🔉 “Japan is a country of contrasts”. Our often on-the-road travel expert, Holly, was recently featured on Not Just Travel's podcast, where she shared some of the things she loves about Japan. 👂To listen to the full po
🔉 “Japan is a country of contrasts”.
Our often on-the-road travel expert, Holly, was recently featured on Not Just Travel's podcast, where she shared some of the things she loves about Japan.
👂To listen to the full podcast and find out why Japanese food is her favourite in the whole world: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H09hwW20
Mt Koya monks
Sound on for sutras!
"A fair number of people know about the otherworldly tranquility of Mount Koya’s monasteries and graveyards, set in thick forest on a mountaintop, but nearly everybody takes the funicular railway straight to it. So, when I disembarked the train early at Kii-Hosokawa it caused mild panic and confusion to my fellow Japanese passengers, who clearly all thought I was lost...
The whole hike was a magical experience, from being waved off by the one attendant at the tiny station, to seeing the signs to ring a bell to ward off bears, to the very end of the trail — when I thought I was going to die on the steep bit — only to emerge from the forest in front of a stunning temple, surprising another set of tourists. I only saw about four other people on the whole route, and felt very smug all day."
Staff member Claire Brothers.
Whoever said you could no longer have an authentic Lost in Translation experience in Japan? There are adventures aplenty waiting for you a stone's throw from big cities - you just need to know where or (wink wink) ask an expert.
#lostintranslation
Paper Making
Sound on for a gentle experiental soundscape! Paper making has a long history in Japan, and can be both witnessed and experienced in different locations along the country. Part of the process consists of spreading the fibers on the surface of the flexible screen (sunoko) by shaking it.
Would you try your hand at paper making?
Video taken by Insider Richard.
#papermaking #japan
Windchime in Kurayoshi
Busy week? Have a peaceful soundscape of a windchime in Kurayoshi to prepare for the weekend.
Sound on! Thanks to insider Richard for the capture.
#japan
Amazing maiko and geiko duo captured by Insider Van in Gion during one of our small group tours. Sound on!
Video credit to Insider Van.
Cherry blossoms in Kinosaki Onsen
Want a bit of peace and tranquility under the blossoms while in Japan? Consider exploring smaller destinations.
Kinosaki Onsen is slightly off-the-beaten trail, and one of our favourite places for hot springs. Spring can be quite busy, but at the same time there can also be moments of peace, as can be seen in this video taken by our Insider Robert.
Green tip: did you know we are Travelife Partner certified?
Sound on! Celebrating 150 years of trains in Japan. This slice-of-life train ride is on the Enoden in Kamakura, about an hour south of Tokyo. On local trains, you can often sit or stand right behind the conductor, though most of the time there is a glass screen between you and them.
Email subscribers can expect a couple of cute little train animations in their monthly newsletter as well. If you haven't subscribed yet, don't miss out! Sign up to our newsletter here to receive news, inspiration and all things Japan.
https://www.insidejapantours.com/newsletter/
What's it like to have Fushimi Inari Shrine to yourself in the middle of the day? Our first Small Group Tour is back from Japan, and they were lucky enough to explore the famous torii gates with little to no crowds!
While visiting Japan at this stage is limited to escorted and small group tours, the big benefit is being able to experience the country with few -if any- international tourists.
Of course, as soon as we have any news of further easing of restrictions (which we hope will come in the following weeks), we'll shout about it loud and wide!
Video taken by Insider Richard while leading the tour.
There’s something hypnotic and deeply relaxing about sitting in front of an irori hearth. Especially when there’s a pot of fresh tea dancing in front of your eyes!
Irori fireplaces can still be found in many traditional houses and Japanese ryokan inns, especially those out in the countryside such as this one in the ‘Zero Waste’ town of Kamikatsu in Tokushima prefecture.
If you come across an irori on your travels in Japan, be sure to take a few minutes to sit down, relax, and soak up the atmosphere!
Hanami in Osaka
Cherry Blossom Live: You're invited!
In Japan, the cherry blossom is gradually starting to bloom - meaning that hanami (cherry blossom viewing) time is finally here!
Insider Brett captured this video in Osaka the other day to give you a taste of what to expect at our Cherry Blossom Live event on 13 April. 7 Insiders, 7 locations across Japan, and 7 different views of cherry blossom season 🌸
Sign up and join us:
https://www.insidejapantours.com/virtually-japan/
InsideJapan x TOKYO
InsideJapan x TOKYO... join us from Tokyo tomorrow morning (23 March 09:30am UK) for a tour some of Tokyo's most interesting districts with samurai temples, serene gardens and plenty of neon.
Sign up here: http://tinyurl.com/2p8bvbce
Hokkaido's red-crowned cranes
It’s still very much winter in northernmost Hokkaido!
Insider Tyler is there this week - and he was lucky enough to see the famous (and rather vocal!) red-crowned cranes.
A visit to the breeding grounds of these incredible birds, accompanied by a local expert wildlife guide, is one of the many fantastic experiences on our Winter Highlights small group tour!
A train in the snow in Akita prefecture
Those moments that make you feel like you’ve stepped into a Studio Ghibli animation…
Insider Robert recently took this train from Kami-Hinokinai station in northern Akita prefecture.
After waiting in the snow, you’re sure to feel relief seeing this train emerging from the blizzard with its promise of heated carriages!
Okonomiyaki
Of all the Japanese foods, perhaps okonomiyaki is the hardest one to explain in English!
A kind of savoury pancake/omelette/pizza/…thing, it’s particularly famous in Osaka (featured here) and Hiroshima, where a slightly different ‘layered’ version is the norm.
The standard base is a batter made with yam flour, shredded cabbage, and egg, to which various toppings can be added such as meat, seafood, vegetables, and even (highly recommended!) cheese.
To finish it off, a special sweet-savoury brown sauce is smothered on top, followed by mayonnaise, nori seaweed flakes, and dried bonito fish flakes which are shaved so thinly that they ‘dance’ in the heat of the hot plate on which the dish is cooked.
It sounds strange, but it’s one of the tastiest Japanese comfort foods and especially hits the spot on a cold Osaka evening like today!
Have you tried okonomiyaki before? Would you like to give it a try? Or do you find the dancing bonito flakes disconcerting? 😂
Hatsumode
Happy New Year from us all at InsideJapan! Tokyo Insider, Tyler, recently took part in the Japanese tradition of 'Hatsumode': visiting his local shrine to appreciate last year's happiness and pray for a good 2022.
Tokyo at night
A drive through twinkling night-time Tokyo. Starting to feel festive yet?
Kamakura virtual tour invite
Temples, shrines and a giant resting Buddha...
Just a short distance from Tokyo lies Kamakura – the ancient capital city of Japan. Want to come explore it with Insiders Brett and Chantel on a virtual tour later this week?
Hit this link to find out more details and to reserve your place: https://www.insidejapantours.com/virtually-japan/
Train ride through Kamakura
Our Insider tour leaders have been filming the latest #VirtuallyInsideJapan tour in the old seaside temple town of Kamakura. We love a little ride on the Enoden railway as it winds narrowly passing houses and shops. Even the railways are cute in Japan!
Autumn leaves in Japan
What does autumn look like in Japan? Here's a glimpse! Insider Tyler did a little leaf-peeping in Aomori recently...
