11 Japanese Rules Tourists Never Notice—Until It’s Too Late

You’ve got your JR Pass, your hotel booked, and you’ve practiced “arigatou” in the mirror. But Japan is more than sushi and neon signs. It runs on unspoken cultural codes, and most travelers miss them completely. Breaking those cultural rules won’t have locals call you out, but you will feel the awkwardness.

Credit: iStockphoto

Want to blend in? Start here.

Trains Are Quiet for a Reason

Credit: Getty Images

No one’s chatting on the train or talking on speaker. Even couples speak in hushed tones. It’s not a rule posted on the wall, just something you feel. Public transport here doubles as rest time. If you’re loud, you’re the disturbance. Match the vibe by muting your phone and enjoying the calm.

Don’t Stroll With That Skewer

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In Japan, people don’t snack while they walk; it’s seen as inconsiderate. Food is meant to be appreciated, not inhaled while dodging pedestrians. Find a bench, stand near the stall, or just pause and savor what you’re eating. You’ll enjoy it more.

Tipping Isn’t Kind—It’s Confusing

Tipping in Japan is like offering someone a prize for doing their job. They’ll likely refuse it, or worse, look uncomfortable. Service is already exceptional because it’s part of the culture. Say “thank you,” give a bow, and keep your coins.

Chopstick Etiquette Goes Deep

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Chopsticks carry cultural weight. Sticking them upright in rice is a funeral ritual. Passing food from one set to another is also the same thing. Small mistakes can send the wrong signal. Therefore, it’s best to learn the basics before dinner, and you’ll avoid unintentional disrespect at the table

The Shoe Ritual Is Real

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You’ll spot it right away when you notice a raised step with a pile of shoes by the door. Shoes stay outside. Indoors, slippers take over. Bathrooms even get their own pair. It has to do with cleanliness and boundaries. Cross that line properly, and you’re golden.

Space Is Sacred—Don’t Crowd It

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Japan values personal space. People keep a respectful distance even in crowds. If you lean in too close or touch someone casually, it’s considered intrusive instead of friendly. A nod or small bow says plenty without invading anyone’s bubble.

Lines Are a National Sport

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Order is practiced like religion in Japan. At a train station, people don’t rush. They line up in silence, with precision, without grumbling or skipping. Even during rush hour, there’s calm. The best way to blend in is to stand where the footprints on the platform tell you to.

Credit: Aflo Images

That Little Money Tray Is a Big Deal

You’ll see those little money trays everywhere next to cash registers. Don’t hand your money to the cashier. Place it in the tray as a part of the formality. This small gesture says you understand how things are done here, and that matters.

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Onsens Have Rules—and They’re Serious

Hot springs sound relaxing, but don’t treat them like a spa back home. You have to wash thoroughly before you get in. And as weird as it may sound, they don’t bother with swimsuits either. You bathe nude, same as everyone else. And if you have tattoos, some onsens may ban them entirely. Always check ahead or bring a cover-up just in case.

Shrines Aren’t Just Scenic Stops

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Before you snap a photo at a shrine, pause. These are sacred places, and cannot be treated as backdrops. Wash your hands at the basin, bow before entering, and observe the rituals—clap, bow again. Keep your voice low. Being present and respectful here matters more than any selfie.

Where Are the Trash Cans? Trick Question

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

You’d rarely spot a trash can, and yet the streets are spotless. It’s the discipline of the locals. People hold onto their trash, sometimes for hours, until they can sort and dispose of it properly. Learn the system: burnable, non-burnable, plastic. It’s a group effort, and tourists are expected to play along.

https://www.farandwide.com/s/author/jordan-omalley/

Travelore Tips: Tourists Planning To Use Japan's Train System Need To Follow A Crucial Luggage Rule

For travelers, Japan is a country on a whole other level. With its attention to detail, deep culture, impressive innovations, and delicious cuisine, it is a country that inspires deep admiration. Getting around Japan can be a joy, and there is no better way to do so than by picking up a Japan Rail Pass and jumping on the country's wide-reaching railway network. The train system in Japan is epic. Known for its speed, efficiency, and convenience, with many lines connecting cities, it makes traveling within Japan a breeze. The network features a variety of options, from Shinkansen bullet trains to local lines that offer transportation with incredible views of the countryside.

As with visiting any new country, understanding Japan's systems, rules, and regulations can be challenging, not to mention the all-important task of avoiding making unspoken etiquette mistakes. In Japan, navigating the transportation system involves more than just buying a ticket, figuring out which line to take, or when the train departs. One important rule that first-time visitors to Japan should be aware of is that trains come with a strict luggage rule regarding oversized luggage. Excess luggage can restrict mobility on over-crowded or popular routes, and traveling with oversized luggage requires reservations to be made in advance on certain trains. 

Understanding luggage in Japan's transportation system

Not all trains in Japan are equipped for oversized luggage. While there are overhead shelves for luggage, these are often quite small and cannot fit larger suitcases. Seats usually have some leg room that could fit medium-sized luggage, but larger suitcases will not fit and would not be allowed in this area. In fact, there is often a specific compartment for such luggage, and spots need to be reserved in advance.

This doesn't apply to all trains in Japan. For example, trains going to and from the country's airports will accommodate any large luggage. However, on other trains, a penalty of 1,000 yen will be levied if the large compartments are not pre-reserved. What classifies as oversized luggage in Japan? That's a very good question, with the answer being any suitcase over 160 cm in total dimension weighing a maximum of 65 pounds (30kg).

Tips for traveling with luggage in Japan

Planning ahead is key to meeting your luggage requirements and avoiding any penalties that may occur. One great move is to reserve seats close to the luggage compartments needed for extra space, allowing you to keep an eye on your belongings. However, there are alternatives that could make traveling a lot easier in Japan. For starters, there are delivery services known as takuhaibin (takkyubin), a luggage forwarding service that handles the task of delivering luggage to the final destination without travelers having to carry it on trains.

Other alternatives include lockers and storage options found in central stations or other tourist facilities where luggage can be left for a fee per day. This allows travelers returning to the same destination or enjoying a day trip to travel luggage-free for a period. However, this option isn't entirely reliable, as it does come with a fee, and the lockers aren't always free for your bag. The best option to prevent the hassle of worrying about luggage is to travel light whenever possible and to make the necessary reservations when you can't avoid carrying larger luggage. It is also a good idea to read up on the color-coded seating system found on trains in Japan.

https://www.explore.com/author/nadakabil/

Japan To Lift COVID-19 Border Controls Before Holiday Week

Japan will lift most of its coronavirus border controls, including a requirement that entrants show proof of three vaccinations or a pre-departure negative test, beginning Saturday as the country’s Golden Week holiday season begins and a large influx of foreign tourists is expected.

All entrants with symptoms will still be required to take COVID-19 tests after arriving until May 8, and those who test positive will be placed in designated quarantine facilities, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters. After May 9, testing of those with symptoms will be voluntary.

Japan will also drop a special measure subjecting visitors from mainland China to random testing upon arrival that was implemented in late December when infections surged there, he said.

The government had originally planned to implement the changes on May 8, when it will downgrade the official status of the coronavirus to a common infectious disease like seasonal influenza, but decided to speed them up for the holiday season beginning Saturday.

Japan’s government dropped its requests for mask wearing in March, leaving it up to each person’s discretion. Most Japanese continue to wear them, although they are only recommended now in crowded trains, hospitals and other public spaces, and near elderly and other vulnerable people.

COVID-19 is currently categorized as a Class 2 disease along with SARS and tuberculosis, which allows restrictions on the movements of patients and their close contacts and the issuing of emergency measures by the government. Downgrading it to Class 5 will scrap those rules.

By MARI YAMAGUCHI

In Addition To Numerous Strict Conditions For Entering Japan, Visa-Free Travel From The U.S. Is Currently Suspended.

As of June 10, Japan reopened to travelers from 98 countries, including the United States, but with a whole host of specific conditions—including the need for a visa.

Prior to closing its international borders in 2020 due to the pandemic, Japan had exempted U.S. travelers from the need to obtain a visa for entering the country for leisure travel. But that exemption has now been suspended, according to Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Currently, foreign nationals/people who are willing to enter Japan need a visa newly issued by embassies or consulates or consular office of Japan,” the foreign ministry stated in its latest update about entry requirements.

So, if you’re thinking of heading to Japan, you will need to make an appointment at the closest Japanese embassy or consulate or apply for a visa by mail. Be aware that some Japanese embassies and consulates might have a backlog of visa applications to process and it could take longer than usual to obtain one.

“Due to the tremendous amount of visa applications we are processing, we cannot provide you with any status updates,” stated the Consulate-General of Japan in San Francisco on its website.

The need to obtain a visa is in addition to several more hurdles travelers must cross to get into Japan. Earlier this month, Japanese authorities outlined the new rules for foreign travelers, and they include obtaining private medical insurance that covers medical expenses related to COVID-19 infection, wearing a mask at all times unless there is a specific exception, and traveling under the supervision of an organized tour group.

Japan’s reopening plan divides countries and regions into red, yellow, or blue categories depending on COVID-19 risk. People from countries in the blue category (such as the United States) will be able to bypass quarantine as long as they pass a predeparture COVID test, regardless of vaccination status. Those in the yellow category (which includes such countries as India, Lebanon, and Portugal) will also be able to skip a quarantine period with proof of vaccination. However, visitors from the red group—which consists of Pakistan, Fiji, Albania, and Sierra Leone—must take an on-arrival test and quarantine for a period of time.

With the easing of entry restrictions, Japan also increased its daily entry limits from 10,000 foreign arrivals to 20,000 per day in June—still a fraction of the 31.88 million foreign tourists (or an average of 87,000 tourists per day) who entered Japan in 2019.

Source: https://www.afar.com/magazine/

Japan Keeps Tourism Freeze Despite Plunge In Virus Cases

TOKYO (AP) — Filled with pink and fuzzy things and cuddly bears, 6%DOKIDOKI, a tiny store in the heart of Tokyo’s Harajuku district, is bursting with “kawaii,” the Japanese for “cuteness.”

What it doesn’t have enough of, as in zero, are foreign tourists. And it could sure use some.

Like much of Asia, including Taiwan, Vietnam and Australia, Japan’s borders remain closed to tourists. While other Asian countries are inching toward reopening, Japanese borders will likely remain shut for some time to come. That’s a hardship for the many businesses that had come to rely on foreign tourists, who numbered 32 million in 2019, before the pandemic.

“Foreigners understand ‘kawaii’ more emotionally than do Japanese. They use, ‘Kawaii!,’ in the same way they say, ‘Wonderful,’ ‘Awesome,’ or ‘Lovely,’ ” said manager Yui Yoshida, noting Japanese tend to use the word mainly for tangible things like cute puppies.

“We had so many foreign customers before the pandemic,” she said. “Then suddenly no one could come.”

6%DOKIDOKI opened 26 years ago and has a loyal following: when it was imperiled by the pandemic downturn, supporters in and outside Japan started up crowd-funding campaigns to keep it afloat. It is also boosting mail-order sales and has introduced colorful face masks in a psychedelic flurry of hues and bear-shaped pouches useful for carrying hand sanitizers.

Yoshida doesn’t expect foreign visitors to return until cherry blossom season next year.

That even might be optimistic.

While mandatory quarantine requirements have been eased somewhat after the number of new coronavirus cases plunged from hundreds per day to a few dozen per day in Tokyo, unlike the Indonesian resort island of Bali and some destinations in Thailand, Japan remains off-limits to foreign tourists.

Japan has also effectively shut out foreign students and business travelers. A big exception, much criticized, was made for athletes and officials arriving for the Tokyo Olympics earlier this year.
People remain nervous about foreign travel in this insular “island culture,” said Kotaro Toriumi, a tourism analyst and travel books author.
Toriumi, who teaches at Tokyo’s Teikyo University, thinks foreign tourism won’t revive for another year or two, even though about 73% of Japanese are fully vaccinated. That’s a much higher rate than most other Asian countries, except for Singapore.

Even if the borders reopen, tourism won’t revive if Japan continues to require 10-day quarantines by travelers arriving from overseas, he said.

“Even one day of quarantine is going to squelch tourism,” Toriumi said, having just returned from a business trip to France, still the No. 1 destination for global tourists.

Much depends on whether COVID-19 cases will be contained. Medical experts worry infections might shoot up again in another seasonal wave.

For now, the government is preparing to restart its “GoTo” promotions for domestic travel, which provide discounts for travel, lodging and other spending. Last year the program was canceled after five months when the virus surged back.

The campaign is estimated to have generated nearly 1.8 trillion yen ($16 billion) in revenue from 52.6 million travelers within Japan, according to the Japan Travel Bureau Foundation.

But domestic travel still cannot fully offset the loss of business from tens of millions of foreign tourists.

Tourism from abroad to Japan started zooming in 2014, strongly encouraged by then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. In 2019, the travel and tourism sector contributed 7.1% to Japan’s economy, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council.

The target for 2020 was 40 million people. But instead, after the New Year holidays visitors dwindled as pandemic travel restrictions were imposed. Travel and tourism revenues fell to 4.7% of economic activity. Meanwhile, the number of people employed in tourism and travel, including people working at hotels, airlines, travel agencies and restaurants catering to tourists, fell to 5.4 million from 5.7 million,, the council said.

Before the pandemic, foreign tourists were spending more than 4 trillion yen ($35 billion) per year. Asian visitors intent on hoarding designer products led to the coining of the phrase “baku-gai,” meaning “explosive shopping.”

In those days, popular destinations like the ancient capital of Kyoto were jampacked with tourists. Now the crowds are mostly children on school excursions. Kiyomizu-Dera temple, famous for its spectacular hillside overlooking the city, has lost about a third of the 5 million annual visitors it had before the pandemic, even with the recent recovery in domestic travel.

Itsuo Nishida, a manager at the temple, didn’t want to venture a guess as to when things might return to normal.

“This is one place everyone wants to visit at least once in their lives,” he said.

At 6%DOKIDOKI, so named for the bit of “flutter” to the heart imparted by cute things, pink-haired store clerk Emiry, spelled with that Japanese-y “R,” and no last name, says she has only worked in the shop during the quiet days of the pandemic.

Some shops in Harajuku are shuttered, especially in the winding back lanes.

“Only two foreign customers came,” the pink-haired Emiry said sadly of a recent day at the store. And they lived in Japan. They were not tourists.

Japan Fully Lifts Virus State Of Emergency

TOKYO — Tokyo’s train stations were packed with commuters Friday as Japan fully came out of a coronavirus state of emergency for the first time in more than six months.

Emergency measures had been in place for more than half of the country, including Tokyo. Outgoing Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga thanked the people for their patience and cooperation. Cases are declining, but he asked them to stick to their basic anti-virus measures.

The emergency measures have mainly involved requests for eateries to curb alcohol and hours. They can now serve alcohol and operate an hour longer but still close at 9 p.m.

Daily reported cases fell below 1,600 this week nationwide after the mid-August peak of 25,000. Health experts attributed the declining numbers to vaccinations and increased social distancing after alarm from the near collapse of medical systems during the summer.

Nearly 59% of Japanese people have been fully vaccinated. Japan has reported 1.6 million cases and 17,641 confirmed deaths.

Japan's Phantom Sweets

Phantom sweets. It’s a thing in Iwakuni City, in the beautiful Setouchi region of Japan. Long popular for it’s rich blend of historical sites and castles, it’s gaining fame as home to one of the world’s only phantom confectionaries known as Iwaman, long beloved for its nearly-impossible sweet treat that absolutely must be purchased in-store. Absolutely no mail orders, ever.

Why is this tiny bean cake so popular? Well, first off, the recipe is a secret. What is known is that it’s made by wrapping bean paste in a crispy crust and baked to perfection, a beautiful blend of sweet and savory reflecting an infusion of Japanese and Western influences. What is the secret to its scrumptious taste? Many believe it’s a special local butter that’s been used since the company was founded along with a tradition of never using preservatives or coloring agents. But, truly, only the owners know for sure, dating back to its launch in 1971.

Since then, they are incredibly in high demand so it is necessary to make a reservation even before heading to the store so your cakes or special gift boxes are available when you arrive. Most days, even locals cannot acquire them so book in advance as there are no mail orders, nor any online shopping possibilities.

Photo credit: Setouchi DMO

Source: https://trumarketing.com/

June 2021 In Tokyo

June is the rainy season in Tokyo. It rains so frequently just before the intense summer heat and just prior to the gentle cool down of autumn that Japan is often said to have six seasons instead of four. In fact, there are more than 400 words that express rain in Japanese -- depending on when and how it rains. Harusame is the rain that falls in spring. Samidare is the rain that falls in May, Tsuyu refers to the “rainy season” in June. Konukaame is the fine mist that fills the air in spring, but the same misty rain changes its name to Kirisame when it falls in autumn. Some might find rain a deterrent, but in fact, the warm sprinkles clear the air and give us a chance to see the subtleties of the city. For example, Tokyo Station reflected in the puddles on the pavement or the hydrangea that changes hues ever so delicately, as the moist droplets kiss its petals.

Where to see hydrangea in Tokyo

While Japan is famous for its cherry blossoms, its other seasonal flowers deserve as much respect. June is the "season of Hydrangea," blooming in blue, white, fuchsia and purple. Hydrangeas are indigenous to Japan but were experimented with and improved upon by Philipp Franz von Siebold, a 19th Century German doctor and naturalist, who even named the Otaksa variety of hydrangea after his Japanese common law wife.

Hakusan Shrine in Bunkyo Ward, where the University of Tokyo is located: About 3000 hydrangeas are planted here! It is also renowned for the annual hydrangea festival, where on weekends during the celebration, there are stalls selling hydrangea potted plants. Unfortunately, the festival was canceled in 2021.

Takahata Fudoson Kongoji Temple in Hino City, western Tokyo: A smaller-than-usual Hydrangea Festival is being held here even in 2021, until June 30. Additionally, during June, hydrangeas can be found along the streets of Tokyo, where they are for sale, on display, or just in bloom and are of course best viewed in the rain.

Since 1969, when the Stonewall riots broke out in the US, LGBT movements have been swelling worldwide. In the US in 2000, President Bill Clinton declared June "Gay and Lesbian Pride Month," and in 2009 President Barack Obama declared June "LGBT Pride Month." In 2019, large-scale pride parades were held across the United States to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Stonewall. At the same time, the activities of Tokyo Rainbow Pride (TRP) were also gaining more attention. In 2021, their annual event during Japan’s Golden Week holiday, April 24-May 5, was online and virtual, but additional festivities have followed. In June, the highlights of the movie "# Pride at Home 2021" and a speaking event (Japanese only) "Thinking about diverse families," are being distributed on the TRP channel. In addition, under the theme of "Equality and Inclusiveness," the "W1SH RIBBON" campaign is underway at TOKYO SKYTREE, the tallest free-standing tower in the world, and the symbol of Tokyo. The campaign aims to connect the people of the world with ribbons, regardless of gender or nationality. They are also promoting and distributing a music video produced by international photographer Leslie Kee.

50 New Luxury Hotels To Open In Japan In 2020

Tokyo at night. 

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• The upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games have placed Japan in the spotlight as a major travel destination.
• Earlier this month, Japan announced that it would invest in opening 50 new luxury hotels across the country.
• Japan is looking to cash in on an increasing number of well-to-do travelers, according to travel research site Skift.
• While new hotels are slated to open in the future, Tokyo is currently facing a 14,000-room per day hotel shortage during the Olympics.Tourism to Japan has increased exponentially in recent years.
• The country was host to 31 million international tourists in 2019. That's nearly five times more than it was in 2011 — and it's expected to reach 40 million in 2020, the Economist reported. The 2020 Tokyo Olympics alone is expected to draw 10 million tourists.
  Many of Japan's visitors will be "well-off" financially, The Economist noted. Skift's Raini Hamdi similarly observed that Japan is becoming more popular among "well-heeled" travelers.
  However, the country hasn't seen tourist spending increase in proportion to the number of visitors.
  "The government wants to address an 'imbalance' of Japan welcoming more foreign arrivals but not necessarily more spending," Hamdi reported for Skift in July.

• It's time for Japan to cash in on its tourism boom

  Earlier this month, Japan's government announced a new initiative to cash in on luxury tourists. Japan will develop 50 "world-class" hotels through a series of investments and loans, according to Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga.
  Japan currently has 32 five-star hotels, the Wall Street Journal notes, citing data from CBRE Hotels. For comparison, Thailand has 112, France 127 and Italy 187. The US has a staggering 793. 
  The announcement comes on the heels of what the Wall Street Journal calls a "luxury hotel boom" in Japan. Luxury hotel brands like Four Seasons and Marriott International have announced plans to open hotels in the country, and existing luxury hotels are renovating to keep up with the times. The Okura Tokyo Hotel opened in September after a $1 billion renovation with rooms costing as much $28,000 per night.
  "Compared to other cities like New York and Paris, Tokyo still has very few luxury hotels," Miwako Date, chief executive of real-estate company Mori Trust Co. told the Wall Street Journal.
• One reason for this is that mass tourism hasn't been a priority of Japan's.
  "For decades the government pushed industrial growth, so the country's cities filled up with drab business hotels that catered to armies of salarymen. Property developers dominated the real-estate market and clung to most of the prime city-centre spots," the Economist wrote.
  While Japan's plan to build 50 new luxury hotels signals its commitment to broaden — and capitalize on — its tourism market, these new hotels won't debut in time to solve the existing scarcity of hotel rooms. 
  Currently, Tokyo is facing a shortage of 14,000 hotel rooms during each day of the Olympic Games, Business Insider's Katie Warren previously reported. 
  To alleviate the demand for housing during the Olympics, luxury cruise ships will serve as floating hotels, and a new Airbnb partnership with the International Olympic Committee will also create "hundreds of thousands of new Airbnb hosts," Warren noted.
• Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/hotels-japan-where-to-stay-accommodation-luxury-travel-2019-12

Unexpected Ways To Explore Japan Before The Olympic Rush #Tokyo2020

Discover the unique cultural and natural offerings of this Travel tips 
year-round destination–away from the crowds—with Oku Japan.

 

Kyoto, Japan: The 2020 Summer Olympics are taking place in Tokyo from July 24 to August 9, 2020, and there's been much speculation about how the athletes will fare in the 93ºF heat. Fortunately for travelers, Japan is an all-season destination with plenty to explore outside the dog days of summer, and Oku Japan, the leading Japanese cultural adventure operator, showcases the best of Japan every season. ​

This year, gear up for #Tokyo2020 by doing Japan a little differently: in the winter, swap skiing for drift ice walking; come spring, skip a cherry blossom Instagram walk for a pilgrimage hike to an iconic meditation ladder; and in the summer, ditch the heat of Tokyo and Kyoto to hike the forested Kumano Kodo trail.

Discover a side of Japan you didn’t even know existed with these small-group, seasonal adventures: 

JANUARY-MARCH
Soak up the winter season with snow monkeys & drift ice walking

The last time Japan hosted the Olympics in winter 1998, the world learned of the island nation’s booming skiing and snowboard scene. This time around, peek beyond the slopes and discover hidden pockets of Japan that are straight out of a snowglobe. Sink into a thermal hot spring alongside Nagano's famous "snow monkeys" on a self-guided tour of Nagano and Gifu, or dive into drift ice walking on a self-guided adventure of Hokkaido. Snowshoe between traditional wooden villages including Magome and Tsumago against a backdrop of snowdrifts on a guided tour of the Winter Nakasendo Trail, and sink into a natural thermal onsen bath every evening. 

 

APRIL-JUNE
Make your own Udon and sample some springtime saké 

While spring in Japan seems synonymous with cherry blossom season–at least according to your Instagram feed–there are other highlights to snap away from tourist hubs. Hike the historic Yamanobe no Michi trail on a self-guided pilgrimage through Nakasendo and the Kiso Valley. Learn about yew-wood carvings, Shunkei lacquerware and traditional saké brewing on Oku Japan's self-guided Japan Cultural Tour: Takayama to Kiso Valley. And on a self-guided Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage, experiment with Sanuki Udon noodle-making, take on a forest hike to Temple 58 Senyū-ji and climb the ladder to the meditation spot used by Kobo Daishi, the founder of Shingon Buddhism, at Temple 45 Iwaya-ji.

 

JULY-SEPTEMBER
Escape the urban heat by kayak  & bike

Summer days in Japan may become blisteringly hot, but that’s no excuse to take refuge in air-conditioned city hotels; instead, head north from Tokyo to explore the Oze Wetlands, Mount Gas-san and the Tono Valley on Oku Japan's guided Mountain Spirits Tohoku trip and discover the places that inspired poet Matsuo Basho’s haiku poems. Disconnect on a self-guided walk of the Kumano Kodo Trail, then relax after a day on the trails with a soak in outdoor hot springs. On Oku Japan's self-guided Hiroshima, Shimanami Kaido & Shikoku tour, cycle island-to-island along the Shimanami Kaido and kayak around Tomonoura Bay, or extend the trip to explore small village settlements along the Shikoku 88 trail. 
 

To learn more about Oku Japan’s year-round offerings of guided, self-guided and custom tours, please visit www.okujapan.com.

 

About Oku Japan
Oku Japan is a Kyoto-based tour operator specializing in sustainable guided, self-guided and custom tours exploring remote regions of Japan. The very first travel brand to offer self-guided walking trips along Japan’s ancient pilgrimage routes, Oku continues to honor its passion for Japanese culture by fostering meaningful community partnerships, encouraging cross-cultural connections among locals and travelers, and forging new adventures in Japan’s still-undiscovered territories. For more information, visit www.okujapan.com.

Japan’s 10 Essential Travel Experiences

What are the top 10 experiences not to miss in Japan? This amazing country offers so much to see and do, it’s hard to know exactly what’s not to be missed.

Luckily, our local travel experts have insider knowledge of the country’s top attractions, so we’ve compiled an infographic of 10 experiences in Japan you definitely shouldn’t miss.

Whether you like picturesque mountain towns, shopping for gadgets or delving into the history of the geisha, there is an unmissable experience in Japan just for you.

10 Not-to-Miss Japan Experiences

More details about our 10 not-to-miss Japan experiences

Experience #1 – Ride bullet train

Make sure you the have original high-speed bullet train experience with a ride on the Shinkansen. These super efficient, super-fast trains are definitely not your average commute. Whiz through the picturesque Japanese countryside at 320 km/h.

Experience #2 – Drink in the views of Takayama

Get your camera ready for this one – Takayama is an unbelievably pretty mountain village of Edo-period merchants’ houses dating back to the 1600s. Located in the ‘Japanese Alps’, this little town is a must-see for its sheer scenic beauty.

Experience #3 – Stay in a ryokan and dip into an onsen

A ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn, where you can stay in a private tatami mat rooms and sleep on a futon. A key feature of the ryokan is the hot spring bath – the onsen. Relax in the style of Japanese wayfarers immemorial.

Experience #4 – See history in Kyoto’s incredible array of UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Kyoto is Japan’s former imperial capital, so it stands to reason that there’s much history to be found. In UNESCO terms, it is home to 17 World Heritage Sites, which is more than anywhere else on the planet. See Japan’s spiritual and cultural heritage in its ancient castles, temples and shrines.

Experience #5 – Visit an icon – Miyajima Island and the red torii gate

You’ve seen it in movies or online, but it’s much better in real life – Miyajima’s Itsukushima Shrine is the iconic ‘floating’ torii (‘gate’ in Japanese). Torii are all over Japan, but here are none as famous as this one.

Experience #6 – See a geisha performance

Trained in classical music, dance, games and more, the modern geisha performance is a rare, one-of-a-kind experience. No cultural Japanese trip is complete without taking in an authentic geisha performance.

Experience #7 – Go, go, gadgets in Akihabara, Tokyo

Imagine store after store jammed to the rafters with gadgets – cameras, phones, games, computers, robots, drones – that’s Akihabara. Affectionately known in Tokyo as Akiba, this neighborhood is home to a mind-boggling array of electronics. Also home to anime and manga shops and some eye-catching cosplay cafés.

Experience #8 – Discover ancient Kamakura

Kamakura was Japan’s capital from 1192 to 1333, and today this scenic seaside city provides a the best glimpse you could ask for at the country’s feudal past. Mountains, beaches, shrines, temples, forests – Kamakura is a resort town with historic clout.

Experience #9 – Taste Tokyo

Hot, steaming bowls of ramen, spicy katsu curry, Michelin-starred sushi, BBQ meat on a skewer from your local izakaya – sampling all the must-eat food on offer in Tokyo is enough to keep you busy for a whole trip.

Experience #10 – Learn the ‘Way of Tea’

If you’re interested in Japanese culture, this must-have experience highlights not only the importance of the brew in Japanese culture but teaches you the concept of wabi-sabi, the beauty of impermanence/imperfection.

3 insider recommendations

#1 – Explore the arts

Get into the eclectic array of arts Japan offers. Sumo wrestling, sake tasting, contemporary art, antiques, Japanese calligraphy, zen gardens, even Buddhist meditation – dive into hands-on cultural experiences to give yourself a uniquely memorable time in Japan.

#2 – Robot Restaurant

If you’ve always wanted to say domo arigato, Mr Roboto, here’s your chance. Shinjuku in Tokyo is home to the Robot Restaurant where you can have a truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience watching robots battling it out on stage and bikini-clad hype dancers cheering them on. Is it touristy? Yes, but it’s fantastic fun!

#3 – Draw Manga

Manga is one of Japan’s most popular modern exports and you can learn how to draw in this distinctive style by joining a workshop – no previous experience required.

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From its ancient capitals to its modern metropolises, Japan offers a new discovery around every bend. Armed with insider knowledge from our Travel Specialists, you can now create a custom holiday full of Japanese experiences not to be missed. If you feel inspired to plan a Japan trip, choose your ideal tour and contact Backyard Travel today!