Japan Awaits

02/04/2022

𝐓𝐎𝐏 𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐑𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐒𝐎𝐌 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐎𝐊𝐘𝐎! 🌸
Shinjuku Gyoen, Japan🇯🇵
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Shinjuku Gyoen (新宿御苑) nestled in the busy Shinjuku area of Tokyo, you can find more than 1,000 cherry blossom trees in the park. If you find yourself in the spacious lawns, you can enjoy a day out enjoying this beautiful time of year.

Best time to visit is the last week of March.
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31/03/2022

𝐓𝐎𝐏 𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐑𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐒𝐎𝐌 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐎𝐊𝐘𝐎!
Nakameguro, Japan🇯🇵
Around 800 cherry blossom trees line a four-kilometer stretch of Meguro River. The vibrant colors surrounding the river makes Meguro River a must-see destination for cherry blossoms in Tokyo.

The canal is lined with shops and stalls during the sakura festival, with spring-themed treats including plenty of pink champagne. The trees are illuminated in the evening and is especially beautiful when the sun sets with the lanterns lit up by the river.

The best time to view cherry blossoms at its peak here is between late March to early April. This year, the projected dates are March 23rd to April 10th.

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30/03/2022

𝐓𝐎𝐏 𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐑𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐒𝐎𝐌 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐎𝐊𝐘𝐎! 🌸
Ueno Park, Japan🇯🇵
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Ueno Park (上野公園) is one of Japan's most busy sakura spots, but for a good reason. With nearly 1,200 cherry trees lining the park’s main pathway, Ueno Park is worth the crowds.

The best time for seeing cherry blossoms in full bloom is usually the last week of March.

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17/03/2022

It's that time of year again! 🌸

11/03/2022

Today marks the 11th year anniversary of the Tohoku Earthquake 🕯🕯🕯

On March 11th, 2011, a massive earthquake of 9.0 magnitude hit Japan, which caused a devastating tsunami in its northern coast and resulted in the world's worst nuclear disaster (since the 1986 Chernobyl crisis). Over 15,000 lives were lost and there were 2,525 people missing from the incident. In the last decade, the Japan government has spent $277 billion on reconstruction costs and there are continued plans to restore the devastated areas.

These photos were taken in Futaba, Fukushima, to memorialize this date.
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23/02/2022

Who wants to find Pokemon in real-life? ⚡️⚡️🐣

Now's your chance to catch 'em all! Pokémon Wonder is a brand-new 48,000-square-foot outdoor adventure for Pokémon lovers to search for their favorite Pokémon characters in real life.

Pokémon Wonder is located within an undisclosed and untouched natural area deep inside Yomiuriland, an amusement park in Inaki City, Tokyo. Attendees (aka Pokémon masters) may wander around the forest looking for handcrafted Pokémon created from leaves, acorns and other natural elements. Attendees will be given an 'orientation' before being handed a series of hints in a natural region previously inaccessible via the park. This adventure is similar to Niantic's Pokemon Go, which relies heavily on walking. Participants will become Pokemon researchers, reading clues and searching for Pokemon over the course of 90 minutes.

Bookings are available until the 3rd of April, 2022. Eager fans can book a 90-minute slot for up to six people to participate in a 'nature adventure' at https://wonder.pokemon.jp/

📌Read more at: https://www.japanawaits.com/real-life-pokemon-theme-park-in-tokyo/

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27/01/2022

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐀𝐋 𝐖𝐎𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐉𝐀𝐏𝐀𝐍 𝐓𝐎 𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑: Shirogane Blue Pond 🇯🇵 ☃️

📍 Shirogane Blue Pond - Hokkaido
Shirogane Blue Pond (美瑛町 青い池) is a man-made reservoir in Biei, Hokkaido. Located a few hours north of Sapporo, the Shirogane Blue Pond was created when the Biei River was dammed up in 1988. The Blue Pond is designed to safeguard the town against mudslides, and it has become a popular tourist attraction for both Japanese and international visitors. Natural minerals leached into the water from nearby mountains and waterfalls give the man-made pond its distinct coloring, which ranges from deep azure to aquamarine. Even while it appears to be pretty stunning in the summer, the actual enchantment of this location is exposed only during the winter.

In Hokkaido, snow may fall as early as October, and the pond regularly freezes over from December to mid-April. The ice has an unusual hue of blue, and the snow enhances the scenery's fanciful appearance. The Blue Pond area is illuminated at night from 5 PM to 9 PM, and the illuminated tree lights regularly change colors during the winter months, creating a beautiful and romantic atmosphere.

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18/05/2020

No wisteria for us this year
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May is usually the best time to see wisteria in Japan. Who can’t wait to come to Japan next year to see this?
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20/04/2020

20/04/2020

The city cut 800,000 tulips to prevent crowds from visiting during the coronavirus crisis. Do you think that was necessary?

Due to the entire nation being placed in a state of emergency, the Sakura Tulip Festa 2020 was canceled. With the tulips expected to reach full bloom this weekend, the city made the difficult decision to cut all 800,000 tulips in the field to stop people from visiting.

18/04/2020

GIVEAWAY
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We know this is a challenging time for everyone and we understand that travel plans are just one part of people’s lives that have been significantly disrupted during this crisis. With the Tokyo Olympics postponed and most flights suspended, those who had travel plans must stay grounded for the time being. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still dream of that future vacation to Japan you have always wanted. For the next few weeks, we at Japan Awaits will be doing a number of giveaways for tours/experiences for your future trip to Japan.
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Giveaway No. 1: Geisha Encounter
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The Geisha Encounter is a geisha experience at a modern chaya in Tokyo, where the geisha entertain guests with song, dance, games and conversation. For more information, visit: www.japanawaits.com/experiences/geisha-encounter/
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To enter, you must:
(1) Follow on Instagram
(2) Tag a friend in a comment on the Instagram post before April 24th at 11:59 PM Japan Standard Time.
*️⃣
Must be 18+ years of age to enter. Winner can bring a friend to the experience with them, and must redeem before August 31, 2021. The experience is subject to availability, travel not included, and some restrictions apply. The giveaway is not sponsored or endorsed by Instagram or its affiliates.
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With love, Japan Awaits
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_HDVCcAozd/?igshid=1h2qfiergfbwd

29/03/2020

Something magical happened today
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It’s cherry blossom season in Tokyo and while there may be some rain during this time of year, snow is completely out-of-season. But today, during the critical coronavirus weekend lockdown in Tokyo, snow appeared alongside the beautiful cherry blossoms all around the Kanto-Koshin region with temperatures dropping below 1 C in the morning.
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This rare and magical occurrence, unfortunately, did not have many spectators as residents are asked to isolate themselves this weekend to prevent the spike of coronavirus cases in Japan.
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Video by

02/03/2020

Who wants to go to the Sumo Tournament? 🙋🏻‍♂️🙋🏻‍♀️
Stay tuned tomorrow to find out how to win Sumo Tournament tickets in Tokyo (May tournament).
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[Announcement: March Sumo Tournament will be held with no spectators allowed; no updates for May tournament in Tokyo currently.]
For two weeks in March, from March 8th to March 23th, heavyset men enter a small ring to launch their bodies at one another. Their goal is to eject their opponent from the ring or knock him over, and reign supreme in the ancient sport of sumo. The matches take place at the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium in Namba from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily.
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If you're lucky, you may catch a glimpse of a yukata-clad wrestler walking the bustling streets of Namba after a match.
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29/02/2020

Anyone else ""allergic"" to the winter cold and need a remedy? 😂
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Kusatsu Onsen (草津温泉), located in Gunma Prefecture, is one of Japan's most famous hot spring resorts and is blessed with large volumes of high quality hot spring water said to cure every illness (except lovesickness). There are 13 public baths at Kusatsu Onsen, many of which are free to use.
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As pictured here, this large hot water system is the symbol and heart of Kusatsu Onsen. The distinct aroma will guide you to the yubatake—literally translated as "hot water field" — in the center of town. Geothermal water rises to the surface straight from the source and is cooled as it runs along a series of connected wooden chutes while maintaining the natural mineral content.
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Kusatsu is situated at an altitude of 1200 meters above sea level, and offers skiing in winter and hiking during the rest of the year to be enjoyed in combination with hot spring bathing. Visit Kusatsu Onsen if you want a cure for that cold winter season!
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28/02/2020

Matsumoto Castle covered in snow 😍
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Matsumoto Castle (松本城, Matsumotojō) is one of the most complete and beautiful among Japan's original castles. It is a "hirajiro" - a castle built on plains rather than on a hill or mountain. Matsumoto Castle is unique for having both a secondary donjon and a turret adjoined to its main keep. The castle structures, in combination with their characteristic black wainscoting, give off an air of grandeur and poise.
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27/02/2020

Winter Wonderland 😍
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Ritsurin Koen (栗林公園) is a landscape garden in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture, that was built by the local feudal lords during the early Edo Period. Considered one of the best gardens in Japan, it is often suggested that Ritsurin Koen deserves a spot on the list of the ""three most beautiful gardens of Japan"", alongside Kanazawa's Kenrokuen, Mito's Kairakuen, and Okayama's Korakuen.
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The spacious park features many ponds, hills, historic trees and beautiful pavilions divided into a Japanese style garden in the south and western style garden in the north. The gardens are set in front of wooded Mt. Shiun which serves as a wonderful background and great example of borrowed scenery.
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26/02/2020

Breathtaking 😍
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Koyasan (高野山) or Mount Koya is a World Heritage Site considered as the center of Shingon Buddhism which was brought to Japan in 805 by the religious figure, Kukai. The 25-meter high Daimon Gate welcomes visitors dedicated to esoteric Buddhism. Over 100 temples are scattered throughout the grounds.
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The most prominent structure in Koyasan is the Kongobuji Temple. It plays a significant role as the head of Shingon Buddhism in Japan.
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