Japan

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Day Trips From Tokyo: 7 Famous Tourist Spots to Enjoy History & Nature in Tokyo's Suburbs

Other Nature

When you started making your Tokyo travel itinerary, did you focus mostly on downtown areas like Shibuya and Shinjuku? In fact, there are many bucket list-worthy spots just around 1-2 hours outside Tokyo! These are the kinds of spots where you can dip into Japan's history and culture, plus enjoy onsen hot springs, theme parks and more. As they are quite easy to access, you don't have to worry about taking a detour. Here we'll introduce popular tourist spots in Tokyo's suburbs that are easy to reach from Tokyo and completely worth visiting.

Step Into The Ghibli Universe and Transform Your Video Calls With Free Backgrounds!
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Nanba, Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi Other Shopping
‘It Looked Really Dangerous...’ 5 Things That Shocked Americans at Kansai Festivals

Nanba, Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi Japanese Festivals (Matsuri)
'The Way They Cook Octopus Balls...' Things That Shocked Tourists About Japanese Festivals

Tokyo Station
Mt. Fuji 2020 Climbing Season Canceled Due to Coronavirus

Mt. Fuji
Our Foodie Expert Shares the 3 Best All-you-can-eat Crab Shops in Osaka

Nanba, Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi All You Can Eat

'Tokyo, Whoa!' Travelers Share 21 Shocking And Surprising Things About Visiting Japan

Ueno

Every country has its own unique qualities. That's what makes traveling so much fun after all. Japan is no exception. In fact, it may be one of the most curious places you'll visit. You may have seen or read about Japan’s crowds, unique fashion trends or quirky phallic festivals, but oftentimes the most surprising experiences come from everyday life, customs, habits, or rules. The best way to not get overwhelmed is learning about them beforehand. We spoke with a group of people of different nationalities who recently visited Japan to hear their experiences directly. So, let's dive in and take a look at 21 of the most shocking and surprising things about visiting Japan!

Osaka Tenjin Matsuri - A Top Traditional Festival That is a Spectacle of Fire and Water!

USJ, Nanko Port Summer
Kitakami Tenshochi Sakura Festival: Japan's Incredibly Dreamy 2km Cherry Blossom Road!

Other Surrounding Areas Of Iwate Spring
Carbs on Carbs: Top 5 Weird Ways Japan Took Baked Goods to Another Level

Sapporo / Chitose
Tokyo Banana Releases New Cookie With Surprise Ingredient!

Tokyo Station Department Stores
These Are Japan’s Top 30 Best-Selling Beauty Products (And Where to Find Them!)

Shibuya
Thoughts of a Sunnier Time: 5 Japan Expats Share Their Top Summer Food Selections

Tokyo's Surrounding Areas Summer

[MOVIE] Sightseeing Taxi: Tour Tokyo the Easy Way!

Odaiba Adventure Activities

Tokyo is not always an easy city to visit, especially for first-timers. Even if the transportation system is known to be one of the best in the world, it usually takes some time to get used to it. And for those who already have a car license, driving in a foreign country can be a stressful experience. To make things smoother for travelers, I highly recommend a private car and a driver for a few hours, or a couple of days, and do sightseeing at your own pace.

Checking Out Tokyo's Samurai Museum: Get to Know the Spirit of Japan’s Ancient Warriors

Shinjuku Other Museums
Learn the Art of Flower Arrangement at Ohara School of Ikebana

Harajuku Other Traditional Arts
[MOVIE] DRUM TAO’S MANGEKYO – a Kaleidoscope of Taiko Drums

Shinagawa Shows
[MOVIE] A Japanese Drum Experience at TAIKO-LAB

Shibuya Other Sightseeing
Purikura: Change Yourself Up with Photo Booth Fun!

Arcades
Stringraphy at Studio EVE: A Striking and Unique Musical Experience

Shibuya Other Contemporary Arts

From Tokyo to Niigata: Heading to Sake Country via Joetsu Shinkansen

Niigata And Sado Other Sightseeing

Looking to experience a different side of Japan? Head from Tokyo to Niigata, Japan's gorgeous region filled with everything from sake breweries to breathtaking scenery! It takes about two hours to get from Tokyo Station to Niigata via the JR Joetsu Shinkansen. Niigata City has prospered as one of Japan’s leading port cities since the Edo Period, and you can enjoy many activities here such as historical walks and delicious gourmet meals. It is a great spot to use as a tourist base, as there are plenty of hotels in the city, and it is surrounded by attractions such as Sado Island and Yahiko Shrine.

Awesome Japan: 5 Popular Things to do in Osaka & Umeda

Umeda, Osaka Station, Kitashinchi Downtown
"Is Hokkaido for Me?" Introduction to Top Spots and How to Get There

Asahikawa Other Sightseeing
Lake Akan is the Perfect Escape From the Real World

Kushiro Hotels
From Tourist to Foodie Explorer: 15 Important Phrases to Know Before Going to Eating Out in Japan

Japanese cuisine
Kobe Beef in Kobe: 3 Best Restaurants Near Sannomiya Offering Affordably Priced Kobe Beef!

Kobe, Sannomiya, Kitano Teppanyaki
Top 3 Hotels in Amanohashidate With Best Views of Japan's Famous Sightseeing Spot!

Amanohashidate Hotels

Shibuya Guide: 30 Things to Do in Shibuya, Tokyo’s Iconic Area!

Shinjuku Downtown

When you think of Tokyo, you probably think of what things to do in Shibuya. Famous in its own right for decades, Shibuya Tokyo achieved iconic fame with its appearance in Bill Murray’s movie, Lost in Translation, with Scarlett Johansson crossing Shibuya Crossing, amongst other scenes based in and around this vibrant area. Since then, Shibuya has become a place of pilgrimage for millions of tourists who were intrigued by this movie, and by Japanese culture. Just like the movie, you can experience so many different things in this one part of Tokyo, and over a decade and a half since the film was released it is still just as exciting, bright, and busy. In this city within a city you can easily spend a few days exploring everything that is has to offer, and boy does it have a lot to offer! There are many spots which offer the perfect selfie, or Instagram moment, or for hard-core shoppers you can literally shop until you drop. There are culinary experiences everywhere you look. And of course there are places to just sit and take in the hustle-bustle of daily life. Join as we share 30 fun and interesting things to do in Shibuya, Tokyo's iconic area!

'Japanese Drivers...' 5 Weird Things That Shocked a Veteran Taiwanese Traveler About Japan!

Tokyo Station
6 Crazy Facts About Tokyo's Population - Inside the World’s Top Megacity

Tokyo's Surrounding Areas
'Japanese People Are so Different at Rush Hour!' 8 Things That Shocked Foreign Visitors
Completely Immerse Yourself in the World of Whisky on the Yamazaki Distillery Tour

Kinkakuji Temple, Kitayama Other Activities
Tokyo Outdoors: Relax at Todoroki Keikoku Ravine, a Nature-Lover's Paradise

Jiyugaoka Rivers, Lakes & Canyons
4 Easy Dinners: How to Make Your Favorite Japanese Rice Dishes Abroad!

Other Japanese Food

'I'm Waiting?!' How The Japanese Complain in Daily Life!

Japan is well known for having a high degree of hospitality, and this is expressed in a variety of situations - from restaurants to shops to everyday life. But as with anything, people do make mistakes, and there is always a chance that you might experience poor service. So what Japanese expressions can be used to complain and deal with a situation with finesse? Here are 38 highly useful Japanese phrases for to help you manage in common situations! In this article: ・At a Restaurant ・At a Shop ・On a Train ・At Your Accommodation ・On the Street