Advice about Japan
Advanced Search
Meet Yoshida No Udonburi-Chan, Udon Character From Mt. Fuji, Japan!
There is a very famous type of Udon in Yamanashi Prefecture’s Fujiyoshida City. It is a little bit heavier and stronger than regular Udon so when you try to bite through the noodles it will make your teeth work harder. This is called “Koshi no aru” Udon in Japanese.It is said that this Yoshida …(654 words)
Ride Local Trains for an Different and Deeper View of Japan
The Little station in Yokohama Caught me Off GuardI was there on a visit with my friend Keiji to see one of his colleagues at one of Japan’s largest Engineering firms. It was like a slip back in time to step off the train onto a long cement platform with no safety barrier, no electronic sur…(456 words)
Japan's Sengakuji and the 47 Famous Samurai (Part 3)
A quick read-up on the story of the 47 Ronin who avenged their Lord will give the pertinent details on how the plan was executed and how the Ronin successfully found and exacted revenge on Kira Yoshinaka one snowy morning in Tokyo. He desperately begged for mercy from the Ako Clan members and was u…(1225 words)
One of the Most Ancient and Interesting Bridges in Japan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeL_cyyKVeMThis is a place steeped in history, pulsing with riveting stories of banished Samurai, castles and the Iwakuni Han. Home to Japan’s naval air force and the US Marines, Iwakuni is where the US and Japan work together to try and keep this part of the wor…(599 words)
We All Scream For Ice Cream!
With Japan soon entering the rainy season and summer, there's neither a quicker nor easier way to keep cool and feel refreshed than with - scream it with me - ICE CREAM!Should you be lucky enough to be in the right area, I'd like to recommend you have a lick at Paletas Frozen Fruit Bar. Their f…(336 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Stranded in Japan without shoes?
According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons the global average shoe size for an adult male is US size 9 - 12. As hard as it may be to believe the largest size footwear carried for men in most Japanese shoe stores is a mere 28 cm (around US size 8 1/2, EU size 43), and even if you are l…(206 words)
Aron
Japan's Strange Love for Strange and Unusual Snacks
The Japanese are well-known for their love of outrageous, sometimes excessive, and even downright silly, creativity. This creativity can produce both extraordinary and peculiar results.Japanese snacks are no exception. Article upon article has been written about them. Instagram and Facebook are…(415 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Untouched, Friendly and Awaiting your Arrival; Shizukuishi, Iwate Japan.
I planned to arrive in Shizukuishi, Iwate Prefecture while the sun was still shining, but a speech in Chiba City delayed my arrival until long after the moon rose on this village of just over 17,000 residents in Northeast Japan. It was a sweltering day with temperatures around 36 degrees Celsiu…(1112 words)
Ready to Take a Three-Day Trip From Tokyo, Japan?
Are you going somewhere in Japan?Planning to adventure anywhere outside of Tokyo? If so, you need the low-down on how to master Shinkansen Bullet Train Travel!Well, here I would like to use my recent trip to Shizukuishi in Iwate, Prefecture as a perfect example of the process on how to fi…(1015 words)
FAQ website has opened for who has concerned about travelling in Japan!
FAQ website has opened for who has concerned about travelling in Japan!The website is to solve your inquiries and worries about your upcoming trip to Japan.The registered users of the website will help and suggest you to find out the answer.Websitehttp://faq-japan.com/Recommend Bo…(57 words)
OH
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)
Japan: A World-class Destination for Global Business Conventions (…and MICE)
My keen interest in social and business networking focused on ‘Business in Japan’, keeps me updated on the numerous International Conferences, expositions and trade fairs that happen year-around.https://www.linkedin.com/grps/Business-in-Japan-54168/about?Tokyo, already recognized as a global …(606 words)
GoodPeople
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)
Former Deep Japan Writer
A mind for the other
As Japan becomes more like any other country, it's not so easy to see clear evidence of "a mind for the other" in everyday life, but it does still influence the way people behave. This "mind for the other" stuff isn't sappy altruism; it's the legacy of a pragmatic approach to getting things done, s…(233 words)
Adam F
Enjoy shopping Japanese products everywhere !
Have you ever experienced the following situations about Japanese products? “After I visited Japan and bought some Japanese products, I want to buy them again in your country… “ “I wanted to buy Japanese product but you could not find in your country…” “I got Japanese souvenir…(636 words)
R2C8
Get to know your Prefectures: Yamagata, Japan (Pt. 2 of 2 )
"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…(828 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
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)
Alana
Do You Know "Hidari Gawa Tsuko?" Pass on the left in Japan
"To the Left, To the Left" is one of my favorite songs and it well applies to some parts of my life....okay, yes you're right, Ill avoid that topic for today :) But, "To the Left" is an important concept in Japan. When you walk around, basically anywhere in Japan, you'll see the cool everyone k…(435 words)
The romantic side of Kusatsu
Kusatsu is a great town for any visitor and the hot springs are outstanding. But what many miss is the romantic charm. The strolling, laid back nature of the town brings with it quality time with your loved ones. Yubatake (hot-water field) is perfect for romantic holiday photographs during the …(525 words)
AndrewShuttleworth
Japan offers you a "Retreat of the Heart"
I read recently about how it is very important to be able to retreat within yourself. Are you able to do that? Do you find peace and calm for retrospection as you walk around, take care of daily tasks or ride a bus?If you are like me, I bet a lot of the time, you are kind of on alert. One of my…(637 words)
Japanese local railroad
This train exists in Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa.It's possible to go from Ofuna to Enoshima in 13.5 minutes.The feature is the train of a hung style which is also few in Japan.When I take this train which runs in the town, it seems to be a roller coaster.ENODEN which can see a sea in Kamak…(88 words)
Hocchi
Japan's Theme Parks
For visitors and long-term residents alike who may be looking for an interesting-and uniquely Japanese-way to spend a day, a good choice is one of Japan`s theme parks. These places offer a range of attractions under one roof (unless they are outdoors of course), and have something for the whole fam…(548 words)
GoodPeople
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)
asteka
My favorite trips to the old towns in JAPAN
SugitoTtown（杉戸町）, which located in Saitama Prefecture is one of the post-station towns developed along the Nikko Highway（日光街道） in Edo period.The Highway starts from Nihombashi（日本橋） in Tokyo and reach Nikko in Tochigi Prefecture.This town is one of the 21 post towns along the Hig…(566 words)
Erika1228
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)
DeepJapan Editor
Bringing Your Meds To Japan? Study The Laws A Little.
For a long time, the ubiquitous sinus medicine Vicks Inhaler was the butt of jokes among resident foreigners in Japan. Signs used to grace airport terminals with the familiar cream-and-green device with a big red "X" imposed over it. The reason, though was rational. Over-the-counter Inhalers so…(1300 words)
jdlawrence
Enjoy bath, Japanese style
Enjoy taking bath with Babu(Bub), a popular Japanese bath tablet to Relax after Exploring Japan on Foot.All travelers know how sight seeing can be exhausting. Especially walking around on foot, taking trains and metro etc with lots of stairs before and after the ride in metropolitan areas in Ja…(394 words)
mimichan
Enjoy the Yokohama Market, heaven for fish lovers, in a more delicious way
When we think of the Marine Products Division of the Yokohama Market, we imagine the intermediate wholesalers, true professionals in the world of fish, all lined up, with other professionals in the world of fish—the fish mongers and the sushi shop owners—coming to purchase their wares. Normally we …(1809 words)
Kanagawa P.G.T.D.
I opened a craft beer bar in Tokyo
I recently opened a new craft beer bar in Tokyo and I thought an article re the process of this would be interesting. After the forced closing of my previous beer bar in Aoyama (the building was being demolished to make way for a redevelopment) I was in a situation where I had to relocate the b…(1288 words)
Adstev73
Tokyo's Yamanote Line: More Than You Ever Wanted To Know
Cruise through the pages of Deep Japan, and you'll find tons of advice on how to ride the trains and get to where you're going. But, did you ever stop to think about *how* and *why* the train system in Japan became like it is? There are way too many train lines to count, and each line has its o…(968 words)
jdlawrence
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)
Alexlovetravel
Kamata: The Most Beautiful Knives in Tokyo
Kappabashi, Tokyo's kitchenware wholesaler's district, is a treasure trove of gorgeous ceramics, unusual spices, pots and pans of all sizes and, of course, Japan's world-class knives.No place glitters more than Kamata Hakensha, a bustling shop where every surface is covered with perfect, sharp …(303 words)
Chiara
Have you Heard of Water Shield? It's a Vegetable and No, I haven’t Heard of it Either.
In Japan, this vegetable is called “Junsai” and I remember seeing it in my local supermarket, wondering what it was, and then moving on to the more familiar Nori or seaweed area as usual. This is something I do often, and learn to regret when a new menu translation comes down the pipeline to my des…(541 words)
The Ultimate One-stop Souvenir Shop in Ginza
Need to buy souvenirs for someone or a group of people and don't have a clue what to buy or where to go? Well, you *could* read any of the following articles on the subject:http://www.deepjapan.org/a/4160http://www.deepjapan.org/a/4171http://www.deepjapan.org/a/4179Or you could just…(282 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Licensed To Drive..Finally!!
This article was originally published on my blog site on January 2008. Please come and visit http://mirai.hayashi-web.net to see more about my experiences in living and working in Japan.About 6 years ago I attempted to get a Japanese drivers license, since I was still driving with an internati…(4721 words)
MiraiZ
Where History Meets Art in One Tokyo Landmark
There's no shortage of art galleries in Japan, but in upscale old-school Ginza, there's one that goes back, waaaaaaaaay back.The Okuno Building, built in 1932, was originally constructed to serve as a luxury apartment complex. It has miraculously survived the bombings of World War II, as well a…(449 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
5 Ways to Go Sailing in Shonan
A few years ago, while shopping at our local bakery, my husband and I overheard a conversation between two stranded travelers from Southern France. They had arrived a few days before to Japan and were following the trail of Kelly Slater, one of their surfing heroes, who often competes in our area …(628 words)
Alana
Quick and easy things to do in Yokohama #5
The backstreets of Koganecho are steeped in history. Once infamous for being a neighborhood that catered to drugs, prostitution, and other illegal trades, has, since 2008, experienced a revitalization of extreme proportions.By bringing in and promoting artists, merchants, and other creators, th…(327 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
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)
DeepJapan Editor
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. Most of the sightseeing places can be arrived within one hour by train.…(451 words)
Alexlovetravel