When many people picture the beautiful scenery of Japan, they imagine the swaying springtime blossoms of ume, or plum, and sakura cherry trees. While the flowering white, pink, purple, and red trees of spring do bespeckle the landscape with breathtaking color, there is another turning of the seasons in Japan that is not to be missed.
Category: Travel Guides
We have dedicated this section to detailed and visual Japan travel guides. Come and let us help you explore and enjoy the best of the Land of the Rising Sun.
If you are overwhelmed by the sheer number of Japanese shrines, million torii gates spread around the country, many authentic shopping streets, hidden all over – fear no more.
Our Travel Guide section will resolve all your question or doubts while helping you to discover Japan from deep within. Where the art of the Japanese culture stems from. Join us on a trip to remember to Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Hiroshima, Nagoya and so much more, including the best food, culture, attractions and travel tips.
10 basic Japanese phrases for traveling
If you are traveling to Japan for the first time, you may be concerned about something known as the “language barrier” – that inexplicable inability to communicate with others due to speaking a different language. Should you stress if you don’t speak any Japanese? Simply put, the answer is no!
Best Summer Festivals (Matsuri) in Japan
Japan is a land steeped in tradition. These customs, often centuries old, come to life in vivid detail during Japan’s numerous matsuri, or popular festivals. Traditional costumes and clothing, special and authentic food, and stunning, colorful decorations are facets of each unforgettable festival experience.
The summer months are especially populated by festivals. Many are held outdoors, and favorable weather allows visitors to enjoy the celebrations both day and night. Consider the list below of some of Japan’s most popular summer festivals.
How much does it cost to go to Japan? Traveling on a budget
If you’ve ever thought of traveling to Japan, you’ve probably heard the myth that it is one of the most expensive destinations in the world. Certainly, Japan travel can rack up a big bill – international flights, luxury trains, and Kobe beef may come to mind. However, you can see Japan on the cheap if you put your mind to it, and if you are willing to do your homework in advance.
Using ATMs in Japan: locations and cards accepted
ATMs, or Automatic Teller Machines, are common sights throughout the world. The devices offer a convenient way to withdraw money stored in your bank account, acquiring cash directly from the machine. ATMs can be especially useful for international travelers, as they dispense cash money in the local currency at competitive exchange rates.
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).
When to visit Japan: the best times of the year
You’ve heard of the wonders of cherry blossom season in Japan. Have you been told, though, of the beauty of the changing leaves in autumn? Or of the other flowering trees, the plum blossom season? Have you considered visiting a snow-dappled ryokan during the deep chill of winter?
Before you purchase tickets on that international flight, check out our comprehensive guide to the seasons of Japan. You’ll then be able to choose the best travel time to suit your unique needs.
Japan Explorer Pass and Other Flight Discounts
Some travelers shy away from exploring the country of Japan because they have been told it is among the most expensive places to travel. This, however, does not have to be the case. A little prior planning can go a long way towards lessening the expense of your next Japanese vacation.
Plane tickets often make up the bulk of travel expenses, followed by accommodations and food. Consider the following suggestions for saving money on the first leg of your journey: getting there. You may also find deals on Japan airlines domestic flights if traveling from one part of Japan to another.
Rush hour in Japan trains and subway: How to Avoid
The country of Japan is actually a chain of more than 6,500 islands ranging in size from tiny sandbars to the main island of Honshu, with an area of nearly 90,000 square miles (230,000 square kilometers). As an island nation, Japan enjoys only a limited amount of space to hold its bustling, vibrant cities.
You’ve likely seen photographs of people pressed together in crowded trains and subways in Japan. If you are planning a trip to this unique country, do not be intimidated.
Budget Travel and Accommodation in Japan
Your Japanese vacation plans are well under way. You’re researching flights, hotels, transportation – then, you take a look at your travel budget, and your countenance falls. Your plans seem to exceed what you can afford. What is such a downhearted adventurer to do?
Travel in Japan has a reputation for being expensive when compared to other countries in the region. However, expenses should not dissuade you from experiencing this geographically beautiful, culturally rich region.