Shinjuku After Dark: A Wealth of Night Life Shinjuku is a different place after dark. The neon signs are turned on, and the staid business district transforms into a gaudy collection of bars and restaurants. In West Shinjuku, the skyscraper district remains conservative. The sole exception is Yodobashi Camera, lit up with a dazzling light … Read more
Shinjuku’s skyscrapers are an iconic Tokyo sight. If you’ve ever seen a clip of Godzilla pushing over a skyscraper, chances are you’re looking at Shinjuku. Since 1991 when the Tokyo Government relocated to Shinjuku, the district has enjoyed a reputation as Tokyo’s political center. It’s also a thriving business hub. Shinjuku Station holds the world … Read more
It is very easy to spend money in Tokyo. Between the world-class shopping available in Ginza and Odaiba’s mega-malls, the bargains at Akihabara and the incredible range of entertainment and restaurant options, Tokyo can make your travel budget disappear. You don’t need to blow your bank account! Some of the capital’s best attractions are free. … Read more
Akihabara: Geek Culture, Maid Cafes, and Electronics Galore Akihabara is well known as the electronics center of Japan. While chain electronics shops can be found all over Tokyo, Akihabara has the highest concentration of stores. It is where Japan’s electronic product companies test their products on the domestic market. With limited edition products and special offers, … Read more
Japan takes its enthusiasm for cherry blossoms to lengths that amaze visitors. From the beginning of March, Japan cherry blossom forecasts appear on the news. Plans are made to take in the best of the blossoms, and dedicated fans stake out spots beneath the trees hours in advance. The best way to understand Japan’s national … Read more
How to Travel Japan on a Budget: The Only Guide You’ll Ever Need Is is possible to travel to Japan on a budget? Definitely! Japan is one of the most fun and amazing travel destinations in the world. However, many travelers are reluctant to plan a trip to the Land of the Rising Sun because … Read more
Arima Onsen is a natural hot spring resort in Hyogo prefecture, and is Japan’s third oldest hot spring. If you want absolute relaxation and peace, this is the place to go. While close enough to touristy areas like Osaka or Kyoto to be an easy day trip, Arima is screened from the cities by Mt. Rokko, … Read more
Surrounded by Cats, Bunnies, and Foxes: A Taste of Cute Animal Islands in Japan Japan’s animal attractions can be a hit or miss. Many zoos or animal-themed parks can be depressing to foreign visitors, featuring small cages and apathetic animals. Animals at many pet-cafes quickly become bored of the attention they receive from customers and … Read more
Tsukiji Fish Market: Japan at its Freshest **Note: The inner market has moved to its new location called Toyosu Market, so the follow information is not valid. However the outer market is still open and it worth going to! Tsukiji Fish Market is an unlikely seeming tourist attraction. A wholesale fish market, even if it … Read more
The key to enjoying Kinkakuji (aka The Golden Pavilion) is to get there early and adjust your expectations. Is Kinkakuji Worth Visiting? Out of all sights to see in Kyoto, the glittering walls of Kinkakuji evokes the greatest expectations—and unfortunately, often leads to the greatest disappointments. Kinkakuji was not intended to be a temple. The … Read more
You’ve probably seen photos of Fushimi Inari Shrine (Taisha) without knowing it. The iconic photo of the many red torii (traditional Japanese gates) forming one continuous tunnel was taken here. You’ll have no difficulty locating the exact spot. Rows of tourists can be seen, cameras in hand, as they wait for the crowds to pass … Read more
Photos of Kiyomizudera always show the temple’s signature wooden verandah, constructed in the Edo period, framed by sakura or maple leaves—the temple is incredibly popular in spring and autumn. A temple this size is rarely seen outside of Tokyo and Osaka. Kiyomizudera’s many corners conceal hidden surprises. Atmosphere Despite its status as one of Kyoto’s … Read more
Adjacent to Shukkei-en Garden, the Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum is an unhurried way to spend a few hours (and in summer, a welcome break from the heat). It is home to thousands of art pieces, which is perfect for any art lover! What You Can See There The museum offers views of Shukkei-en from above … Read more
Shukkei-En is a wonderful garden to feel peace and enjoy nature. This downtown park is a recreation of the garden that existed on the site before the atomic blast. What You Can See There Shukkei-en is itself a small-scale recreation of West Lake in Hangzhou, China. Shukkei-en means “contracted view,” and the garden was designed … Read more
For a completely different taste of Hiroshima, the Mazda Zoom Zoom Stadium is a newly completed baseball stadium. Baseball games are quite a different and amazing experience in Japan. What you Can See There Home to the Hiroshima Carps, the Zoom Zoom stadium hosts lively games. Games are rarely sold out but still have a … Read more
The castle grounds were used as army barracks during the war, making it a target for US forces. What remained of the castle (already reduced after the Meiji Restoration) was destroyed in the atomic blast. What You Can See There Today’s castle is a recreation built in 1958. What sets it apart from other recreated … Read more
Most people that go to Hiroshima have plans to visit the Peace Park and Museum. Why would you go to The Former Bank of Japan in Hiroshima? Standing only 380 meters away from where the atomic bomb blast went off, it survived and still holds strong today. What You Can See There From the outside, the … Read more
After a visit to the somber Hiroshima Memorial Museum, the Peace Memorial Park is a literal breath of fresh air. The Park was designed as a prayer for the victims of the atomic blast. What to See There The most iconic monument in the park, the A-Bomb Dome stands strong, providing testament to what happened … Read more
Visiting the Peace Memorial Park, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, and the Atomic Bomb Dome is not easy, but it is absolutely essential. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum: A Must-Visit Site No matter what your opinion on nuclear weapons or the war is, the Museum will challenge you. Be aware that you will likely find the … Read more
When Is the Best Time to Visit Japan? This complete guide will give you all of the information you need to decide when the best time to visit to Japan is for you. We’ll take a look at the pros and cons of visiting Japan in certain seasons, and other factors (such as cost, weather, … Read more
Osaka Castle: The Most Touristy Castle in Japan? Any of you castle buffs will know that there are hundreds and hundreds of castles to visit in Japan – a tiny number compared to the thousands that used to stand in this country. But when you’re on a short trip to Japan, how do you choose … Read more
One of the largest aquariums in the world, Kaiyukan (Osaka Aquarium) is considered one of the best aquariums in the country. The are eight floors of exhibits to see, many of which circle around a central pool that spans several floors. Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan This is the crowning glory of the attraction – I’ll bet … Read more
Naramachi: Shiryokan – A “Monkey Museum” in Nara One of my favorite things to do when I travel is to discover places that are off the beaten track, where other foreigners don’t usually venture. Nara is a popular tourist destination in Japan and the main attractions (such as the big Buddha statue, the shika (deer) … Read more
The Nara National Museum: A Treat for Art Lovers Nara was the capital of Japan from 710 to 794, and is most famous for the friendly deer which roam the giant Nara Park, and for the large statue of Buddha. Pretty much everything there is to see and do in Nara is either in or … Read more
Ōkōchi Sansō: An Enchanting Japanese Garden Kyoto is a top tourist destination in Japan, and one of the most stunning areas you can visit there is Arashiyama (Storm Mountain in English). It’s only about an hour outside of central Kyoto by public transport, and well worth spending a whole day there. As well as walking … Read more
There are so many amazing things to see in Kyoto. It’s one of the top tourist destinations in Japan, and somewhere you could spend a whole week and still barely scratch the surface of what it has to offer. Iwatayama: See Monkeys Up Close Arashiyama is one charming area where you could easily spend a … Read more
An Easy Hike with Sights Along the Way For hiking enthusiasts and nature lovers, life in Tokyo (as in any big city) can easily get you down. But only an hour away is the quiet town of Kamakura which has a short hiking trail – easy access and an abundance of tourist information online make … Read more
Shokozan Tokeiji Temple: A Refuge for Women Seeking Divorce If you’re heading off on the Kamakura Hiking Trail, the Shokozan Tokeiji Temple is a great place to start. With its stunning garden, peaceful surroundings, and intrinsic quietness, this temple is a great way to plunge yourself into nature and feel the stress of city life … Read more
Hase-dera Temple: Home to One of the Largest Wooden Sculptures in Japan At about an hour outside of Tokyo, Kamakura and its hiking trail are a popular destination for day-trippers. The area is jumbled with temples and other religious sites. With its sea view and fascinating statues, Hase Temple is a popular place to visit. … Read more
Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavillion) is often associated with the similarly named Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion). Kin means gold, and gin means silver. Like Kinkaku-ji, Ginkaku-ji was first the retirement villa of a shogun, later converted into a Buddhist temple. Both have the focus of a beautiful pavilion beside a pond. The similarities stop there. Ginkaku-Ji: Silver Doesn’t … Read more