Visit Japan Guide (2025)

16/03/2021

Top 10 Must-See Tourist Spots in Japan
By Farazila Abu
Japan is easily one of the most fascinating places to visit in Asia. It's an enthralling mix of the modern and the ancient, a surprising blend of the familiar and the strange. Thanks to the country's move to push tourism, Japan is also one of the friendliest places for tourists to be. But in a country where there are 4 major islands and numerous others, a first-time tourist can easily be overwhelmed by the different offerings. Where to go when you're in Japan? Here, in no particular order, are the top 10 must-see tourist spots in the land of the rising sun:

Harajuku

Harajuku is a major must-see tourist spot in Tokyo for every anime and manga fan. Just off the train station, the district is famous for its young locals all dressed up in costumes inspired mostly by anime characters. It's also home to numerous cafes and boutiques, so dining and shopping should be part of the itinerary.

Since this is Japan, expect a blend of the bold and the serene. Harajuku is also where the famous Meiji Shrine is located. Meiji Jingu is a Shinto shrine built for Emperor Meiji and his consort. First completed in 1921, it was bombed by the U.S. during WWII but rebuilt in 1958.

Shinjuku

Shinjuku district is found in Tokyo, Japan's capital. A densely populated metropolis, Shinjuku offers tourists some of the best places to shop, dine, mix with the locals and take in Japanese-style nightlife. Shinjuku is also home to Ginza, the massive shopping area where some of the biggest international names (think Versace, Gucci and Fendi, among others) in the fashion world hold shop.

When you travel to this area, don't forget to drop by a Mikimoto shop. Mikimoto cultured pearls are renowned throughout the world for their ethereal beauty and craftsmanship.

Asakusa

To experience the old amongst the modern, head to Asakusa, also in Tokyo. This is where the 7th century Senso-ji Temple can be found. Other than souvenirs, this old neighborhood is also the ideal place to sample Japanese cuisine, since numerous restaurants can be found here.

Asakusa has a rather notorious past -- it used to be the place where people came for entertainment. Kabuki plays were staged in the area and it was also one of the main red light districts of the Edo era.

Kyoto

Kyoto is where some of Japan's best-known shrines, temples and castles are found. It also has a high cultural and historical importance because it was Japan's capital until 1868. Numerous areas here have been preserved remarkably well and have been recognized as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Any tourist who wishes to experience feudal Japan will find this city a remarkable experience.

Osaka

Osaka is one of the most important areas in Japan, considered as a major commercial, financial and industrial center. Tourists in Tokyo can travel to Osaka in just 2½ hours by bullet train. The famous Osaka Castle can be found here, located within Osakajo Park. It is a mesmerizing representative of Japanese architecture, making it a popular tourist spot.

Nara

Nara is near Osaka. It was Japan's capital for 74 years beginning in 710. A must-see tourist spot here is Nara Park, where you'll find the 16.2m statue of the Buddha. There are also numerous temples in the area, including those in Todai-ji and Kasuga. Osaka is a major manufacturer of India ink, toys and fans.

Nikko

North of Tokyo is Nikko, a place that Japanese and international tourists travel to for pilgrimage. Nikko National Park is the place to be. This is where you'll find the Toshogu shrine, within which the mausoleum of the first sh**un of the Tokugawa era was built. The architecture in this area is stunning and a view of the park is an experience no traveler to Japan should miss.

Ueno

Ueno Park is a massive area near the Asakusa district that caters to both tourists and locals alike. The National Museum, Museum for Western Art, Natural Science Museum, Tokyo Metropolitan Fine Art Gallery and the very first zoological garden in Japan can be found here. There is also an amusement park that is a favorite among young children that charges only a dollar.

The best time to visit Ueno is in spring, when Japan's famous cherry blossom trees are at their most beautiful.

Kamakura

Located just 28 miles of Tokyo, Kamakura is largely a residential district and seaside resort. This is a very interesting must-see tourist spot because of its most famous landmark, the bronze statue of the Great Buddha (called Daibutsu), which is 12.8m tall. There are also several important museums here, one of which is the Kamakura Museum of Modern Art.

Mt. Fuji

No travel to Japan is complete without seeing this famous landmark. Mt. Fuji (Fuji-san to the locals) is Japan's best-loved mountain. If you're in Tokyo, you can probably see this famous profile on cloudless, clear days. If you're adventurous enough, you can join one of the numerous scheduled climbs. Climbs last a maximum of two days. If you want to save time, join the groups that climb at 4pm so you can reach the top by sunrise the next day.

16/03/2021

Travel Japan and Enjoy It
By Tomoko Asai
Looking for a place to go to? Why not travel Japan and explore this amazing country? Tourists have frequented this country because it is a place full of beautiful sceneries and tourist spots. Moreover, travel Japan is a great adventure where you get to meet the nice and wonderful people there. If you decide to travel Japan, you are sure to have an experience you will never forget. Before anything else, you should know that travel Japan might be quite expensive but there are tourist packages that are really affordable.

Although the cost of living in Japan is quite pricey, it is really worth it. If you like to travel Japan in an economical way, you can use the Japan Rail Pass to save on transportation costs. One of the most remarkable things in Japan is food and travel. As you observe, Japan is an island that is why it is abundant in seafood. Most of the time, when you hear the word travel Japan, the thing that comes into your mind is sushi and Mt. Fuji. Sushi is raw fish and Mt. Fuji is one of the beautiful sceneries to watch for in Japan. Aside from that, your travel Japan would not be complete if you do not try the hot bath. However, it is not the ordinary bath that you see in other countries. The "onsen" or Japanese hot bath is a refreshing and relaxing way of bathing. There are many hot springs in Nagano and Mei so you are sure to have a wonderful experience.

When you decide to travel Japan, you will think about the place to stay. Houses in Japan are quite expensive so it is best for tourists to stay at a camp site or a fancy hotel. If you are about to travel Japan and plan to stay for months, then you can choose to stay at an apartment that is accessible to the city or the capital. In that way, you would not worry about getting lost when you are to travel Japan.

For any traveler there is so much to see and experience in Japan. In Kyoto and Nara, the temples and shrines are abundant. The place has that traditional appeal and atmosphere to it. But if you want to travel Japan for its modern appeal, then Tokyo and Osaka is the place to be. You will sure to have a pleasurable sightseeing. So when is the best time to travel Japan? Most people go there on spring and autumn because in the months from June to August, the rains are heavy and the temperature is quite high. However, if you are a ski buff, then travel Japan on winter. Thinking about how to get to Japan? The Tokyo Narita airport is the center for travelers who just got to Japan. Going around the place requires a map, if you are not familiar with the places. The railway stations are safe and accessible to travelers. In addition, watch out for the bullet train when you decide to travel Japan.

You can travel Japan at very high speeds with the help of the bullet trains which has speeds up to 300 km/h. if you are going to stay at Japan for many months, it is best if you get a Japan Rail Pass for that unlimited travels while in the country. If you are to travel Japan, you should not miss seeing the Tokyo National Museum. You can see the sculptures and the rich history of the country.

16/03/2021

Is Japan Too Expensive? Debunking the Myths of Travel Costs in Japan.
By Gregory S Howell
Today I was researching travel costs to Japan for a client and found that the Japanese Yen is now trading at approximately JPY 80 to the US Dollar. I remember in April 1995 when the Yen hit its all-time high against the Dollar at 80.43...OUCH. I started to wonder where the currency might be in the coming weeks and months as more and more travelers visit Japan during the peak cherry blossom season. When you do the simple math, it hurts. Japan can be very expensive, but like many aspects of this great nation, what is not said is often the most important.

One theme that continues to be on the minds of people today is the cost of travel. Given the current economic malaise in the USA and around the globe, many individuals have been forced to postpone or even cancel travel due to financial hardship or uncertainty. Travel is one of the first things to be eliminated when one has to make spending cuts due to new budgetary realities, but it is also one of the first areas on the rebound when individuals feel that it is time to take a long overdue vacation.

Over the past month I have received hundreds of requests indicating that they want to travel to Japan, but that it is just too expensive. This is one of the biggest hurdles when promoting travel to Japan. There is this mindset that Japan is just too expensive and when you add the language and cultural differences it all just seems too much and you sense that when you return from Japan, you will need to take another trip just to get over it. Well that simply is just not the case and in more cases than not, at the end of many journeys to Japan travelers are anxious to return again in the future.

So with that in mind I have dedicated this article to debunking the myths and explaining how to find affordable Japan today. I will identify what I consider to be the most helpful tools when planning a journey to Japan. You will find valuable websites to get the best value in air, accommodations, transportation and cuisine which are the building blocks to any successful trip to Japan.

GETTING TO JAPAN
Air travel is the most common way to get to Japan, but each year more cruise lines are offering Japanese cities as ports of call in their regional and/or global itineraries. The biggest story in air travel to Japan is the recent (Oct 2010) opening of the new International Terminal at Haneda International Airport for flights from around the world. Four slots from the USA were awarded to American Airlines (JFK), Delta Air Lines (LAX & DTW) and Hawaiian Airlines (HNL). Haneda is located in downtown Tokyo and just a short 30 minute ride to the center of the city.

I tell all of my clients that redeeming mileage for international travel, especially for upgrades to business or first class, is one of the best ways to maximize the value of your hard earned miles. Keep in mind that with fewer flight departures today, it is even more difficult to secure award space as the airlines continue to try to increase their revenues. You must plan ahead in order to fly on your preferred travel dates, but do not lose faith if you cannot get a free ticket or confirm an upgrade. Recently United Airlines launched their Premium Seating program which enables you to confirm an upgrade on international travel at the time of ticketing even when an upgrade award is not available. If seats are available in the upgraded cabin, the airline will make them available for a premium fee instead of mileage. For example I recently found a flight to Japan and when I was advised that an upgrade was not available from San Francisco to Tokyo using mileage, I was able to secure a confirmed Premium Seating upgrade for an additional $775 USD one way.

If two people are traveling together on the same qualifying international itinerary, the American Express International Airline Program is still one of the best values in travel today. One person pays full fare and the second pays for taxes only. If your budget permits and you need to travel in business class, this is definitely worth the card's annual fee. If you are traveling solo or not an American Express card holder, you can still find incredible values in air travel directly from the airlines or your travel agent if you plan and book well in advance (50+ days) and secure what are known as "Z" fares. These confirmed business class seats offer considerable savings over full fare business. Please check with your preferred airline as they are subject to availability and may be identified by another fare code depending on the airline. Please note that these fares do carry restrictions and are not fully refundable like regular business class fares and have hefty change fees in the range of $400.

TRANSPORTATION UPON ARRIVAL AND WITHIN JAPAN
Once you arrive in Japan you will find that all transportation runs like clockwork. If you are arriving at Tokyo Narita or Haneda the Airport Limousine Bus is the most convenient and economical door-to-door transfer option. If you are traveling to Asakusa or Ueno from Narita, you might want to consider the new Airport Super Shuttle at an incredible one way fare of only JPY 1,000 ($13 USD).

If you are arriving at Kansai International Airport and traveling to Kyoto you might want to consider the Yasaka Kansai Airport Shuttle which offers door-to-door airport transfer service for JPY 3,500 ($44 USD). The other service available in the Kansai region is the MK Skygateshuttle with similar fares and services.

The best value in travel in Japan continues to be the Japan Rail Pass. This pass must be purchased outside of Japan before you arrive and you can select from Regular or Green "First" Class and durations of 7, 14 or 21 days.

When traveling to the ancient capital of Kyoto, I always encourage my clients to try traditional accommodations like a ryokan or Japanese inn which are so unique to Japan. They offer an intimate glimpse of Japan's great tradition of hospitality, but often at a significant cost. Another option is to stay in one of Kyoto's beautiful traditional machiya or townhouse. IORI KYOTO MACHIYA STAY is an excellent source for a wide variety of traditional residence-style accommodations located around the ancient capital. Kyoto is also home to one of the most extraordinary designer capsule hotels - 9HOURS. I recently spent several nights at this amazing showplace of great design where your room rate is based on the total number of hours you stay. The concept is 1 hour to prepare for bed, 7 hours to sleep, and 1 hour to rise and shine = 9Hours. When I arrived at the sliding glass doors at the establishment in Teramachi, I felt as though I was about to walk into their homepage - check it out!

If you want to experience the most unique loft living in the world, you might want to consider the REVERSIBLE DESTINY LOFTS in Tokyo designed by the international design team of Arakawa + Gins. Words do not even begin to adequately describe the residences, so I will just encourage you to check them out for yourself. They have dedicated two units for rental for visitors to Tokyo.

CUISINE - TOKYO HAS MORE MICHELIN STARRED RESTAURANTS THAN ANY OTHER CITY IN THE WORLD

2011 Michelin Guide: Tokyo, Kamakura & Yokohama
Finding a good value in food in Japan can sometimes be a daunting task given the current exchange rate. I have advised my clients over the years that the best deals are the set lunches offered at hotels, restaurants and cafes throughout Japan. So have your big meal in the middle of the day and eat light for dinner - the healthier alternative that will stretch your yen. One major enhancement to the 2011 MICHELIN guide for Tokyo, Yokohama, and Kamakura is the new pictogram. It indicates a starred restaurant offering a menu under 5,000 yen ($60 USD) for lunch and/or dinner. Diners can enjoy gourmet meals for as little as 5,000 yen maximum per person. "Value for money" is one of five criteria to select star restaurants, and the new pictogram serves readers to find local eateries at affordable prices. There are 95 restaurants (81 in Tokyo, 7 in Yokohama and 7 in Kamakura) with a pictogram in the guide. This is more than a third of the restaurant selection.

I hope you find this information useful in planning your next journey to Japan. Safe travels!

26/02/2021

Japanese Style Restaurant

Visit Japan Guide

16/03/2021

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16/03/2021

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