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Interesting Japan: Washlets, things that make you go hmmm!? images

Interesting Japan: Washlets, things that make you go hmmm!?

I was inspired to write this quick post when I learned that the other day (November 19) was United Nations World Toilet Day.http://www.bbc.com/news/in-pictures-34867488After looking at the pictures in the BBC article, I reflected on how fortunate we are in Japan because of our washlets. For…(272 words)

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Former Deep Japan Writer

Driving to Kusatsu images

Driving to Kusatsu

It’s sometimes easy to forget that Japan, with all its grinding work hours, high tech wizardry and futuristic architecture, can also offer spectacular vistas and natural phenomena. To witness this transformation when urban, turns to suburban and then downright country, we drove from the sea in Shon…(291 words)

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Alana

Aomori Japan: Vibrant and Productive with Rich History and Strong Tradition images

Aomori Japan: Vibrant and Productive with Rich History and Strong Tradition

"Get the latest updates here on Deep Japan as we collaborate with Tokyo Broadcasting System(TBS) Television, JNN(Japan News Network/TBS nation wide affiliates)'s seven-station network across Japan and Vietnam's VTV station to bring the people in Vietnam informative and fun reports from the fantasti…(784 words)

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Japan has an annual Ninja Festa (Kids welcome!) images

Japan has an annual Ninja Festa (Kids welcome!)

Iga-Ueno City's Ninja Festival celebrates Japan's famed warriors and its place in their history. Few iconic figures are more closely identified with Japan than the ninja; a combination of elite warrior and intelligence agent whose basic mission continues in various forms to this day. "The art o…(549 words)

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GoodPeople

Ponta, you know what... images

Ponta, you know what...

In Japan, there is a dish called pork cutlet.Its name is called "TONKATSU".There is a way to find the No. 1 delicious shop in "TONKATSU".It is to look for a shop called "Ponta".No. 1 "Ponta" shop is here, UENO-Okachimachi.Price is high, but, But is a well-established store.We …(76 words)

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asteka

If you come to Japan, let's watch a movie! images

If you come to Japan, let's watch a movie!

In Japan, there are a lot of movies that are not screened overseas.Overseas, Japan's movie hero is samurai and ninja?In Japan until now, more than a ninja and samuraiUnique hero or heroine has been drawn in the movie.High school girl fight with a machine gun, story,Love story of a g…(138 words)

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asteka

Hiking in Japan images

Hiking in Japan

Hakone HikingJapan`s natural beauty and geoplogical gifts are sometimes overlooked because of the cultural and historical treasures this country has. Hakone is blessed with both and has many hiking trails that allow visitors to get in touch with nature, get active, explore, and enjoy great view…(492 words)

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Kintaro-man

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 Festivals for December and January. images

Japan Festivals for December and January.

There would be opportunities to join a community Mochi-zuki making event at the annual year-end/year-beginning season (in Japanese it is called Nen-matsu, Nen-sho). Please ask the hotel concierge or someone who speaks English where your City office is. Then, you can go over to the City office and i…(130 words)

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How to Beat the Sun in Japan images

How to Beat the Sun in Japan

In Japan, having fair skin tends to be considered an attractive trait, especially for women. Thus, many Japanese women take great care to avoid exposure to UV rays. One of the items often seen in the streets that women use to avoid the sun is the sun umbrella. These umbrellas can be purchased prett…(123 words)

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GenS

Beautiful, Family-Friendly Beaches in Japan images

Beautiful, Family-Friendly Beaches in Japan

Being from Hawaii, I am pretty strict when it comes to beaches but I must admit that relaxing at a beach "Japanese Style" is pretty great. It has much less to do with the water actually. In Hawaii, I usually spend the entire day in the ocean catching waves and watching the shore from the water. In …(293 words)

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Are you allowed to Use Your Cellphone in the Train in Japan? images

Are you allowed to Use Your Cellphone in the Train in Japan?

In Japan, using cellphones in the train is ok. In fact, you will see a lot of people texting on their cellphones in the train. However, there are rules to cellphone use. First of all, using cellphones near the priority seating is a big NoNo. Priority seats are where people with pacemakers sit and c…(125 words)

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GenS

Do you need to Give Tips in Japan? images

Do you need to Give Tips in Japan?

In Japan, tipping is never practiced. In fact, people will often be surprised to receive a tip, not know what to do with it, and just decline your offer. Workers in Japan do not expect you to give them a tip. Also, since tips are not expected, workers are paid decently. On your visit to Japan, don'…(86 words)

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GenS

How to Ride Trains in Japan images

How to Ride Trains in Japan

The idea of riding a train in Japan can be intimidating. There really are so many different lines that almost for a web over Tokyo. However, you shouldn't be intimidated. Most signs are also in English and buying a ticket is easy. From personal experience, I think buying a ticket in Japan is easier…(132 words)

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GenS

How to be prepared for an Earthquake in Japan? images

How to be prepared for an Earthquake in Japan?

You would be very surprised at the items you can find in Japan for that just-in-case feeling. A lot of the items would be very convenient to have in your bag during your travels around the world, so a leisurely jaunt to Tokyu Hands in Shibuya would be a very educational and helpful experience. Find…(144 words)

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What is Japan's Transportation Like? images

What is Japan's Transportation Like?

The answer to this question really depends on where in Tokyo you ant to go to. If you want to get to the Shinagawa area or anywhere on the Keikyu and Asakusa lines, you should take the Keikyu line. It only takes about 15 minutes to Shinagawa. The Tokyo monorail will get you to the Hamamatsu-cho are…(134 words)

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GenS

Where to Buy Tickets in Japan? images

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)

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GenS

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

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)

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GenS

Make Mochi! A Fun New Years Family Event in Japan images

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)

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GenS

Everything About the Edo Period At Edo Tokyo Museum in Japan images

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)

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GenS

Try a Family-Run Bed and Breakfast in Japan images

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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GenS

Enjoy Scenery in Japan Without Having to Walk images

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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GenS

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

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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GenS

How to Get to Okinawa, Japan? images

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)

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GenS

How to Survive the Rainy Season in Japan images

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)

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GenS

Comic Market, The Largest Manga Event in Japan images

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)

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GenS

Packed Train Boarding Tips in Japan images

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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GenS

Aways Stand to Left in Japan on the Escalatr images

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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GenS

Best Bar in Roppongi, Japan images

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)

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GenS

Specialty Ramen Stores in Japan images

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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GenS

Great Sashimi in Japan images

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)

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GenS

Try the Ramen Specialty Dish In Japan images

Try the Ramen Specialty Dish In Japan

All of the options you have to personalize your ramen at a ramen shop make it really tempting to add things to your ramen. However, I recommend any first time user of a ramen shop to try the house specialty, without adding anything extra. The ramen master at ramen places has spent years finding the…(187 words)

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GenS

McD's In Japan images

McD's In Japan

Charging your electronic devices using any "unofficial" plug will get you into trouble. Trust me, I'm writing from firsthand experience. I was on a 7 day bicycle trip down South to Fukuoka and needed electricity desperately. I was at a hotspring and tried sneaking some juice while I was soaking in …(125 words)

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GenS

Hungry? Eat Cup Noodle Ramen in Japan images

Hungry? Eat Cup Noodle Ramen in Japan

I warn you first that this post is not really for you if your are a very health conscious person. One of the most popular quick meal options at the combini, especially among salarymen and male students, is cup noodle. At any combini, you will find a great selection of different noodles to try. …(169 words)

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GenS

Roppongi Hills Toho Cinemas in Japan images

Roppongi Hills Toho Cinemas in Japan

The Toho Cinemas movie theater at Roppongi Hills is my favourite in Tokyo. The cinema is fairly new (about ten years) and shows the most English films in the Tokyo area. In Japan, U.S. animation movies are often dubbed into Japanese and only shown in Japanese. Only a selected number of theaters, in…(144 words)

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GenS

Hamarikyu Garden, Beautiful and Ancient Garden in Japan images

Hamarikyu Garden, Beautiful and Ancient Garden in Japan

My favourite park in Tokyo is Hamarikyu Garden, right by Shiodome station. I was actually just there the other day and the scenery of the tranquil lakes with Japanese style bridges and gazebos was breathtaking. Entrance is only about 250 yen for and adult and the garden is perfect for a 3-4 hours o…(145 words)

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GenS

Toshima Swimming Pool in Japan images

Toshima Swimming Pool in Japan

Living in Yokohama, I rarely go to swimming pools in Tokyo. However, I have ben to Toshima swimming pool once and having quite a fun time. Toshima pool is more than just an ordinary pool. It is a waterpark. Japanese people have a thing for swimming pools and so there are many pools here in Tokyo an…(162 words)

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GenS

Ueno Zoo, Fun Family-Friendly Zoo in Japan images

Ueno Zoo, Fun Family-Friendly Zoo in Japan

Tokyo's most famous, most historic, and most popular zoo is Ueno zoo. It is an enormous zoo in the central Tokyo area and is a popular attraction among families, friends, and couples. The greatest draw since about last year are the pandas. Ueno zoo is the only zoo in Tokyo with pandas and in Japan,…(170 words)

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GenS

Safety in Japan images

Safety in Japan

I have heard from some of my foreigner friends that in some countries, people would rather avoid getting involve with the police than seek justice for a small problem. In Japan, you don't have to worry about the police taking advantage of you. Although they can be a hassle at times do the the amoun…(281 words)

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GenS

Alta-mae Hiroba, Meeting Spot in Japan images

Alta-mae Hiroba, Meeting Spot in Japan

When I go hangout with my friends in the Shinjuku area, we usually meet up at the Alta-mae Hiroba. This is an easy to find open space right outside of Shinjuku station's East exit. It is called Alta-mae because it is situated in front of a famous building called Alta. You can spot this building by …(98 words)

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