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Licensed To Drive..Finally!! images

Licensed To Drive..Finally!!

This article was originally published on my blog site on January 2008. Please come and visit http://mirai.hayashi-web.net to see more about my experiences in living and working in Japan.About 6 years ago I attempted to get a Japanese drivers license, since I was still driving with an internati…(4721 words)

MiraiZ image

MiraiZ

Tokyo Train Trip Ticket Japan license driving car Police test
6 Interesting Japanese Manners & Customs images

6 Interesting Japanese Manners & Customs

Have a comprehensive look at what you MUST know before traveling to a new place.Learning the manners and customs of the country you are traveling to is imperative to impress and socialize with the locals. Plus, it is part of your travel manners. Doesn’t it sound more educated and literate when a …(580 words)

Lara image

Lara

Japanese Etiquette Interesting Japan Japan Restaurant Food Trip English Drink Eat
Tokyo Doitsu Mura images

Tokyo Doitsu Mura

I never have figured out why places, that are clearly not in Tokyo, are still designated as "Tokyo" something or other. Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea are in Chiba folks, not Tokyo. That being said, Tokyo Doitsu Mura or German Village (in the middle of Chiba Prefecture) is the best place to visi…(153 words)

Kevin image

Kevin

Tokyo Sea Bus Chiba Tokyo Disneyland Trip Christmas
KOUMEN - Best Egg Tarts in Yokohama Chinatown images

KOUMEN - Best Egg Tarts in Yokohama Chinatown

Egg tarts are my absolute favorite dim sum items, but it's very hard to find them in bakeries in Japan unless I make a trip to Yokohama Chinatown.The egg custard tart (commonly romanized as daan taat) is a kind of custard tart pastry found in Portugal, England, Hong Kong, and various Asian countrie…(209 words)

Suetsumuhana image

Suetsumuhana

Yokohama Chinatown Shop Pastry Yamashita-cho Sweets Trip English Tea
Riding on the Retro "Kominato Railway Line" - Enjoy the Beautiful Countryside in Any Season! images

Riding on the Retro "Kominato Railway Line" - Enjoy the Beautiful Countryside in Any Season!

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the quaint scenery while riding on the Kominato Railway Line. Take in the colorful fields of cherry and rapeseed blossoms in spring, idyllic rice paddies in summer, the deep red maple leaves of autumn, and the snowy, pristine landscapes of winter. For a unique experience,…(264 words)

CHIBA-KUN image

CHIBA-KUN

Visit Train Trip Spring Ticket style Autumn Cherry Chiba
Tokyo's Major Streets images

Tokyo's Major Streets

In years past very few streets in Japan had names other than some of the major thoroughfares. These days it's possible to find more streets with names, but other than the major ones, most people won't know where "such and such" a street is located.Some use the word "kaido" in their name. The "…(337 words)

Joe Peters image

Joe Peters

Tokyo Building Shibuya Roppongi Police Trip
Samurai Spirit in Fukushima images

Samurai Spirit in Fukushima

I always wanted to explore Fukushima so I headed north from Tokyo station for a short ride on the Tohoku Shinkansen Toward Koriyama station. It's only about an hour and half. and is a great way to enjoy a half day trip for a little history and an overnight stay at a nice onsen without exhausting yo…(608 words)

DeepJapan image

DeepJapan

Samurai Fukushima Japan Visit City Food Trip History Japanese Matome
Must Have Japanese Souvenirs: Tenugui images

Must Have Japanese Souvenirs: Tenugui

If you're looking for a souvenir that is truly Japanese, look no further than "tenugui" - a thin hand towel made of cotton. Although the idea of a hand towel as a gift sounds simple, and it well may be, tenugui also happen to be one of the most popular souvenirs you can buy in Japan - popular even …(280 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer image

Former Deep Japan Writer

Japanese Souvenir Japan Train Trip Art Shop Department store Clothes Must have souvenir
Mt. Fuji access guide; trains and buses for Lake Kawaguchiko area. images

Mt. Fuji access guide; trains and buses for Lake Kawaguchiko area.

If you will visit Mount Fuji (富士山), Kawaguchiko Station (河口湖駅) or Mt. Fuji Station (富士山駅) are major gateways for magical Mount Fuji, designated as a world cultural heritage site in 2013, and the magnificent Fuji Five Lakes area (富士五湖). Deepjapan published "Mt. Fuji Travel Guide" …(2106 words)

Hagi image

Hagi

Train Trip Ticket Mount Fuji Transportation Yamanashi Bus Lake Kawaguchiko Fujikyu Mount Fuji 5th Station
[A Highly Recommended Glamping and Camping Site for the Family: "THE FARM"] images

[A Highly Recommended Glamping and Camping Site for the Family: "THE FARM"]

Recently, “glamping” (glamorous camping) and camping have become very popular among Japanese families and couples. If you wish to unwind from the hustle and bustle, and want to experience something the locals themselves enjoy doing, consider a staying a few nights at "THE FARM" in Chiba's Katori Ci…(692 words)

CHIBA-KUN image

CHIBA-KUN

Camping Japan Visit Trip Hotel Japanese Spring Nature Chiba
Minshuku, the Best Way to Experience Japan images

Minshuku, the Best Way to Experience Japan

There are many different kinds of ryokan/minshuku in Japan and you can see definitions of them at http://JapaneseGuestHouses.com/ryokan-styles/Personally I like minshukus best as they small and more personable. The owners run the minshuku and cook the meals. They take great pride preparing meal…(141 words)

Jeff Aasgaard image

Jeff Aasgaard

Minshuku Tokyo Kyoto Osaka Japanese inn Trip
Hamamatsuya : Observe Hakone’s Traditional “Yosegi Zaiku” Wood Mosaic Technique images

Hamamatsuya : Observe Hakone’s Traditional “Yosegi Zaiku” Wood Mosaic Technique

osegi Zaiku marquetry, or wood mosaic, originated in Hatajuku in Hakone. The wood mosaic technique is said to have been created here by a man named Nihei Ishikawa in the late Edo period (1800s), and the craft has since been passed down from generation to generation. Hamamatsuya’s president Mr. Ichi…(700 words)

Kanagawa P.G.T.D. image

Kanagawa P.G.T.D.

Hakone Traditional Art History Bus Beauty Cherry Region Trip Japan
Create the most unforgettable memories: Try aromatic unagi and experience wearing kimono in Narita! images

Create the most unforgettable memories: Try aromatic unagi and experience wearing kimono in Narita!

Wearing "kimono" (Japanese traditional dress) or "yukata" (casual summer kimono) is definitely a must-do in Japan! Recently, I had a chance to have a half-day kimono experience in Narita City, so I’d like to share my experience with you.Get off from JR or Keisei Line Narita Station and walk for…(508 words)

CHIBA-KUN image

CHIBA-KUN

Kimono Eel Japan City Park Summer Trip History Japanese Chiba
Visit the "Castles" of Past Daimyo, Feudal Lords in Japan images

Visit the "Castles" of Past Daimyo, Feudal Lords in Japan

If you are interested in learning about the Edo Period, I recommend visiting one of the many daimyo yashiki (feudal lord mansions) that can still be found in many parts of Tokyo. During the Edo Period, every feudal lord was forced by the Tokugawa Shogunate (the central government) to build and main…(221 words)

GenS image

GenS

daimyo yashiki Visit Japan Tokyo River Etiquette Trip History architecture
Your next trip in Japan: Shimane prefecture, authentic, unknown and unforgettable images

Your next trip in Japan: Shimane prefecture, authentic, unknown and unforgettable

Tired of seeing the Japan of Google images? Feeling like you're not witnessing the core unfiltered culture of the country? Here's your next stop: Shimane prefecture. No app filters needed.That's what I kept on thinking during this whole trip organised by TCVB (Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bu…(803 words)

Sam image

Sam

Shimane Trip Traditional Travel Japanese Culture Japanese Japan Visit English Tokyo
World's Most Comfortable Economy-class Seats on Skymark Airlines images

World's Most Comfortable Economy-class Seats on Skymark Airlines

When I boarded my Skymark airline flight last weekend for a short trip down to Fukuoka, I was shocked by how large the economy seats were. Initially I miss took the economy seats to be business class seats and kept going till the back of the place. Skymark used to be the low quality, cheap-o ai…(231 words)

GenS image

GenS

Skymark Airlines Airline Cheap Travel Trip Business Fukuoka Stay Japan
Top 10 things to do in Okayama Prefecture: Summer images

Top 10 things to do in Okayama Prefecture: Summer

If you're visiting western Japan in the summer, you should try some of these specialties of Okayama prefecture. Here are my top 10 things to do / try in Okayama (Summer version), in no particular order:1. Enjoy a lazy afternoon on a golden sand beach. There are loads of beaches in the sout…(885 words)

Andrea Miyata image

Andrea Miyata

Summer Okayama Visit Park City Trip Art
2-Day Trip to Fujigoko (Five Lakes of Mt. Fuji) in winter 1/3 images

2-Day Trip to Fujigoko (Five Lakes of Mt. Fuji) in winter 1/3

What do you think about visiting Mt. Fuji in winter and enjoy snow and Japanese high quality Omotenashi? Most people climb or visit Mt. Fuji during either spring or summer time. Unless you really love mountain climbing, many of you might want to have something extra besides Mt. Fuji viewing. For th…(1090 words)

ZEROIN -INTERNSHIP image

ZEROIN -INTERNSHIP

Trip Winter day trip Visit Summer Spring view Mountain Stay Snow
Cheapest Places for Karaoke in Japan images

Cheapest Places for Karaoke in Japan

Karatetsu is my go-to karaoke place. The reasons are clear. 1. Cheap2. Carries one of the most number of songs, which is perfect for someone like me who enjoys singing songs in English.The prices are pretty mind-blowing in comparison to places like Shidax or Big Echo that charge 650yen/30mi…(338 words)

GenS image

GenS

Karaoke Singing Japan Cheap Party Drink Trip English view Yen
Kusatsu Onsen (Hot Springs), relaxation Japanese style images

Kusatsu Onsen (Hot Springs), relaxation Japanese style

Going to hot springs in Japan is high on the list of great things to do and is a fantastic way to calm the nerves and get refreshed. Few things are as an authentic Japanese experience as going to a Japanese hot spring and enjoying the local Japanese cuisine and accommodations. Amongst hot springs, …(338 words)

Aron image

Aron

Onsen Stay Trip style Japanese Japan Spring Nature Cuisine Eat
The legacy of the Samurai is alive and well in Fukushima images

The legacy of the Samurai is alive and well in Fukushima

One of the most renowned samurai regions, Fukushima has captivating history and culture to share with visitors. With full days of castles, training grounds, arts, lodging, food and drinks, the fun and educational trip to Shirakawa, Aizu, and Nihonmatsu gave us all a clear picture of what it meant…(1012 words)

DeepJapan Editor image

DeepJapan Editor

History Fukushima Culture Japan Food Park Trip Tokyo Train
Notes of a one-day trip to Aomori images

Notes of a one-day trip to Aomori

Northeastern Japan is suitable for enjoying not only beautiful scenery but also special traditional culture and hot springs. I contemplated a day trip to Aomori and was fortunate that I could have an even more wonderful experience than I imagined. I am going to share it with you here. The distanc…(1484 words)

DeepJapan Editor image

DeepJapan Editor

Trip day trip Aomori
Enjoy Breathtaking Mountain Scenery and Buddhist Holy Sites on Mt. Nokogiri! images

Enjoy Breathtaking Mountain Scenery and Buddhist Holy Sites on Mt. Nokogiri!

Mt. Nokogiri, literally “Saw Mountain”, is located on the Boso Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture. It's only about a 1.5-hour drive, or a 2-hour train ride from Tokyo, so it's perfect if you're looking for a relaxing and worthwhile day trip. The best way to start your visit is to take the ropeway cable …(242 words)

CHIBA-KUN image

CHIBA-KUN

Mountain Scenery holy site Japan Visit Train Trip History Chiba Tokyo
Enjoy a pleasant and relaxing lunch time at “Furusato”! images

Enjoy a pleasant and relaxing lunch time at “Furusato”!

Chiba Prefecture offers tourists all sorts of sightseeing experiences, and if you're looking for a spot to avoid the crowds and enjoy the charms of the countryside, I recommend a visit to the “Furusato” restaurant in Kimitsu. I recently took a trip there to enjoy a delicious meal in a lovely rural …(509 words)

CHIBA-KUN image

CHIBA-KUN

Lunch Restaurant Building Japan Visit Food Trip Souvenir Eat
Best Tourist Souvenir-- Samurai Umbrella! images

Best Tourist Souvenir-- Samurai Umbrella!

Purchasing a real samurai sword in Japan is very difficult, especially after they enforced the laws against the possession of knives a couple years ago. I also assume that taking a samurai sword out of Japan will definitely be a hassle at the airport. A better option might be purchasing the samurai…(112 words)

GenS image

GenS

Samurai Umbrella Souvenir Tokyo Asakusa Kamakura Airport Trip
Yubara Onsen (Valentine Special) images

Yubara Onsen (Valentine Special)

If you're looking for a special way to spend Valentine's Day in the Chugoku region, how about a trip up to Yubara Onsen? Located in Maniwa City, Yubara is Okayama Prefecture's most well-known hot spring town, and is situated along the Asahi River and next to the Yubara Dam.Yubara is a hot sprin…(271 words)

Andrea Miyata image

Andrea Miyata

Onsen Region Okayama City Trip Spring River Outdoor recreation Beef Grilled meat barbeque
Tenkara Fishing – From Ancient Japan to A Popular Sport With 80 Outlets in the United States images

Tenkara Fishing – From Ancient Japan to A Popular Sport With 80 Outlets in the United States

On a summer hike with a family friend in Winter Park, Colorado, we meandered into a conversation about Japan, my home for 29 years. Wow, Japan! That is so great! Tenkara is one of my favorite fishing styles! I love it!” My Cousin’s best friend’s husband from Boulder Colorado lit up with excitement …(953 words)

 image

Japan City Park Food Trip Winter Nature Fishing and angling
Manhole Covers Highlight Local Features images

Manhole Covers Highlight Local Features

This is because they are emblazoned with cartoon characters or buildings that have a connection to the local area. There has even been an increase in the number of so called “manhole-joshi,” that is women who like to take pictures of unique “design manhole” covers. A panel discussion event called “…(264 words)

HiraganaTimes image

HiraganaTimes

Japan Event Trip Souvenir Japanese Television design new cartoon
Hakone's Hidden Wonder: My Favourite Temple in Japan images

Hakone's Hidden Wonder: My Favourite Temple in Japan

Daiyuzan Saijo-ji is a breathtaking Buddhist temple that was built more than 615 years ago. Although it is still frequented by devout worshipers from all across Japan, it remains one of the less talked about magnificent places in Kanagawa Prefecture. This is probably due to the fact that Daiyuzan S…(247 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer image

Former Deep Japan Writer

Japan Tera (Temple) Visit Odawara Mountain Trip Beer Kanagawa Hiking Hakone
Minami Boso Penninsula, Chiba images

Minami Boso Penninsula, Chiba

The other day I took a trip to the Minami Boso area of Chiba which is a great place to visit for a day trip from Tokyo. Jump on the bus from Tokyo Station for the scenic 90 minute ride through the city, over the famous Rainbow Bridge, and the unique Aqua Line expressway to the south of the Chiba Pe…(414 words)

Adstev73 image

Adstev73

Chiba Visit Trip Tokyo City Spring Walk Jinjya (Shrine) Bus Cherry blossom
Japanese Traditional Bed and Breakfasts: Minshuku images

Japanese Traditional Bed and Breakfasts: Minshuku

A minshuku is a traditional Japanese bed and breakfast. Minshuku can be found all over Japan but are common especially in tourist spots. Unlike larger ryokan, which are more like traditional Japanese hotels with hot springs and other facilities, minshuku are usually run by the family and are small.…(197 words)

GenS image

GenS

Minshuku Building Japanese inn Lodging Trip
The Doll's Festival images

The Doll's Festival

The Doll's Festival (March 3rd) is the day to celebrate the growth of girls. As bringers of good luck, we eat rhombus-shaped mochi and Hina-arare (sweetened rice-flour cakes for offering at the Dolls' Festival). Hina-arare have 4 colorful rice cakes (pink, green, yellow and white) representing four…(93 words)

OKAKI-sun image

OKAKI-sun

Trip Mochi (Rice cake) Rice cracker Hinaarare Japanse event
Traveling Around the World in Japan at Tobu World Square images

Traveling Around the World in Japan at Tobu World Square

Tobu World Square is an amazing one-of-a-kind theme park located in Tochigi Prefecture. It's famous for exhibiting 1/25th scale replicas of famous buildings from around the world, including ancient monuments, cultural treasures and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Every model is reproduced and displaye…(405 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer image

Former Deep Japan Writer

Japan Park Tobu World Square Tokyo City Food English Trip Building
My favorite trips to the old towns in JAPAN images

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 image

Erika1228

Japan Tokyo Visit Train City English Trip Asakusa Event History
Enjoy a Shiatsu Massage and Great Scenery at Enoshima Island, Japan images

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 image

GenS

Enoshima Island Japan Tokyo Yokohama Mount Fuji Trip Visit
Spend the day in old Tokyo - follow this guide for an easy outing. images

Spend the day in old Tokyo - follow this guide for an easy outing.

The Yanaka area of Tokyo (in Taito Ward) is a wonderful place for a day's outing. Start at the south exit of Nippori Station (Yamanote line). Exit the station, turn left, at the end of the walk take the steps to your left up to Tennoji Temple. It was founded over 500 years ago, but was destroyed in…(1247 words)

Joe Peters image

Joe Peters

Trip Puppets Ronin
Old Saidaiji Railway images

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 image

Kenji

Train City Trip History River Nature Bicycle Tennis
Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto: Walking the stairs to heaven.... images

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 image

Claire

Jinjya (Shrine) Kyoto Visit Trip Walk
Edo Wonderland - See the Legends! images

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 image

Dolores

Edo Period Nikko Park Trip History Play Japanese Culture Live activities Lucky
Japan Bible Home - Perfect Getaway place from Tokyo! images

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 image

Biju Paul

Tokyo Summer Trip Winter Sport River Nature Play Beauty Dinner