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Nagashi-Somen, Delicious Noodles in Japan

One of the best things I like about Japan is that the 4-season weather system is clearly reflected in the culture. In fall, you enjoy the changing colors and the sanma. Winter is for oranges in a warm kotatsu at home. Spring, is of course SAKURA. Summer has multiple cultural highlights too. Waterme…(286 words)

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Somen noodles Japan Summer Kids Outdoor recreation Children Beer Spring Winter

Best Soba in the Middle of Nowhere, Japan

Just last week I had the best soba in my life in the middle of nowhere, a five minute walk from Nakagami station on the Ome line. I was on a business trip on the way to a meeting at the Akishima city water purification facility. For those of you who have no clue where akishima even is, it is in the…(449 words)

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Soba noodles Japan Tachikawa Showa Kinen Park Tokyo Train Restaurant Park

Best Izakaya in Yokohama, Japan

By far my favourite izakaya is a place in Yokohama called Camp Yokohama. As its name may suggest, this particular izakaya is camping themed. Which of course means, MEAT! GOOD MEAT! CHEAP MEAAAAT!!Anything you order here is awesome, from the jumbo sausage (300 yen) to the lamb. What makes it e…(398 words)

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Yokohama Izakaya Drink Beer Sake (Rice wine) Kanagawa Shochu Camping Barbeque Nomihoudai (All you can drink)

World's Most Comfortable Economy-class Seats on Skymark Airlines

When I boarded my Skymark airline flight last weekend for a short trip down to Fukuoka, I was shocked by how large the economy seats were. Initially I miss took the economy seats to be business class seats and kept going till the back of the place. Skymark used to be the low quality, cheap-o ai…(231 words)

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Skymark Airlines Airline Cheap Travel Trip Business Fukuoka Stay Japan

Cheapest Places for Karaoke in Japan

Karatetsu is my go-to karaoke place. The reasons are clear. 1. Cheap2. Carries one of the most number of songs, which is perfect for someone like me who enjoys singing songs in English.The prices are pretty mind-blowing in comparison to places like Shidax or Big Echo that charge 650yen/30mi…(338 words)

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Karaoke Singing Japan Cheap Party Drink Trip English view Yen

Best Way to Enjoy the FIFA World Cup in Japan

Are you a soccer fanatic, bummed out that you won't be in Brazil to witness the excitement of the 2014 FIFA World Cup? Don't worry, even if you're here in Japan, on the opposite side of the globe, there are ways to thoroughly enjoy the world cup. You must go to one of the multiple Public Viewing ev…(290 words)

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Fifa World Cup Public Viewing Sports bar Tokyo Shibuya Event Sport Odaiba Play Soccer

Are You a Roller Coaster Fanatic? Don’t Miss Fujikyu Highland in Japan

Located in Fuji Yoshida, right below Mt.Fuji, Fujikyu Highland is world renown for its multiple award winning rides. This brief description of each of the crazy rides at Fujikyu will surely get you on that bus leaving Shinjuku early in the morning to the land of mind-blowing rides. FujiyamaAs…(366 words)

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Fujikyu Highland Roller Coaster Japan Bus Mount Fuji Amusement park Haunted House Tokyo Bus Trip

Tokyo Kichi: A Hidden Dinner Spot in Shibuya

Its been almost an year since I took my girlfriend to Tokyo Kichi and I still can’t forget the wonderful experience we had there. We decided to go after noticing a high rating on “tabelog” (Japanese version of yelp). Honestly, it was a challenge to find it at first. Although it was near the ent…(178 words)

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Tokyo Shibuya Dinner Restaurant Drink Italian cuisine Risotto Date night Cocktail

The Perfect Birthday Dinner at Antonio’s, Minami-Aoyama, Japan

For my mother’s Birthday last night, my sister and I decided to treat her to a special dinner at Japan’s oldest Italian restaurant, Antonio’s. We couldn’t have left more satisfied, a truly five-star experience. Antonio’s was originally established in 1944 by Mr. Antonio who was a chef for the I…(259 words)

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Dinner Birthday Japan Tokyo Restaurant Cuisine Food Italian cuisine

An Exciting Evening of Baseball at Yokohama Stadium in Japan

With the commencement of the interleague baseball season, I got to go and watch the Softbank Hawks from the Pacific league challenge the Yokohama DeNA Baystars at their home stadium in Yokohama last week. While I’ve seen baseball games at many of the stadiums in Japan, I find a unique friendly char…(354 words)

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Yokohama Baseball Park Spring Game Okonomiyaki Food Kanagawa Sport Yokohama Stadium

Beach Rentals in Japan

Japan is a great country in terms of public facilities. Transportation is easy and efficient and parks are well-maintained. Surprisingly though, beaches often lack facilities like public showers and changing rooms. Even if these are present, ther are usually overcrowded in the summer season when it…(189 words)

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Beaches Japan Sea Transportation Public facilities Summer Food

Hospitals in Japan

You will be lucky to find a hospital with good English support in Tokyo. Good hospitals are everywhere in Tokyo but only the larger ones will have English support. However, there is no problem if you access this page:http://www.himawari.metro.tokyo.jp/qq/qq13enmnlt.aspThis site is made to p…(126 words)

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Hospital Japan Tokyo City Police Public facilities English Lucky

Need Medical Help in Japan

This website is a Tokyo city website dedicated entirely for foreign patients seeking medical help in Tokyo. Perfect for you! It is in English and you can search for any hospital in Tokyo. There is also a phone number you can call incase you cannot find a hospital and another number you can call to …(79 words)

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Hospital Japan Tokyo City English Metro

Futon, Onsen, and Dinner in Japan

Futon, onsen, and dinner are the three reasons I choose to stay at ryokan over other lodging facilities. Usually at ryokan, you get to sleep in a tatami room in futon. Since I usually sleep on a bed at home, it is a great feeling to kind of return to my Japanese roots and sleep in a futon. Futon at…(238 words)

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Futon Onsen Japan Japanese inn Kimono Lodging Milk Sashimi (Raw fish) Yukata (Light kimono) Visit

Look for the "Uketsuke", Hospital Care in Japan

Although my experience at hospitals in other countries is limited, I don't think the process at a Japanese hospital is particularly unique. All you have to do when you get to a hospital is to find the "uketsuke" (front desk), which is usually located right by the entrance, and talk to a nurse about…(212 words)

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Hospital Japan Visit English Stay Doctor health

Shimbashi, the Yakitori Haven in Japan

If you go to the Shimbashi area at night, you will find numerous funky little izakaya and eateries filled with Japanese salarymen letting go after a long day of work. Yakitori is considered a great snack to eat along with drinking alchol and so these izakaya usually have yakitori. When a bunch of i…(122 words)

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Yakitori Japan Tokyo Izakaya Walk Eat style Work

Yokohama City Bus in Japan

Since I was born and raised in Yokohama, I can tell you economic ways to use the Yokohama city buses. As a tourist, the best way to ride buses economically would be to purchase a one day pass. These special passes are available for sail on board the bus. A one day pass costs 600 yen in Yokohama. Wi…(187 words)

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City Yokohama Bus Tokyo Yen

Everything about Trains between Yokohama and Tokyo

Born and raised in Yokohama, I know a lot about trains running between Yokohama and Tokyo. Here is a list of each of the trains with shorts explanations.JR1. The Tokaido LineThe Tokaido line is the fastest way to get from Yokohama to Tokyo. Between Yokohama station and Shinagawa station, it…(425 words)

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Tokyo Yokohama Train Shinjuku Shibuya Asakusa Airport Chiba Haneda Airport Ikebukuro

For Business: a Full Suit in Japan

Pretty much every businessman in Japan wears a full suit to work everyday. This is what allows the domestic suit company Aoyama to boast that it sells the most number of suits among all suit companies around the world. In Japanese business, not only are results considered important, but also attitu…(163 words)

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Japan Business Businessman Summer style Work

Go to Kamakura in Japan

If you are interested in learning about the Kamakura period, there is nothing more you can do than to actually go to Kamakura. From Tokyo, Kamakura is less than an hour away towards Yokohama on the Yokosuka line. Just one train ride to the former capital of Japan. When you arrive, you will definite…(268 words)

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Kamakura History Tokyo Train City Yokohama Building Museum Sea Kanagawa

Watch Hanabi while cruising the Sumidagawa river in Tokyo, Japan. Perfect for Summer Fireworks and amazing memories.

A Yakatabune is a narrow and flat but long, Japanese-style boat used to hold arties. Yakatabune are popular, especially to hold business related parties. A company would hire one yakatabune and then employees would hold a party on the boat. These boats cruise leisurely on rivers, like the Sumidagaw…(186 words)

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Tempura Yakatabune Yokohama

Shimokitazawa, Great Bars in Japan

Shimokitazawa is my favorite "shitamachi" (downtown or local) area in Tokyo. It is only about 10 minutes on the Keio Inokashira line from Shibuya and is a popular hangout spot, especially among the youth. There are numerous chic and funky bars and restaurants in the area and has a nice ambience til…(114 words)

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Japan Shimokitazawa bars Tokyo Shibuya Roppongi Trip

Alta-mae Hiroba, Meeting Spot in Japan

When I go hangout with my friends in the Shinjuku area, we usually meet up at the Alta-mae Hiroba. This is an easy to find open space right outside of Shinjuku station's East exit. It is called Alta-mae because it is situated in front of a famous building called Alta. You can spot this building by …(98 words)

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Japan Shinjuku Building

A Nearby Combini in Japan

If you are in desperate need of a map or guidebook, look for a nearby convenience store (they are everywhere). You will definitely find one. However, selection is limited and finding an English guidebook or map would be rare. If you want an English guidebook or map, you will have a better chanc…(121 words)

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Convenience store Japan Tokyo Hotel Airport Visit English

Safety in Japan

I have heard from some of my foreigner friends that in some countries, people would rather avoid getting involve with the police than seek justice for a small problem. In Japan, you don't have to worry about the police taking advantage of you. Although they can be a hassle at times do the the amoun…(281 words)

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Police Japan Shinjuku lost emergency koban police station policeman

Don't Wear Black in Japan

In Japan, the color white is attributed to happiness and good times. Death is a time of mourning and so people must dress in the color of depression, black. Men usually wear a black suit with a black tie (dress shirt is usually white). Women are also usually in a black dress. Wearing a formal black…(129 words)

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Japan Clothes Shoes Kids Work used

Ueno Zoo, Fun Family-Friendly Zoo in Japan

Tokyo's most famous, most historic, and most popular zoo is Ueno zoo. It is an enormous zoo in the central Tokyo area and is a popular attraction among families, friends, and couples. The greatest draw since about last year are the pandas. Ueno zoo is the only zoo in Tokyo with pandas and in Japan,…(170 words)

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Ueno Ueno Zoo Japan Tokyo Park Cherry blossom Cherry Ueno Park Spring

Toshima Swimming Pool in Japan

Living in Yokohama, I rarely go to swimming pools in Tokyo. However, I have ben to Toshima swimming pool once and having quite a fun time. Toshima pool is more than just an ordinary pool. It is a waterpark. Japanese people have a thing for swimming pools and so there are many pools here in Tokyo an…(162 words)

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Swimming Japan Tokyo Park Yokohama Summer

Hamarikyu Garden, Beautiful and Ancient Garden in Japan

My favourite park in Tokyo is Hamarikyu Garden, right by Shiodome station. I was actually just there the other day and the scenery of the tranquil lakes with Japanese style bridges and gazebos was breathtaking. Entrance is only about 250 yen for and adult and the garden is perfect for a 3-4 hours o…(145 words)

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Japan Garden Tokyo Park Tea Asakusa River Green tea Visit

Roppongi Hills Toho Cinemas in Japan

The Toho Cinemas movie theater at Roppongi Hills is my favourite in Tokyo. The cinema is fairly new (about ten years) and shows the most English films in the Tokyo area. In Japan, U.S. animation movies are often dubbed into Japanese and only shown in Japanese. Only a selected number of theaters, in…(144 words)

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Roppongi Roppongi Hills Japan Tokyo Movie Film Miyazaki Visit English

Fast and Convenient Food in Japan

The "stand and eat" style tachigui soba restaurants are designed for the thousands of Japanese businessmen who do not even have time to sit and eat their meals. Everything is fast at a tachigui soba place. In my opinion, the speed of a meal at a tachigui soba restaurant dwarfs the "fastness" of a f…(344 words)

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Soba noodles Food Japan Restaurant Ticket Ramen noodles Udon noodles Ticket machine

Hungry? Eat Cup Noodle Ramen in Japan

I warn you first that this post is not really for you if your are a very health conscious person. One of the most popular quick meal options at the combini, especially among salarymen and male students, is cup noodle. At any combini, you will find a great selection of different noodles to try. …(169 words)

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Japan Eat Ramen noodles Udon noodles Food

Japanese Etiquette Of Exchanging Name Cards

In Japan, the exchange of name cards is much more than just exchanging contact information and is considered almost a ritual carrying great meaning. The way you exchange your card with somebody can greatly influence the impression they get of you. Exchanging cards the "proper" way will make the rec…(198 words)

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Etiquette Business Japan Guide

Scenic Cafe in Tokyo Tower Japan

With the recently built 634m tall mega tower Tokyo Sky Tree, Tokyo Tower has lost attention. Although it is much shorter than Sky Tree and cannot compete in terms of height, it has a better, more central location in Tokyo. The views from the tower are still undeniably beautiful. To attract more cou…(143 words)

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Tokyo Tokyo Tower Coffee view Stay lost night view Couples

McD's In Japan

Charging your electronic devices using any "unofficial" plug will get you into trouble. Trust me, I'm writing from firsthand experience. I was on a 7 day bicycle trip down South to Fukuoka and needed electricity desperately. I was at a hotspring and tried sneaking some juice while I was soaking in …(125 words)

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Japan Food McDonalds Tokyo Fukuoka

Try the Ramen Specialty Dish In Japan

All of the options you have to personalize your ramen at a ramen shop make it really tempting to add things to your ramen. However, I recommend any first time user of a ramen shop to try the house specialty, without adding anything extra. The ramen master at ramen places has spent years finding the…(187 words)

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Ramen noodles Japan Yokohama Soy sauce Chinese dumpling Shop new

Beach Fireworks in Tokyo, Japan

An AMAZING summer beach experience is watching the fireworks at Atami Sun Beach. If you are spending a day at one of the beautiful beaches in Izu, definitely stop by for the fireworks at Atami Sun Beach. During the summer, firework displays are held every sunday and the view of the fireworks that e…(143 words)

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Atami Beaches Fireworks Tokyo Yokohama River Summer

100 Penguins Play in Tokyo, Japan

Just a few stops before Maihama station (Disneyland) going from Tokyo, is Kasai Rinkai Park. The park is very large with a small amusement park and a famous aquarium. I have visited this aquarium about 3 times and it is wonderful. You can take a look at the kind of sea life in Tokyo Bay and there i…(127 words)

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Amusement park Japan Play Tokyo Park Sea Swimming

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)

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Minshuku Building Japanese inn Lodging Trip

All You Can Drink in Japan!

When having a party at any izakaya (Japanese pub), a common option to choose is the nomihoudai (all you can drink) option. I never thought this was unique to Japan until my foreigner friends told me they had never had an all you can drink option. If you choose to do nomihoudai, you will be able to …(260 words)

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Drink Nomihoudai (All you can drink) Beer Izakaya Yen Party Pub new

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