Traveling on a Dime

09/02/2018

The Bordeaux of Sake, Japan's kitchen, the Snow Country. Niigata. Find it all here! Here's some ideas of what to see, what to eat and where to go!

"国境の長いトンネルを抜けると雪国であった..." The train came out of long tunner under the mountains and into the snow country - Yasunari Kawabata, "Yukiguni" The opening words o...

08/02/2018

Planning on going ape?

Get in on the monkey business at Kyoto's Arashiyama Monkey Park! A special shelter and knowledgeable staff will help you get up close and personal with some of Japan's furry residents.

07/02/2018

Dive into a maelstrom!

The Whirlpools of Naruto, in the Naruto Straight between Shikoku and Awajijima Island are the 4th largest marine whirlpools in the world. They can be viewed from tour boats or from a special pedestrian viewing deck under the Naruto Ohashi Bridge. The smooth rock beaches on the Shikoku side of the straight also make for a nice place to fish and cool off in summer. A round trip highway bus ride from Kobe Sannomiya Station (https://secure.j-bus.co.jp/asp/tokubusRosenInfosql1.asp?gpcd=280007&rocd=0001) or Osaka Station can be yours for ¥4,500 or ¥5,850 respectively. JR Bus Shikoku offers similar services for the same price (http://www.jr-shikoku.co.jp/bus/guide_net.htm )

06/02/2018

The aliens have landed?

The mysterious Iwafune Masugata in Nara Prefecture's Kashihara City is a site of enduring mystery. It's just a short bike ride to the south of Kashihara Jingumae Station. Bike rentals, just ¥900-¥1,000/day, are available from Asuka Rent-a-cycle just outside the station's east exit.

05/02/2018

Welcome to Manhole Monday!

There are several thousand different manhole covers in cities and towns throughout Japan. How many can you find during your travels?

04/02/2018

Cross the Bridge to Heaven?

Amanohashidate, on the Sea of Japan Coast in Kyoto Prefecture, is an adventure in all seasons. Breathtaking scenery, delicious local seafood, locally brewed sake and beer, and more! Highway bus services offered by Hankyu Bus (https://www.hankyubus.co.jp/highway/route/fare/highway12.php) and Tankai Bus (https://www.hankyubus.co.jp/highway/route/fare/highway12.php) will get you there from Osaka or Kyoto quickly and easily at a discount over the train.

03/02/2018

Happy Setsubun! The day before spring on the Japanese lunar calendar. It's a day of Japanese oni demons banished from homes and lives with thrown beans, thick uncut eho maki sushi rolls eaten in silence for good luck, and the Setsubun Mantoro Lantern event at Nara's World Heritage Kasuga Grand Shrine. The even is free and is easily accessible from Kyoto or Osaka.

02/02/2018

All about snow monsters and snowboarding in Zao Onsen!

Snowboarding, powder, hot springs and snow monsters! Find them all in Zao Onsen in Yamagata Prefecture on your budget. Here's how!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsZ503Si7gk

02/02/2018

Snowboarding, powder, hot springs and snow monsters! Find them all in Zao Onsen in Yamagata Prefecture on your budget. Here's how!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsZ503Si7gk

30/01/2018

The world class snow and ski slopes of Japan's Mt. Myoko can be ridden on any budget! Hit up a convenience store for a discount coupon or go online and search "妙高高原 クーポン" to see how much you could save on a great day on the slopes, or check out my trip to Myoko here:

https://youtu.be/i0KgcDf-EVE

29/01/2018

Before the sakura, ume. Japan's plum blossoms, or ume no hana, start blooming in February.

Tokyo's Shinjuku Gyoen National Gardens (¥250 admission) and Nara Prefecture's Koriyama Castle Ruins (free admission!) are two great places to enjoy the flowers.

26/01/2018

The Tokamachi Snow Festival is one of the oldest in Japan!

It takes place the second weekend in February and is just 2 hours away from Tokyo!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NztcvSyMzU

View the Playlist of all the Traveling on a Dime Episodes at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBkniXrs2bk&feature=share&list=PL2asu6bhj2yvbw6VTt0krGhlK6CX57m4...

25/01/2018

Be aware! The snow monsters of the north are beginning their yearly assembly.

Zao Onsen Ski Resort, in Yamagata Prefecture, is one of the few places in the world (outside the Arctic) where one can witness snow monsters (juhyo in Japanese). Fir trees that get so completely encased in snow and ice that they look like abominable snowmen.

Zao Onsen is economically accessed via a Peach Airlines flight to Sendai and a highway bus ride. Alternatively, overnight highway buses make the trek from Tokyo to Yamagata Station for as little as ¥2,000! It's just a 45 minute local bus ride to Zao Onsen from there.

24/01/2018

Tsunamis, typhoons, floods and fires. The Great Buddha of Kamakura was equal to all.

It sits in peace at Kotokuin Temple in the city of Kamakura about an hour outside of Tokyo. Holders of the Tokyo Wide Area Pass have their journey here covered!

23/01/2018

Gotta get 'em all! Gotta get 'em all!

There are over 6,000 unique manhole covers in Japan. How many can you collect?

22/01/2018

Get your fill of winter fun in Hokkaido on a budget!

The Shin-Nihonkai Ferry from Niigata to Otaru is the most economical way to reach Japan's northern frontier. Tickets start at just ¥6,480 each way!

20/01/2018

Access the incredible Izu-Shirahama Beach, Mt. Fuji and Nikko Toshogu Shrines and save on your trip with the Tokyo Wide Area Pass! ¥10,000 buys you 3-days of unlimited train rides and all JR East Lines and many private lines in an extensive zone around Tokyo. You can even ride the bullet train.

19/01/2018

Get the most out of your Nagano Shigakogen ski trip with these suggestions:

https://youtu.be/l3SP4x62dDA

Shigakogen is the largest ski resort area in Japan with 19 interconnected ski areas 16.5 kilometers across and 1350 meters tall. And at an elevation of over ...

15/01/2018

Why pay more for lift tickets? Discounted rates and lift ticket-meal combo coupons are available from 7 Eleven and other convenience stores and online by googling the name of the ski resort you want visit along with the Japanese word "クーポン". See how little a ski trip could cost you here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0KgcDf-EVE

12/01/2018

Escape from the dark and cold of winter in Okinawa. Low Cost Carriers like Peach Airlines and JetStar offer a number of wallet-friendly fares!

http://www.flypeach.com/sp/en

http://www.jetstar.com/jp/en/home

11/01/2018

Budget bullet train! Reserve yourself a seat, a drink and 25% discount off the regular fare anywhere between Tokyo and Shin-Osakawith the Puratto Kodama Economy Plan. It's available at any JR Tokai Tours office and JTB travel centers up to 24 hours before departure!

10/01/2018

The oldest wooden buildings in the world can be found at the quaint Horyuji Temple in Nara Prefecture.

09/01/2018

Beat the high costs of long distance travel in Japan and make the most of your time by taking a highway bus! Willer Express services are available in English @ WillerExpress.com

08/01/2018

One of Japan's 3 greatest fire festivals, Nozawa Onsen's Dousojin Matsuri, is happening on January 15th! Here's how you can see the festival, snowboard or ski some lines at Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort and save some coin while you're at it!
https://youtu.be/TKpn0lOqIyI

長野県野沢温泉の「道祖神祭り」 日本を代表する道祖神行事の一つとして平成５年１２月１３日に国の重要無形民俗文化財に指定。 野沢温泉の道祖神祭りは、場所は上組の片桐家所有地の馬場ノ原、火元は寺湯の河野家か�...

04/01/2018

Access incredible Japan winter adventures at the Shin-Hodaka Ropeway and many other great locations and save money while doing it! Here's how:

https://youtu.be/8_ygDHdaSL0

03/01/2018

Experience the World Heritage Shirakawago Village in all it's winter glory and save money while doing it! Here's how:

https://youtu.be/K5AtIJdI8hk

02/01/2018

Relax and refresh in the mineral hot spring waters of Maguse Onsen. It's the perfect reward after a day of ripping up the Nagano powder.

It's just a 10~15 minutes drive or taxi ride from central Iiyama City.

5567-1 Ogo, Kijimadaira, Shimotakai District, Nagano Prefecture, Japan 〒389-2302
0269-82-4028

01/01/2018

The summit of Kijimadaira Ski Area near Iiyama City, Nagano Prefecture.

Follow the below link for a 17% discount on a day lift ticket and a ¥1,000 food voucher good at any eatery at the resort. This ¥5,600 (~$56US) is yours for just ¥3,800 (~$38US)! (Japanese or Google Translate skills required).

https://snow.gnavi.co.jp/sp/ski/r0027c

31/12/2017

The winter wonderland of Nagano City from near Obasute Station. It's just 20 minutes from Nagano Station on the Shinonoi Line.

30/12/2017

Everywhere you go in Japan there's a different manhole cover. These 4 show the flowers, festivals and mountains of Nakatsugawa in Gifu Prefecture.