Tips for traveling to Japan for the first time, from Japan etiquette tips to essential things to know before visiting Japan - make sure to check them out before your trip.
Tokyo is an incredible destination with a plethora of unique and exciting attractions. With neon-lit streets, historic temples, world-class dining, and trendy cafés, Tokyo has it all. As Japan reopens to travellers, this comprehensive guide will help you navigate the city's must-visit attractions and cultural experiences. With practical tips and more, you'll be sure to make the most of your trip to this amazing city.
Photos from a Nishiki Market tour, a culinary visit to Kyoto's oldest and most loved food market.
Japan is a prime destination for witnessing the sakura spectacle. Check out this article to learn where to see cherry blossoms in Japan and where to stay.
The islands of Japan are full of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Check out the most beautiful places in Japan and expand your Japan bucket list.
Explore tokyoshooter's 1627 photos on Flickr!
Discover the best things to do in Kyoto both on and off the beaten track. Includes a sightseeing map and tips for escaping the crowds.
Many things can shape a city—its culture, history, social life, or food scene. But perhaps the most distinctive feature would be architecture. Some buildings can completely fascinate you with their astonishing design and pure aesthetics. Through careful urban planning and understanding of the cultural background, the structure of a city can carry you through time while still leaving you in a very particular place.
BUS or TRAIN to get around Kyoto?! How to spend a PERFECT 2 days in Kyoto. Backpacking JAPAN.
This guide walks you through popular mistakes you should avoid when planning a trip to Japan. This post will help you plan your dream vacation to Japan!
More from Korea: traveljapanblog.com/wordpress/category/korea/
Japan is renowned for its traditional ryokans, which offer travelers a unique and authentic experience. Among the many ryokans available, some of the best are those that provide private onsens. These private onsen facilities allow guests to indulge in a serene and private bathing experience, immersing themselves in the rejuvenating hot spring waters while enjoying the tranquility and beauty of their surroundings.
Looking to book a trip to Japan? Consider choosing from one of the many beautiful destinations on this list for your itinerary.
Japan is a pretty incredible country to explore, with so many incredible places to see. That being said, Japan also has a huge mix of amazing cities to - 12 Very Best Things To Do In Osaka, Japan - Travel, Travel Advice - Asia, Japan, Osaka - Travel, Food and Home Inspiration Blog with door-to-door Travel Planner! - Travel Advice, Travel Inspiration, Home Inspiration, Food Inspiration, Recipes, Photography
Is it easy to go by train from Tokyo to Chureito Pagoda to get to Mt Fuji views?! Backpacking JAPAN
Kyoto shows a different face with each passing season.
Japan is renowned for its traditional ryokans, which offer travelers a unique and authentic experience. Among the many ryokans available, some of the best are those that provide private onsens. These private onsen facilities allow guests to indulge in a serene and private bathing experience, immersing themselves in the rejuvenating hot spring waters while enjoying the tranquility and beauty of their surroundings.
If you are looking for a magnificent hot spring surrounded by a breathtaking nature, look no further than the Takaragawa Onsen Osenkaku..
May 22, 2015 at 9:19, Hiroshima 三原
There are so many things to do in Japan it's really tough to narrow down a Japanese itinerary. Here are a few of our favorite Japan bucket list items.
Kyoto 2 day itinerary - The ONLY COMPLETE KYOTO ITINERARY you will need. Check what you can do from 2 to 5 days in Kyoto, what to see & do
Top 10 photo spots cherry blossom sakura in japan in Spring March April tokyo kyoto osaka mount fuji nara hiroshima hanami
With a plethora of restaurant options, breaking down dining in Japan is incredibly important. There's an incredible food scene and many ways to enjoy it.
Japan is renowned for its traditional ryokans, which offer travelers a unique and authentic experience. Among the many ryokans available, some of the best are those that provide private onsens. These private onsen facilities allow guests to indulge in a serene and private bathing experience, immersing themselves in the rejuvenating hot spring waters while enjoying the tranquility and beauty of their surroundings.
From multistorey computer stores and back-alley discount camera shops to anime-themed cafes and the latest in cosplay fashions, Akihabara is Tokyo's epicentre…
If Tokyo is modern, electric, and chaotic, Kyoto is ancient, calm, and spiritual. It was a distinct contrast, but I couldn't choose which one I liked better. Tokyo was exciting, sure, and we could have easily spent weeks there exploring, but I felt like I could live in Kyoto. We had heard from more than
My photo store: www.sas.pixieset.com
Explore Japan's national parks by booking an adventure with TRIPS by Culture Trip. Tropical beaches active volcanoes ancient forests and crater lakes...
Many things can shape a city—its culture, history, social life, or food scene. But perhaps the most distinctive feature would be architecture. Some buildings can completely fascinate you with their astonishing design and pure aesthetics. Through careful urban planning and understanding of the cultural background, the structure of a city can carry you through time while still leaving you in a very particular place.
First time in Japan? From the top five best places to visit in Japan to the top five things you should always have on you while traveling there, here’s your top tips for traveling to Japan for the first time. This post breaks planning down so easily.
Everyday life in Japan.10 successful and easy to implement habits that the Japanese people practice to enjoy a calm and peaceful life. How To Chill Out More
This is the ultimate two weeeks in Japan Itinerary that breaks down where to visit. With stops in Kyoto, Tokyo, Kiso Valley, and more.
Beyond Tokyo and Kyoto, the geishas and the tea ceremonies, shrines, bullet trains and robot restaurants, there is still a delicious world to explore. If you're planning your second visit to Japan, or you want an alternative guide with off-the-beaten-path ideas, read on. Itinerary Overview This itinerary takes you from Tokyo into the Sayama Forest and beyond, into Nagano to visit the Snow Monkeys and the quaint postcard-perfect town of Shibu Onsen. Hike the Nakasendo Edo-period trail between the two restored post towns of Magome and Tsumago. Explore Kamikochi, a remote valley in the Hida mountain range and soak those tired feet in Hirayu Onsen. See the tallest dam in Japan, Kurobe Dam, as you reach the heights to walk through the Snow Corridor on the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine route. See the Hida Folk Village in Takayama, and the UNSECO heritage world site in Shirakawa-go. Have tea at the old geisha tea houses of Kanazawa before cycling above the Seto Inland Sea on the Shimanami-Kaido road. Finally, discover the island of Enoshima and the port town of Yokohama. This is an adventure not to be missed! Day 1: Tokyo - Roppongi Hills and Akasaka After landing in Narita, we check in at Kaisu, a cute former Ryoten (a place where geishas would entertain guests) in Akasaka and then head out for lunch at the excellent and well-recommended Sushi No Midori, inside Biz Towers. Akasaka is a bit of a sophisticated commercial district, with luxury hotels, concert halls and upscale bistros. And whilst we wouldn't call this our vibe, we picked it to explore a more suburban, different face to Tokyo to what we've experienced before. After lunch we walk to Hinokicho Park, an urban oasis of peace and calm, to enjoy the views and people-watch. The excellent Suntory Museum of Art is just across the road (under renovations until May 2020). We then make our way to Roppongi Hills, an entertainment and shopping complex where one can find the Mori Art Museum and the Mori Art Garden. Both have interesting, fun and accessible exhibitions. Top tip: art museums often have unique souvenirs! Day 2: Tokyo - Ghibli Museum and Shinjuku In the morning we visit Studio Ghibli Museum in Mitaka. We've bought tickets well in advance, and as Studio Ghibli fans (ever seen Totoro, Spirited Away or Only Yesterday?) we are excited. The museum was designed by Hayao Miyazaki's (the director) son, who's great vision and creativity can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. Each room carefully and beautifully details the filmmaking journey of the studio. In the afternoon we head to Shinjuku where we meander along streets behind the station to stumble upon Takamaru, a rustic fish shack serving lunch menus to locals. We devour a sashimi bowl, miso soup, rice, fried oysters and koroke (potato croquettes). Shinjuku is best explored at night though, with the bright lights of every billboard overhead shining along Central Road and adjacent streets. This is the Tokyo you see in films. Day 3: Roadtrip to Nagano - Shibu Onsen Town We pick up our rental car and drive to the Sayama Hills, a great place for a day trip from Tokyo, with lush forests and peaceful lakes. There are a ton of outdoor activities to try in the Sayama forest and the best place to start is at the information centre. On this trip we've decided to visit some of the forests protected by a non-for profit organisation called Totoro's Forest (in allusion to Studio Ghibli's My Neighbour Totoro), which we have written about extensively here. We continue to Yamanouchi, the region famous for the Snow Monkeys. Most people choose to stay near the Snow Monkey park entrance, but in our opinion, that's a big loss. Having no more than one long pedestrian street and two or three narrow roads, Shibu Onsen is a quaint sleepy village, just the perfect size to explore in one evening. It's known for its 9 outdoor Japanese hot spring baths, which can only be used by guests of Shibu Onsen Ryokans (traditional guesthouses). We make a brief visit to the small and quiet Shiga Kogen Brewery where an attendant lets us taste different types of Sake. Bellies full of sake, wearing our kimonos and Geta (wooden Japanese sandals), we precariously walk back to Matsuya, grab a key to public bath #8 and soak in the impossibly hot water. We then enjoy a private dinner (booked in advance). These dinners are often elaborate and made up of several little dishes. Alongside the hot baths, these are one of the highlights of staying in a Ryokan. Day 4: Jingokudani Snow Monkeys We drive up to the Snow Monkey park carpark and trek slowly uphill for about 40 minutes to get to the entrance. When we get there park workers whistle loudly, signalling something to the macaques, who descend the mountains by dozens. We enjoy an hour or two of observing the macaques bathe and play, but we leave with a sour aftertaste: we shouldn't have come here at all. This might have been an off-the-beaten path place to visit a few years ago, but the amount of tourists visiting now cannot be good for the animals' welfare. A couple of hours later we're in Matsumoto. Matusmoto could be one of the most underrated large cities we've been to in Japan. It's relaxed, friendly, modern and impossibly hip. We park up and get some soba noodles at Soba-dokoro Kippo. Then we walk to Matsumoto Castle, one of the best castles to visit in Japan for its great displays, friendly volunteer guides and beautiful history. Later, we check in at Tabishiro. In the evening, we walk around town and instantly fall in love with it. Cute cafes, galleries, second-hand shops, bars and libraries. We stop at this book store and drink an umeshu (plum wine). Then we move on to the tiny 8oz standing bar next door where we meet the owners of C.Countly clothing. We have such a good time chatting that we decide to grab dinner at Hikage izakaya. Day 5: Kiso Valley - The Nakasendo Trail In the morning, as soon as the Matsumoto City Museum of Art opens, we enter and head straight for the permanent Yayoi Kusama exhibition. Even Chris, who wasn't so keen on spending a morning of our trip in an Art Museum, is gobsmacked as we experience Yayoi's most incredible installations. A couple of hours later we're driving to the Kiso Valley. Here, we'll stop at Magome, a post town serving travellers of the Nakasendo - a route that linked Tokyo to Kyoto in the Edo period. The town has been restored and one can visit it on one fell swoop of its main pedestrian road. We leave the car at Magome and walk the Magome-Tsumago trail, an 8km hiking trail through forests and countryside. Our hearts feel full of Japan as the sun goes down and we climb back onto our car (we've caught a bus to take us back to the starting point). We drive off into the mountains to our next lodging in the town of Hirayu Onsen. Day 6: Kamikōchi & Hirayu Onsen We wake to an insane view of tree-covered mountains on all sides. At the bottom of the street we board a coach to Kamikochi (only a few minutes' ride) and get off at Taisho Pond. The lake is azure and clear and full of tourists. After photos we walk through the forest and marshes. We see ponds tainted deep orange from iron and manganese, clear streams and lush trees covering the bed of the forest. On our way back we stop by the Imperial Hotel (called the Teikoku hotel here), which was the inspiration behind the hotel in the film The Wind Rises (also a Ghibli film). We eat some delicious desserts and drink tea whilst we rest our feet. In the afternoon we visit Hirayu no Mori, an inn with dozens of rotenburo (outdoor hot springs). After soaking and napping, we drop off the car in Matsumoto and take a train to Shin Omachi. Day 7: Toyama Prefecture - Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route The Tateyama-Kurobe alpine route has been on our itinerary since I first saw a picture of the snow corridor, a path flanked by two huge walls of ice. The entire route has several scenic spots, and to transverse it you have to take up to 8 different modes of transport! We start by catching a bus to Ogizawa at 8am. The bus goes through a lovely, peaceful countryside route. The morning sun already beats down with energy; the rice paddy fields glisten. At Ogizawa we are ushered into the trolley bus, which takes is to Kurobe Dam. We take our time to explore the magnitude of this miracle of engineering. We then board a cablecar, ropeway and tunnel trolley bus. Finally, we reach Murodo, where the famous snow wall is. After lunch walk around the lake at the top of the mountain and later board a cablecar and train and back to Toyama, where we pick our bags and board a train for Takayama. Day 8: Takayama We're taking it easy today. We walk from our traditional inn Minshuku Sosuke to the Takayama Jinja shrine, where a modest farmers' market has congregated. Old ladies and gents sell home-grown rice, pickles, vegetables and crafts. We browse before deciding to go inside the shrine, accompanied by an insightful volunteer guide. Even if you are a bit ‘shrined out’, which can happen in Japan, this shrine is well worth a visit. More than just a structure to see, it has lots of interesting function rooms, kitchens, workhouses and a beautifully preserved original garden. The highlights of our afternoon include a visit to Koma, a proper Okonomiyaki restaurant where they cook the rich, savoury pancakes in front of you. Koma, the lady who owns it, is also the cook, and looks like a character out of any beloved children's film. After, we find Hanakawa Rent a Bike, where we meet the owner, and older man who is just so chatty and adorable. We cycle to the Hida Folk Village museum - a collection of houses from different periods with items that retell stories of their former owners. A beautiful and haunting experience. We recommend going two to three hours before closing time, so you catch it a bit emptier and can fully enjoy the atmosphere. We ride back down the hill to return the bikes and get beers at the incredible EBIS Cafe & Pachinko (slot machine and pinball rooms) whose owner is welcoming and fun: he teaches us how to properly play Pachinko whilst we drink our beers! Day 9: Shirakawa-go UNESCO World Heritage Site In the morning we visit the Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall to see the huge floats and costumes that locals use twice a year, during their spring and autumn festivals. Then we depart. Shirakawa-go could be summed up concisely: a traditional Japanese mountain village of thatched houses. In reality it is something quite exceptionally different. The village, along with neighbouring Gokoyama, have remained relatively unchanged architecturally for 100s of years, so much so they are now listed as UNESCO world heritage sites. Part of the reason why the villages have remained so unspoilt is due to their isolation, cut off from the rest of the world and less affected by the feudal Edo period and post-war modernisation. Whilst you can stay overnight, we opt for a 4 hour visit (more than enough time to walk the village and have a meal). After a late lunch we catch a coach to Kanazawa - or little Kyoto - as it's also known. We check in at the boutique-style Hatchi Share Hostel near the old town and drink our complementary umeshu. Later, we stumble upon an Izakaya (bar & food) where we sit at the bar alongside Japanese locals who've just finished work. Day 10: Kanazawa Gardens & Tea Houses Breakfast takes place at the busy Omicho Market, a food market selling fresh fish, vegetables, fruit and anything your Japanese weekly grocery shop might include. We then walk to Kanazawa Castle, where yet another kind volunteer guide takes us through the grounds, explaining its history and significance. After, she guides us through Kenroku-en, one of Japan's 3 most beautiful landscaped gardens. This too, proves to be a beautiful and serene experience. Next, we walked through neighbourhoods to reach the Ninjadera (Ninja temple, booked in advance). Hear us out - this is not some tourist trap. It wasn't a temple for ninjas, instead it was a house designed to confuse and baffle any ninjas or assassins attempting to kill the lord of the temple via booby traps, hidden rooms and false doorways. In the evening we visited a restored Chaya (tea house) in the popular Higashi Chaya district in Kanazawa. Geishas used this chaya to entertain guests with talks, dances and playing instruments. Day 11: Cycling the Shimanami-Kaido After Kanazawa, we went to stay with friends who live in the countryside - about an hour inland from Fukuyama near Hiroshima. But for your 2-week second-time visit to Japan, we'll skip to what we did just after that: went to Onomichi. Onomichi is a cool little surf town with a great vibe, and the popular starting point for people wanting to cycle the Shimanami-kaido. An expressway consisting 60 km of road spread across some of the longest suspension bridges, it has long stretches that hang over the Seto Inland Sea. This bike route is incredible and can be done both by professionals or amateurs wishing to enjoy a different experience. You don't have to do the full 60km - we actually did about 20km with our friend, his 3 and 6 year olds kids. In the evening we stay at the super-hip U2 hotel, which is made with bikers in mind (you can bring your bikes into the hotel room!). Day 12: Enoshima Island We arrive at Enoshima Island, a westernised town South West of Tokyo, instead of returning to Tokyo to spend the last days before the end of our trip. Enoshima is a small island accessible by foot, much visited by locals during the summer as well as visitors - it is a well-transited place. To avoid the crowds, we cross into Enoshima very early, even before some businesses have opened. The road into Enoshima becomes a path up its hill, flanked by restaurants and souvenir shops. In the middle you reach the Enoshima shrine honoring Benzaiten, the Buddhist goddess. At the top, you can try some Tako Senbei (octopus cracker), a local snack, and visit the English-style Samuel Cocking Garden and Sea Candle lighthouse. When our feet clamour some rest, we sit down at Loncafe, set within the gardens, and enjoy some fabulous French patisserie overlooking the sea beyond. At night, we retreat back to Enoshima Guesthouse, a tiny and beautiful guesthouse. Days 13 & 14: Yokohama and fly home Yokohama was one of the first ports in Japan opened to foreign trade. Notably, it was also the home to foreign diplomats, and a bustling place to get your hands on the latest imported fashion from Europe and beyond. What's beautiful about Yokohama is that it affords you a chance to stroll it and discover it at a leisurely place. Enjoying fresh baked goods, little quaint shops, incredible views over the bay and visits to grand European-style post-war houses, buildings and gardens. Since Yokohama is only a short train ride away from Tokyo, it's also an ideal spot for a day-trip if you're staying in Tokyo on your final days in Japan. Start with a stroll around the Minato Mirai waterfront area and climb up the Yokohama Landmark Tower - the sky garden inside has some of the best views. Wander to Red Brick Warehouse for shopping and then on to Yokohama Chinatown for a spot of lunch and to get lost amongst the beautiful buildings. One of our favourite areas was Motomachi. Walking up the hill past Bluff Bakery you get to walk past Motomachi Park, where the Ehrismann Residence and the Foreign Cemetery are - both worth a visit. Further down the road there's 'Home of a Diplomat' and the Yamate Italian garden. At nighttime the Noge area is great for live jazz and a wander by the riverside. How We Did This - Tips Before You Go We rented a car from day 2 until day 6 and drove into the more remote areas, where it's not so convenient to catch infrequent trains and early buses Driving in Japan is relatively easy if you're used to driving abroad, or if you normally drive on the left-hand side. Traffic is respectful, and soon you're motorways anyway, where it's easier to drive and follow Google Maps We started using our 7-day Japan Rail Pass from day 6, but you need to make sure you exchange them much earlier - the best place to exchange your Rail Pass is on arrival at the airport. You can then activate your Rail Pass at any JR office when you're ready to use it This trip requires a rather comfortable budget. We spent around £1500 / $2000 per person excluding flights. The accommodation is by no means on the luxurious side of things, but all our lodgings are mix between value, comfort and experience
Torii Gate by Night Poster/Canvas Immerse yourself in the tranquil charm of rural Japan with this exquisite digital watercolor painting. Soft hues and delicate brushstrokes bring to life a picturesque village nestled amidst rolling hills, evoking a sense of serenity that transports you to the heart of the Japanese countryside POSTER ----- 200 gsm Matte art paper .: Multiple sizes- Matte finish- For indoor use .: Due to the production process of these posters, please allow for slight size and print deviations with a tolerance +/- 1/16". .: 5"x7" Size Poster will have a thin black outline due to Aspect Ratio differences! CANVAS----- Matte Canvas, Stretched, 0.75" (Thickness of canvas) .: Multiple sizes- Matte finish- For indoor use .: Back hanging included .: Rubber dots on the bottom of canvas ensures the canvas stays in place when hung .: Canvas are printed using latex inks that are non-hazardous, non-toxic, non-flammable .: Due to the production process of the canvases, please allow for slight size deviations with a tolerance +/- 1/8" .: The canvas prints are stretched on our proprietary profile radial pine produced from use wood from FSC certified renewable forests .: FRAMES shown in photos are for showcasing only & ARE NOT included! In the US, places such as IKEA, Walmart, Amazon & others carry a largevariety of inexpensive frames (with or without matting) that would suit all of the available sizes. .: Care instructions: If the print or canvas does gather any dust, you may wipe it off gently with a clean, dry cloth. .: These products are made to order, so please take your time and ask me any questions you might have beforehand. Due to the print on demand nature all sales are Final 3 hours after purchase! If your poster or canvas is damaged please contact me with a photo of the damage! Sizes in cm: 5"x7" = 12.7x17.8 cm 12"x18" = 30x46 cm 16"x24" = 41x61 cm 20"x30"= 51x76 cm 24"x36" = 61x91 cm Torri Gate Day Poster Japanese Art Print Feudal Japan Canvas Edo era Wall Art Temple Wall Hanger Buddhism Game room Birthday Gift for him
The image above is of Chureito Pagoda, in Yamanashi PrefectureStops: There are stopovers in either Vancouver or Toronto both ways. Also, if flying to Osaka, there's often a stopover in Tokyo. Airline: Air Canada Availability: October 2020 to May 2021 including Christmas and New Years!How to find and book this deal:1. Start with a Google Flights search like this one2. Change the departure city as desired3. Click on the departure date box, then press 'reset' 4. Click the arrows at the bottom of th
Japan is often thought of as an expensive city to visit. Tokyo is one of the world largest metropolis and while finding a cheap place to stay might not always be a walk in the park, you can easily save money on eating out while still eating like a king!
Japan is renowned for its traditional ryokans, which offer travelers a unique and authentic experience. Among the many ryokans available, some of the best are those that provide private onsens. These private onsen facilities allow guests to indulge in a serene and private bathing experience, immersing themselves in the rejuvenating hot spring waters while enjoying the tranquility and beauty of their surroundings.
All of our fine art prints are produced with acid-free archival papers or heavyweight Exhibition Gallery Canvas (stretched or unstretched) with archival inks to guarantee that our prints last a lifetime without fading or loss of color. Our Decal prints are backed with a repositionable adhesive that removes cleanly and easily with no residue. CUSTOMIZATION Please feel free to contact us for custom print sizes. We are able to print just about any size. SHIPPING AND INTERNATIONAL ORDERS All prints are shipped USPS in a flat envelope or sturdy tube, depending on the size of the print. Allow a minimum of two to several weeks for delivery and customs processing for international orders. Please note: Color of the image can vary slightly from one computer monitor to another due to monitor color restrictions. Mount/matte and frame are for demonstration purposes only and are not included. For postal issues (damage or otherwise) please send us an email and we will be happy to work out a solution for you. All of our prints are made and shipped from our studio in North Carolina. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. RETURNS • If you are not happy with the print you receive, let us know within 7 days for a refund. We want you to be happy with your purchase and will work with you to make sure you get the print you want. • All special order prints and custom frame orders are final and may not be returned. Let us know within 7 days if your order arrives damaged and we will exchange the order. • The most efficient way to contact us concerning your order is with the contact form available on the site. Please leave a message with your e-mail address and the details of your order. We will get back to you within an hour or so. Thank you for shopping at Fine Art USA!
Learn how to say the names of the seasons in Japanese. The four seasons are very important in Japan, so learn the Japanese words here!
