Your business or leisure travels are taking you to the fascinating nation of Japan, and you will be spending time in the iconic city of Tokyo. After you’ve spent some time amid the hustle and bustle of this neon city, however, you may wish to get away for a time, relax, and find a slower pace. If this is true of your or your travel companions, a day trip from Tokyo to Kamakura may be just the thing for you.
Category: Destinations
Check our extensive guides to destinations and places to visit all over Japan to help you travel and get around, and find what to do and see in each location.
Find the best points of interest you can visit by train, how to get there, main attractions and off the beaten tracks suggestions in Japan’s four islands.
Fukuoka with the JR Pass: How to get there and attractions
The city of Fukuoka is one of the main tourist destinations in southern Japan, and it is listed among Japan’s ten most populous cities. It is the largest city on the island of Kyushu, and packed with amazing travel experiences.
Whatever you’re looking for in your next Japanese vacation, Fukuoka is likely to deliver. The city is home to traditional parks and temples, massive shopping complexes, modern cityscapes, and special offerings for the food enthusiast. There are also a number of day trips from the city made possible using the Shinkansen bullet trains, and its southern, warmer weather is loved by the Japanese.
Koka Ninja Village: Access and what to see
The Koka Ninja Village, or Koka no Sato Ninjutsumura, is located in the rural city of Koka, also called Koga. Along with nearby villages, Koka is set deep within the homeland of the ninja. The rugged and mountainous landscape made Koka an excellent retreat in which the ninja honed their skills. Its close proximity to Kyoto makes it an accessible and exciting stop for your next Japanese vacation.
Nagoya with the JR Pass: Access and travel guide
If traveling in the areas around Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka, you may consider a day trip or several nights in the city of Nagoya Japan’s fourth most populous city. What fun and enriching surprises does Nagoya have to offer?
During the Edo Period (1603 to 1867 C.E.), Nagoya originated as a castle town known as Owari. Much of the historic architecture, however, was destroyed during the bombing raids of World War II. Today, it is a city of boundless technology, including the Toyota Motor Corporation headquarters just outside the city limits.
Best beaches in Japan for Summer 2017
Did you know that the country of Japan is actually a series of islands? The four largest islands – Hokkaido, the main island of Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu – form a long, narrow shape and provide ample coastline against the Pacific Ocean to the east and the Sa of Japan to the west. Additionally, over 3,000 small islands surround the Japanese mainland, most notably the southern island of Okinawa and the 150 islands of its prefecture.
Nara with the JR Pass: How to get there and attractions
Nara is an ancient city located in the Kansai region of Japan’s main island of Honshu. It was the first “real” capital of Japan, remaining such for less than a century. This historic location is home to a nearly unmatched eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including numerous Buddhist temples. The city was founded in the year 710 C.E. and originally known as Heijo. Among its attractions are the oldest and largest wooden buildings in the world, tame deer that delight in entertaining visitors, cherry blossoms, and ninjas. Continue reading “%s”
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Japan
Japan is well known as a nation of longstanding culture. Its rich history plays across its modern landscape in both its structures and its people. Fittingly, Japan is home to twenty of the more than 1,000 World Heritage Sites as described by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Kobe with the JR Pass: Access and travel guide
Kobe is a coastal city of the Kansai region of western Japan, located on the main island of Honshu bordering Osaka Bay. It is one of Japan’s ten largest cities. Enclosed by the sea on one side and a majestic mountain range on the other, it is also considered one of Japan’s most beautiful big cities.
Kobe is rich in history as the first port in Japan to open to foreign trade. This is evident in the western style architecture of some neighborhoods. Recent history is displayed at the Kobe City Museum and the Earthquake Museum.
Getting around Tokyo with the JR Pass: Metro, trains and more
Tokyo, the capital city of Japan, is the most densely populated metropolitan city in the world, home to nearly 40 million people. The Tokyo Metropolis, as the area is officially known, spans nearly 850 square miles (nearly 2,200 square kilometers). Tokyo enjoys a rich cultural history, as it has been the seat of government in Japan since the year 1603. Tokyo is comprised of twenty-three wards, each operated as an individual city.
Getting around in a city of this size – especially as an international traveler – may at first seem intimidating. However, Tokyo’s public transportation system, which includes airports, trains, buses, taxies, and pedestrian traffic – has been designed operate smoothly. With your Japan Rail Pass in hand and with the help of this travel guide, you will soon be navigating the streets and stations of Tokyo like a pro.
The 10 Best Theme and Amusement Parks in Japan
Japan is home to several dozen theme parks and amusement parks. Some of these parks are world famous, such as Disneyland, Legoland, and Universal Studios. Others are unique to the land of the rising sun, reflecting traditional Japanese culture.