2024 Japan Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in November)

A Late Merry Christmas at Tokyo's Roppongi Christmas Market

This year, I visited the Christmas market in Roppongi, Tokyo. The Roppongi Hills attempted to recreate the world's largest Christmas market from Stuttgart, Germany. However, I was a bit disappointed as the market was quite small, with only 4 or 5 little stalls. Each stall had long queues of people. The introduction mentioned over 2,000 types of goods, which seemed to refer to the numerous small ornaments, as one stall could easily have 2,000 items. My friends and I left after less than 15 minutes. Although there were promised delicacies and mulled wine, the lines were too long, so we opted to see the lights near the station instead. The silver-blue neon lights were stunning and perfect for photos. However, the Tokyo Tower at night was lit in Christmas-themed colors, with the top in orange-red and the bottom in green-blue, which was quite amusing. Three years ago, I visited Sapporo, Hokkaido, during winter. The Christmas market there was huge, and we spent an entire afternoon exploring it. There were plenty of delicacies and many exquisite decorations, along with snow sculptures nearby. I recommend anyone wanting to experience a rich Christmas atmosphere in Japan to visit Hokkaido.

Tokyo's Exclusive Christmas Illumination is Back!

Roppongi Hills Christmas 2024 features Tokyo's winter specialty, a 400-meter-long Keyakizaka illumination! Event period: 2024.11.07-2024.12.25. Time: 17:00-23:00. Venue: Within Roppongi Hills facilities (such as Roppongi Keyakizaka Street). Nearest station: Roppongi Station (5-minute walk). #Japan #JapanTravelGuide #Tokyo #TokyoTravel #Roppongi #Christmas #TokyoLife #Tourism #Travel

2024 Hokkaido Sapporo Snow Festival Preview | November–February.

| November–February. Hokkaido's winter is full of ❄ winter festival activities. If you're traveling to Japan, you must visit Hokkaido in winter. Today, we bring you a preview of Sapporo's winter events in Hokkaido~ [⭐Main Events] 1️⃣2025 Sapporo Snow Festival (75th) This is a must-see event in Sapporo. The park is filled with various ice and snow sculptures, and the lights at night create a great atmosphere. 📆: February 4–11, 2025 : Odori Site: Odori Park Tsudome Site: Tsudome Susukino Site: Sapporo Ekimae-dori 2️⃣2024 Sapporo White Illumination The annual White Illumination Festival ✨ makes every place shine brightly ✴ with the lights. 📆: Ⅰ: November 22–December 25, 2024 Ⅱ: November 22, 2024–February 11, 2025 Ⅲ: November 22, 2024–March 14, 2025 : Ⅰ: Odori Park Ⅱ: Sapporo Ekimae-dori Ⅲ: Minami 1-jo Dori 3️⃣2024 Sapporo Munich Christmas Market The White Illumination Festival overlaps with this event, so you can enjoy both. Various Christmas-themed items, food, and drinks are sold. 📆: November 22–December 25 : Odori Park, Satellite Site 4️⃣Sapporo Factory Giant Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony The Christmas tree at Sapporo Factory is huge, decorated with many ornaments. It looks very heavy, and the changing lights create a great atmosphere. 📆: November 2, 2024 : Sapporo Factory Atrium 5️⃣Otaru Snow Light Path Every February, a "❄ Snow Light Path" is illuminated with candles, creating a fairytale-like town~ It's truly magical. 📆: February 8–15, 2025 : Otaru Canal, Former Temiya Line, Asarigawa Onsen 6️⃣Sapporo Culture Night Many events will be held, including the "Sapporo Theater Festival" by multiple groups and some musicals. 📆: November 1–30, 2024 : Sapporo Ekimae-dori Underground Walkway, Sapporo Community Plaza, Various Theaters in Sapporo 7️⃣Jozankei Snow Light Path Snow lanterns made by locals fill the entire road, creating a very romantic and warm atmosphere ❤ 📆: Late January–Late February, 2025 : Jozankei

Kyoto Night Maple Viewing: A Photographer's Recommendation

If you can only choose one place to view night maples in Kyoto, photographers recommend "To-ji Temple." It's the only temple that allows the use of tripods for night maple photography. The temple's red leaves, clear pond, and five-story pagoda are all worth seeing. The temple grounds are spacious, allowing visitors to spread out, so it doesn't feel too crowded. The best viewing period is until December 6th, so photographers looking to capture night maples shouldn't miss this spot! 【Tickets and Timing】 📅 November 1, 2023 (Wednesday) to December 10, 2023 (Sunday) 🕙 18:00 to 21:30 (last entry at 21:00) ❗️People start lining up around 5 PM, but the entry process is quick, and by 6:30 PM, you can enter directly. 🎫 1,000 yen 📍 1 Kujo-cho, Minami-ku, Kyoto City, To-ji Temple (Kyo-o Gokoku-ji) A 15-minute walk from JR Kyoto Station. 【Photography Tips】 - Hasselblad X1D2 XCD45 - Sony a1 FE24-70gm2 - Tripod, shutter release - Remember to keep warm! #KyotoTravel #KyotoNightMaples #KyotoAutumnLeaves

Explore the Stunning Autumn Foliage at Toji Temple in Kyoto!

Today, I visited Toji Temple in Kyoto and was amazed by the vibrant red maple leaves! The photos are unedited and live! 🍁 As the only remaining structure from the Heian period in Kyoto, this temple is steeped in history, having stood for over a thousand years. The 55-meter-tall "Five-story Pagoda" is the tallest wooden structure in Japan. While many people know Toji for its cherry blossoms, the autumn foliage here is equally breathtaking! It's within walking distance from Kyoto Station, so if you arrive in the afternoon like I did, you can head straight over. The combination of the red leaves and the sunset truly embodies the essence of Kyoto! Entrance fee is 800 yen. #RomanticLifeRecorder #LivePhotos #KyotoTravel #KyotoAutumnLeaves #KansaiTravel #Kyoto #JapanFreeTravel #KyotoWalkingGuide

The world is never short of "beauty"

In this world, beautiful scenery is everywhere, especially in autumn Kyoto. During this season, Nijo Castle and To-ji Temple in Kyoto become excellent spots for viewing maple leaves. Whether in the sunlight of the day or the illumination of the night, the maple leaves show different charms. To make the most of this wonderful weather, planning a trip to Kyoto is a great choice. Remember to check the weather forecast in advance and choose a sunny day to set off, so you can better appreciate the beauty of the maple leaves. Additionally, traveling during off-peak times is also a good idea to avoid crowds and enjoy a more peaceful viewing experience. Finally, don't forget to bring your camera to capture these beautiful moments. #KyotoTravel #MapleViewing #NightMaple

Special Opening: Kyoto Toji Temple Night Maple Light Show

If you're in Kyoto recently, don't miss the night maple light show at Toji Temple. Although there are quite a lot of people visiting (surprisingly crowded at night 😂), the reflection of the five-story pagoda and the maple leaves on the lake is truly stunning. 🎫 Tickets are priced at 1000 yen for adults and 500 yen for middle school students and below. 📅 The event is open from November 1 to December 10, 2023. 🕧 Opening hours are from 18:00 to 21:30. #HighQualityPhoto #MapleSeason #JapanCarRental #JapanFreeTravel #KyotoMaple #MapleLeaves #JapanTravel

- -Seconds to enter the game world is really fun and good to shoot from Universal Studios Japan.

Universal Studios Japan has a total of 10 parks, namely Hollywood, New York, San Francisco, Jurassic Park, Small Town Friendship Village, Universal Wonderland, Water World, Minion Park, The Wizarding World of Harry PotterTM, Super Nintendo WorldTM and works unique to Japan. Compared with the Universal Studios Beijing that many people have been to, the location of Universal Studios Japan is not in Osaka, but it is still very fast to take a tram from major stations such as Shinsaibashi and Namba. Like us, we live in Kitahama, and it takes about 30 minutes to arrive. Therefore, if you only buy a 1-day ticket, there is no need to live near Universal Studios. The time we chose was a non-holiday peak period, so we basically played all the projects we wanted to play in 1 day. Universal Studios Japan and Universal Studios Beijing have a high degree of repetition, so I just pick some not so- -like to talk about. The first is definitely Super Nintendo WorldTM. If you are a tourist who has not bought EP and guarantee tickets like us, it is recommended to arrive at the entrance of the studio before the opening time. The actual opening time will be 1-1.5h earlier than the official announcement. As soon as the park opens, immediately sprint to the Super Nintendo WorldTM park. If you catch up with the first batch, you don't need to draw tickets. At the same time, you can check the App on the way. If you have already prompted to draw tickets, please don't ignore it. It is the most secure to leave a guarantee for yourself. Of course, if your primary goal is to ride a project like the Eagle Horse Flight or the Hollywood Dream Ride, which will take a long time to queue up later, you can also draw a ticket for Mario here on the way there. Then about the interactive wristband, our suggestion is to rent but not buy. . Up to 45 yuan, you can rent for 15 days if you choose to mail, and you can send it back after returning to China. After having the interactive wristband, the whole game participation is really super high, almost restoring the scene in the game. If you want to take pictures at other locations, I suggest here that you might consider coming again in the afternoon? The weather is good and the scenery is invincible and beautiful, but it is really not easy to take pictures of people in the dazzling sunlight. The second is the Japan-limited Demon Slayer in the Hollywood Park. The main amusement facilities are "Demon Slayer XR Ride" and "Demon Slayer Pillar Training x Hollywood Dream Ride". The queuing time is definitely the TOP level of the entire studio, but I have to admit it is really fun. The XR ride is a VR roller coaster in other words, without rolling, occasionally a few sprints and sharp turns, with a strong sense of substitution. The Dream Ride is one of the most exciting roller coasters. It is a linkage version of the Hollywood Park and the Demon Slayer IP. There will be voices in the anime when the car is launched. It is a must-play for partners who are not afraid. There is also Detective Conan in Hollywood. We only experienced one facility, "Detective Conan 4D Live Performance Show Star Gem", which I personally think is also a suitable place for rest and summer heat. In general, I think USJ is suitable for the off-season. The flow of people on the day we went was not large. After 3 pm in the afternoon, the Super Nintendo WorldTM park no longer needed to organize tickets, and the queuing time for other popular projects was basically within 50 minutes. There were almost no people in the EP channel, and the experience was really much better than during the holidays. d.

WANDERING THROUGH JAPAN IN AUTUMN

#fallcolors Autumn in Japan is a breathtaking season marking the displays of yellow, red and orange as the leaves change color. The season typically lasts from September to November. So, if you are planning to visit during autumn, do plan well. The weather in autumn is pleasant and the stunning fall foliage certainly encourage visitors especially from warmer climates countries, to come to Japan and enjoy this romantic season. With autumn being our favorite season, year in and year out, we never fail to visit, either Japan or Korea. But this year, our plans remain uncertain. #100waysoftravel #myhiddengems #autumn

APA Hotel Keisei Ueno Ekimae

If you frequently travel to Japan, you've likely heard of or seen APA Hotels in various districts of Tokyo. Ueno is another area where you'll find the APA Hotel Keisei Ueno Ekimae. This 3-star hotel is in a prime location, just a 5-minute walk from Ueno Station. Guests can also choose rooms with a view of the lake. Each room is well-equipped with amenities such as free WiFi, a flat-screen TV, a refrigerator, an electric kettle, a work desk, and a private bathroom. Breakfast is also available. Additionally, the hotel is close to Ueno Park and the popular shopping area Ameyoko. If you stay here, you'll likely shop till you drop!

The Best Value BBQ Restaurant in Kyoto Shijo!!

Yakiniku Market Kōji (Kiyamachi Branch) - Four of us ordered two sets, added three portions of meat and side dishes, and were completely satisfied (I even got tired of eating), and it only cost 556!! Such a great deal! And it's in Kyoto Shijo! Highly recommended! The top set in picture 3 was recommended by a Chinese student next to us, so we followed suit, and it was really delicious. The meat was very tender and smooth. In China, this quality of meat would cost at least a thousand yuan! Ladies, hurry up and go!! You can walk in at noon on weekdays, but to be safe, you can make a reservation on Dazhong for 30 yen (refunded the next day). Today is Wednesday, we went at 12:30, and there were still plenty of seats~

Ine Town, Japan: A Serene Travel Spot Ideal for June 2024

Ine Town🇯🇵 is located in the northeastern part of the Tango Peninsula, primarily known for its fishing and tourism industries. It is said to be the setting for the story of Urashima Taro and also the landing site of Xu Fu, a Chinese sage from the Qin Dynasty, when he arrived in Japan📍 Ine is quite remote and considered a less popular tourist spot within Kyoto Prefecture, resulting in very few visitors and a tranquil environment. The main reason visitors, like the guy with bushy eyebrows, make the trip to Ine is to see the unique traditional architecture, the 'funaya' or boat houses.🏚️⛺️ The funaya are two-story buildings constructed along the coast, with the first floor serving as a small boat dock for mooring boats, and the second floor as living quarters for fishermen. However, as times change, the first floors are now often used as garages.

Japan Chartered Tour to Ancient Capitals + Tokyo + Mount Fuji for 7 Days

There are different beautiful sceneries in Japan throughout the year. How to choose for the first trip to Japan? 💕 If you want to see traditional Japan, then the street scenes of ancient capitals like Kyoto, Nara, and Kamakura are highly recommended. 💕 If you are interested in modern cities, then the skyscrapers and modern facilities of Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya will satisfy you. This time, we have arranged a 7-day itinerary that perfectly combines traditional and modern sightseeing routes. - 👉 Highlights of the 7-day Japan tour: -- Stay in city center hotels in Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, and Osaka, convenient for shopping and night tours. -- Stay 1 night in a high-quality hot spring hotel, enjoy beauty and health benefits, fully experience the traditional Japanese hot spring fun, and create unforgettable memories. 🌟 Special gourmet feast Japanese BBQ, hot spring kaiseki cuisine, sukiyaki, Kyoto yudofu, Mount Fuji local cuisine, a feast for your taste buds. 🌟 Visit the most classic attractions in Tokyo, Kamakura, Mount Fuji, Nagoya, Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka, including popular spots: [Kamakura High School Station] 🌟 [1:1 18-meter-tall first-generation Gundam model] Kyoto [Kiyomizu Temple] and [Fushimi Inari Shrine] - 👉 7-day Japan tour itinerary: D1 From around the world to Osaka Kansai Airport D2 Osaka-Kyoto-Nara Osaka Castle Park Shinsaibashi Dotonbori Nara Todaiji Temple, Nara Deer Park Fushimi Inari Shrine, Senbon Torii D3 Kyoto-Nagoya Kiyomizu Temple Ninenzaka Sannenzaka Ancient Street Gion Hanamikoji Street Heian Shrine Oasis 21, Nagoya TV Tower D4 Nagoya-Mount Fuji Mishima Skywalk Mount Fuji Fifth Station Oshino Hakkai Earthquake Experience Hall or Mount Fuji Museum Kawaguchiko Oishi Park D5 Mount Fuji-Kamakura-Yokohama Enoshima Kamakura High School Station Enoshima Electric Railway Experience Kamakura Komachi Street Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine Yokohama Yamashita Park 1:1 18-meter-tall first-generation Gundam model D6 Yokohama-Tokyo Asakusa Kaminarimon Sensoji Temple Nakamise Shopping Street Akihabara Anime Street Imperial Palace Outer Garden Nijubashi Ginza D7 Tokyo Narita-Haneda Airport to around the world Return to your warm home

Fairytale Alike Village in Japan 🇯🇵

#japantrip 📍Shirakawa-go, Japan Visited Shirakawa-go, which is also known as Shirakawa village while travelling to Japan and we were in awe the entire times that we were here! It is a rural mountain village surrounded by mountains. The unique architectures called Gassho-zukuri farmhouses were nicely built in the land of Shirakawa-go, whereby no nails or any other metal materials were used during the construction of the house! The village is almost like it is straight out of the fairytale with its snowy mountains, snow-covered rooftops of the farmhouses. The panoramic view of Shirakawa-go was absolutely stunning and breathtaking. We spent 2 days here and couldn’t get enough of the sight! Would definitely recommend this place! 10/10!

Travel Tips and Taboos in Japan, make sure to take advice

👀 Before traveling to Japan, it's necessary to understand some essential information to avoid unnecessary trouble during your trip. 🚫Taboos: 1️⃣ Do not make loud noises in public places 2️⃣ Do not eat on the streets 3️⃣ Do not spit in public 4️⃣ Do not disturb others on public transport 5️⃣ Do not smoke in public places ✅Tips: 1️⃣ Please do not walk on the bicycle lanes 2️⃣ Please do not touch the decorations of shrines or temples arbitrarily 3️⃣ Please do not swim in hot springs or enter wearing a swimsuit 4️⃣ Please do not make loud phone calls in public places 5️⃣ Please do not use mobile phones or cameras in toilets 📍20 Must-Do Things in Japan 1️⃣ Stroll through Tokyo's busiest street—Omotesando 2️⃣ Taste authentic sushi and ramen 3️⃣ Visit Shimane Prefecture in Okayama Prefecture to see the beauty of Matsue Castle 4️⃣ Dress up in a kimono for a photo 5️⃣ Watch a traditional Japanese Kabuki show 6️⃣ Visit ancient shrines and temples in Kyoto 7️⃣ Go to Osaka's Tsutenkaku to overlook the city's beautiful scenery 8️⃣ Try grilled eel and takoyaki 9️⃣ Enjoy skiing and hot springs in Hokkaido 🔟 Visit Senso-ji Temple and see the famous Kaminarimon 1️⃣1️⃣ Go to the foot of Mount Fuji to see the World Heritage Site—Mount Fuji 1️⃣2️⃣ Explore Hiroshima and Nagasaki to understand history and culture 1️⃣3️⃣ Experience traditional culture in Japan's small towns 1️⃣4️⃣ Go on a pilgrimage in Shikoku to see ancient temples and beautiful scenery 1️⃣5️⃣ Have a fun time at Tokyo Disneyland 1️⃣6️⃣ Visit the lovely zoos in Hokkaido 1️⃣7️⃣ See Japan's lantern festivals and fireworks 1️⃣8️⃣ Go to Lake Kawaguchi to see the reflection of Mount Fuji 1️⃣9️⃣ Visit the modern high-tech city of Nagoya 2️⃣0️⃣ Eat salmon and crab in Hokkaido 📍Places Not to Visit in Japan 🚫Places not to visit: 1️⃣ Do not go to worship 2️⃣ Do not visit private residences or buildings 3️⃣ Do not go to some entertainment venues 4️⃣ Do not go near nuclear power plants or hazardous areas 5️⃣ Do not go to places of illegal trade ✅Must-know: 1️⃣ Please do not take photos near train stations and bus stations 2️⃣ Please do not take photos of others in public places 3️⃣ Please do not cross the fences of public facilities 4️⃣ Please do not litter in public places 5️⃣ Please do not feed animals in public places 🌸 Hope this helps you, and wish you a pleasant trip in Japan!

Tokyo Kawaguchiko Kyoto Osaka Trip

Traveling through multiple cities in Japan during October: Tokyo (Art aQuarium, science museum, Asakusa, Tokyo station, Shibuya), Yokohama (Gundam), Kawaguchiko (music forest museum, Oishi park), Gotemba outlet, Oshino Hakkai, Kyoto (Kiyomizudera, Kinkakuji), and Osaka (USJ, Tempozan, Kaiyukan, Osaka castle). Travel between cities is by car, and within cities, the Subway is used.

Don't go to Tokyo, these smaller cities in Japan are more interesting!

I've been living in Japan for almost a year without realizing it. In addition to the well-known Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, I've also visited quite a few smaller cities. Here are some of my personal favorite small cities for those who are struggling to decide where to go (in no particular order) ⭕ Takamatsu Takamatsu is the capital of Kagawa Prefecture in Shikoku, and it was the first place I visited on my trip to Japan 10 years ago. It has a famous nickname as the hometown of udon noodles, so you can enjoy various kinds of udon here. Also, the triennial 'Setouchi Triennale' art festival is an event not to be missed, and from Takamatsu Port, it's very convenient to travel to treasure islands such as Shodoshima, Naoshima, and Teshima. ⭕ Kochi It could be said to be the most low-key capital city in the Shikoku region. This is the hometown of the anti-shogunate warrior Sakamoto Ryoma. During my half-day city walk in Kochi, I truly felt the city's tranquil atmosphere. Additionally, I particularly like Kochi's trams, which have super cute liveries. ⭕ Tokushima Tokushima is also a place I visited on my first trip to Japan. The Awa Dance is a local specialty here, and you must see it. Also, the Iya Valley is a great place to escape the summer heat. ⭕ Onomichi A small city facing Shikoku across the sea from Honshu, it has both mountains and sea, and cycling is very popular here. Cycling from Onomichi to Shikoku's 'Shimanami Kaido' is known as Japan's most beautiful cycling route. Ramen and oysters are local specialties here. Oh, and Yasujiro Ozu's famous work 'Tokyo Story' was also filmed in Onomichi. ⭕ Kanazawa The largest city in the Hokuriku region of Japan. It is also a city with a 'high gold content.' Ninety-nine percent of Japan's gold leaf is produced here, so you can buy various gold leaf products, including food and drinks containing gold leaf. Additionally, one of Japan's three great gardens, Kenrokuen, is also located in Kanazawa. ⭕ Saga Saga in Kyushu is often rated as one of the cities in Japan with the least presence. But after going to Saga, I fell in love with it. Saga's ramen and Wagyu beef are really delicious, and the key is that they are much cheaper than in big cities. A double portion of Saga beef for just over 5000 yen is incredibly tempting. ⭕ Hakodate I've been to Hakodate twice, once in autumn and once in winter. Compared to Sapporo, Hakodate is much more interesting. From Mount Hakodate, you can see the million-dollar night view, and Goryokaku Park is a treasure with beautiful scenery all year round.

🏧 Withdraw cash in Japan Youtrip, no fees!

🏧 Withdraw cash in Japan with Youtrip card Free! Fee Until June 30, 67 When you run out of money, you can exchange it in the app via your mobile phone. 🇯🇵 💳 With Youtrip card, we can exchange money into the travel card whenever we want, gradually until we go. Very convenient, you can do it through the KBank app. The rate is very good. 💳 When in Japan, you can only withdraw cash from the Youtrip card because you can withdraw cash in Japan at the white 7Bank ATM. I withdrew at the airport, which has a machine. I also use it to swipe to buy products. The deduction is immediate. You can check it in the app. 🆓 Free ATM withdrawal fee abroad Until June 30, 67. (ATM) How to withdraw cash at a 7Bank ATM 1. Insert the card and wait a moment. 2. Select Thai language. 3. Press Withdraw money. 4. Press Loan. 5. Enter your PIN or card number. 7. Enter the desired amount. Then wait to receive cash. #youtrip #Kbank #7Bank #Osaka #tokyo #japan #missjapan #traveltogether #DoMore #traveljapan #sakura2024

Charter in Tokyo city area

✅Recommended routes in Tokyo city area Shinjuku Gyoen - Meiji Shrine - Yoyogi Park - Kabukicho Asakusa Temple - Akihabara - Ueno Onshi Park - Tokyo Sky Tree Tokyo Tower - Imperial Palace - Ginza - Tsukiji Market One-day tour of Tokyo Disneyland ✅Two-day tour route of Izu Atami: D1: Tokyo - Atami Castle - Jōgasaki Coast - Ōmuroyama - Shirahama Coast - Stay in Izu D2: Izu - Dōgashima - Koibito Misaki - Jōren Falls - Shuzenji - Tokyo ✅Two-day tour route of Mount Fuji and Hakone: D1 Tokyo - Mount Fuji one day (Stay in Mount Fuji or Hakone hotel) Tenjō-yama Park - Arakura Sengen Shrine - Hidaka Toki Clock Shop - Oshino Hakkai - Lake Yamanaka D2 Hakone - Ōwakudani - Lake Ashi - Hakone Shrine - Tokyo ✅One-day tour route of Kamakura Route one (classic gameplay) Komachi Street - Tsurugaoka Hachimangu - Kamakura Daibutsu - Hase-dera - Kamakura High School Mae Station - Enoshima Route two (historical ancient temples) Engaku-ji - Kenchō-ji - Hokoku-ji - Komachi Street - Kamakura Daibutsu - Hase-dera - Enoshima

Get ready for the autumn leaves 🍁

As summer's warmth begins to wane, a spectacular transformation sweeps across the Land of the Rising Sun. Japan's autumn foliage is a masterpiece of nature, a breathtaking symphony of reds, yellows, and oranges that paints the landscape in vivid hues. 🇯🇵✨ In this post, we'll be your guide to experiencing the enchanting autumn leaves in Japan. Discover when and where to witness the mesmerizing spectacle of autumn leaves as they create a stunning tapestry of colors. 🍁🍂 According to the Japan Meteorological Corporation's official forecast, the peak time for momiji (Japanese red maple leaf) viewing in Tokyo will be around November 30. On December 3, Osaka will follow, and by December 11, the maple leaves in Kyoto will be in full bloom. Around November 8, Sapporo residents should anticipate the crimson momiji to sparkle. For the golden ginkgo leaves viewing - Hokkaido, the northernmost prefecture of Japan, will experience the first autumnal transitions around November 6, when Sapporo's ginkgo trees will begin to bloom. According to the prediction made on September 4, Tokyo's bright ginkgo display will occur around November 25. Kyoto's leaves will peak around November 27, while Osaka's ginkgo trees are anticipated to peak one day early on November 24.

Basic Japanese Phrases for Travel

It's always helpful to learn a few basic Japanese phrases to make your Japan travels smoother and more enjoyable. While many Japanese people speak English, knowing a few key phrases can go a long way in showing respect and making connections with locals. Here are some essential Japanese phrases to help you get started: Hello - こんにちは (Konnichiwa) This is a standard greeting that can be used throughout the day. Thank you - ありがとう (Arigatou) This is a polite way to express gratitude. Excuse me - すみません (Sumimasen) This can be used to apologize, get someone's attention, or ask for help. Yes - はい (Hai) This is a simple way to agree or confirm something. No - いいえ (Iie) This is a polite way to decline or disagree. Please - お願いします (Onegaishimasu) This can be used to make a request or ask for a favor. Goodbye - さようなら (Sayounara) This is a formal way to say goodbye. Do you speak English? - 英語を話せますか？(Eigo wo hanasemasu ka?) This can be used to ask if someone speaks English. How much is it? - いくらですか？(Ikura desu ka?) This can be used to ask for the price of something. Where is the bathroom? - トイレはどこですか？(Toire wa doko desu ka?) This can be used to ask for the location of the restroom.

Shinoyoshida station

Was at shimoyoshida station while I was in kawaguchiko and you can take really nice pictures of the mountain even from just the train station. Looks so magical and it was definitely a great experience. Train frequency here is really slow but there is a room for you to sit inside while waiting for the train. So it is not too bad. The trains are also very beautifully decorated as seen in the wallpapers and have many different cute designs like Japanese anime naruto and even Thomas the train Cartoon.

Kawaguchi asama shrine

I hiked up the kawaguchi asama shrine when I was at kawaguchiko and it was a really long hike up filled with stairs. There is an alternative slope platform but there were too many rounds and it’ll take a longer time. The steps were not extremely steep hence still manageable. You can visit the shrine and take some nice pictures. Halfway through the hike you will be able to catch a nice view of Mount Fuji if you are in luck. Suggest coming here if you have time.

hike up to tenku no tori

#wecreate I tried hiking up to the famous tenku no tori gates during my trip to kawaguchiko Japan. it is recommended to drive up if possible otherwise the hike up is actually quite steep and takes a bit of a time. you will also need to hike down afterwards as there’s no nearby public transport. require a fee to go in to take some nice pictures and unfortunately there’s no sight of Mount Fuji on the day that I went. nevertheless it was a good experience and view up there was nice and pretty. will recommend checking the weather forecast before coming for a nicer picture! and of course to drive if possible.

Japan's top hidden mountain resort hotel.

Hidden in the misty mountains, Japan's top resort hotel | RokuKyoto Located in northern Kyoto, Japan, RokuKyoto resort hotel was designed by BlinkDesignGroup, a design firm based in Bangkok, Thailand. The slender columnar web structure, inspired by the swaying bamboo in the wind, creates a vivid scene that connects guests with nature.

Five-day tour of Northeast Japan | Don't waste a single minute of your JR PASS① ||| It was a spur-of-the-moment decision to go to Northeast Japan with friends. The first thing to do is to buy the JR PASS Tohoku 5-day ticket (except for foreign tourists, foreign residents in Japan can buy it with just their passport). For each trip on the Shinkansen, you can use this coupon to exchange for a designated seat at the machine or window. Unlimited exchanges (should be). We exchanged for a train in advance but missed it, so we directly exchanged for the next train at the machine without any problem. This step is worth noting: please please keep this JR PASS safe, because once it is lost, there is no way to retrieve it except to buy a new one. (My friend lost it on the second day and had to buy a new one, which was very sad.) Next, let me share our five-day-four-night itinerary: ❄️DAY1: Tokyo → Sendai → Morioka First, I went to the Northeast to check out the statue of Lu Xun, and next to the statue was the Lu Xun Museum, where they had his report card from back then, haha! After leaving the university, I searched for a highly rated restaurant nearby and had a lunch of beef tongue prepared in two ways, grilled and stewed, for just over 1,000 yen, which was very satisfying. Then I took a bus to the area near the Da Guan Yin temple, where you can actually go inside and see over 100 small Buddha statues. After that, I had a sweet soybean dessert near Sendai Station and ordered a soybean milkshake to take on the Shinkansen. In the evening, I chose to stay in Morioka, where the hotels near the station were very cheap and they even gave me a 2,000 yen voucher. I went to a restaurant that served Morioka cold noodles and ordered a set meal of cold noodles and grilled meat, which just happened to use up the voucher. ❄️DAY2 Morioka → Hachinohe → Aomoriya Actually, I wanted to go to the Tenshotei Art Museum that day, but I overslept and didn't have time, so I could only leave regrets. I went straight to the Hachinohe Shokudo Center seafood market when I arrived in Hachinohe. There is a special bus for 100 yen at the bus stop, which takes about ten minutes. Then you can buy seafood in the market and rent a grill to cook and eat by yourself. The rental fee for the grill is 400 yen per person, and it comes with basic soy sauce and salt. Eat on time and take the bus back to Hachinohe Station (remember to plan the time to stay in the market, as the bus runs once an hour). I booked the Aomoriya hotel, which has its own courtyard. It's beautiful when it snows, and there is a sleep demon lamp. You can take a half-hour walk around and come back to the starting point, where there is a footbath to soak in. Back at the hotel, you can continue to soak in the hot spring and drink apple juice. I made an appointment in advance for the Sleep Demon Festival performance, which costs 1500 yen per person. ❄️DAY3 Aomoriya → Aomori → Akita Take a bus from Aomori Station to Aomori Prefectural Museum of Art. Although we only had a brief visit due to time constraints, I really enjoyed the atmosphere and many cute details of this museum. When we returned to the station to take the Gonō Line, we found out that the starting section was suspended due to heavy snow. A bit confused, we asked the station staff who told us to take another bus to a certain station and then catch the Gonō Line from there. We had reserved a private compartment on the Gonō Line in advance, and although the weather was bad that day, there was a unique beauty to it. We slowly enjoyed the sea view all the way to Akita. We had planned to eat the famous Akita dish "Kiritanpo Nabe", but because I was lazy and didn't make a reservation, we couldn't eat at the designated restaurant.

Lovely views of Mount Fuji 🗻

With today’s weather forecast predicting clear skies, we proceeded with our day trip plan to visit Mount Fuji right after landing in Japan and leaving our luggage at the hotel. A 150-minute train ride & a 30-minute shuttle bus ride later, we were along Lake Kawaguchiko and witnessing the snow-capped volcano in its full glory 😍 Sipping on hot coffee latte whilst munching on handmade muffins, we watched in silent amazement as the sunset slowly bathed Fuji in gorgeous hues of yellow. The 2-way journey was time-consuming, but it was definitely worthwhile. 富士山がとてもきれいです! 🏔❤️

fuji mountain

Land of the Rising Sun 🇯🇵

Been to Japan for a few days. It's really a great experience for me. I went to a lot of places in Tokyo (Akihabara, Asakusa, Shinjuku) + Kyoto. Nice people, nice view, and nice environment. Their hospitality is really good, they are really helping even though both of us have language barriers. Am planning to go again probably next year 😅 (or 2024). There are still a lot of places I wanna be. #wintergetaway #urbanexplorer #japan

Fast Speed Train

#celebratewithtrip The Shinkansen, commonly known in English as the ‘bullet train’, is an icon of Japanese design and technology. The Shinkansen rail system link up with all cities in Japan making it convenient to get around and fast . Interval timing also fast average 15min per train . Food and drink are sold on board and they are washroom too. If you pay more you will have a reservation seat. If not free seating also available.