region running from East to West creating a saw-toothe…(460 words)
Alex Kobayashi /Subtokyo
Chiba Mountain Nokogiriyama Tokyo Visit Tera (Temple) Nature view Mount Fuji Region
I opened a wine bar in Tokyo
I recently opened a wine bar in the Omotesando area of Tokyo, a very stylish area of the city. I'd like to post a brief outline of the process I went through in establishing the bar below. The property I sourced the property through a friend. It is a two storey building, built in the late…(833 words)
Adstev73
Tokyo Wine Business City Drink Food Building Beer Winter view
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
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
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
Visit to a Shinto Shrine, steps to follow and their explanations
Working for one of the main Shinto Shrine in Japan, there are a few things that I've been able to study, experiment and understand through my work. Here are a few advice if you wish to make a proper visit of a Shinto place, with the usual respect signs to show to the Gods... that even Japanese …(900 words)
Sam
Visit Jinjya (Shrine) Shinto Tokyo Japan Japanese Meiji Shrine English
Enjoy Yokohama on Discount Tickets
The only thing better than visiting Yokohama is visiting Yokohama at discount prices! Thanks to several -often unknown about- special discount tickets - you can!Here's a list of the best values (all tickets are good for one day only):Yokohama-Minatomirai Pass (JR East)The Yokohama-Minat…(547 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Yokohama City Trip Tokyo Park Hotel English Art Museum Shibuya