Stay - DeepJapan

Advice about Stay

Licensed To Drive..Finally!!

This article was originally published on my blog site on January 2008. Please come and visit http://mirai.hayashi-web.net to see more about my experiences in living and working in Japan.About 6 years ago I attempted to get a Japanese drivers license, since I was still driving with an internati…(4721 words)

MiraiZ

[A Highly Recommended Glamping and Camping Site for the Family: "THE FARM"]

Recently, “glamping” (glamorous camping) and camping have become very popular among Japanese families and couples. If you wish to unwind from the hustle and bustle, and want to experience something the locals themselves enjoy doing, consider a staying a few nights at "THE FARM" in Chiba's Katori Ci…(692 words)

CHIBA-KUN

Minshuku, the Best Way to Experience Japan

There are many different kinds of ryokan/minshuku in Japan and you can see definitions of them at http://JapaneseGuestHouses.com/ryokan-styles/Personally I like minshukus best as they small and more personable. The owners run the minshuku and cook the meals. They take great pride preparing meal…(141 words)

Jeff Aasgaard

Visit the amazing Kururi-jo Castle and explore the history at Kururi-Joshi Museum!

Personally, I love the way visiting different castles in Japan brings centuries-old history to life. Recently I visited “Kururi-jo Castle”, located in Kimitsu City of Chiba Prefecture. If you're a fan of Japanese castles too, I'd certainly recommend taking a visit there, especially if you enjoy tri…(563 words)

CHIBA-KUN

Bed and Breakfast Japanese Style!

The prices of Japanese inns (ryokan) and bed and breakfasts (minshuku or pensions) vary depending on the place. Some of the famous ryokan in the atami or izu area will cost you 1000 dollars per night. These places will definitely have superb service including traditional meals using fresh local ing…(197 words)

GenS

Recycling is good for our living enviornment

The positive attitude towards recycling system will change our action completely. It will be really easy to seperate burnable and non-burnable once we get used to it. I was still seperating all the trash when I was visiting America since I can never mix everything again once I have done it all the …(144 words)

JennyS

Kusatsu Onsen: Rated No.1 of Japan’s 100 Best Hot Springs for 12 consecutive years !

Kusatsu Onsen in Gumma Prefecture is known as one of Japan's three best hot springs. By the way, Arima in Hyogo Prefecture and Gero in Gifu Prefecture are the other two locations. These three were originally described by a priest in the classical poetry anthologies of Shokoku-ji Temple in Murom…(530 words)

ZEROIN -INTERNSHIP

Conbini Trashcans

If you are a resident of Japan, throwing away your household garbage at a convenience store is somewhat scorned. You may ask, "why use a convenience store?". Many wards and cities in Tokyo require that you purchase special garbage bags for your household trash, with a large bag running about 100 ye…(187 words)

KurtisW

Japanese Traditional Bed and Breakfasts: Minshuku

A minshuku is a traditional Japanese bed and breakfast. Minshuku can be found all over Japan but are common especially in tourist spots. Unlike larger ryokan, which are more like traditional Japanese hotels with hot springs and other facilities, minshuku are usually run by the family and are small.…(197 words)

GenS

Fujiya Hotel: A Resort Hotel in Hakone, a Hot Spring Resort Outside Tokyo.

Have you ever seen that snowed in beautiful period piece hotel in the film "The Shining", where in the Winter months Jack Nicolson and his family are the lone caretakers of the hotel? Now can you imagine an hotel even more classic and beautiful, during the Spring and Summertime months, with no Nico…(517 words)

Andrew Grimes

Escape to Hotel Moon Beach in Okinawa

Beach resorts aren't usually the first thing tourists associate with Japan, but this country has many beautiful beaches with resorts to match. One such resort is Hotel Moon Beach, located on the west coast of Okinawa.This expansive resort seems to go on forever, with multiple shops, a swimming …(398 words)

Petra

Uji-kintoki is best in summer!

Japanese shaved ice is called kakigori. There are a variety of flavors, and a traditional kind is Uji-kintoki which is flavored with green tea syrup and anko (sweet azuki beans). Kakigori is available in a wide range of quality: ranging from average quality found at the local grocery, to high q…(90 words)

EmiOnishi

HANAMI (a MUST-DO)

THE thing to do in Japan during the spring is hanami. Even as a Japanese who has lived and grown up in Japan, I am still astounded by the beauty of the cherry blossoms. It can be difficult to estimate when the cherry blossoms will fully bloom, because the condition changes depending on the temperat…(212 words)

RieS

Natsumatsuri and Suika Wari - like a local

During the summer, other than going to the beach and pool, there are two things that I love to do:1) Go to natsumatsuri (summer festival). These are festivals held throughout the country to celebrate the summer season. Many Japanese women wear yukata (traditional Japanese summer clothing) (men …(208 words)

RieS

Kusatsu Onsen: Rated No.1 of Japan’s 100 Best Hot Springs for 12 consecutive years ! (2/3)

There are three bathing styles unique to Kusatsu. They are jikan-yu , Agari-yu and Awase-yu. Guests are encouraged to enjoy these about 3 times per day and try to remain in the onsen for an extended to take a full advantage of the special curing properties.Jikan-yu: These are timed baths where…(466 words)

ZEROIN -INTERNSHIP

Soba Noodles: More than Meets the Eye

If asked “what is my favorite Japanese dish?” I always tell people it’s soba noodles. I’ve never given much thought to the process behind the making of the noodles themselves. What actually goes into the making of Japanese soba noodles? Preparing this traditional Japanese favorite, although a very …(411 words)

CHIBA-KUN

Sushi With a Special Twist

Sushi for all intents and purposes is synonymous with pretty Japanese cuisine, which specifically is fairly significant. Many people the world over basically enjoy this delicious really Japanese treat every day in all corners of the globe, which is quite significant. However very few may particular…(453 words)

CHIBA-KUN

Home Yakiniku

One of the best ways to have a home party in a small space is having a home yakiniku party. It doesn't take much. All you need is a ¥4,000 hot plate and a table. chairs optional as you get the best experience from eating while sitting on the floor. You can cook yakiniku outdoors if your bal…(188 words)

The Landlord

Japan has most national holidays in number around the world!

Here are the list of national holidays in Japan - 2013 version. Wow - We have 16 holidays in total, which is the biggest in number around the world!January 1 - New Year's DayJanuary 14 - Coming‐of‐Age DayFebruary 11 - National Foundation DayMarch 20 - Vernal Equinox HolidayApril 29 …(145 words)

EmiOnishi

Manga Stores, the New Fun Hotels in Japan

Manga kissa or manga cafes can be found all over Japan. For about 300 yen an hour (the price depends on the place) you can use all facilities, which includes a private cubicle with a mattress, thousands of manga, DVDs, a personal TV, personal computer, internet, and games. Some places also have a s…(105 words)

GenS

Japanese public Holidays

Who doesn't love Public Holidays, especially those Japanese salarymen who have to work so hard all the time. It's a nice break for family to have an outing and dining when they couldn't be together so often. The most important Japanese holiday are as follows. Normally people are avoiding travel to…(241 words)

JennyS

Enjoy “Setsubun” (Bean throwing ceremony)!

“Setsubun” is the day before the first day of spring, which falls on February 3rd. In the evening of this day, we throw roasted soy beans inside and outside our houses with a cry of "Fuku wa uchi, Oni wa soto!" meaning "Out with the devil! In with good fortune!" Sometimes, we pick someone to play a…(101 words)

OKAKI-sun

Monthly/weekly mansions

Many years ago I was in a situation where I needed a place to stay for a few months. Regular hotels would be too expensive so I looked around and discovered monthly weekly mansions. These are apartments that allow you two rent by the week or the month and only require identification unlike regular …(101 words)

Kenji

The must-do of Japan: get a "hair-spa"

Or when you want to relax, enjoy time for yourself, get a nice hair brushing, refresh, get rid of your jet lag, all you need to do is pick up one of the numerous hair salons and ask for a head-spa.It takes 2 hours of your time, but, it is totally worth it. The hairdressers in Japan are doing ma…(187 words)

Claire

Hoeiso ryokan in Hakone

Hoeiso is a ryokan, a Japanese traditional style inn, situated in the beautiful green mountains of Hakone, right by a river. Hoesio is a family owned Ryokan, opened in 1956, with around 20 rooms that are big enough to fit a family. Enjoy indoor and outdoor onsen, and feast on traditional Japanese d…(170 words)

Emelie Fågelstedt

Nabe parties and Barbecue parties.

Japan has a big restaurant industry with all kind of cuisines of the world, besides many good 24 hour options of packaged food from convenience stores, bento shops and super markets. More over as Japanese homes, especially in Tokyo, tend to be small, home parties are not so common and people tend t…(210 words)

Sanjeev Sinha

Delicious foods

A variety of delicious foods are harvested during Autumn in Japan. You can go out to rice paddy, fields and mountains to enjoy harvesting rice, mushrooms and potato. To cook and eat such foods with your friends is an awesome way to enjoy the season.(45 words)

OKAKI-sun

Some of the best food in Japan

The high class hotels such as Pan Pacific and Intercontinental in Minatomirai have quality food from Japan, Italy, France and China with amazing service. If you're willing to pay the price for some of the best food in Japan, I suggest going to a restaurant in a hotel. For celebrations, my family of…(83 words)

RieS

2000 Yen: One Night, Unlimited Manga

It is debatable as to whether a manga kissa can be considered a "lodging facility". The original idea of a manga kissa began as a cafe where you can relax and read manga. Now, you can pretty much do anything at a manga kissa. First of all, you are assigned a comfortable and private little booth wit…(149 words)

GenS

Experience the Unique Joy of a Traditional Japanese Hotel

If you stay at a ryokan (traditional japanese-style hotel), you will come across many unique services. The two I enjoy the most are the baths and the yukata. Any ryokan will have a large bath for all of the customers to share. The bigger ryokan will have an actual hotspring while others may just ha…(138 words)

GenS

New Year's like a true local

If you want to have a relaxing winter, I recommend staying at a ryokan with a “kotatsu.” Kotatsu are tables with a futon and a heater that keep your feet (and therefore your body) warm during the cold winter months. Families often stay under this and eat mikan (a type of tangerine sold during the w…(108 words)

RieS

Make Mochi! A Fun New Years Family Event in Japan

In my opinion, there is nothing better to do in Japan during winter than participate in "mochi-tsuki" and eat fresh and delicious mochi. Mochi-tsuki is a Japanese New Year's tradition and events will be held around the first of January. Usually "Mochi-tsuki" is hosted by the neighbourhood communit…(123 words)

GenS

Stay in a Japanese Hotel Without the Extra Costs

If you are interested in saving some money on accommodation but you still want to stay at a minshuku (Japanese bed and breakfast), consider doing "sudomari". Typically, a stay at a minshuku will include at least one meal. Although this meal will probably be very delicious, made using the best local…(96 words)

GenS

Try a Family-Run Bed and Breakfast in Japan

"Minshuku" or Japanese bed and breakfasts have similar origins to bed and breakfasts. Minshuku began with families living by tourist areas providing one or more of their extra rooms as accommodation for tourists. Thus, minshuku were family-run and toilet and bathing facilities would be shared among…(104 words)

GenS

Find Out Why Family-Run Hotels are So Comfortable in Japan!

There aren't any strict manners that you wouldn't have to follow at a regular hotel but do at a Japanese bed and breakfast or minshuku. However, the unique aspects of a minshuku create some space for extra things you could be mindful about. First of all, minshuku are almost always family run. They …(173 words)

GenS

Tokyo area resorts

There are a very wide variety of resorts around Tokyo. Of course, the accessibility varies greatly, when even getting across Tokyo itself by public transportation can take well over an hour.For the resort areas closest to Tokyo, most residents on the west side show a preference for Hakone, whi…(184 words)

mikekato

PIPING HOT YAKIIMO!

Other than observing the leaves change color from green to brown, red and yellow, to me autumn means delicious food. My favorite thing to do in autumn is to wait for the yakiimo (cooked sweet potato) truck come around town, selling piping hot sweet potato. The smell of the sweet potato wafts to you…(102 words)

RieS

Stay in Minatomirai

One of the nicest hotels are Pan Pacific and Intercontinental Hotel in Yokohama, Japan. Although not in Tokyo, it is right smack in the middle of Minatomirai, a district with a breathtaking night view and amazing experiences. From these hotels, you can easily access any of the main facilities/build…(118 words)

RieS

Go for some magic at Tokyo Disney Resort

The resort that I would like to go to the most would be the Disney Resort. This way, I can go to Tokyo Disneyland and Disneysea one after another as well as enjoy the services offered at the Disney Resort. There are three hotels with different themes - one in Disneyland, one that has an old-fashion…(108 words)

RieS

Oakwood Residences-Great for senior executives staying in Japan for 1-6mons!

Oakwood are luxury serviced apartments for senior executives. great locations around the city. Amazing service. Lots of support staff. http://www.oakwood.com/serviced-apartments/international/JP/212/Tokyo.html(28 words)

LShannon