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Advice about Spring

E-tegami (picture postcard)

Japan is a nation obsessed with seasonal activities of all sorts. After all, there are few other nations that I know that have national holidays for the Vernal (Spring) and Autumnal Equinox. This year (2014), the Vernal Equinox will fall on March 21, one day after the traditional date.But whi…(459 words)

mikekato

Have you ever experienced Japanese wine? Let's find your favorite one!

Hope you all had a good holiday.I just came back from a Japanese wine cave in Katsunuma, Yamanashi - there are 180 kinds of certified local wine in the cave. Katsunuma is well-known for its grapes. 25% of Japanese grapes were grown there. And it is so close to the central Tokyo - just 90 mins b…(320 words)

Bakery & Table HAKONE

Great food, service and views!We happened to pass by this place and walked in. But it turned out to be excellent! We grabbed a couple of pastry with a bottle of milk and sat outside enjoying the view of the Ashi Lake. You can take off your shoes and socks at the outside table and soak your bare…(131 words)

EmiOnishi

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)

GenS

Tissue Paper Advertising in Japan

I am sure that you have seen the people around the train stations and other locations throughout many cities passing out small packs of tissue papers to nearby travelers.When offered, I usually take one from them for I feel bad since most people ignore them and will not take one. Especially dur…(258 words)

AustinA

600 Cherry Blossoms Fill Japan's Air with Sweet Aroma

Beautiful white flowers framed the quiet pond in the corner of the garden. I wander this place often as it reminds me of "The Secret Garden" depicted in one of my favorite childhood stories. It IS truly hidden from the main road and casual passersby.Those inside the Tokaido, Yokosuka, Yaman…(283 words)

5@example.com

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)

GenS

Izu Hokkawa Onsen Bousui: A Heavenly Onsen in Japan,

My first experience at Bousui was just 5 years ago and then the second was last month. In 2006 I was a newbie exploring the Hokkawa Hot Spring district , in 2014 it was my second visit as a devoted fan of hot spring perfection wanting to share this haven with my life partner and best friend.htt…(1039 words)

5@example.com

Start Your Deeper Sushi Education

Sushi. One of life’s little delicious pleasures. Say the word and images of towers of empty plates at kaiten (“conveyer belt”) sushi shops spring to mind. The food is so popular that the once only-in-Japan item can now be found around the world in nearly every supermarket’s take-away section.If…(346 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Kanagawa Government Office: “King” a Great National Historical Building to See

One of my absolute favorite places in Yokohama is the Kanagawa Prefecture Headquarters, called “Kanagawa Ken Hon-cho”. Until air travel allowed visitors to come via airports, Yokohama was Japan’s front door to the world. Officials wanted this building to have a view of the ocean and to showcase Jap…(822 words)

5@example.com

Koishikawa Korakuen Japanese Garden in Tokyo

Tokyo is huge, busy, and rebuilding itself nonstop, but some old Japanese gardens remain in the city. Koishikawa Korakuen is one of these spots where time has stopped and a little bit of old Japan has been preserved.This is a beautifully landscaped area with paths around a lake for a leisurely …(244 words)

David

Take in the Mountains, Hot Springs at the Palace Hotel Hakone

When my sister and her family visited last year, we decided to crowds and commotion of central Tokyo for a night and enjoy a bit of nature. We chose to stay at the Palace Hotel Hakone for its beautiful scenery and onsen, or hot springs.Situated in the Sengoku-hara Highlands, the hotel is only a sho…(319 words)

Petra

Quick and easy things to do in Yokohama #3

The Yokohama Foreign General Cemetery is one of the few "quiet famous" spots of the city. Located in the Yamate/Motomachi area, it is a place filled with history and beauty.In 1854, when Commodore Perry returned to Japan with a squadron of seven warships to negotiate opening up the country to i…(284 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

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

Onsens and Outdoors in Kusatsu

Ranked for last 12 years straight as one of the Top 100 onsens in Japan, it really is for the onsens that visitors come to Kusatsu. There are public onsens and of course ryokan and resort hotels with their private onsens. A few of the the famous public onsens are Sainokawahara （西の河原露天風呂）…(307 words)

Alana

There are lots of reason's Kusatsu is famous for hot springs

Although Japan is famous for hot springs, it’s easy to be tricked into visiting tourist traps where the water is recycled and chlorine added. This is something you definitely won't encounter in all of Kusatsu where the 100 plus gushing springs serve up an astounding 32,000 liters of water minute. …(500 words)

AndrewShuttleworth

The romantic side of Kusatsu

Kusatsu is a great town for any visitor and the hot springs are outstanding. But what many miss is the romantic charm. The strolling, laid back nature of the town brings with it quality time with your loved ones. Yubatake (hot-water field) is perfect for romantic holiday photographs during the …(525 words)

AndrewShuttleworth

Back to nature at Kusatsu

One of the great things about Kusatsu is that it's out in the heart of Japan's countryside which, while one of the most attractive features of Japan, remains unexplored to many visitors who zip through tunnels on the Shinkansen on their journey from city to city.Sainokawara Park is another uniq…(525 words)

AndrewShuttleworth

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

Fried Rice at Aster Ginza

In my opinion the fried rice is one of the best dishes at Aster Ginza. Fried rice is usually pretty straight forward, run of the mill dish but as usual, Aster Ginza takes the standard version, and makes it into something quite special. They offer two different types of fried rice - the standard typ…(201 words)

Adstev73

Japan's Theme Parks

For visitors and long-term residents alike who may be looking for an interesting-and uniquely Japanese-way to spend a day, a good choice is one of Japan`s theme parks. These places offer a range of attractions under one roof (unless they are outdoors of course), and have something for the whole fam…(548 words)

GoodPeople

Matsuyama Castle and Dogo Onsen - Classic Japan

Whenever my friends from overseas ask me what would be a classic thing to do in Japan, I always reply that visiting a medieval castle and staying in an onsen town (hot spring bath) are a "must". There is no doubt that a visit to Matsuyama City is the perfect way to combine both of these in one tri…(886 words)

Phil

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

Strawberry picking season 2021!

Have you ever tried "Ichigo-gari" (strawberry picking) in Japan? The best time to savor the biggest, reddest, ripest strawberries in Chiba is from January through May.In Chiba, strawberry farms are located over different districts while Sanmu City is the most concentrated area. Nineteen strawberr…(525 words)

CHIBA-KUN

Saitama City is quickly accessible from Tokyo

Saitama City is quickly accessible from Tokyo, and a central hub of culture and history within Saitama Prefecture. We have five recommended spots to put you in touch with the diverse appeal of this area.・Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa -jinja ShrineWith a purported history of over 2000 years, this…(458 words)

DeepJapan

Exploring Yonezawa: A Culinary and Cultural Journey Through the ABCs (Apple, Beef, Carp)

When you embark on a journey to Yonezawa, a charming city nestled in the heart of Yamagata Prefecture, you are headed for a foodie’s paradise! The city’s food culture centers around a trio of delightful, delicious treasures: Apples, Beef, and Carp. Let's dive into the essence of Yonezawa's unique …(378 words)

TomK

Hiking and Onsen ( Hot Spring)

Autumn is great season for hiking, what's so special about hiking in Japan is not only you enjoy autumn leaves, you get an opportunity to visit onsen (Hot spring). Of course, you have to choose place where onsen is available but it's so refreshing to have onsen especially after spending a day in hi…(54 words)

yukiroryo

Sakura

With the spring comes sakura, the cherry blossoms, and with the sakura comes seasonal sakura-flavoured food and drinks: ice cream, chocolate, beer, tea, salt, frappuccino, you name it. Give them a try!(32 words)

iensu

Great castle

Please visit Osaka castle. http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4000.htmlYou will see not only see the castle tower but also the Nishinomaru Garden with some 600 cherry trees. If you go there in early spring you can see an ume (plum) orchard boasting 1,270 ume trees in 100 varieties, and other spots …(71 words)

Mayu

Take foot bath!

Ashi-yu (foot bath) is one of the best ways to relax your feet. You sometimes find it in famous spring place. After hard walking, you put your lower lags in the hot water and have some rest. When you pick your legs out, it should be very light than before.(50 words)

Tsuru

Many wear mask to avoid pollen in Spring

Some statistics shows that more than 30% of all Japanese are allergic to some kind of pollen. The most common allergen is cedar pollen. Due to massive plantation of cedar for the post-war recovery lumber demand, there are so many cedar trees in Japan that produces huge amount of pollen. Since avoid…(104 words)

taro

Multifunction Masks only in Japan

Before coming to Japan, in my hometown Colorado I've never used or seen a mask.After coming to Japan I've seen many people using masks.During the Fall season.It's easy to catch a cold on a over packed train to work.Many use masks to reduce inhaling the breath of the person standing next t…(135 words)

Yuuki I

Spring春[ Haru ]

Advice about Spring