The Tokyo Olympics have finally begun! Get all the information on our complete guide including schedules, event details, dates, Tokyo Stadium, other venues and more. In 1964 Tokyo became the first ever Asian host-city of the Olympic games. Next year, with the Opening Ceremony on July 24, it will become the first Asian city to have held the biggest sporting competition on the planet twice. Many of the iconic 1964 stadiums will be reopened for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games and there will also be new, state-of-the-art venues which will have been purpose built. At each Olympics, there are … Continue reading “Tokyo 2020 Olympic Venues”
Tsukimi, also called Otsukimi or Jugoya, literally means “moon viewing” or “looking at the moon”. Like the hanami of spring and koyo of autumn, this Japanese festival honors a wonder of nature – the autumn moon. What are the origins of this festival, and how is it celebrated today? This travel guide will provide all the details you should know if traveling to Japan during the Harvest Moon Festival.
Byodoin is a stunning Buddhist temple located in the small city of Uji. There is an incredible amount to see at the UNESCO World Heritage site which has drawn visitors for over 1000 years. It’s such an iconic landmark in Japan that it appears on the 10 yen coin. Along with its garden, the temple represents the “Pure Land Paradise” and its design was highly influential on subsequent temple construction.
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).
Sumo wrestling is considered to be Japan’s national sport and it’s a huge hit with tourists. It’s a fantastic spectacle which offers unique insights into Japanese culture as it has been performed ever since the ancient Shinto period. There are many places to see sumo wrestling in Japan though the best way is to catch one of the spectacular sumo tournaments. The competitions normally last around 15 days and feature the biggest and best sumo wrestlers in Japan.
Kansai International Airport (KIX) is one of Japan’s largest and busiest airports. It is located on a man-made island which is about 40 kilometers south of Osaka, Japan’s historical second city. There are multiple ways of traveling between Kansai International Airport and Osaka including by train, bus or taxi. This guide will explain the various ways you can make the journey and how you can do it with and without your Japan Rail Pass.
