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5 Traditional Japanese Villages to Explore
The rural area of Japan is quite worth an exploration. Many villages in Japan have typical Japanese styles. Although they are quite far away from big cities, you can enjoy enchanting natural views and interesting life in these villages. Here I recommend you 5 amazing Japanese villages that you shou…(475 words)
Alexlovetravel
Japanese Massage Etiquette to Enjoy a Relaxing, Stress Relieving Moment
Just last week, I’ve experienced another massage establishment called “Minnanotemomi”. Minnanotemomi mean’s roughly everyone’s massage and the massage they did for me was excellent caliber, yet one of the most inexpensive fees that I’ve came across thus far during my stay in Japan. A very well …(392 words)
AustinA
1920's Japanese life style house
I visited a museum near where I live....retaining the old lifestyle from 1920s. http://www.showanokurashi.com/Even for me who was born and grew up in Japan, it was quite interesting....when I visited there, a volunteer interpreter who knows the people lived there, was willing to share his …(307 words)
Zara
The Top 8 Places to Beat Summer Heat in Japan
Where do Japanese love to visit to avoid summer heat in Japan? I searched the top 8 summer resorts loved by Japanese including Furano in Hokkaido, Okinawa, Karuizawa and Hakone, which are famous among foreigners, but also some hidden places like Okutama, Kamikochi and Nasushiobara that you may not …(757 words)
Alexlovetravel
The interesting relationship between Japanese culture and sweet, delicious strawberries
Strawberries are one of the many fruits produced all over the world. Strawberries are also produced in Japan, and Japanese strawberries tend to be very sweet and it is possible to eat them raw. One small bite of these strawberries will lead to an expansion of sweetness in your mouth.Generally s…(324 words)
DeepJapan Editor
Yakimono: Japanese Pottery and Porcelain
Japanese pottery and porcelain, often referred to as 'Yakimono', is as beautiful as it is useful. It's also one of the world's oldest art forms dating back to the Neolithic period."Yakimono means fired thing. It's an important term that encompasses the entire ceramic culture of Japan," states t…(254 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Love Stones at Jishu Shrine in Kyoto
Jishu Shrine is located near (or I would say within) Kyoto's Kiyomizu Temple. Dedicated to the deity of love and matchmaking, the love shrine is always crowded with many couples and especially young girls praying for luck in love. There are two love stones in front of the shrine, placed 18m apa…(223 words)
EmiOnishi
Azalea: Tsutsuji - Spring Flowers in Japan
Sakura is famous in the spring, but after the cherry blossom time in Japan another flower takes over. In April azaleas colour Tokyo with their bright flowers.When I read Chiara's post "Local Secret: YaNeSen" here I realised that she was describing places that I had just visited. "The stroll fro…(195 words)
David
Hanami at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo
The Japanese garden at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo is one of the best places to see all kinds of Japanese flowers throughout the year. Of course, it is also an excellent place to see sakura - cherry blossoms.The first picture is from the Ninomaru Japanese garden. You can always visit this beau…(308 words)
David
Tokyo's Yamanote Line: More Than You Ever Wanted To Know
Cruise through the pages of Deep Japan, and you'll find tons of advice on how to ride the trains and get to where you're going. But, did you ever stop to think about *how* and *why* the train system in Japan became like it is? There are way too many train lines to count, and each line has its o…(968 words)
jdlawrence
Top 5 Awesome Things About Akihabara
Ah Akihabara, a very unique spot of Tokyo, Japan. Many people flock to this flashy decorated part of the metropolis each for their own special reasons. An uninformed one may be intimidated by the strange sight of Akihabara, or Akiba as it's known to familiars. What makes this area of Tokyo so speci…(1402 words)
Alex Kobayashi /Subtokyo
Don't go Nude!
In Japan, the concept of nude tanning at beaches does not exist. They call this mittomo nai, or unsightly. It is acceptable to go shirtless or wear a bikini. At the same time, if you go to a remote beach, then there is nothing to worry about. But definitely don't go nude at a major public beach…(97 words)
KurtisW
Beautiful Kyoto
Beautiful Kyoto“Kyoto is a beautiful city where you discover small temples and shrines around the corner. One step inside and you are in another world, free from the noise of the city, stressless, peaceful. All it takes is a walk along Kamo River, and some curiosity to look around the corners…”…(358 words)
DeepJapan
Hadaka Matsuri, a.k.a "The Naked Man Festival"
On the third Saturday night in February, the annual Hadaka Matsuri is held at the Saidaiji Kannon-in temple in Okayama Prefecture. This year's festival will be held on February 21st, 2015.Originating in 1510, this historic festival is also one of Japan's largest Naked Man festivals. In fact, na…(349 words)
Andrea Miyata
Dockyard Garden A stone-built dock constructed at the same time as the Port of Yokohama
Yokohama Landmark Tower came into existence as the new symbol of Yokohama. At the foot of the tower is the Dockyard Garden. This is a reconstruction of the “No. 2 Dock of the Former Yokohama Dock Company”, the oldest stone-built commercial dock in Japan, and has been recognized as a nationally desi…(768 words)
Kanagawa P.G.T.D.
Portable ashtray
Cigarette butts constitute a huge amount of the garbage that fills our streets, parks, and oceans, all over the world. Japan is no exception to this, as although there is a small amount of littering, cigarette butts are still a common site, especially in the shop and club-heavy downtown areas like …(160 words)
KurtisW
Hokuriku Shinkansen - Gran Class is fabulous even for Japanese!
Gran Class is only on Tohoku Shinkansen and Hokuriku Shinkansen. Each train has only 18 seats of Gran Class.Let me put it this way.Normal Reserved Seat - Coach ClassGreen Car - Business ClassGran Class - First ClassAs mentioned, there are only limited number of seats of this class on…(239 words)
KIH
The secret behind the deliciousness of Sano Ramen is in the water
Ramen is one of the most popular dishes in Japan. There are various types of ramen. Some have soy sauce as the main ingredient of the broth. Others have miso as the main ingredient. The thickness and thinness of the noodles are different with each ramen. Ramen is loved all of the Japan. Recently, r…(265 words)
DeepJapan Editor
Spectacles of Saitama: 4 Spots to Feel Saitama's Culture and Nature
Located directly northwest of Tokyo, Saitama is often confused with simply being a part of Tokyo, but it’s a city of its own, offering all sorts of exciting locations, attractions and activities. Today we’d love to share a few of those places with you! First, we’ll take you downtown to the largest …(936 words)
DeepJapan Editor
Kameido Tenjin's birds for good fortune
Kameido Tenjin Shrine （亀戸天神社） is known as a shrine for people who wish for success in their studies, like passing exams. On January 24 and 25, the shrine has a special event, the usokae-shinji （鷽替神事）. Similar festivals are held at a few shrines in Japan, in Tokyo also at Yushima Tenjin, Ja…(241 words)
David
JR Kyoto Station - Futuristic architecture masterpiece
If you only pass through the platforms of Kyoto Station, you miss out to explore this impressive building, the third largest train station in Japan (Ref: 1st: Tokyo, 2nd: Umeda). The whole building was constructed on the 1200th anniversary of the capital's foundation in Kyoto.If you come by tra…(267 words)
EmiOnishi
Tokyo Doitsu Mura
I never have figured out why places, that are clearly not in Tokyo, are still designated as "Tokyo" something or other. Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea are in Chiba folks, not Tokyo. That being said, Tokyo Doitsu Mura or German Village (in the middle of Chiba Prefecture) is the best place to visi…(153 words)
Kevin
Fierce Protectors of Temples - Nio Statues 仁王
When I come to a temple in Japan, I always stop to take a look at the Nio statues standing guard at the gates. Nio 仁王 means Benevolent Kings. These are fierce-looking protectors, looking like demons or warrior-gods. Sometimes they are life-size and sometimes they are impossibly tall and stron…(193 words)
David
Horseback riding on the beach
Summer is around the corner and the temperature is rising day by day.Time for us to plan our summer vacation. (maybe already done?)Japan is a mountain country surrounded by sea...so we can reach both mountains and beaches easily. Either way is good to escape the summer heat.This time I ch…(298 words)
Zara
Street Photography in Japan
Almost everyone enjoys taking photographs. In Japan, I would venture to say that EVERYONE enjoys taking photographs! Whether it be the camera embedded in modern smartphones or high end digital SLRs, cameras have become an integral part of our lives. And so has photography. My dad was an avid photog…(1485 words)
Ani
Where History Meets Art in One Tokyo Landmark
There's no shortage of art galleries in Japan, but in upscale old-school Ginza, there's one that goes back, waaaaaaaaay back.The Okuno Building, built in 1932, was originally constructed to serve as a luxury apartment complex. It has miraculously survived the bombings of World War II, as well a…(449 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Harmony with Nature at Yokohama's Acclaimed Zoo
Zoorasia is one of Japan's newest, largest and best maintained zoos. Zoorasia was established in 1999, and has since been operating under the themes of "Symbiosis of Life" and "Harmony with Nature". The animals, which number some 400 animals and 68 different species, are generally kept in spacious …(261 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Omikuji - Take Only Good Luck With You
Omikuji - おみくじ - are fortune papers from temples and shrines that offer advice for your health, career, and good luck in general. There are positive ones - marked kichi 吉 - and negative ones - marked kyou 凶. The most positive one is the daikichi 大吉, the big fortune.You can find omikuji …(310 words)
David
Mitarai - Hiroshima's Best Kept Secret
Connected by a set of scenic bridges to the mainland, the historic island town of Mitarai sits on the eastern outcrop of Osaki Shimojima Island in the Seto Inland Sea. The island is home to the much-coveted Ocho Mikan - a popular brand of orange only produced on this island. The island's loudsp…(340 words)
Tom Miyagawa
Hidden gems in Hiroshima and Okayama Prefectures
Ushimado seaside town, Setouchi City, Okayama“Setonaikai is the Japanese Inland Sea and Setouchi City in Okayama Prefecture faces this beautiful part of the coast in West Japan. When you visit Hiroshima or Himeji Castle, extend your trip and spend some quiet time here. The part of Setouchi call…(513 words)
DeepJapan
When Waiting for Trains at the Tokyo Train Stations...
I am originally from a small town in Fukuoka prefecture, so when I visited Tokyo for the first time two years ago, I found some surprising “rules”.For example, when waiting for trains at the train station platform, you have to line up where the train doors are expected to open. I did not know a…(133 words)
Natalie
Mt. Fuji shows its superb view around Lake Kawaguchiko.
Mount Fuji was designated as an UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage Site in 2013.Mt. Fuji has been popular destination among overseas tourists. But many of Mt. Fuji tours offered to them are actually Hakone tours to view Mt. Fuji from Lake Ashi which is located at 30km south west of the mountain. …(841 words)
Hagi
Amazing Kyoto- Sanjusangendo Hall
Sanjusengendo hall is the MUST visit spot in Kyoto among many sightseeing destinations.A large, wooden statue of a 1000-armed Kannon (Senju Kannon) sits in the center of the main hall and there are 500 statues of human sized 1000-armed Kannon standing in ten rows on each side. To walk through t…(166 words)
EmiOnishi
Kumamon, the Japanese Bear Character of the Kumamoto Prefecture
Kumamon from Kumamoto Prefecture might be a benchmark for how to bring the genki back to regional areas battling the power drain that comes with ultra-ageing and decreasing populations.I visited the Kumamoto Prefecture Tokyo Representative Office in Nagatacho the other day and “upbeat” is the best …(722 words)
5@example.com
Explore a back street of Shibuya, and you’ll find secret restaurants.
If you want to visit Shibuya and find a secret place where few tourists are seen and only locals are around, I'd like to recommend the Hyakkendana area in Shibuya’s Dogenzaka town. Hyakkendana means “100 stores” and this used to be the busiest area in Shibuya more than a half century ago. Actually …(512 words)
Hagi
Craze for Friendly and Cute Rabbits
T he rabbit is a popular animal in Japan. Many rabbits show up in Japanese fairy tales and children’s stories. Wild rabbits can’t be seen in the center of large cities, but most pet shops have rabbits. In order to get closer to them, some people go to rabbit cafes or visit an island that is home to…(497 words)
HiraganaTimes
Let a Lion Bite Your Head (for Good Luck)
If you could use a little more good luck, let a lion help you. Lions protect many shrines and temples in Japan. The dance of the lion dispels evil and calls in good luck. For an extra dose of good luck put your head in the lion's mouth and let it bite you.This is the lion dance, shishi-mai, at Kame…(250 words)
David
Sakura in Asakusa
Denbouin Garden will be opened to public from mid-March through early May. This Japanese garden is usually closed. The best time will be late March or early April when Sakura blooms. (The photos in this page are taken in late March or early April last year).entrance fee: 300 yentime: 10:00 - …(123 words)
Keiko, OTT
Quick and easy things to do in Yokohama #2
In 1858, Yokohama became the first Japanese port to open its doors to international trade. In time, it became the industrial bosom of Japan. Then, in the 1960s, the city decided to transform itself - yet again - from an industrial center to an international hub to rival Tokyo. The Yokohama Landmark…(287 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Hatsune Miku Wing Shop in Haneda Airport
Open til end of March, the virtual diva Hatsune Miku has not one, but two shops dedicated to her merchandise at the Haneda International Airport! There is one Wing Shop in the domestic flights terminal as well as one in the international terminal. So Hatsune Miku fans traveling from/to Japan as…(137 words)
Alex Kobayashi /Subtokyo