Piss Alley
Do you love yakitori? Then you should definitely check out the charmingly nicknamed “Piss Alley” in Shinjuku. Loads of small Japanese restaurants serving delicious street food. Most restaurants only with room for 6-10 guests. Some accepting foreigners, others shaking their head saying “only in Japa…(150 words)
Emelie Fågelstedt
Piss Alley Shinjuku Yakitori Tokyo Japanese cuisine
Urban Oasis
The main intersection of Harajuku, where Meiji Street and Omotesando cross, is surprisingly nondescript. On one corner is a bank, with Jonathan's, a popular family restaurant above it. On another corner is another bank, with a small clothing boutique and a cafe adjacent to it. The third corner i…(415 words)
mikekato
Tokyo Shibuya Harajuku architecture rooftop escalators mirrors
Best Soba in the Middle of Nowhere, Japan
Just last week I had the best soba in my life in the middle of nowhere, a five minute walk from Nakagami station on the Ome line. I was on a business trip on the way to a meeting at the Akishima city water purification facility. For those of you who have no clue where akishima even is, it is in the…(449 words)
GenS
Soba noodles Japan Tachikawa Showa Kinen Park Tokyo Train Restaurant Park
What to do on rainy days in Tokyo: Palm Shoutengai (covered shopping street)
Rainy season can be a drag, but fear not! Covered shopping streets are the perfect place to people watch, find cool souvenirs and enjoy tasty culinary experiences.The covered shoutengai in Musashi Koyama (just two stops away from Meguro) is almost 1 kilometre long, and like all shoutengai is ju…(357 words)
Chiara
Tokyo Shopping Rainy Day Restaurant Food
Visit Tokyo Toy Museum with your kids
Tokyo Toy Museum is a space full of wooden toys that are attractive for not only kids but also adults. There are traditional Japanese toys such as KOMA(spinning top), toys for playing house, board games, etc.If there is a rainy day during your visit to Tokyo, and if you don't know how to burn you…(118 words)
Akko
Play Children Toy Tokyo Visit Museum Building Walk Marunouchi Playing
Tourist Tip #4: The Underground World of Food and DEPACHIKA!
Japanese department stores are famous for many things: elevator girls, first-class customer service, and unparalleled gift wrapping. But venture underneath one (on the basement floor) and you'll discover something else they have to offer: the world of "depachika"."Depachika" is a portmanteau on…(296 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Food Tourist Tip Depachika Tokyo Train Shopping Visit Shinjuku Ginza Train station
Asakusa and Tokyo Skytree
On my first visit to Tokyo, I signed up for a half day tour of Tokyo Skytree and Asakusa via Hato Bus tours. Hato, http://www.hatobus.com, has a number of different tour packages ranging from half day to full day. The full day tours include lunch. Our tour guide was a Japanese woman who spoke En…(169 words)
Dolores
Tokyo Asakusa Tokyo Skytree Visit Building Tera (Temple) Ginza Bus English Akihabara
Let's Beer at Oktoberfest
If you love beer, you should go to the Oktoberfest. It doesn't matter if you don’t like summer or not ( I hate summer myself), it’s always fun to drink beer outside. You will enjoy studying lots of salary men parting. Great chance to encounter some weird Japanese people. Even a dog can have a good…(94 words)
Hitomi
Beer Tokyo Summer Drink Chiba Kyushu Party
Bouncy Skirts the Newest Tokyo Fashion Trend
And, as for fashion, how about these new bouncy-wouncy skirts I spotted in the display window at Issey Miyake in Omotesando?!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShCPRlwQeYQ&feature=youtu.beIt is as if your skirt or blouse was on a trampoline! We understand that Issey Miyake is all about the move…(185 words)
Kong
Tokyo Fashion Train Shopping Harajuku Outdoor recreation Omotesando Japanese Culture and Style
Japan Travel Advice: Transportation from Haneda Airport to Tokyo
Once you arrive in Tokyo Haneda airport, you have several transportation options to get to Tokyo area. They are by train, bus, hired limousine or taxi. I guess you can hitchhike and walk but we will not discuss those options here:) I travel from time to time with my work so I come into Nari…(767 words)
AustinA
Tokyo Airport Transportation Train Yokohama Hotel Building Ticket Limousine Bus
Escape To Nikko
If you really want a chance to experience a taste of ‘traditional’ Japan, like you might see in the movies, you should check out a place like the city of Nikko. It is only a two hour bullet train, shinkansen, ride away from Tokyo station. Frequently you hear about going to Kyoto, the old capitol t…(508 words)
Alex
Hostel Nikko City Tokyo Train Restaurant Park Trip Kyoto Bus
The System of Rubbish
So let’s get right to it and get dirty, ‘trash’ or ‘rubbish’ speaking that is. If you happen to be walking around the streets of Tokyo, Yokohama, or most other places in Japan and you finish your snack, and are now ready to dispose of your wrapper. Only to realize, that you will have to put it into…(300 words)
Alex
Vending Machines Rubbish Trash Tokyo Yokohama Drink English Public toilet
Unique Watersports Culture in Tokyo
In order to survive a Nippon Summer every year, Japanese people have created lots of little hints to beat the heat from way back. For examples, with Shishiodoshi (water-filled bamboo tube which clacks against a stone when emptied), Furin (wind bells) and Golden fish, people try to cool themselves b…(307 words)
totowatanabe
Tokyo Summer Sport City River Game Play Business Fish
Legoland Discovery Center in Odaiba, Tokyo
Legoland is a theme park dedicated to families with children between the age of 2 and 12 that features interactive rides, play space and attractions based on the LEGO toy brand. The park is split into various areas such as a Lego miniland, play fields and model village. The model village is bre…(252 words)
EmiOnishi
Odaiba Children Kids Tokyo Park Play view Amusement park Toy
Museums Off the Beaten Track
Japan is rife with museums of all shapes and sizes. There's the National Museum in Ueno, MoMAT in Tokyo, and Yokohama's Museum of Art. There's also the Silk and Doll Museum in Yokohama, and Shibuya's Bunkamura. Japan's food manias are even immortalized, like at Shin-Yokohama's Ramen Museum.But …(445 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Museum Visit City Tokyo Yokohama Shibuya Art Food History
NOUSAKU: Flexible ware? Great Japanese Craftmanship
My parents' birthdays are coming up this month and I am considering to present them a special Japanese craftman art this year. Have you heard of NOUSAKU brand? I had a chance to do some research on this company at work and I would like to share about their wonderful work. It is becoming a huge hit …(395 words)
EmiOnishi
craftmanship Japanese manufacturing Souvenir Art Ginza Department store Mitsukoshi Tokyo City Hotel
Fall in Japan: Top 5 Things to Do
I love fall, it is by far my favorite season! In Japan the profusion of Japanese maples and ginkgos also ensure that it is one of the most dramatic, beautiful seasons to visit.So, here are a few ideas to thoroughly enjoy autumn in Japan:1- Spend Time in NatureSeriously, the foliage is stu…(412 words)
Chiara
Fall Autumn leaves Tours Tokyo Seasonal Kyoto Park Visit Trip
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
Eating in Japan is never a problem! Picnics are the bests
When travelling, you have no choice but to eat either in restaurants (nice but it gets on your appetite, and stomach and say good bye to your weight control), or get some room service (a bit sad), or grab some junk food from fast food restaurant and conbini (the 7/11 and other Lawson that have col…(738 words)
Claire
Tokyo City Restaurant Park Kyoto Food Department store
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
Fascinating 4 Akasaka izakaya's of A-un group with reasonable prices, valued quality, and vitality
One recommendable ‘izakaya’ type of operator in Akasaka area is ‘A-un group,’ which is actually operating four ‘izakaya’s under the name of ‘A-un-tei,’ ‘A-un,’ ‘Gonkichi,’ and ‘Kyushu Sakaba,’ respectively in the order of less casualness, providing, though, more or less, the same menu almost for th…(326 words)
Techan
Izakaya Tokyo Food May Kyushu Fish Communication Sake (Rice wine)
Leave the tourists behind in Asagaya
Most tourists to Tokyo hit the high spots of Asakusa, Ginza, Tokyo Tower, and see the Imperial Palace grounds.If you want to leave the tourist spots behind and get a taste of the real Tokyo though head for Asagaya in Suginami Ward on the northwest side of the city. Asagaya Station can be reache…(417 words)
Joe Peters
Asagaya Tokyo Shopping Food Walk City Hotel Asakusa Chinese dumpling
Sites and Sounds of Japan - the Used Goods Truck
Oct. 13, 2014http://youtu.be/jJvXx1eqI7QAs you wander around Tokyo you may see some little trucks driving very slowly along the street with a very loud announcement, and perhaps a bit of music, emanating from a loudspeaker system attached to the truck.Look at the truck and if you see ol…(296 words)
Joe Peters
Sounds Truck Tokyo Traditional
Ginza Ogura at Haneda Airport
Haneda’s international terminal has an impressive selection of good restaurants in a nicely designed area called the Edo Market Place, although they are all relatively expensive. Once you check in your luggage, you will have free time to wonder and have a meal before boarding the plane. You may…(233 words)
EmiOnishi
Airport Haneda Airport Food Tokyo Convenience store Winter Soy sauce Tempura Oden
Wired-In Dining
One of the most novel, convenient, and custom dining experiences I have come across in all of my travels can be found popping up in restaurants in and around Tokyo. These hybrid systems of food ordering and delivery are truly an entertaining spectacle while you eat. Technology and food combine to o…(412 words)
Alex
Dining Food Technology Tokyo Train Sushi Tea Shinkansen Bullet Train Eat
Blue Cave Nakameguro the newest spot for winter Illuminations
Winter means many things to many people and this vibrant holiday season is full of different traditions from all parts of the globe. In modern Japan- the winter holidays leading up to Christmas time involve the sparkling and over-the-top tradition of Illuminations. From across Japan cities add …(393 words)
LShannon
Winter Nakameguro Iluminations Holidays cave Tokyo City Shopping Event
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
Celestial Geisha: A Perfect Performance
Yes, you may not realize it, but not only is there a history of geisha in Tokyo, but there are quite a few places where there are active geisha communities, including Kagurazaka, Asakusa, Shinbashi/Ginza, and Hachioji. There are, of course, Hatobus and other tours that offer geisha shows, but it se…(1873 words)
mikekato
Tokyo geisha drinking Art dance Train City Drink Food
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
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
Local Tonkotsu Ramen Shop Urinbo in Asakusa
In Tokyo you can try some of the best food from all over Japan here. At Urinbo ramen in Asakusa, you can have good Hakata style tonkotsu ramen without a trip to Fukuoka in Kyushu.Urinbo is a local shop, but don’t be shy to go in. Students, workers, and families with hungry kids all come here. I…(332 words)
David
Ramen noodles Tsukemen Asakusa Tonkotsu Tokyo
Bunbogu Cafe has the Best Japanese Stationery to Make a Travel Journal
Bunbougu （文房具） is the Japanese word for stationery and it includes all kinds of items that you might use for writing, drawing, or paper crafts. In Tokyo Omotesando, you can find a selection of the best stationery from Japan at the Bunbougu Cafe. It is a stationery store and cafe combined. Pi…(251 words)
David
Stationery Souvenir Omotesando Coffee Wine Tokyo
Casual Shojin Ryori in Tokyo
Shojin Ryori, or shojin cuisine, is the form of Buddhist cuisine that is popular with the vegetarian/vegan foreigner crowd here in Japan. Traditionally the food that Buddhist monks make for themselves in their temples, there are only a handful of restaurants in Tokyo that serve this cuisine. Howeve…(432 words)
Nico
vegetarian Tokyo shojin Vegan Restaurant Food Roppongi
“Restaurant Chez Mikawa” –Fine Belgian cuisine and beer in Akasaka since 1987
Do you like Japanese beers? Yes, they’re light, fine and refreshing. I love them! But sometimes, I feel like having something different, like Belgian beers. In Tokyo, you can find bars offering Belgian beers, more easily than before. So, you might know what kind of taste they are. How about Belgian…(480 words)
YumikoH
Restaurant Beer Cuisine Tokyo Food English Walk Wine Lunch Cherry
Spring is coming in Oku Nikko
Dave had been stocking up a stash of Belgian beers for several years. That’s right – years. A connoisseur was Dave; knew what he liked and savoured produce at its optimum. Mind you, the Dave that was, still is.He had been making lunchtime runs from work to the international supermarket, almost…(481 words)
scramjetmach9
Spring Beer Nature Nikko Tokyo City Food Trip Mountain Work
Hanami, Yakata-bune, and don't be selfish!
As with last few years, we (our ever so shrinking family) reserved the Yakatabune to do the annual Hanami. There must be lots of posts about Yakatabune or Yakata-bune or Hanami on this site.Basically, the boat is equipped with Tatami (but you can throw your legs down, so no worry there) and wo…(557 words)
KIH
Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing) Tokyo Cherry blossom Bus Cuisine Wine Cherry Yakatabune
Hot, Fresh Coffee On The Go!
Make no mistake. If you love coffee, Tokyo is one of the best cities in the world. As it is with so many other types of food and drink, you can find just about anything your caffeine-craving soul could want here. Tokyo's love affair with coffee started after the end of World War II, when the G…(808 words)
jdlawrence
Coffee Tokyo City Food Drink Convenience store Shop Cafe
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