GenS's Advice List

GenS Japan 20 years in Japan

With my advise, your trip to Japan will be Deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep!

Elaborate Daimyo Mansions in Japan

Although technically not a museum, there are many daimyo yashiki (feudal lord mansions) in tokyo, open to the public, where you can learn a lot about the luxurious lifestyles daimyo and their families had during the Edo Period. The Shogun Tokugawa wanted to limit the powers of the daimyo to maintai…(199 words)

GenS

History Japan Tokyo Museum River Visit

Great Sashimi in Japan

At the tsukiji fish market, you would naturally assue that the best delicacies are made from fish. In fact, there are many other delicacies, unrelated to fish, that you should not miss. All of these are comparatively cheap and have a lot of volume. These places exist to provide cheap but tasty and …(177 words)

GenS

Sushi Sashimi (Raw fish) Japan Sugar Tsukiji Tokyo Visit Food

Enjoy the winding road of Nikko, Irohazaka. One of Japan's lovely roads in a perfect getaway outside of Tokyo.

Iroha-zaka in Nikko is very famous in Japan for beautiful views of changing colours in Autumn. It is the perfect Autumn drive. Iroha-zaka is a hill which takes about 30 minutes (1.5 hours in the autumn due to traffic) to drive up. Views are spectacular along the way and a beautiful lake awaits at t…(100 words)

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Nikko Autumn Lake Tera (Temple) Tokyo

Shaved Ice, Iced Coffee, and Beer in Japan

Shaved Ice is a popular snack, usually only available in the winter. It is popular especially as a snack on the pool side or at the beach. You can choose from a range of syrups including melon, strawberry, and blue hawaii. My personal favorite is melon. Some Shaved ice even has ice cream on it. A v…(232 words)

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Beer Coffee Drink Tea

Destination Outside Tokyo? How to Use the Ticket Machines

For English speakers, the easiest way to purchase Shinkansen tickets will be by using the ticket machines. Lining up to purchase the tickets directly from an attendent will be much more time consuming and a pain since it is likely he or she will not speak English. The ticket machines have English g…(101 words)

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Ticket Ticket machine Shinkansen Bullet Train Train

Fans of Green Tea, Listen to This Helpful Tip

Ryokucha is my favourite type of green tea. I still drink it regularly and when I used to go to school, I would drink 500 ml a day. At any convenient store or supermarket, you will have a range of green tea brands to choose from. Any of them are good. If given the choice, I would probably choose Ay…(173 words)

GenS

Green tea Tea Drink Hokkaido Japan Work

Need Aspirin in Japan

Bufarin is a type of aspirin that works very well as a pain killer. It wil help you with a headache, fever, or any pain in general. It is one of the most popular medicines and is available at any pharmacy. Just ask for Ba fa rin. The pharmacist should be able to understand. In comparison to in th…(124 words)

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Medicine Japan Pharmacy

Recline and Relax on the Green Car in Japan

The Green Car facility is offered on selected JR lines including the Shinkansen and the Tokaido and Yokosuka lines in the Tokyo area. Although it requires an extra charge, it is not too expensive and is worth it if you do not want to deal with packed trains and want to relax during rush hours. I us…(228 words)

GenS

Train Shinkansen Bullet Train Narita Express Tokyo

Specialty Ramen Stores in Japan

First of all, its important to know that it is rare to have bad ramen. Any ramen in Japan should be tasty. So when you are looking for your favourite ramen, you should first think about what kind of taste you like. Do you like a shoyu (soy sauce) base? Or tonkotsu (soup made from pork)? Miso? Sea f…(186 words)

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Ramen noodles Japan Food Soy sauce Museum Miso Yokohama

Royal Wing from Osanbashi Pier in Japan

Osanbashi pier is in Yokohama, but it is easily accessible from Tokyo on the Toyoko line. I grew up in Yokohama and have taken the cruise on the royal wing a couple of times. The cruise is very beautiful and you get a nice tour of Yokohama Bay. The ship will go under Yokohama Bay Bridge and then ma…(153 words)

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Japan Scenery Trip Lunch

Island Paradise Near Tokyo, Japan

If you are interested in taking a boat ride from Tokyo, I recommend going to Niijima island, one of the Izu islands. Niijima is only 2 hours on a hydrofoil from Takeshiba boat terminal in Hamamatsucho and is very easy to get to. Tickets can be purchased online, at convenience stores, or at the term…(127 words)

GenS

Tokyo Beaches Minshuku Visit Summer Surfing Swimming

Best Bar in Roppongi, Japan

My favorite bar in Tokyo is Heartland bar in Roppongi Hills. It is a very open and fancy bar, always lively with people, perfect for a drink before clubbing in Roppongi. It is also where Heartland Beer (a Japanese beer made by Kirin) was first made. For Roppongi, the beer cocktails are very reasona…(84 words)

GenS

Roppongi Japan Tokyo Drink Beer Roppongi Hills

Aways Stand to Left in Japan on the Escalatr

One basic manner you have to know on your trip to Japan is to always stand on the left side of escalators. Only stand on the right side if you are walking up. This is a rule that everyone follows and you will naturally follow it when you see people doing it. In escalators, there aren’t any rules in…(158 words)

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Etiquette Japan escalators Trip Walk Business

Packed Train Boarding Tips in Japan

Although a packed train in Japan seems like total chaos, there are a few rules that people follow to keep everyone safe and orderly. First of all, you need to line up properly on the platform before boarding. On the platform, there will be signs showing you how you should line up. Everyone follows …(246 words)

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Train Japan Etiquette Railway platform

Japanese Etiquette and Queue Lines

Although it isn’t like someone will yell at you if you don’t follow them, there are certain rules that people follow in general on train. First of all, people rarely make phone calls on trains. If it is an emergency, you should stand up from your seat and go near the door where there are less peopl…(184 words)

GenS

Etiquette Railway platform Train Japan love emergency Priority Seat drinking

Best Way to Get to Yokohama, Japan

The Tokaido line covers 700km from Tokyo to Kobe station, the longest distance among all local trains in Japan. However, one train on the line will not take you from Tokyo to Kobe. You will have to transfer many times. In the Tokyo area, the Tokaido line runs from Tokyo station South to Yokohama an…(107 words)

GenS

Yokohama Train Tokyo Beaches Shinkansen Bullet Train Atami Kobe Japan

Comic Market, The Largest Manga Event in Japan

Comiket, or Comic Market, is Japan’s largest manga related event. It is held once a year in August. To truly understand the appeal, I think you must have a strong passion for Japanese manga culture. What you can find at Comiket are manga related products that are made independently by “circles” or …(138 words)

GenS

Manga Japan Cosplay Shopping Event Trip Market

How to Survive the Rainy Season in Japan

The rainy season in Japan is not very long. It is basically the month of June, beginning in early June and ending usually by July. The coming of the rainy season marks the end of Spring and its end marks the beginning of summer. In comparison to Spring, not only does it rain much more frequently du…(100 words)

GenS

Japan Rainy Day Okinawa Kyushu Spring Summer

How to Get Tickets for a Japanese Baseball Game

Being a baseball fanatic, a convenient service I use often at convenience stores is the ticket machines. Using these machines, you can easily purchase any kind of ticket you want. Any of the major combinis (Seven-Eleven, Lawson, Family Mart, and Sankus) will have a ticket machine and they have Engl…(80 words)

GenS

Convenience store Ticket machine Ticket Lawson Baseball

Kimono Wine Bar and Grill in Japan

There is a small restaurant in Nogizaka called Kimono Wine Bar and Grill that I go to sometimes when I’m craving for some good food. I especially enjoy their steak and greek salad. One problem, though, is that it's a little difficult to find. But that's what makes it a nice hideaway spot! Here is a…(69 words)

GenS

Restaurant Japan Food Tokyo Kimono Wine

How to Get the Freshest Sushi in Japan!

One tip I think you should know is to try and avoid taking sushi from the conveyer belt and order it directly with the sushi chef instead. Although its fun to take sushi from the conveyer belt, ordering it directly from the “sushi master” will ensure what you get is the freshest sushi possible. Som…(103 words)

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Kaitenzushi (Conveyor belt sushi) Japan Sushi

How to Get to Okinawa, Japan?

Tokyo’s outer islands are good alternatives to flying far to Okinawa for nice beaches. A hydrofoil will carry you quickly to different islands. My favorite is Niijima island, about 1.5 hrs from Tokyo on hydrofoil. The island is small but the beaches are beautiful. They reminded me of Hawaii. Gett…(108 words)

GenS

Japan Okinawa Tokyo Beaches Hydrofoil Boat Trip Hamamatsucho

Japanese Children Celebrate Sports Day

The “undokai” is an annual sports day held at every Japanese elementary and middle school in either May or September. Although schools in other countries also have sports days, the many of the “undoukai” activities are unique to Japan and the event is an important part of Japanese culture. During a…(136 words)

GenS

Sport Children Japanese Culture

Find Out Why Family-Run Hotels are So Comfortable in Japan!

There aren't any strict manners that you wouldn't have to follow at a regular hotel but do at a Japanese bed and breakfast or minshuku. However, the unique aspects of a minshuku create some space for extra things you could be mindful about. First of all, minshuku are almost always family run. They …(173 words)

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Hotel Japan Etiquette Minshuku Gym Eat Pool

Enjoy Scenery in Japan Without Having to Walk

The seishun 18 ticket is a very cheap way to travel long distance on trains in Japan. The ticket is sold in sets of five and one set costs 11,300yen. The amazing thing is that one ticket will allow you to travel on any JR local train in Japan as many times as you want with in 24 hours. This is amaz…(172 words)

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Ticket Japan Tokyo Train Shinkansen Bullet Train Cheap

Fun Children Activities in Japan, Learn Martial Arts

Bushido refers to the samurai way of life, the "yamato damashii" or the samurai spirit. It is a general attitude towards life including things like respecting hierarchal relationships, putting great emphasis on loyalty, and dying with honor. Since samurai don't exist anymore, its difficult to see o…(575 words)

GenS

Japan Children activities Convenience store Building Sea Sport Samurai Art

Try a Family-Run Bed and Breakfast in Japan

"Minshuku" or Japanese bed and breakfasts have similar origins to bed and breakfasts. Minshuku began with families living by tourist areas providing one or more of their extra rooms as accommodation for tourists. Thus, minshuku were family-run and toilet and bathing facilities would be shared among…(104 words)

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Minshuku Japan Hotel Toilet

The World's Largest Uniqlo Store in Japan

The world's largest Uniqlo (Japan's largest and most popular clothing brand) store opened recently in Ginza on the main shopping street. I happened to pass by the other day and could not stop myself from stepping in, stupefied by the sheer size. The store has 12 floors and sells pretty much every p…(196 words)

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Uniqlo Shopping Japan Tokyo Ginza Winter Department store

Best View in Japan: Angled Cliffs, Mount Fuji, Buddhist Temples

Cable cars are often available to provide tourists with quick and scenic access to mountain summits in Japan. One that I recently used was the cable car which takes you to the summit of Nokogiri-yama mountain in Chiba prefecture. The ride was very scenic and is highly recommended. The mountain also…(164 words)

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Mountain Japan Tera (Temple) History Chiba Kanto Region Mount Fuji

Majestic Japanese Garden and Tea House in the Middle of Tokyo

Although you will not be able to participate in a formal Japanese tea ceremony at Hamarikyu garden, you will be able to relax in a Japanese style gazebo, in the middle of a historical garden where the Shogun used to indulge in his falconry hobby, with a freshly made cup of Japanese tea in your hand…(186 words)

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Garden Tokyo Tea Asakusa River Traditional

Everything About the Edo Period At Edo Tokyo Museum in Japan

If you are interested in learning about the Edo period, the Edo Tokyo Museum is THE PLACE TO GO. It is a gigantic museum in Ryogoku (by the Sumo Arena) and is probably the most extensive museum on the Edo Period in the world. The best thing about this museum is that it has volunteer English speakin…(93 words)

GenS

Japan History Tokyo Museum Sumo Visit English Japanese Culture Edo Period

Stay in a Japanese Hotel Without the Extra Costs

If you are interested in saving some money on accommodation but you still want to stay at a minshuku (Japanese bed and breakfast), consider doing "sudomari". Typically, a stay at a minshuku will include at least one meal. Although this meal will probably be very delicious, made using the best local…(96 words)

GenS

Hotel Minshuku activities breakfast Japanese inn

Make Mochi! A Fun New Years Family Event in Japan

In my opinion, there is nothing better to do in Japan during winter than participate in "mochi-tsuki" and eat fresh and delicious mochi. Mochi-tsuki is a Japanese New Year's tradition and events will be held around the first of January. Usually "Mochi-tsuki" is hosted by the neighbourhood communit…(123 words)

GenS

Mochi (Rice cake) Japan Event Jinjya (Shrine) Japanese New Year New year Winter Art

Bed and Breakfast Japanese Style!

The prices of Japanese inns (ryokan) and bed and breakfasts (minshuku or pensions) vary depending on the place. Some of the famous ryokan in the atami or izu area will cost you 1000 dollars per night. These places will definitely have superb service including traditional meals using fresh local ing…(197 words)

GenS

Japanese inn breakfast Tokyo Beaches Minshuku Atami Summer Visit

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

Enoshima Island Japan Tokyo Yokohama Mount Fuji Trip Visit

Are Taking Taxis Affordable in Japan?

In the Tokyo city area, taxis are everywhere. If you are on a main road it would be rare if you couldn't catch one in 5 minutes. Taxis are easy to find and a quick way to get around. The metro and bus system will also take you pretty much anywhere but will usually be more time consuming since buses…(162 words)

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Transportation Taxicab Tokyo City Bus

Japanese Rock and Roll, Buy Tickets at a Convenience Store

The easiest way to purchase concert tickets, or pretty much any ticket, is at your nearest convenient store. Any of the major "combinis" (seven-eleven, lawson, sankus, and family mart) will have a ticket machine with English guidance. The key is to find the machine (usually next to the printer and …(102 words)

GenS

Lawson Convenience store Ticket Ticket machine Concert Japan

Romantic Night Drive to Yokohama, Japan

One of the most popular drives from Tokyo among couples is to the beautiful port city of Yokohama. The drive will only take you about 30 minutes one way and the views are spectacular. Yokohama is known to have one of the best views at night. Start in Tokyo towards Yokohama on the Shuto Expressway t…(238 words)

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Yokohama Japan Couples

How to Maintain the Perfect Balance Between Noodles and Sauce in Japan

A key when eating zaru-udon (udon on a bamboo net that you dip into sauce) is to avoid dipping the udon too much. This does require some chopstick skills but what you want to aim for is dipping your udon in the sause just enough so its tasty but not too much that all you taste is the sauce. The noo…(147 words)

GenS

Udon noodles Japan Eat Chopstick

Where to Buy Tickets in Japan?

Purchasing a ticket for a sporting event is easy in Japan. Unlike in the states, you cannot print out your ticket at home. Everything is usually done at a convenience store. You can either buy a ticket online and then visit a convenience store to print your ticket and make the payment or you can ju…(148 words)

GenS

Convenience store Japan Ticket Event Ticket machine Lawson Visit English