Holidays in Japan are unique, spectacular occasions that visitors, as well as locals, can enjoy. However, they are also very busy times of the year. So, travelers should expect crowds on Japan’s transportation system and higher accommodation prices.
Light festivals over the Christmas period have become huge events in Japan. Every year the spectacular displays become even more extravagant and breathtaking. They typically take place in November and December. However, some start as early as October and others go on until February or even later in the spring. Here is a guide to some of the very best illuminations you can see in Japan this winter.
This article is dedicated to the most useful apps to check while traveling in Japan. If you are scared of the fact that you simply can’t cope with Japanese writing and will get lost either in translation or the extensive Tokyo Metro system – worry no more. Our app selection is here to save the day. Below you’ll find a detailed list of the best apps for traveling in Japan, the type of service they provide, and how to use them when visiting the country with a Japan Rail Pass!
The Japanese cherry blossom, or sakura, has long been adored by people across the globe. It is regarded as a symbol of renewal, vitality, and beauty. During the spring season of each year, thousands travel to Japan to view the wondrous spectacle of these white or pink flowers blooming en masse. Update (April 5, 2024): Check below for the details, including our map with the best viewing spots.
Welcome to the Sapporo Snow Festival, called Sapporo Yuki Matsuri in Japanese. Imagine yourself strolling through a winter wonderland. Snow blankets the ground, painting the city a shining white, while the scent of delicious food fills the air. Trees are decked with twinkling lights, and statues crafted of ice and snow tower over the mingling crowds. At night, the sculptures are illuminated by entrancing, moving colored lights that give the park an enchanted atmosphere.
The next generation of Shinkansen bullet trains has already begun testing. The state-of-the-art ‘Alfa-X’ travels up to 400 km/h (almost 250 mph!) and has a range of groundbreaking features. Journalists were first treated to a trial run of the experimental craft on 27th October 2020, between Sandai and Morioka stations on the JR East Tohoku Shinkansen line, which links Tokyo with Aomori Prefecture in the north of Honshu, Japan’s largest island.
