Advice about Nature
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The Best Views of Fuji
Kintoki Mountain is a hiking route starting in Hakone or Ashigara. The trail is steeped in legend and named after the legendary Japanese children`s tale, Kintaro. Kintaro is the story of a boy raised in the mountains with animals as friends. There are tales of him wrestling bears, running with deer…(261 words)
Kintaro-man
Gourmet Cycling in Kushiro
In October, I participated in a gourmet bicycle tour in Kushiro, which featured prominently the Ainu culture that permeates life throughout the area, particularly in its cuisine. The 3-day tour covers about 150 kilometers, roughly evenly divided in the three days of the tour. The ride itself was ca…(868 words)
DeepJapan Editor
Southern Japan travel: Okinawa & Kyushu
One-day itinerary for Okinawa’s main island Honto“Most people head to Okinawa to enjoy the beautiful beaches and rugged coastlines, which are considered among the world's most beautiful with large coral reefs and an abundance of marine wildlife. For travelers who are in Okinawa for the first ti…(511 words)
DeepJapan
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
Tama River Rafting
Flowing from high in the mountains of Yamanashi the Tama River makes its way to the ocean after traversing a nearly 140 kilometer long trail. The last several kilometers of the river is the dividing line between Tokyo and Kanagawa. The river is dammed along the way, forming Lake Okutama, a major so…(616 words)
Joe Peters
In Basho's Footsteps
In May 1689 the great Haiku poet Matsuo Basho sold his house and began travelling north through Japan. His written impressions of the journey, over 1200 miles later, became The Narrow Road to the Deep North, a compilation of travel sketches in prose and verse which is a famous reminder of Basho’s o…(379 words)
InBasho'sFootsteps
Tourist Tip #3: Stay Away from Souvenir Shops
Here's a quick tip to make your memories of Japan more memorable for you and your friends back home: stay away from souvenir shops!Like anywhere else in the world, souvenir shops, by nature, tend to offer only the most generic - and usually hokiest - of gifts. I've seen wares that - at best - w…(219 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Hakone & Lake Ashi
If you are in search of that idyllic movie setting lakeside outing, then you have stumbled upon the right guiding information here. Look no further than a visit to the city of Hakone, which lies in the Kanagawa prefecture. Just under a two hour drive from Tokyo proper, you can be immersed in nature…(227 words)
Alex
Beautiful Places to Visit in Japan
TripAdvisor published a list of 20 beautiful spots to visit in Japan that are not so well known yet. Let this list inspire you when you plan your next trip - there are islands, forests, temples, and lakes included here that not every guidebook describes. Go out of the city and explore the nature an…(252 words)
David
Kinokoen Oyama no Taisho
Providing the rich bounty of nature to urban dwellersEating wood-grown shiitake mushrooms freshly picked? There is a place where such a luxurious delight, hardly imaginable by city dwellers, can be experienced all year round. It is called Kinokoen Oyama no Taisho, a restaurant run by a farmin…(561 words)
Kanagawa P.G.T.D.
Knowing, Being, Doing
I've been posting something like the following in various places on the internet, but Deep Japan is probably the most appropriate context for this topic -- because "deep Japan" is probably the most appropriate place to think about these things.The starting point is "now".Now is the only ti…(600 words)
Adam F
Experience Zen
People feel different things when they hear the word “Zen.” It can conjure images of rock gardens, meditating monks, or spiritual Nirvana. Zen（禅） has influenced and can be found in many of the things we find around us daily. The meaning of zen varies with different schools of practice, but a good…(227 words)
Kintaro-man
Name Drop
Usually when I meet Japanese people, even though I speak Japanese, they may be hesitant to properly introduce themselves to me, particularly if it is a group with multiple people and one distinct leader, or connection between my group and theirs. One thing I try and make a point of is coming across…(200 words)
KurtisW
Yatai while doing hanami
Yatai or open-air food stalls are seen at festivals and big events. I love stopping at several yatais when I go do hanami at Gumyoji. During the sakura-blooming season, there is a row of yatai along the river in Gumyoji. Along the river, there are also cherry-blossom trees! Therefore, it is a great…(131 words)
RieS
A breathtaking run to Minatomirai
As a person who lives in Yokohama, my favorite jogging route starts at Motomachi Station. Turn a right and run to the park that is right in front of the first crossroad. When you go up an incline, there is a Bridge below the highway that leads you to the Yokohama Doll Museum and Yamashita Park - a …(212 words)
RieS
Japan's Animal Viewing Oasis is Tama Zoo
Tama Zoo is one of the most popular Zoos in Japan.I recommend that you should go to Tama-zoo because it is surrounded by nature and will make for a lovely full day of fun.You will enjoy all the animals and insects located in Tama-zoo. Get off at the TAMA-DOUBUTSUEN (Keio-Line),where you wil…(82 words)
yumin
Come and visit "Mihamaen" in Makuhari, Chiba!!!
Mihamaen is located in the Makuhari Kaihin Park, 10 minute walk from Kaihin Makuhari Station of JR Keiyo Line. The place is a stroll-round garden with a pond, where you see the beauty of the nature with its changing scenery as you walk around. There is a tea room right in the middle of the garden. …(94 words)
Hatha Yoga Lover
When visiting Kyoto... do not forget the Gold Pagoda
I love Kyoto. It is a city with a soul. A city where people actually live. (weird to so but when living in Tokyo, Kyoto feels like a real city with people!) I often go there for my job (tough life, yes, I know!) and usually, I visit a new place, of some of my favorites: Adashino, a bit far in t…(341 words)
Claire
nature airliner
nature airliner emerged as a husband-and-wife folk duo in the summer of 2010, when Japanese photographer Eiko Hosaka Tiernan (vocals) and Canadian musician Laurier Tiernan (guitar) joined forces to start playing unplugged shows of Laurier's unreleased songs which suited Eiko's voice. The first sing…(183 words)
Laurier Tiernan
I appreciate the thought, not the gift...
It never happened to you? Then throw me the first stone!In Japanese, there is a special word for that: Arigatai meiwaku. Litteraly, the "embarrassment that you have to thank for". The thing is, while being very much happy to know that I was part of your thought while you were abroad, I real…(284 words)
Claire
The beauty hidden in mountains of Japan. - Satoyamas
Here is an interesting tour which i recently used for vising Hida area in Gifu.The tour contains various components and its amazing to be in nature and classic township models from the past.you can check out the possibilities on their site including cycling tours! It sure is an experiences and …(72 words)
idivilayil
Yoshima YMCA Retreat
oshima Island is located off the southern tip of Shodoshima in Japan’s Seto Inland Sea. It has an area of 2.2 square kilometers and is about 1 kilometer from the main island of Shodoshima. Although Yoshima is part of Shodoshima and therefore Kagawa Prefecture, it is administered by the Kobe YMCA.…(421 words)
Kenji
~ Picasso and Henry Moore ~ Inside and Out ~ Outside In ~
Turn left when you get off the train and with a little walking you'll see the Ticket Office. Different priced tickets for the members of your family, depending on how many days and years you have been wandering around this planet where sometimes you can get a sense of normality. You're not going to…(561 words)
Andrew Grimes
Whitewater Rafting in Gunma Pref.
Living in the concrete jungle of Tokyo can be overwhelming after a while. (Like the frog being boiled in a pot.)I was looking for a place to get back to nature within a short Shinkansen ride from Tokyo. A friend turned me on to a place called Minakami in Gunma prefecture. There the Tone Riv…(112 words)
JiyugaokaPaul
What to Do When An Earthquake Hits Japan
I often tell my friends that Japan might be one of the best places to be in an earthquake. Why? Nooo, you say! “I don't want it to happen when I am in town!” “Cant it wait till I leave?”. Hmmm, Mother Nature is usually pretty unpredictable and actually can be quite surprising in her timing and conc…(761 words)
5@example.com
World heritage Shirakawa Go is the place to Go
I lived in Tokyo Ebisu for short 6 months back in 2010.Looked forward in making many new friends and meeting interesting people that you can’t find in other cites.Which was true also at the same time, it was easy to feel lonely and lost with all the people you pass daily that I’ll never have a …(496 words)
Yuuki I
Kanda River Show
If you happen to be in the Tokyo area during the evening time, be sure to take a stroll down to the Kanda River for an exquisite show of nature. Bats which inhabit the banks of the river can be seen in the evening hours fleeing from their daybeds in the trees, and fluttering into the unknown night …(154 words)
Alex
Awe-inspiring Views on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
When people think of Japan they often think of the cities, temples and maybe hot springs, but 70% of Japan is mountainous. And like anything else in Japan that is worth a visit, the mountains can be remarkably accessible. A short trip from Tokyo into the mountains and you can find skiing in the win…(723 words)
AndrewShuttleworth
Onsen Tradition in Kusatsu
One of the oldest and most reputed onsens in Japan, Kusatsu was a favourite of the 5th and 8th shoguns ( it’s said that they transported waters to their castle in Edo). The onsen, while being preferred by Japanese for more than 1000 years, is relegated to a paragraph at best in the leading English…(315 words)
Alana
Who would ever think up a festival like this and then keep it going for 1,200 years
Who would ever think up a festival like this and then keep it going for 1,200 yearsIt was our second day of pulling a ten-ton log down a mountain with 50 hefty men clad in fancy gear riding on top of it that my friend Andrew visiting from Australia turned to me and said, "who would ever dream u…(971 words)
Phil
Strolling Through Sainokawara Park in Kusatsu
Kusatsu Onsen is a small town tucked away in the mountains. Within a few blocks of downtown, you can end up surrounded by nature. This is best on display at Sainokawara Park, home to one of Kusatsu’s most popular open-air baths.This picturesque park, which showcases the best blossoms and foliag…(288 words)
Petra
We call this paradise
There are parts of Japan that are still a relic. Indications of the Bubble "Jidai" are easily accessible places on the map, by their very nature, many rail roads go to them.Some of these places are being rejuvenated by the new people that populate them.Places like Minakami. Places like Tenj…(66 words)
scramjetmach9
Tokyo’s gardens, parks, and nature
Take a break in Shinjuku Gyoen“If your in the Shinjuku area and you need a break from the hustle and bustle of the big city then Shinjuku Gyoen might just be what the doctor ordered. This tranquil national garden has a mix of wide open spaces and traditional Japanese gardens. It's … a fantastic…(406 words)
DeepJapan
Explore Japan’s scenery and nature with fun outdoor activities
6 great runs in Tokyo“I’ve selected these based on the different locations, various terrain, water stops, and ability to combine longer distance! These courses are selected for the least amount of distractions, such as traffic lights and cars, but in doing so, unfortunately avoid some of the be…(388 words)
DeepJapan
Observe various artworks in a building designed by a master.
There are many museums and exhibitions in Tokyo. Many of these museums and exhibitions are concentrated in Ueno Park. Among them, the national museum of Western Art is near Ueno station, and because of this many people crowd the area daily.The National Museum of Western Art was designed by a ma…(377 words)
DeepJapan Editor
A large lake loved by European ambassadors directly in front of the temple
Nikko is a famous tourist destination located about two hours away from Tokyo by train. Nikko Toshogu Shrine is a popular sightseeing spot that attracts a multitude of visitors daily. Sometimes lost is the fact that Nikko is also home to many other famous places.One of these places is the area ar…(308 words)
DeepJapan Editor
Observe a 97 meter waterfall up close and in person
Nikko is only about two hours away from Tokyo by train, but the contrast couldn’t be me stark. Tokyo is crowded with buildings, but Nikko is abundant with nature. There is also a sacred atmosphere in Nikko as it is home to many temples and shrines, including the well known Nikko Toshogu shrine.…(285 words)
DeepJapan Editor
Explore Northern Japan – travel recommendations for Hokkaido and Miyagi
Lavender fields, a sea of flowers“In Hokkaido, Furano's lavender fields attract large numbers of visitors to the region every summer when the plants are in full bloom. Lavenders usually start blooming in late June and reaches its peak from around mid July to early August ... We visited there of…(397 words)
DeepJapan
The imperial palace gardens; well worth trying!
If you look for ones in the Tokyo Metropolitan area, I'd recommend you should go visit Koukyo if you haven't tried it yet; the imperial palace gardens park in the right front of the Tokyo Station. In spite of its location, there are good amount of nature preserved, and lots of "space" available in …(185 words)
Masa