|  Okutama
– A Treasure House of Nature Only Two Hours
From Tokyo
Tokyo, as most people know, is a busy cosmopolitan
city with a population of over 10 million people,
but there is much more to the capital city than just
high-rise buildings. The town of Okutama, located
in the extreme western part of Tokyo, can be reached
within about two hours by train or car. Here, you
will see the other side of Tokyo, a world full of
beautiful nature. ...
|
 Tsukiji–Entertaining
Fish Market
It may only be a station away from the affluent and
cosmopolitan streets of Ginza, yet Tsukiji couldn’t
be more different. The area is a no-frills working district
with a distinctly old-Tokyo feel that has become popular
with Japanese and foreign tourists alike, thanks in
large part to being the undisputed seafood capital of
Tokyo (Tsukiji Market). ... |
 Kamakura
– the Beautifully Scenic First Shogunate Capital
Take a train heading south from Tokyo for about 1 hour
and you will get to Kamakura, the old Shogunate capital
of Japan. MINAMOTO no Yoritomo, who became the first
Shogun in Japan, created a Kamakura shogunate in order
to carry out his political aims. From that time, Kamakura
became a center of politics and economics but its power
gradually waned when the Minamoto clan fell from power
after Yoritomo’s death. ... |
 Akihabara
– Exciting Town of Two Faces
Walking through Akihabara Station’s Electric Town
exit on a Sunday afternoon can be like walking into
a fancy dress party. And a noisy one at that. Girls
in French maid outfits pose for cameras as they hand
out flyers and vie for attention with wannabe pop idols
and loudspeakers bellowing out the latest deals to be
had on electronics. ... |
 Unveiling
the Secret of Kusatsu Onsen
Kusatsu is a town like no other in Japan and it has
a secret that must be personally experienced to be understood.
The townsfolk are in on the secret and are more than
happy to share it with visitors. So, just why are the
people of Kusatsu so enthusiastic about their home?
... |
 Experience
the World of Geisha at Ito Hot Spring Resprt
Surprisingly to many foreigners, geisha culture does
not only exist in Kyoto. Visitors to Ito, a famous hot
spring resort situated on the Izu peninsula less than
two hours by train from Tokyo can experience the delights
of this mysterious world. ... |
 Cruising
Tour of Shiretoko, Newly Registered Natural World Heritage
In 1971, a song "Shiretoko Ryojo" (Shiretoko
Traveling Sentiment) sung by well-known Japanese actor
MORISHIGE Hisaya, and singer KATO Tokiko became a big
hit and motivated many Japanese to travel to Shiretoko,
Hokkaido, a part of Japan that is now in the spotlight
again as a beautiful sightseeing spot. ... |
 Spirited
Away to Enchanting Ehime!
Ehime, situated in the northern part of Japan's southern
island of Shikoku, has a population of about 1.5 million,
and contrary to popular belief, is not only famous for
some of the best mikan (mandarin oranges) in Japan.
... |
 Kyoto
Private Taxi Tours in English
In Kyoto, Japan's most renowned sightseeing spot, a
taxi tour in English is gaining attention. DOI Naoki
of Doi Taxi became a taxi driver in Kyoto, his favorite
town, 15 years ago. ... |
 Get
Lost in Rural Japan, No Translation Necessary
When foreign tourists think about Japan, an image that
often springs to mind is that of the Bill MURRAY character
in the movie "Lost in Translation" wearily
floating through Tokyo, bewildered by Japan and Japanese
people. ... |
 Small
Towns Also Should Provide Information in Foreign Languages?
After traveling to a town in northwestern Japan recently
with my Japanese wife something very interesting struck
me - there were no other foreigners in sight. There
was also very little signage or information in foreign
languages. ... |
 Popular
Tokyo Tour with an English-speaking Guide
Getting around the lively metropolis that is Tokyo can
be a real mission in itself, let alone discovering the
history and background of the sites you see. If you
are new to Tokyo, or even if you are a long-term English-speaking
resident with limited Japanese, how can you visit and
find out more about Tokyo in your own language? ... |
 Volunteer
Guides Helping Tourists Explore Historic Asakusa
Only a few minutes walk from the Sumida River in Tokyo's
eastern district of Taito lies one of the city's cultural
jewels - the temple town of Asakusa. While this town
and nearby Ueno flourished during the Edo period (1603~1868),
they were very nearly bombed out of existence by the
American military in WWII. ... |
 In
Residential Tokyo - Is There Really a Ryokan Where Half
the Guests are Foreign?
Ryokan Kangetsu is located 35 minutes on train south
of central Tokyo (two minutes walk from Chidoricho Station,
Tokyu-Ikegami line). Walking up the stepping stones
and going through the entrance gate, you will see a
Japanese garden which helps create a typical Japanese
atmosphere. ... |
 Jeanie
Fuji: An Exceptional Okami in Yamagata
Set in the hills of Yamagata Prefecture with its gorgeous
mountain scenery, Jeanie FUJI of Fujiya Ryokan takes
you back to a time where simple comforts and pure relaxation
can make you forget the chaos of the city. ... |
 Though
Mt. Fuji has not been appointed as a World Heritage
site .
Recently, many Japanese have been taking overseas holidays.
Every country has some attractions to boast of. For
instance, in the resort of Hawaii there is Waikiki beach
and the fula dance, while for a long time Japan used
to be known for Fuji-yama and geisha. ... |
When I reached the top
of Mt. Fuji ..
The first thing that strikes you when you get off the
plane at Narita is a sign that says "Foreigners."
It's something that if you dwell on it, can affect your
mindset about what you're about to experience. Fortunately
this is my second time to Japan. I remember the first
time I visited, I was continuously asking myself, WHY?.
... |
 WANTED:
10 Million Tourists!
The emergence of Japan on the international stage in
the form of animation and movies, and the explosion
in popularity of Japanese cuisine and culture around
the globe has been largely responsible for the record
number of foreign tourists coming to Japan. ... |
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