DeepJapan's Advice List

Saitama City is quickly accessible from Tokyo

Saitama City is quickly accessible from Tokyo, and a central hub of culture and history within Saitama Prefecture. We have five recommended spots to put you in touch with the diverse appeal of this area.・Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa -jinja ShrineWith a purported history of over 2000 years, this…(458 words)

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Tokyo City History Japan Train Art Japanese Spring Museum Walk

Stay Healthy on your Travels in Sendai(2/2)

While traditional camping is always a refreshing experience to provide a contrast to our daily lives, the possibility of having all the needed gear while on a vacation is quite low. "Glamping" at Sendai Royal Pearl Hotel makes camping possible on vacation, but also adds a "glamorous" side to it, gi…(482 words)

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Sendai City Nature Stay Japan Park Summer Hotel Winter Traditional

Stay Healthy on your Travels in Sendai(1/2)

Travel should always be filled with new, invigorating experiences, and moreover leave you feeling rejuvenated for your return back to the day-to-day. We invite you to take a trip to Sendai, an exciting yet relaxing city in Northern Japan. While smaller than Tokyo, Sendai City has everything you cou…(387 words)

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Sendai Trip Nature Tokyo Japan City Food Japanese Sea

Special Experiences in Chiba Prefecture.

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…(585 words)

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Chiba Visit Food Restaurant Park Soba noodles Sushi Matome Garden Camping

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)

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Samurai Fukushima Japan Visit City Food Trip History Japanese Matome

Saitama, Short Trip to North of Tokyo

Kawagoe City, SaitamaLittle Kawagoe, a short one-hour train ride away from Shinjuku Station on the Seibu Line, is a wonderful spot to get away from the big city and feast your eyes on buildings from the Edo and Meiji era. The main street is lined on both sides by gorgeous old wooden merchant ho…(475 words)

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Saitama Kawagoe Matome Museum Train craftmanship Airplane Jinjya (Shrine) Tera (Temple)

Narita and other Chiba destinations for a day trip

Take Narita's Omotesando street to Naritasan Shinshoji Temple"On the way to the temple from the train station, you will never feel bored, as the main street to the temple, called "Omotesando", is the main attraction of visiting the temple. Traditional style wooden buildings stand along the stre…(561 words)

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Chiba day trip Day trip from Tokyo Tera (Temple) Sake (Rice wine) Hiking view Train Matome

Japan destinations steeped in history

The Nisshinkan Samurai School“I always wanted to explore Fukushima so I headed north from Tokyo station for a short ride on the Tohoku Shinkansen Toward Koriyama station… I boarded our chartered bus on the way to Nisshinkan Samurai school located in Aizu. It was the most prestigious institution…(572 words)

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History architecture Samurai Japanese Culture Castle Matome

Hidden gems in Hiroshima and Okayama Prefectures

Ushimado seaside town, Setouchi City, Okayama“Setonaikai is the Japanese Inland Sea and Setouchi City in Okayama Prefecture faces this beautiful part of the coast in West Japan. When you visit Hiroshima or Himeji Castle, extend your trip and spend some quiet time here. The part of Setouchi call…(513 words)

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Hiroshima Okayama West Japan travel History Sea day trip Nature Matome

Monozukuri products, made in Japan with skill and craftmanship

Tenugui towels, mini works of art“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 souvenir…(456 words)

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Souvenir craftmanship Japanese design cooking Stationery textiles Shoes Kimono Matome

Japanese foods & souvenirs that let you experience a taste of Japan at home

Try the flavor combinations of Japanese candy“You can't go wrong buying Japanese candy. You will see some of the most creative packaging that will make the person receiving the candy wonder whether to open the candy or display it. It can look traditional or futuristic. But you are probably wond…(499 words)

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Japanese food Japanese cuisine Souvenir Tea Sake (Rice wine) Sweets cooking Matome

Cherry blossom viewing in Tokyo

Where does the cherry-viewing buzz come from?“Cherry blossom period is starting in Japan. It is the time when Japanese people are enjoying watching flowers blooming everywhere... But where does this habit come from exactly? Why do the Japanese enjoy watching sakura so much? I think that the see…(528 words)

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Tokyo Cherry blossom Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing) Park Spring Flower Matome

Japan travel tips for anime & manga fans

Studio Ghibli Animation Movie Museum“Animation is now recognized as one of the representative cultures of Japan globally. We have many animation pilgrimage spots throughout the country and many people visit them from all over the world… For first comers to Japan, Akihabara and Studio Ghibli are…(525 words)

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Japan Travel Manga Anime Matome Tokyo Shopping Museum

Travel to Shikoku Island from Hiroshima or Osaka

Follow the Setouchi Shimanami Kaido cycling route“The cycling route runs for about 70 kilometres across 6 islands and bridges of the Seto Inland Sea, linking Imabari City in Ehime Prefecture with Onomichi City in Hiroshima Prefecture... The route itself is well marked with English signs and Eng…(453 words)

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Shikoku Japan Travel Tokushima Ehime Onsen Castle cycling Matome Udon noodles Sake (Rice wine)

Kusatsu Onsen – one of Japan’s best hot spring resorts

Visiting an onsen (hot spring) is an authentic Japanese experience“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 enjoyi…(480 words)

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Onsen Kusatsu Onsen Japanese style travel Japanese inn spa Nature Relax Gunma Matome

Kyoto travel tips - spend a day exploring Japan’s old capital

Kiyomizu-dera & Jishu Shrine“Kiyomizu-dera 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... Make sure to walk around the different buildings and g…(399 words)

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day trip Japan Travel Kyoto architecture Art Jinjya (Shrine) local secret Matome Tera (Temple) Walk

How to spend one day in east Tokyo, for first-time visitors to Japan

Senso-ji Temple: Make your visit special by putting on a Kimono“Kimono is usually made of silk or hemp, beautifully dyed or embroidered. Yukata is made of cotton, the Kimono for summer. Most of Ryokan (Japanese hotels) prepare Yukata in each room as a sleepwear, but you can get out with Yukata …(553 words)

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Tokyo day trip Japanese food Asakusa Kappabashi Japanese garden Matome Department store Souvenir

Southern Japan travel: Okinawa & Kyushu

One-day itinerary for Okinawa’s main island Honto“Most people head to Okinawa to enjoy the beautiful beaches and rugged coastlines, which are considered among the world's most beautiful with large coral reefs and an abundance of marine wildlife. For travelers who are in Okinawa for the first ti…(511 words)

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Kyushu Okinawa Matome Oita Kumamoto Nagasaki Kagoshima Nature History Sea

Travel along the Sea of Japan coast – Shimane, Tottori, Kyoto, Toyoma, Niigata

Maizuru, Kyoto Prefecture"Maizuru developed as seaside town with its own industry and culture reaching even more importance when a 5,300-year-old dugout canoe from Jomon period, which is considered one of the oldest in the world, was discovered and excavated. It is... also the perfect place for…(516 words)

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Sea History Sea of Japan Kyoto Shimane Tottori Toyama Niigata Matome

Experience Japan’s beautiful mountains and coastline

Hiking with views of Mt. Fuji in Hakone“Hakone is an area protected as a quasi-national park and has many trails of differing challenge. The number and variety of trails located throughout the area make it a popular place to experience the outdoors while in Japan. Hakone has trails with views o…(498 words)

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Nature Mount Fuji national park Tottori Okinawa Nikko Hakone Matome Outdoor recreation Tokyo

Explore Northern Japan – travel recommendations for Hokkaido and Miyagi

Lavender fields, a sea of flowers“In Hokkaido, Furano's lavender fields attract large numbers of visitors to the region every summer when the plants are in full bloom. Lavenders usually start blooming in late June and reaches its peak from around mid July to early August ... We visited there of…(397 words)

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Japan Hokkaido Miyagi Food Summer Nature cycling view Sea Matome

Hyogo and Hiroshima Prefecture - Western Japan travel from Osaka

Visit Himeji Castle“Often said to be Japan's best example of a complete fortress castle, Himeji Castle is a picturesque beauty, sitting atop a hill in Hyogo Prefecture. It is often referred to as either a white egret or heron, referring to its white exterior and elegant shape, much like a great…(568 words)

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Hyogo Hiroshima day trip Sea Matome Kobe Himeji Castle Sake (Rice wine)

Nikko – breathtaking shrines, temples, and landscape

5 things to do in Nikko“Nikko is one of the most historically significant cities in Japan, situated between the mountains of north Tokyo. The city is located in very close proximity to the Nikko National Park, which offers great views of the mountain peaks, as well as numerous waterfalls and ho…(466 words)

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World Heritage Site Nature Nikko Hiking Jinjya (Shrine) Tera (Temple) national park Matome

Spring in Japan is cherry blossom season

Sakura – cherry blossom time“Sakura are all things cherry, everything cherry blossoms and cherry trees. Think of sakura as a season in Japan, the height of spring... Hanami, written with the characters for flower and to see, is just that: seeing the flowers. Taking a walk and looking at the che…(460 words)

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Spring Cherry blossom Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing) Tokyo Aomori Fukushima Matome

Tokyo: neon lights, robots, and otaku fun

Go out in Shinjuku“If you're in the search for neon lights, head to Shinjuku. Here you'll find more blinking lights, giant advertisement signs, and busy crowds than almost anywhere else in Tokyo. Head out Shinjuku Station's East Exit and walk towards Kabukichō, Tokyo's red-light-district.”R…(353 words)

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Tokyo Otaku Japan Travel Manga Shinjuku Harajuku Akihabara Matome

Eating and drinking in Japan on a budget

Go out for lunch“Make lunch one highlight of your days in Japan ... Select a special lunch set at a sushi bar or traditional Japanese restaurant. You can expect to eat an exquisite selection for less than half of what you would pay at dinner time. These lunch sets are a good option if you want …(464 words)

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Japanese food Japan drinking Japan Travel Department store Bento (box meal) Coffee Matome

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)

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Kyoto Japan Travel Market Tera (Temple) Japanese garden Matome

Short trips from Tokyo

8 places to have a good weekend trip from Tokyo“Many friends in Tokyo often ask me how to have a great weekend trip from Tokyo. Most attractions in city area of Tokyo are quite common to us, so I wanna suggest some great places near Tokyo which can be accessed easily by JR trains. Most of the s…(426 words)

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short trip Japan Travel Kamakura Enoshima Island Kusatsu Onsen Kawagoe Mount Fuji Nikko Matome

Go on a quest to find the tastiest Japanese noodles

Explore the world of ramen and tsukemen“Shops making tasty ramen noodles are everywhere in Japan. Get off the train at just about any station and chances are that you will find a ramen shop nearby. Many ramen shops offer ramen (noodles served in a bowl of soup) and tsukemen (noodles and soup se…(450 words)

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Ramen noodles Soba noodles Udon noodles Tsukemen Japanese food Japan Travel

See Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji

How to get to Mt. Fuji“If you will visit Mount Fuji, Kawaguchiko Station or Mt. Fuji Station are the major gateways for magical Mount Fuji, designated as a world cultural heritage site in 2013, and the magnificent Fuji Five Lakes area.”Read the full post http://www.deepjapan.org/a/3197T…(382 words)

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Mount Fuji Japan Trip Japan Travel Winter Summer Matome Tokyo Visit Yokohama

Japanese sake (nihonshu)

A beginner’s guide“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…(424 words)

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Sake (Rice wine) Japanese food Brewery Japan Travel Matome

Explore Tokyo’s neighbor Kanagawa Prefecture

A day in Yokohama“If you have a full day to spend and you’re in Tokyo, I recommend taking a trip to the port city of Yokohama, especially if it's a beautiful day. On a sunny day, the Minato Mirai area with its series of shopping malls, amusement park and hotels situated around a bay is a must s…(358 words)

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Kanagawa Yokohama Kamakura Shonan Hakone Japan Travel Odawara Matome

Tokyo’s gardens, parks, and nature

Take a break in Shinjuku Gyoen“If your in the Shinjuku area and you need a break from the hustle and bustle of the big city then Shinjuku Gyoen might just be what the doctor ordered. This tranquil national garden has a mix of wide open spaces and traditional Japanese gardens. It's … a fantastic…(406 words)

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Garden Tokyo Park Japan Travel Nature Matome

Japanese sweets

Wagashi“Take a taste of a typical Japanese sweet called "Wagashi" ... The Wagashi sweets are a beautiful art form as well. Just like cakes and patisserie are an art in Europe, Wagashi is molded into lovely shapes and colors with just the perfect amount of sweetness to balance the fresh bitterne…(391 words)

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Wagashi Cake Sweets Japan Travel Japanese food Souvenir Matome

Chiba Prefecture - Where Tokyoites like to escape the busy city

Explore the Minami Boso Peninsula"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 Peninsula. There are many different and unique things to do there that visitors are …(451 words)

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Chiba Japan Travel Hiking Tokyo Bay Trip Matome

Japan travel destinations outside the big cities

Okayama - Kurashiki"This area is well known throughout Japan for having refurbished original 'kura' warehouses in the old merchant district of the city. The district was not destroyed by bombing during World War II, and is one of the few places in Western Japan where you can enjoy Japanese cult…(421 words)

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Japan Travel Hiroshima Shimane Kagoshima Hakone Matsuyama Castle (Iyo) Kurashiki Onomichi Matome

Experience Japanese culture and history at shrines and temples

Basic etiquette for visiting temples and shrines“One of the best ways to experience the rich culture of Japan is to visit some of its countless temples (tera) and shrines (jinjya). Whether Buddhist or Shinto, these holy sites each have their own unique story and architectural details and are fa…(478 words)

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Japanese Culture Tera (Temple) Jinjya (Shrine) Japan Travel Matome

Japanese style travel

Minshuku - Japanese bed and breakfast"There are different kinds of ryokan and minshuku inns in Japan... 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 meals and making sure you are comfortable."…(339 words)

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Onsen Japan Travel Japanese inn Minshuku Foot bath Public Bath Matome

Check out Japan’s museums and their specialized collections

Hara Museum of Contemporary Art in Gunma"There is that contemporary art museum in the middle of the mountain that is fabulous. It is managed by the Hara Museum, and hosts collections that do not fit in the mother museum based in Shinagawa (a wonderful place to visit...)”Read the full post h…(406 words)

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Art Museum Day trip from Tokyo Tokyo Yokohama Gunma Hakone Japan Travel Matome

Explore Japan’s scenery and nature with fun outdoor activities

6 great runs in Tokyo“I’ve selected these based on the different locations, various terrain, water stops, and ability to combine longer distance! These courses are selected for the least amount of distractions, such as traffic lights and cars, but in doing so, unfortunately avoid some of the be…(388 words)

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Japan Travel cycling Nature Hiking Camping diving Outdoor recreation Matome