Advice about Outdoor recreation
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Looking for Outdoor Adventure? Look No Further!
Japan is a country rife with mountains, forests, and unusual curious terrain. Who hasn't wanted to get out and explore it all? Whether your're experienced in hiking trails and combing the wilderness or completely with a yen to try, I highly recommend you let Kanto Adventures show you how.Kanto …(378 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Horseback riding on the beach
Summer is around the corner and the temperature is rising day by day.Time for us to plan our summer vacation. (maybe already done?)Japan is a mountain country surrounded by sea...so we can reach both mountains and beaches easily. Either way is good to escape the summer heat.This time I ch…(298 words)
Zara
Preserved alpha rice
Have you ever heard of preserved alpha rice? It is packed in pouch and very useful for disaster cases. Even without gas or electricity, it can be cooked with hot water or water! We joined the children's outdoor event the other day and one of the NPO groups was demonstrating how to cook preseved…(165 words)
EmiOnishi
Why Visit Japan in Summer
Japan is a true "year-round" destination, but if you like the heat - and lively festivals - then summer is the perfect time for you to visit!Summer in Japan lasts from about June to mid-September. Summers are hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from approximately 70° to 90° Fahrenheit.…(320 words)
Andres Zuleta, Boutique Japan
Hand-made Camping Knife and where to buy and sharpen knives.
Snow Peak is a famous camping equipment manufacturer from the Tsubame Sanjo area of Niigata Prefecture. It was started by the father of the current president as a manufacturer of carpentry and work tools. But Yukio Yamai, the founder, was an experienced mountaineer, so he decided that he should m…(431 words)
mikekato
Yubara Onsen (Valentine Special)
If you're looking for a special way to spend Valentine's Day in the Chugoku region, how about a trip up to Yubara Onsen? Located in Maniwa City, Yubara is Okayama Prefecture's most well-known hot spring town, and is situated along the Asahi River and next to the Yubara Dam.Yubara is a hot sprin…(271 words)
Andrea Miyata
Harajuku on Sunday
Harajuku and Yoyogi Park on a Sunday. The Rockabilly Dancers dance to their own beat and it very fun watching them have fun dancing. They play a variety of 50's style Rockabilly style music, both Western and Japanese. They dance so much on the asphalt that they literally wear the soles of their …(155 words)
Kevin
What can you tell me about Japanese "snack" bars?
"Snack" - or sometimes called pubs, or pub snacks,- are small, Japanese style bars. They can be found in any neighborhood in Tokyo or any other town in Japan.They can be intimidating to enter for the first time as they usually have no windows and no outdoor menus or signs that give you an idea of…(209 words)
Nico
Kurokawa Onsen in Kumamoto Prefecture
The first onsen I ever visited in Japan was Kurokawa Onsen in Kumamoto Prefecture. Although I've visited many other onsens in the 19 years I've been in Japan (and they're all nice!), my favorite is still Kurokawa Onsen. Why? Because the view is FANTASTIC! The rotenburos (outdoor hot spring pools) a…(106 words)
Andrea Miyata
Mosquito Repellent
Katori-Senkou, sometimes referred to as Mosquito Coils, are in my opinion one unique smell that has stuck with me since I first came to Japan.These coils are like incense, and you light one end to have it burn around and around until it becomes ash. They are very cheap, and provide very good re…(141 words)
KurtisW
Enospa in Enoshima
Whether you're a spa enthusiast or first timer, I highly recommend you visit Enoshima's Enospa for an affordable, exclusive experience you won't soon forget. For less than ¥3000, you can spend an entire day relaxing in one or all of their various indoor and outdoor pools (with beach/ocean view)…(170 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
In Basho's Footsteps
In May 1689 the great Haiku poet Matsuo Basho sold his house and began travelling north through Japan. His written impressions of the journey, over 1200 miles later, became The Narrow Road to the Deep North, a compilation of travel sketches in prose and verse which is a famous reminder of Basho’s o…(379 words)
InBasho'sFootsteps
Hoeiso ryokan in Hakone
Hoeiso is a ryokan, a Japanese traditional style inn, situated in the beautiful green mountains of Hakone, right by a river. Hoesio is a family owned Ryokan, opened in 1956, with around 20 rooms that are big enough to fit a family. Enjoy indoor and outdoor onsen, and feast on traditional Japanese d…(170 words)
Emelie Fågelstedt
Bouncy Skirts the Newest Tokyo Fashion Trend
And, as for fashion, how about these new bouncy-wouncy skirts I spotted in the display window at Issey Miyake in Omotesando?!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShCPRlwQeYQ&feature=youtu.beIt is as if your skirt or blouse was on a trampoline! We understand that Issey Miyake is all about the move…(185 words)
Kong
Hakone & Lake Ashi
If you are in search of that idyllic movie setting lakeside outing, then you have stumbled upon the right guiding information here. Look no further than a visit to the city of Hakone, which lies in the Kanagawa prefecture. Just under a two hour drive from Tokyo proper, you can be immersed in nature…(227 words)
Alex
Protecting the Beach and Environment in Enoshima
When Michel and Alana Bonzi, the owner-operators of the Soleil Provence French language school in Kugenuma near Fujisawa bought their house in 2008, they knew they'd become an integral part of their local community. For Michel, who hails from Nice, France, and Alana, from Tobago in the Caribbean, b…(429 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Beach Adventure Time
Tokyo is relatively close to the beach, and there are a decent amount of beach parties and festivals. Many of the beach areas around the Shonan area attract huge amounts of young people who go and party, and occasionally there will be sponsored events by sports, music, or promotion agencies, making…(84 words)
KurtisW
Yoshima YMCA Retreat
oshima Island is located off the southern tip of Shodoshima in Japan’s Seto Inland Sea. It has an area of 2.2 square kilometers and is about 1 kilometer from the main island of Shodoshima. Although Yoshima is part of Shodoshima and therefore Kagawa Prefecture, it is administered by the Kobe YMCA.…(421 words)
Kenji
Who'll Stop the Rain
If you come to Japan during the rainy season (June / July) you'll likely see these little dolls hanging in the windows of homes, especially those homes where children are living.No, these are little ghost dolls to chase away the summer monsters, and they aren't angels to bring good luck, nor ar…(227 words)
Joe Peters
Nagashi-Somen, Delicious Noodles in Japan
One of the best things I like about Japan is that the 4-season weather system is clearly reflected in the culture. In fall, you enjoy the changing colors and the sanma. Winter is for oranges in a warm kotatsu at home. Spring, is of course SAKURA. Summer has multiple cultural highlights too. Waterme…(286 words)
GenS
Cherry blossoms along the Meguro River are about to bloom!
Meguro riverside is one of the famous places to enjoy cherry blossoms in Tokyo. Recommended for couples and families... well, all people all over the world! There are about 800 cherry trees along the river, and you can go there from Ikejiriohashi station, Nakameguro station, and Meguro station. …(172 words)
skymaho
Staying in Kusatsu
“Irrashaimase!” They were expecting us? We were surprised to see that the two greeters at Hotel Sakurai seemed to be expecting us. At least they didn’t look surprised to see not 1, but 2, foreigners pull up in their car. As they guided us to our parking space and to the main hotel lobby…(228 words)
Alana
Onsens and Outdoors in Kusatsu
Ranked for last 12 years straight as one of the Top 100 onsens in Japan, it really is for the onsens that visitors come to Kusatsu. There are public onsens and of course ryokan and resort hotels with their private onsens. A few of the the famous public onsens are Sainokawahara （西の河原露天風呂）…(307 words)
Alana
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)
DeepJapan
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)
DeepJapan
Oedo Antique Market
I love going to the outdoor Oedo Antique Market at the Tokyo International Forum. It's open on the first and third Sunday of every month. You can find many different items like traditional Japanese clothing and shoes, antique Japanese armor, art, toys, collectibles, jewelry, and other treasures. Th…(65 words)
HillaryB
The wooded South of Tokyo
South of Tokyo, in Kanagawa prefecture, lies a quiet wood called Kiyokawa-mura. The rivers run through the steep and forested hills of this district, and it is very popular for both camping and barbecues. There are many options for simply camping, but another popular option is renting out a cottage…(128 words)
KurtisW
Onsen town in Japan - Oita Prefecture, Beppu-shi
Although it may have seen better days, to me the onsen capital of Japan still has to be Oita. I lived there as a JET in the mid-90's, so I might be a little biased. But most Japanese people will still associate Oita with onsens. Beppu was like the Las Vegas of Japan for years, and with the eco…(156 words)
William Nealy
Edo Tokyo Tatemono-en(architecture museum)
Edo Tokyo Tatemono-en is an outdoor museum to restore an old building of Japan, and to be able to see them freely. You can bring yourself to old time of Japan.Some of builfings are used in "Spirited away", a movie by Gibli, for reference. When you pass the museum to the direction of Mitaka, the …(156 words)
Kim-san