Japan Travel Guide
Japan is a land of striking scenic beauty. First time visitors are impressed by its greenness and its mountains, which cover nearly three-quarters of the country. Gentle plains and intermountain basins account for only about 25% of Japanese territory. Here, the flat lands are geologically young and the soil runoff from the surrounding mountains is shallow.
Yakatabune (Japanese houseboats)
Picture this: Sizzling tempura, beautiful geisha in kimono, a grand karaoke set, breathtaking night views of the city while gliding over the gentle waves of the river. You can enjoy it all in a space big enough for your entire group aboard a chartered yakatabune, or Japanese traditional roofed pleasure boat. Yakatabune are one of the most popular and best-kept entertainment secrets in Japan. Yakata means roof and bune means boat, so its name describes exactly what it looks like - a boat with a roof. These narrow boats usually carry 20 to 100 passengers and are especially built for pleasure cruising down Japan's rivers. Excursions along Tokyo's Sumida River, Kyoto's Kamo River and Osaka's Yodo River are particular favorites.
Asakusa Capsule Hotel
A Capsule hotel is a unique style of accommodation in Japan, inspired by the pursuit of efficiency of space and functional comfort, originating from the adaptive, creative spirit of the Japanese mind.
Sumo
No guarantees of course that a tournament will be going while you are in Japan, but if there is a tournament in progress, it is well worth catching the sumo.
Shinto
A Shinto shrine is a structure whose main purpose is to house ("enshrine") one or more Shinto kami. (Its most important building is used for the safekeeping of sacred objects, and not for worship). A shrine is usually characterized by the presence of a honden or sanctuary, where the kami is enshrined. The honden may however be completely absent, as for example when the shrine stands on a sacred mountain to which it is dedicated, and which is worshiped directly. The honden may be missing also when there are nearby altar-like structures called himorogi or objects believed capable of attracting spirits called yorishiro that can serve as a more direct bond to a kami. The number of Shinto shrines in Japan is estimated to be around 100,000
Akihabara Electric Town
Akihabara is a major shopping area for electronic, computer, anime, and otaku goods, including new and used items. New items are mostly to be found on the main street, Ch??d?ri, with many kinds of used items found in the back streets of Soto Kanda 3-ch?me. First-hand parts for PC-building are readily available from a variety of stores. Tools, electrical parts, wires, microsized cameras and similar items are found in the cramped passageways of Soto Kanda 1-ch?me (near the station). Foreign tourists tend to visit the big name shops like Laox or other speciality shops near the station, though there is more variety and lower prices at locales a little further away. Akihabara gained some fame through being home to one of the first stores devoted to personal robots and robotics.
Asakusa
This is the old part of Toyko and one area where the prices are fair. Japan is very expensive and this is the one area I found that you can purchase souveniors to take home to family and friends.
Shinagawa
Shinagawa (??) is one of 23 special wards of Tokyo. The area around Shinagawa Station is generally thought of as Shinagwa, however, it is not actually in the modern Shinagawa City. It was the first post town on the ancient Tokaido Road from Tokyo to Kyoto.
Tama Zoological Park
The Tama Zoological Park is world renowned for thinking outside of the box when it comes to displaying animals. Very few zoos in the world come as close as Tama Zoo to giving the same thrill of seeing the animals and watching how they interact in the wild. Its sprawling 52 ha (129 acres) of rolling hills and valleys in western Tokyo are well put to use showing a relatively small number of species but in large natural environments. Sometimes, less really is more.
Ueno
Ueno (??) is a short distance north east of central Tokyo in the Taito City which is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo. Ueno, along with Asakusa to the east, was part of the historic downtown district of Tokyo called Shitamachi. Ueno hill (now Ueno Park) was where the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1868 made their last stand against the new Meiji government.
Shibuya
Shibuya (??) is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo. The area north west of Shibuya Station emerged as a major fashion district for youth during the 1980s and it has remained so ever since. During the weekend, the sidewalks become saturated with young shoppers. It is often said that in front of Shibuya Station is one of the world's busiest pedestrian crossing.
Beer Museum Yebisu
Yebisu Beer is one of Japan's most famous and historic beer brands. Beer is consumed all across Japan and is loved by many of Japan's hardworking salarymen. Amazingly, it's history in Japan only goes back as far as the Meiji Era when foreign goods, ideas and culture began flowing into Japan.
Hama-rikyu Gardens
Hama-rikyu Gardens (Hamarikyu Onshi Teien) are Tokyo's largest and most famous Japanese gardens. It is also one of two surviving feudal era landscape gardens in Tokyo today and one of only a small number of saltwater Japanese gardens in the world. The garden is actually an island as it is surrounded by the Tsukiji River, Shiodome River and the ocean on all four sides. The only way in is by bridge or water bus.
Kasai-Rinkai Park
Kasai-Rinkai Park (??????) is Tokyo's best oceanside park. It provides Tokyo with some much needed open space near the water and is the location of Tokyo Sea Life Park and the tallest ferris wheel in Tokyo.
Kabuki-Za Theater
Kabuki Theater had its origins in feudal Japan and has long enjoyed the same level of spontaneous audience participation as Shakespeare’s offerings at The Globe. The plays are at least twice as long as Westerners are accustomed to and are a heavily costumed and bewigged spectacle that has to be seen to be believed. Although even with English translations via headsets a Kabuki plot is challenging to follow, those who love the theater will be torn between watching the actors and appreciating the complexity of the elaborate sets which form their backdrop.
The Imperial Palace
Before it became known as Tokyo, the city was called Edo and had as its center an impenetrable fortress from which the Tokugawa Shoguns ruled successfully for over 250 years. Today, Japan’s royal family occupies residence in the Imperial Palace, a showpiece of gardens, bridges, and courtyards which were built on the site of the original structure. Although only the East Gardens of the palace are open to the public, their beauty and tranquility make this site worth a visit. Guided tours that describe the feudal system and history of Japan are available and reservations are a must. If your travels happen to fall on December 23rd or January 2nd, you may even get a chance to wave at the presiding royal family; these are the only dates the inner grounds are open for viewing.
The National Gardens At Shinjuku-Ku
Head to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden for some of the most picturesque gardens in the world. There are three distinct gardens including French, English and traditional Japanese. Head to the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden from late March to April to see the 1,500 cherry trees blossoming.
Kokugikan
Ryogoku Kokugikan is an indoor sporting arena in Tokyo famous for its sell out sumo wrestling tournaments. As well as the popular New Year and summer sumo wrestling tournaments, a sumo wrestling museum is also located at Ryogoku Kokugikan where you can learn about the history of sumo wrestling and the prestige the sport holds in Japanese culture.
Tsukiji Fish Market
Tourists should head to Tokyo's Tsukiji Fish Market for a glimpse of the largest wholesale fish market in the world. The Japanese are notorious for their love of seafood and it is on full display at the Tsukiji Fish Market. Tourists are allowed to view the auctions between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. from a designated area. After viewing the busy fish markets, head to the outer markets and dine on some fresh sushi!
Kabuki Theatre In Tokyo
Kabuki, the traditional Japanese theatre, can still be found in modern Tokyo at Kabuki-za Theatre in Ginza. To accommodate English-speaking audiences, there are English guides and headsets available so you can enjoy an act or the entire four hour show!
The Wax Museum At Tokyo Tower
Tokyo Tower is the largest man-made structure in Japan. Step onto the observation decks for a 360 degree view of Tokyo then visit Foot Town at the bottom of Tokyo Tower, where you will find restaurants, souvenir shops, the Guiness World Records Museum and the Tokyo Tower Wax Museum. You're guaranteed a lot of fun when you head to Tokyo Tower.
Meiji-Jingu
A shrine built to honor Emperor Meiji and Empress Shokan. This impressive monument was faithfully rebuilt after World War II and includes a walk along tree-lined paths to its entrance.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Offices:
Take the elevator ride up to the observation floors and prepare for an amazing sight, especially at night. Tokyo is laid out at your feet – a billion bright lights.
Harajuku
Tokyo, taken as a whole, is any shopaholic’s dream, but Harajuku is the center of a style that has expanded beyond Japan’s borders and has become an international phenomenon. Walk along the narrow streets and partake or simply observe the consumer mayhem.
Shibuya Crossing
More of an experience than a sight. When the lights change, hundreds of people make their way across the four-way intersection. Getting caught up in the throngs almost feels like crowd surfing.
Ghibli Museum
Just west of Tokyo’s core in Mitaka City, this museum is dedicated to the work of anime master, Hayao Miyazaki. With a giant robot on the roof and spiral staircases throughout, the building challenges all visitors to awaken their inner child. Tickets must be purchased in advance at a Lawson convenience store.
Himeji Castle
Himeji Castle dates to 1333, when Akamatsu Norimura built a fort on top of Himeyama hill. The fort was dismantled and rebuilt as Himeyama Castle in 1346, and then remodeled into Himeji Castle two centuries later. Himeji Castle was then significantly remodeled by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1581, adding a three-story castle keep. In 1600, Tokugawa Ieyasu awarded the castle to Ikeda Terumasa for his help in the Battle of Sekigahara. Ikeda completely rebuilt the castle from 1601 to 1609, expanding it into a large castle complex. Several buildings were later added to the castle complex by Honda Tadamasa from 1617 to 1618. For over 400 years, Himeji Castle has remained intact, even throughout the extensive bombing of Himeji in World War II and natural disasters such as the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake and various typhoons.
Himechi
Himechi is a town about 34 miles west of Kobe. It has a fantastic fairytale castle, best visited in the spring during cherry blossom season.
The Golden Pavilion
This is probably one of the most known temples in Japan. As you may have guessed, it is completely covered in gold. When light shines on it, it looks like a jewel box. On the roof, a phoenix sits. This is definitely something that you must see.
Osaka Aquarium
Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium is one of the world’s largest aquariums. Kaiyukan is a Japanese word meaning ‘Playing in the Sea Pavilion’. Visitors enjoy the living creatures as if they are playing with them in the sea. The main attractions of the Osaka Aquarium are a whale, shark, jellyfish, sea lion, turtles, spider crabs, penguins, otters etc.
Dotonbori
Dotonbori is a large scale downtown along the south bank of the Dotonbori-gawa Canal. Osaka is known as the gastronomists' town, and thus the entire area of Dotonbori is thronged with an unbelievable number of restaurants and amusement facilities, and is dearly loved by the Osakaites. There are theaters that play traditional puppet shows Bunraku, storytellers' halls and other popular entertainment as well as a number of movie theaters.
Floating Garden Observatory
The observation platform of this observatory is a bridge connecting the two towers of the Umeda Sky Building, whose roof features a doughnut shape that provides an unobstructed 360-degree view. While enjoying the breathtaking sights you can also directly feel the wind—which at 170 meters off the ground can get quite strong. From this observatory you can not only see all of Osaka but as far away as Awaji Island. The basement of the building houses the Takimi-Koji gourmet street with old fashioned images of Osaka from the 1920s.
Kuromon Ichiba
Until the end of the Meiji Era, the Kuromon Ichiba Market used to be called Emmeiji Market, because there was once a large temple called Emmeiji nearby. Since there used to be a black gate northeast of this temple, the marketplace later came to be called”Kuromon Ichiba Market”(Black Gate Market).
Osaka Castle
Though a concrete reproduction, with very little left of the original late 16th century structure, Osaka Castle is nonetheless one of the most recognizable landmarks in Japan. The monument covers over 15 acres of land in central Osaka and is open to the public.
Osaka Museum of History
With evidence of human occupation as far back as the 6th century B.C., Osaka’s legacy is rich. The city has been the stage for some monumental events in the history of Japan, all of which get major face time at the Osaka Museum of History. The facility, in addition to being a great museum, offers wonderful views of the city.
Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum
A favorite with backpackers and college students, the only Ramen noodle museum in the world is certainly a break from the norm. Still, after a visit, one has to give Momofuku Ando his props. The prominent instant noodle pioneer died at the age of 96 in 2007 in the Ikeda area of Osaka, which is where the museum can be found.
Shinsaibashi
There are several areas that will satisfy your inner shopper but Shinsaibashi is probably the best. Certainly the most frenetic, as anyone who ventures here on a Saturday afternoon can attest. From local shops to big malls, luxury brands to bargain stores, Shinsaibashi has it all and pioneers many of the fashion trends that fester with Japanese youth. However, Umeda is worth a trip for electronics and the 2.6 km Tenjinbashi-suji commercial arcade is pretty cool as well.