Japan
Japan is a part of Asia, but yet a world apart. Being an island that was closed for visitors for many years, it is like a cultural Galapagos with a unique cultural with lovely contrast of traditional and modern Japan. From the splendor of a Geisha dance to the spare beautify of a Zen rock gardens, Japan will fascinate even the most traveled traveler.
The traditional Japan is one thing, but once you step out into the streets of Tokyo around Shibuya Station, it is like stepping out into the future! It is neon-flash-maniac! Staying in a traditional Ryokan (Japanese Inn), sitting in a robe on the floor eating raw fish and getting naked with a bunch of strangers to soak in a Onsen (hot spring) are all things that are truly unique for Japan.
Savoring the delicious Japanese cuisine is half the reason why you should visit Japan! Their attention to details and flavors can literally change your idea of what is possible when it comes to food. And last but not least, Japan is a great country for outdoors activities with it`s Alps and islands. In the Japan Alps you can go hiking in the summer and skiing/ snowboarding in the winter at some of the wolds top notch skiing resorts. Down south the coral reefs of Okinawa will have you wondering if you have come to Thailand.
Japan is considered to be a relatively expensive country, but you can save a lot of money and make your Japan travel cheaper by following our tips.
When To Visit Japan
High season for visiting Japan is April, May and August (cherry blossom and autumn foliage). Shoulder season is June, July and September – December, while low season is January – March (cold and lots of snow). We visited in July/August and had nice warm weather, but a little rain in between.
Our Journey Through Japan
We spent six weeks in Japan and visited these places: 1. Tokyo – 2. Nikko – 3. Matsumoto – 4. Japanese Alps – 5. Kanazawa – 6. Takayama – 7. Shirakawa-go 8. Kyoto – 9. Hiroshima – 10. Miyajima Island – 11. Nara
Check out our recommended Japan Itinerary – The Best Of Japan In Two Weeks
Travel Guides
We used the Lonely Planet`s Japan travel guide on our trip. You can get that and other great books by clicking on the pictures below:
Blog posts from Japan
Takayama, also called Hida-Takayama, has a really unique and cozy atmosphere that we did not experience anywhere else in Japan. Narrow cobblestoned streets lined with charming old wooden houses and a nice and calm river that runs through the city, Ryokans, hillside shrines and temples, Onsens, and several museums makes Takayama a real must-visit place […]
Facts:
- Population: 127 million
- Capital: Tokyo
- Land Area: 77 944 km²
- Language: Japanese
- Religion: Buddhist/ Shinto
- Currency: Yen (JPY)
- Time zone: UTC+9
- Drives on: Left
Recent Comments on Japan
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As more than a million foreign visitors every year discovers, Kyoto offers beautiful historic temples, world-class shopping, mouth-watering cuisine, and some of the most diverse accommodation options anywhere in Japan. With so many hotel and guest houses to choose from,...
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With 2000 temples and shrines, visiting Kyoto should be mandatory on all Japan trips. Kyoto is Japans best-preserved historic city with its beautiful Zen gardens and 17 Unesco World Heritage Sites. Here is our ultimate 3 day Kyoto itinerary that...
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No other city offers quite as many bewildering options for accommodation as Tokyo, from traditional Japanese Inns, business hotels and sleeping pods to western style luxury hotels. With its more than 37 million inhabitants and dozens of city centers, finding...
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Tokyo has it all - excellent museums, grand temples, atmospheric shrines and lovely zen gardens. It is a city filled with Japanese history and tradition, but also modern, futuristic neo sci-fi streetscapes that make you feel like you're a part...
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Our recommended detailed day-by-day itinerary of how to get the most out of your Japan trip. These 11 places is the best of Japan, and a must-visit in our opinion.
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We 're only about 50-minutes from the city Takayama, but it feels like we have stepped back in time, back to the Edo period and the highlight of Japanese culture. A time of shoguns and samurais, a time that has...
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The world`s favourite bobtail cat Hello Kitty has reached the BIG 40! Can you believe it?! All around the world, and especially in Japan, there are Hello Kitty birthday celebrations. Here are 10 things you probably did not know about...
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While in Tokyo we did something I never though we would ever do; we queued for over an hour just for a plate of pancakes!! Yep, PANCAKES! 🙂 I know it sounds stupid, but the Tokyoites are crazy for pancakes...
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The Nikko area is packed with beautifully decorated temples and shrines set in the hillside of Japan surrounded by green and lush forest. It is absolutely stunning and a must-visit when in Japan!
