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5 Traditional Japanese Villages to Explore images

5 Traditional Japanese Villages to Explore

The rural area of Japan is quite worth an exploration. Many villages in Japan have typical Japanese styles. Although they are quite far away from big cities, you can enjoy enchanting natural views and interesting life in these villages. Here I recommend you 5 amazing Japanese villages that you shou…(475 words)

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Alexlovetravel

Japanese Traditional Nature Japan Food Building Kyoto Sea view Japan Travel
Tatami smells good !!! images

Tatami smells good !!!

Tatami is a very traditional floor mat, which is a symbolic item indispensable for a Japanese style room; so called "Wa-shitsu", and is also considered as an official cultural gadget necessarily used in such Japanese architectures as temples, and tea rooms besides "Wa-shitsu". For example, when yo…(606 words)

Masa image

Masa

Tatami Etiquette Kanto Kyoto Okinawa Tea Tera (Temple)
Yakimono: Japanese Pottery and Porcelain images

Yakimono: Japanese Pottery and Porcelain

Japanese pottery and porcelain, often referred to as 'Yakimono', is as beautiful as it is useful. It's also one of the world's oldest art forms dating back to the Neolithic period."Yakimono means fired thing. It's an important term that encompasses the entire ceramic culture of Japan," states t…(254 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer image

Former Deep Japan Writer

Gallery Pottery Yakimono Kyoto Art Japanese pottery and porcelain Porcelain
SAKE 101: A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO SAKE images

SAKE 101: A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO SAKE

A trip to Japan would not be complete without a little sake tasting! But unless you are an avid sake drinker, it can be hard to know where to begin.To help you navigate the world of sake, we’ve done plenty of research in Japan: from consulting with sake connoisseurs, to sake tastings and sampli…(1032 words)

Andres Zuleta, Boutique Japan image

Andres Zuleta, Boutique Japan

Sake (Rice wine) Restaurant Drink Visit Japan Travel Tokyo Kyoto Izakaya
Love Stones at Jishu Shrine in Kyoto images

Love Stones at Jishu Shrine in Kyoto

Jishu Shrine is located near (or I would say within) Kyoto's Kiyomizu Temple. Dedicated to the deity of love and matchmaking, the love shrine is always crowded with many couples and especially young girls praying for luck in love. There are two love stones in front of the shrine, placed 18m apa…(223 words)

EmiOnishi image

EmiOnishi

Kyoto Jinjya (Shrine) Tera (Temple) Park Visit Amusement park
Beautiful Kyoto images

Beautiful Kyoto

Beautiful Kyoto“Kyoto is a beautiful city where you discover small temples and shrines around the corner. One step inside and you are in another world, free from the noise of the city, stressless, peaceful. All it takes is a walk along Kamo River, and some curiosity to look around the corners…”…(358 words)

DeepJapan image

DeepJapan

Kyoto Japan Travel Market Tera (Temple) Japanese garden Matome
Hokuriku Shinkansen - Gran Class is fabulous even for Japanese! images

Hokuriku Shinkansen - Gran Class is fabulous even for Japanese!

Gran Class is only on Tohoku Shinkansen and Hokuriku Shinkansen. Each train has only 18 seats of Gran Class.Let me put it this way.Normal Reserved Seat - Coach ClassGreen Car - Business ClassGran Class - First ClassAs mentioned, there are only limited number of seats of this class on…(239 words)

KIH image

KIH

Shinkansen Bullet Train Train Kyoto Ticket Eat Traditional Urushi Lacquer Ware
JR Kyoto Station - Futuristic architecture masterpiece images

JR Kyoto Station - Futuristic architecture masterpiece

If you only pass through the platforms of Kyoto Station, you miss out to explore this impressive building, the third largest train station in Japan (Ref: 1st: Tokyo, 2nd: Umeda). The whole building was constructed on the 1200th anniversary of the capital's foundation in Kyoto.If you come by tra…(267 words)

EmiOnishi image

EmiOnishi

Kyoto architecture Train station Train Building Department store view Internet
Amazing Kyoto- Sanjusangendo Hall images

Amazing Kyoto- Sanjusangendo Hall

Sanjusengendo hall is the MUST visit spot in Kyoto among many sightseeing destinations.A large, wooden statue of a 1000-armed Kannon (Senju Kannon) sits in the center of the main hall and there are 500 statues of human sized 1000-armed Kannon standing in ten rows on each side. To walk through t…(166 words)

EmiOnishi image

EmiOnishi

Kyoto Visit Tera (Temple) Bus Walk Statue Guide
Kansai Kyoto ben (Kansai Kyoto dialect) images

Kansai Kyoto ben (Kansai Kyoto dialect)

I was born in Kyoto and raised up in Shiga (next to Kyoto). As I lived in Kansai area until I decided to move to Tokyo for job change when I was 30, people can tell I am from Kansai after talking with me for a while :-)As I was working as a sales back then, I tried not to sound too Kansai perso…(211 words)

EmiOnishi image

EmiOnishi

Kyoto Kansai Tokyo Shiga
5 Food Streets in Japan - The Paradise for Foodies ! images

5 Food Streets in Japan - The Paradise for Foodies !

1. Dontobori Food StreetAs the landmark of Osaka, Dontobori is not only the shooting location of many Japanese films and plays, but also the famous paradise for foodies in Japan, which is praised as “the No.1 food of Japan.”The most delicious gourmet here is Tokayoki, Okonomiyaki, sushi, frie…(482 words)

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Alexlovetravel

Japan Food Japanese Tokyo History Sushi Tera (Temple) Kyoto Shinjuku Ramen noodles
Japanese sweets : “Yatsuhashi” images

Japanese sweets : “Yatsuhashi”

When you visit one of Japanese historic city, Kyoto, I would like to recommend its famous sweets “Yatsuhashi” for souvenir. It’s hard baked cracker having a cinnamon flavor. The name comes from Kengyo Yatsuhashi, a good “koto”(a long Japanese zither) player. Therefore Yatsuhashi cracker looks like …(57 words)

OKAKI-sun image

OKAKI-sun

Sweets City Visit Kyoto Souvenir
Maizuru - The Dancing Crane images

Maizuru - The Dancing Crane

Along with Kure, Sasebo and Yokosuka, Maizuru is one of the four most important port towns in Japan, located in the northern part of Kyoto prefecture, which is about an hour and a half train ride from JR Kyoto station. Its name consists of two kanji 舞鶴, which literally translated mean “Dancing Cr…(1000 words)

DeepJapan Editor image

DeepJapan Editor

History Japan Visit Train City Park English Japanese Kyoto
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
Kamogawa Riverside in Kyoto images

Kamogawa Riverside in Kyoto

The Kamo River (鴨川 Kamo-gawa, literally means duck river) is running through Kyoto Prefecture. The riverbanks are popular walking spots for residents and tourists. There are pathways running alongside the river on which one can walk along the river, and some stepping stones that cross the river.…(187 words)

EmiOnishi image

EmiOnishi

Kyoto Summer Kamo river River Walk view Japanese Culture Dining
Cremia: the ice cream I can't stop raving about images

Cremia: the ice cream I can't stop raving about

You can't argue with most of the soft-serve ice cream in Japan, but you can certainly complain about the way cones taste like straw and air, in comparison to the custardy ice cream inside. Which is why I love Cremia. Foodies and dessert lovers will be no stranger to Cremia ice cream, which has bran…(261 words)

Flory image

Flory

Tokyo Japan Kyoto Shibuya Walk Coffee Shop River Milk love
Why Visit Japan in Summer images

Why Visit Japan in Summer

Japan is a true "year-round" destination, but if you like the heat - and lively festivals - then summer is the perfect time for you to visit!Summer in Japan lasts from about June to mid-September. Summers are hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from approximately 70° to 90° Fahrenheit.…(320 words)

Andres Zuleta, Boutique Japan image

Andres Zuleta, Boutique Japan

Summer Visit Japan Travel Japanese festivals Tokyo Kyoto Japan Travel Summer Outdoor recreation Fireworks Shows Iya Valley
Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto and Local Inari Shrines images

Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto and Local Inari Shrines

The famous Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine in Kyoto really is a fantastic place to visit. There are the colorful main buildings to see and even more impressive is the walk through the shrine's land. In the case of Fushimi Inari, this means taking a long walk up and around the hill that belongs to the s…(316 words)

David image

David

Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine Kyoto Jinjya (Shrine) Asakusa Walk
Ashiyu - Onsen For Your Feet images

Ashiyu - Onsen For Your Feet

Have you tried onsen in Japan? There are many famous hot spring areas in the country and most of them offer both full baths and ashiyu. Ashiyu (足湯)is an onsen foot bath. Try it. A warm foot bath is the perfect way to rest, especially after a long walk. Kinugawa Onsen near NikkoIn many o…(524 words)

David image

David

Onsen Bath Foot bath Kyoto Nikko Enoshima Island Yugawara Kanagawa Day trip from Tokyo
In Japan train are always on time - always. images

In Japan train are always on time - always.

There are many goods things in Japan but there is one thing ingrained in the Japanese ADN and technology: punctuality.Here, trains and metro and bus are always on time. Never too early (they wait at the station), very very very rarely late (reasons: typhoons, accident but never because they are…(570 words)

Claire image

Claire

Train Tokyo Kyoto
Dances with Demons images

Dances with Demons

One doesn't have to look far to see how pervasive dance is in Japan. Nearly every pop group has an intricate dance routine to accompany their performances. There are studios which teach everything from belly dance to hula to salsa, and festivals, particularly in summer, feature popular folk dances …(525 words)

GoodPeople image

GoodPeople

Japan History Kyoto Music dance tradition Iwate Tokyo City
A Few of the Best Stationery Shops in Japan images

A Few of the Best Stationery Shops in Japan

If you want to find some amazing stationery in Tokyo or Kyoto, here are some of the best shops:* Ito-Ya: This is a famous chain in Tokyo, with multiple locations. Definitely visit the one in Ginza, which is right near the main intersection in central Ginza, and has an incredible selection of ca…(157 words)

Andres image

Andres

Stationery Tokyo Ginza Kyoto
Hand-made Camping Knife and where to buy and sharpen knives. images

Hand-made Camping Knife and where to buy and sharpen knives.

Snow Peak is a famous camping equipment manufacturer from the Tsubame Sanjo area of Niigata Prefecture. It was started by the father of the current president as a manufacturer of carpentry and work tools. But Yukio Yamai, the founder, was an experienced mountaineer, so he decided that he should m…(431 words)

mikekato image

mikekato

Camping Kyoto Mountain Niigata Outdoor recreation Region Samurai Snow Tokyo
Flee markets: an alternative to shop souvenirs images

Flee markets: an alternative to shop souvenirs

There are so many things you can bring back home as souvenir from Japan that sometimes, choice and possibilities are overwhelming. It's so difficult to decide which souvenir will please the best to who...And, everyone does not always enjoy "shopping" per se. So you rush to some kind of souvenir…(476 words)

Claire image

Claire

Tokyo Shopping Kyoto Souvenir Kimono flee markets
Journey on the Tokaido (Shinagawa is Stop Number Two) images

Journey on the Tokaido (Shinagawa is Stop Number Two)

Now that we have left the first stop Nihonbashi (described in my previous article), we are approaching our next stop of Shinagawa. Imagine you are traveling from Edo (Present Tokyo) to Kyoto during early 1800’s. It is highly likely that Tokaido Road was used to make your journey. It runs north and …(630 words)

AustinA image

AustinA

Shinagawa Tokyo Tokaido 53 Tsugi Train Summer Art Kyoto Hara Museum
Only 2 hours from Kyoto. Enjoy snow and eating crabs in the Onsen resort founded 1,300 years ago images

Only 2 hours from Kyoto. Enjoy snow and eating crabs in the Onsen resort founded 1,300 years ago

Kinosaki Onsen has a beautiful and nostalgic view with rows of willow trees along a little river. There are at most 7 public baths in the area and you can casually visit and enjoy them even without staying over at the local ryokan Inns. They are called "sotoyu"(open air bath) which is opposite of "…(424 words)

Eddie image

Eddie

kinosaki Onsen Snow City English Kyoto Spring Summer Ticket Visit
The mysterious statues of Sanjusangendo images

The mysterious statues of Sanjusangendo

In Kyoto you need to make choices. And choices are always tough.But if there is one place you should not forget to visit, this is it: Sanjusangendo.Why is it so different, or more Japanese than any other sites in Kyoto? gold pagoda, silver pagoda, Ryoanji and Kyomizudera. It's the atmospher…(288 words)

Claire image

Claire

Visit Kyoto Garden
Sake should drink hot or cold? images

Sake should drink hot or cold?

When you try sake, many people have image to have”Hot sake”(atsukan) butmost good sake should be enjoyed slightly chilled. Cheaper sake is served warm.Also If it’s cold winter, you would like to have hot sake to get warm.There are grade of sake. It’s call Daiginjo is the highest quality (ve…(108 words)

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yukorose

Drink Kyoto Sake (Rice wine) Wine Hiroshima Niigata Winter
Japan Train Station “Tachigui Sobaya” (Soba Restaurant) images

Japan Train Station “Tachigui Sobaya” (Soba Restaurant)

As you may know, one of the most used modes of transportation in japan is the train. In the midst of your travel, I am fairly confident that you’ve come across a small “Soba” (noodle) shop within the train station. The first thought I had in my mind was how traditional this establishment is for…(552 words)

AustinA image

AustinA

Train Restaurant Train station Tokyo Summer Drink Ticket Kyoto Winter Food
Gorgeous and Exotic "Pontocho" in Kyoto! images

Gorgeous and Exotic "Pontocho" in Kyoto!

At night, Kamogawa riverside is turned to be the scenic site well-known for its gorgeous Pontocho in Kyoto! I used to take my friends visiting Kyoto to Pontocho without fail. I just love their atmosphere - the traditional lantern lights in their narrow street are really exotic. Summer is here …(257 words)

EmiOnishi image

EmiOnishi

Kyoto Summer Visit Sushi River Izakaya Tempura Cuisine Kamo river Maiko and Geisha
Today, in Japan, I Fell in Love With Kyogen images

Today, in Japan, I Fell in Love With Kyogen

My friend invited me to watch him perform “Kyogen” in Shibuya Today. It was my first experience, seated in a perfectly constructed Nogakudo deep in Cerulean Tower’s basement (B-2, five minutes walk from Shibuya Station), to spend an extended time in awe of the art form known as Noh.Here is the …(802 words)

 image

Japan Kyogen Art Kyoto Shibuya Walk view Noh Japanese Theatre
Flee market at Toji Temple - Kyoto images

Flee market at Toji Temple - Kyoto

On the 21st of each month, a famous flea market is held on the grounds of To-ji from 7am until around 4pm in the evening. It will be open even when it's rain, but there will be with less shops in such a case. This market is popularly called "Kobo-san", in honor of Kobo Daishi, who died on March 21.…(180 words)

EmiOnishi image

EmiOnishi

Kyoto Tera (Temple) History Evening Garden To-ji Temple
Planning An Amazing Trip To Japan, But Not Sure Where To Go? images

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 image

Andres Zuleta, Boutique Japan

Kyoto Hiroshima Naoshima Osaka Japan Travel Tsukiji Kinkaku-ji Temple Japanese inn Miyajima Tokyo
Beautiful Kyoto images

Beautiful Kyoto

Kyoto is a beautiful city where you discover small temples and shrines around the corner. One step inside and you are in another world, free from the noise of the city, stressless, peaceful. All it takes is a walk along Kamo river, and some curiosity to look around the corners... So, if you ha…(391 words)

Claire image

Claire

Kyoto Visit Tera (Temple) Jinjya (Shrine) River
Kyoto Love: Kiyomizu-dera & Jishu Shrine images

Kyoto Love: Kiyomizu-dera & Jishu Shrine

Kiyomizu-dera 清水寺 is a beautiful temple in Kyoto up on the hills, with a view over the city. The temple grounds are a nice place to walk around and look at the many halls, gates, and pagodas from different angles. This is a very famous place and it might get a little crowded, but it is really wo…(276 words)

David image

David

Kiyomizudera Temple Kyoto Tera (Temple) Autumn Color Cherry blossom Garden Light-up love view
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
Send Out the Towels images

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 image

mikekato

towels Imabari textiles Tokyo Kyoto Shop Shikoku Ehime
The Roof of Japan: where sakura bloom in Golden Week within 3 hours of Tokyo! images

The Roof of Japan: where sakura bloom in Golden Week within 3 hours of Tokyo!

One of the top things that visitors from overseas want to see when they come to Japan is, of course, the sakura (cherry) blossoms. Timing as they say, is everything and this very much applies to sakura (cherry) blossoms. Sakura blossoms are ephemeral things: the blossoms only last a week and when …(542 words)

Phil image

Phil

Cherry blossom Trip Spring Tokyo Japan Train City Park Tera (Temple) Kyoto
The Haruka Express: Reaching Osaka & Kyoto from Kansai International Airport (KIX) images

The Haruka Express: Reaching Osaka & Kyoto from Kansai International Airport (KIX)

The Kansai International Airport (KIX) serves the Japanese cities of Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe and Nara. All Japan Rail Pass holders can take advantage of their pass to the fullest, by using it to reach the downtown areas of Kyoto or Osaka, using the Haruka Express, which is the direct connection between …(789 words)

Carlos P. image

Carlos P.

Kyoto Osaka Airport Japan Train City Trip Japanese Ticket Train station
6 Very Well-kept Secrets in Tokyo images

6 Very Well-kept Secrets in Tokyo

Tokyo has many famous sightseeing places that are even known by people all over the world. However, there are also some hidden but great scenic spots in this city which are surely worth a visit. I gonna share 6 well-kept secrets in Tokyo. 1. Todoroki RavineIn the Setagaya-ku of Tokyo, there…(338 words)

Alexlovetravel image

Alexlovetravel

Tokyo Visit Walk Summer Japanese Kyoto style view Traditional