DeepJapan Editor's Advice List

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Spectacles of Saitama: 4 Spots to Feel Saitama's Culture and Nature images

Spectacles of Saitama: 4 Spots to Feel Saitama's Culture and Nature

Located directly northwest of Tokyo, Saitama is often confused with simply being a part of Tokyo, but it’s a city of its own, offering all sorts of exciting locations, attractions and activities. Today we’d love to share a few of those places with you! First, we’ll take you downtown to the largest …(936 words)

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DeepJapan Editor

Nature Saitama Culture Tokyo Japan Visit City Food English History
Sensoji Temple- A half day history tour images

Sensoji Temple- A half day history tour

I was looking for a great place to experience some Japanese history for a few hours without trekking all the way to Kamakura or Kyoto so I decided to stay in Tokyo and head over to Sensoji Temple, otherwise known as Asakusa Kannon Temple. The Temple is gorgeous and I could get some amazing shots es…(624 words)

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DeepJapan Editor

 
Nikko to Tokyo - Half the fun is getting there images

Nikko to Tokyo - Half the fun is getting there

I was traveling in Nikko and heading back to Tokyo to Asakusa for some sightseeing and an overnight stay. I decided to take the scenic route and hopped on the SL train out of Nikko Station. Outside the station is the train depot and since this is the terminal station, a cool turnaround for the trai…(725 words)

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DeepJapan Editor

Tokyo Nikko Japan Train Food Restaurant Trip Hotel English Drink
Takatsue Winter Wonderland One-night Onsen Trip images

Takatsue Winter Wonderland One-night Onsen Trip

I wanted a quick overnight getaway from Tokyo to experience some nature instead of heading to crowded tourist areas. Takatsue Ski resort in Fukushima is relatively close to Tokyo, only about 170 minutes Tohoku Shinkansen, and is not just for skiing. All four seasons offer many seasonal activities l…(812 words)

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DeepJapan Editor

Trip Onsen Winter Tokyo Japan Visit Train City Hotel English
Charming transport / traditional village and onsen one-night trip. images

Charming transport / traditional village and onsen one-night trip.

I wanted to see one of the largest castles in eastern Japan so I headed for Tsurugajo castle in Aizu-Wakamatsu City from my ryoukan on the tour bus. The castle was built about 600 years ago and was important to control Eastern Japan. The current castle was built about 400 years ago. The castle was …(927 words)

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DeepJapan Editor

Trip Onsen Traditional
Samurai Spirit images

Samurai Spirit

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…(871 words)

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DeepJapan Editor

Samurai
Go north! Nikko National Park Day 2 images

Go north! Nikko National Park Day 2

I woke up early to the sound of the rushing river below and the view of the snow covered mountain, had some Japanese tea while enjoying the scenery for awhile and then went down for breakfast. I arrived at a spacious big dining hall, and the staff escorted me to a private dining room where my frien…(1282 words)

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DeepJapan Editor

Park Nikko national park Tokyo Japan Visit Train City Trip Hotel
Go north! Nikko National Park Day 1 images

Go north! Nikko National Park Day 1

One is to take the so called “Golden Route” south-west toward Hakone and Kyoto. But Japanese people often go north instead. Fit for couples, families and even a solitary getaway from the constant drone of societal pressures, it only takes about two hours on the new Tobu Revaty to get to the Nikko a…(928 words)

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DeepJapan Editor

Park Nikko national park Tokyo Japan Train Food Hotel History Art
Senmo Trip "White Winter Fantasy" images

Senmo Trip "White Winter Fantasy"

“Winter is a season of recovery and rest,” wrote Paul Theroux, travel writer and novelist. But for Hokkaido, it is only just waking up. Once the snow has covered its vastness, the drift ice arrives, bringing along with it wildlife guests and natural marvels you will rarely glimpse elsewhere. As for…(747 words)

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DeepJapan Editor

Trip Winter Hokkaido Japan Visit Train Onsen Sea
I don't want to leave this country of beautiful dreams! The place, Etchū-Yatsuo. images

I don't want to leave this country of beautiful dreams! The place, Etchū-Yatsuo.

Many people are familiar with Toyama City's "Etchū-Yatsuo" because of the festival called "Owarafunobon." Take one step inside, and it's like a dream - the atmosphere of the buildings and town have kept their beauty from the past. All the sights and people are so warm that visitors will feel as i…(782 words)

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DeepJapan Editor

 
Asago Wellness and Fitness Tourism images

Asago Wellness and Fitness Tourism

Once upon a time, Asago was a feudal era battlefield. With Takeda Castle, seeming to float among the clouds, it is a very mysterious place. Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu all vied to conquer Japan, and saw the importance of maintaining control of this area. Tajima, Harima, an…(914 words)

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DeepJapan Editor

Tourism Japan Visit City History Japanese Tera (Temple) Music Hyogo
Tours of Sake breweries in Ehime images

Tours of Sake breweries in Ehime

Sake is the essence of Japanese culture. Made from quality rice, which is the foundation of Japanese peoples diet, fresh water, cleaned by local soil, a koji mold and yest, each Sake has a unique taste and character. To unfold the secrets how it develops this character you can participate in tours …(924 words)

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DeepJapan Editor

Sake (Rice wine) Ehime Japan Visit Restaurant Food History Building Japanese
The interesting relationship between Japanese culture and sweet, delicious strawberries images

The interesting relationship between Japanese culture and sweet, delicious strawberries

Strawberries are one of the many fruits produced all over the world. Strawberries are also produced in Japan, and Japanese strawberries tend to be very sweet and it is possible to eat them raw. One small bite of these strawberries will lead to an expansion of sweetness in your mouth.Generally s…(324 words)

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DeepJapan Editor

Japanese Japanese Culture Culture Japan Spring Nature Eat Christmas Fruits
How to Enjoy Hiroshima Twice as Much! images

How to Enjoy Hiroshima Twice as Much!

Many people want to go by themselves and learn about the importance of pursuing world peace and the influence of nuclear weapons by visiting the Atomic Bomb Dome and the Hiroshima Peace Park. In addition, Miyajima’s huge, iconic Torii gate over the water attracts many people with its mysterious pre…(431 words)

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DeepJapan Editor

Hiroshima Tokyo Japan City Park Trip Art Japanese Walk Jinjya (Shrine)
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)

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DeepJapan Editor

Trip day trip Aomori
Japan off the Beaten Track: 13 Things to Do, the DeepJapan Experience images

Japan off the Beaten Track: 13 Things to Do, the DeepJapan Experience

Where would you want to go if you traveled to Japan? You might think of the typical places like Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo, but why not try somewhere different? Somewhere people don’t always visit? Japanese countryside areas have a lot of great ways to show you the local lifestyle, real Japanese cultu…(1231 words)

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DeepJapan Editor

Japan Tokyo Visit Food Park History Japanese Tera (Temple) Kyoto Tea
The trip has completely changed my impression of Nara. images

The trip has completely changed my impression of Nara.

When thinking about Japan's "Nara", just about everyone thinks about the famous deer and the great Buddha. It's too bad, because most visitors come to Nara only occasionally. If you stay in Nara for 1 or 2 days, you are sure to find there are several beautiful locations that are worth sightseeing…(1174 words)

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DeepJapan Editor

Nara Japan City Trip Japanese Tera (Temple) Summer English
Meow! I have come to Seto City, the only place this color is found. images

Meow! I have come to Seto City, the only place this color is found.

Attractive places in Japan are surely attractive because they have some unique culture which is deeply rooted in that area. If you are planning a trip to Japan, I recommend coming to spend a day in Seto City to discover the charm of a thousand years' history of ceramics.The entire city is like a…(733 words)

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DeepJapan Editor

City Japan Visit Shopping Trip History Art Japanese Museum
Exploring the Geopark at Uradome Coast in Tottori images

Exploring the Geopark at Uradome Coast in Tottori

The Uradome Coast in Tottori Prefecture is one of the Geosites that is part of the UNESCO recognized San'in Kaigan Global Geopark, home to a diversity of geological sites related to when Japan was originally part of the Asian continent and the formation of the Sea of Japan. The geopark includes gra…(943 words)

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DeepJapan Editor

Tottori Japan Visit Food History Japanese Sea view
Hands-on Tour of Yamanashi's Grape Heritage images

Hands-on Tour of Yamanashi's Grape Heritage

One of the greatest things about Yamanashi is the production of a wide range of different fruits. The type of fruit in a certain area depends on the altitude. Hokuto city, near the Yatsugatake mountain range in the North of the prefecture, produces apples pears and cherries. Going down into the low…(1428 words)

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DeepJapan Editor

Yamanashi Grape
Washi: Japanese traditional paper in Yamanashi images

Washi: Japanese traditional paper in Yamanashi

Yamanashi prefecture is a beautiful area boasting three of the highest mountains of Japan. The most famous is, of course, Mt. Fuji. Yamanashi can be easily accessed from Tokyo, the largest city in Japan. From Tokyo, it takes only 2 hours to Yamanashi. The Kofu valley is at the center of the prefe…(1474 words)

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DeepJapan Editor

Japanese Traditional Yamanashi Tokyo Japan Visit Train City Summer Trip
Destination: Amakusa, Sea Cruise! images

Destination: Amakusa, Sea Cruise!

Are you having a hard time finding something fun to do with your family, loved ones or just on your own, while traveling in Kyushu? Don’t look further, your destination is Amakusa in Kumamoto prefecture! Here you can find the Sea Cruise sightseeing agency with its unique marine cruise services and …(283 words)

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DeepJapan Editor

Sea Cruise Japan Restaurant English Shopping Trip Beauty Kyushu World Heritage Site
Gourmet Cycling in Kushiro images

Gourmet Cycling in Kushiro

In October, I participated in a gourmet bicycle tour in Kushiro, which featured prominently the Ainu culture that permeates life throughout the area, particularly in its cuisine. The 3-day tour covers about 150 kilometers, roughly evenly divided in the three days of the tour. The ride itself was ca…(868 words)

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DeepJapan Editor

cycling Visit Food Park Nature Cuisine Dinner Lunch
One Day Itinerary in Honto Island, Okinawa images

One Day Itinerary in Honto Island, Okinawa

For those of us who live in Japan, Okinawa is no secret. Its year-round warm climate, emerald green waters and sandy shorelines have been attracting visitors from the mainland for years. But most first-time visitors to Japan haven’t any idea of this mini paradise in the south - a string of pictures…(612 words)

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DeepJapan Editor

Okinawa Itinerary
Thousands of lanterns being launched into the winter night sky is a fantastic spectacle images

Thousands of lanterns being launched into the winter night sky is a fantastic spectacle

Various festivals and processions are held periodically in Japan to ask various deities to keep people free from disease and bodily harm. Sky lanterns are featured prominently in one of these festivals. Participants write their wishes on lanterns resembling small hot air balloons. These lanterns ar…(283 words)

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DeepJapan Editor

Winter Japan Event festival Snow Scenery
Following in the footsteps of the Samurai of Fukushima images

Following in the footsteps of the Samurai of Fukushima

We began our junket in Shirakawa, Fukushima prefecture. The leaves were turning and the scenery was beautiful. First on our stop was the castle. The pine trees on the grounds Shirakawa Komine Castle were immaculate and the main gate was imposing. What I learned on this trip was that what I had prev…(1043 words)

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DeepJapan Editor

Samurai Japan Visit City Food Park Trip Japanese Shop
Tourism in Tohoku Pacific Coast and Disaster Risk Reduction images

Tourism in Tohoku Pacific Coast and Disaster Risk Reduction

After suffering Japan’s biggest natural disasters in the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011, Tohoku has taken a slow but steady route to recovery. In the aftermath, over ¥50 billion of aid from around the world helped to restore some semblance of stability. But recovery is about much mor…(1938 words)

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DeepJapan Editor

Tourism Disaster Tohoku Aomori Iwate Miyagi Sendai Fukushima
What is the samurai spirit? :Samurai Spirit Tourism in Fukushima Prefecture images

What is the samurai spirit? :Samurai Spirit Tourism in Fukushima Prefecture

My quest was simple, escape the incessant noise and constant attention grabbing craziness that is life in the modern world and especially Tokyo. Don’t get me wrong I love living in Tokyo. It has been my home for 17 years but every once in awhile I need to retreat and gain a fresh perspective. When …(1118 words)

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DeepJapan Editor

Japan Tokyo Samurai love Fukushima
Slip Inside the Cracks: Samurai Spirit Tourism in Fukushima Prefecture images

Slip Inside the Cracks: Samurai Spirit Tourism in Fukushima Prefecture

Through the years, I’ve had many people “back home” ask me about Samurai Spirit and ninjas. Is there any place in Japan left where one can find these things?This is a kind of question very difficult to answer. Of course, it is possible to find museums that feature many of the tools and stories …(1064 words)

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DeepJapan Editor

Samurai Tourism Fukushima Japan Visit Park History Art Japanese
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)

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DeepJapan Editor

History Fukushima Culture Japan Food Park Trip Tokyo Train
The secret behind the deliciousness of Sano Ramen is in the water images

The secret behind the deliciousness of Sano Ramen is in the water

Ramen is one of the most popular dishes in Japan. There are various types of ramen. Some have soy sauce as the main ingredient of the broth. Others have miso as the main ingredient. The thickness and thinness of the noodles are different with each ramen. Ramen is loved all of the Japan. Recently, r…(265 words)

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DeepJapan Editor

Ramen noodles Tokyo Japan Nature Eat Soy sauce Miso
Top 10 Things to DO in NIKKO Japan | WATCH BEFORE YOU GO | Onsen Paradise images

Top 10 Things to DO in NIKKO Japan | WATCH BEFORE YOU GO | Onsen Paradise

Japan Travel Guide - A Tour of Nikko onsen & area including Kinugawa Onsen. This Away from Tokyo Guide series ventures into the Top 10 things to do in Nikko Japan. This Nikko Tour visits Nikko Onsen, Nikko Edo Wonderland aka Edomura, Toshugu Shrine a Unesco World Heritage location and Nikko food,…(140 words)

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DeepJapan Editor

Japan Onsen Nikko Tokyo City Food Trip Jinjya (Shrine) Japan Travel Guide
Observe a 97 meter waterfall up close and in person images

Observe a 97 meter waterfall up close and in person

Nikko is only about two hours away from Tokyo by train, but the contrast couldn’t be me stark. Tokyo is crowded with buildings, but Nikko is abundant with nature. There is also a sacred atmosphere in Nikko as it is home to many temples and shrines, including the well known Nikko Toshogu shrine.…(285 words)

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DeepJapan Editor

Tokyo Visit History Spring Tera (Temple) Jinjya (Shrine) Nature Winter Nikko Train
Wear a kimono and transform into a person from Japan’s Edo period images

Wear a kimono and transform into a person from Japan’s Edo period

The Edo period is a familiar historical time period for those who are interested in Japanese history. The Edo period began in the year 1603 and came to an end in the year 1868. The samurai and ninja were prevalent and flourished in Japan during this time period. Tokugawa Ieyasu formed the shogu…(318 words)

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DeepJapan Editor

Japan Kimono Edo Period Tokyo History Japanese Walk style Traditional Samurai
A large lake loved by European ambassadors directly in front of the temple images

A large lake loved by European ambassadors directly in front of the temple

Nikko is a famous tourist destination located about two hours away from Tokyo by train. Nikko Toshogu Shrine is a popular sightseeing spot that attracts a multitude of visitors daily. Sometimes lost is the fact that Nikko is also home to many other famous places.One of these places is the area ar…(308 words)

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DeepJapan Editor

Tera (Temple) Lake Nikko Tokyo Train History Japanese Nature
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)

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DeepJapan Editor

History Japan Visit Train City Park English Japanese Kyoto
Observe various artworks in a building designed by a master. images

Observe various artworks in a building designed by a master.

There are many museums and exhibitions in Tokyo. Many of these museums and exhibitions are concentrated in Ueno Park. Among them, the national museum of Western Art is near Ueno station, and because of this many people crowd the area daily.The National Museum of Western Art was designed by a ma…(377 words)

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DeepJapan Editor

Building Tokyo Japan Visit Park Art Japanese Museum Nature Ueno