Mount Fuji, Japan’s iconic peak, is a must-visit destination for travelers in Tokyo. Just a short trip from the capital, this UNESCO World Heritage site offers breathtaking views and countless activities.
A day-trip from Tokyo to Mt Fuji and the lesser known Hakone five lakes area is among the favorite experiences of many travelers to Japan.
Across Japan, you will encounter celebrations called matsuri. Matsuri are festivals, ranging from Shinto shrine festivals to government holidays to food festivals. They may celebrate the changing of the seasons, a historical event, or traditional culture. In this travel guide, we will focus on a specific type of matsuri: the food festival.
When traveling abroad, sampling traditional cuisine is one of the best ways to experience authentic culture. Said cookbook author Ronni Lundy, “If you read between the lines of recipes, you can often find the things unspoken, the clues to their lives, the keys to discovering what they value. You see what’s important enough to make for a celebration… it’s all there, just between the lines.”
No trip to Japan is complete without a relaxing dip in an onsen. What is an onsen? Onsen are natural hot springs, fueled by volcanic activity, as well as the resort atmosphere that has emerged around many such springs.
Japan offers around 2,300 onsen to choose from, many of them included in ryokan (traditional inns). We’ve compiled a list of ten of the best onsen in Japan. No matter what region you’re traveling to, you’ll be able to unwind. Reaching the onsen is simple and affordable when you use Japan Railways and the Japan Rail Pass.
Japan is an incredible country to visit but it’s pricey. If you’re traveling on a budget or you miss the last train and find yourself in need of accommodation, you can stay at a capsule hotel.
Capsule hotels (also known as pod hotels) have been steadily growing in popularity in recent years and more and more of them continue to pop up in Japan’s cities. They are like normal hotels but instead of a normal-sized room, you sleep in a small cubicle.
What do you picture when you think of Japan? The bustling neon city of Tokyo? Or the historic shrines, picturesque views, and quaint towns? If you’re looking to go beyond the city to meet the charming, slower-paced side of this interesting nation, Shikoku may be for you.
Shikoku is the smallest of Japan’s four main islands. While small in size, this destination offers big rewards to the well-informed traveler. From white-clad pilgrims walking the circuit of the Eighty-eight Shines, to installations of modern art, Shikoku has something for everyone!
The cherry blossom is an iconic symbol of Japan. Encompassing the renewal of spring, the beautiful cherry blossom is celebrated wherever Japanese cherry trees grow, throughout the world. To truly experience the majesty of the annual cherry blossom festivals, however, one must travel to the heart of it all – to Japan itself.
Before you board your international flight, there are a few things you should know, such as the cultural significance of the cherry blossom, when and where to see them, and how to capture the best cherry blossom photographs.
