Sightseeing In Japan - A Foreigner's Guide to Vacation and Travel in Japan

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Events & Festivals - (8 articles)

Remembering thy Ancestors Obon Season...

Posted on July 26, 2007 by Brenton S.

Spiritual recognition and communication with one’s ancestors has been practiced by many cultures throughout the ages. Japan, having an amalgamation of different religions blending into their culture, celebrate and practice different rituals. Obon is a Buddhist celebration commemorating the deceased and one’s ancestral spirits. Usually held from July throughout mid-August, Obon is a one of the... Read More

Modern Wonders - (9 articles)

Shibuya Mummies

Posted on January 4, 2008

I stumbled upon a rare sight whilst walking along the front of Starbucks at the Hachiko crossing. It was nothing unusual at first as I noticed a group of young, trendy girls having a quick cigarette by the roadside. Soon, my view cleared up and I saw these girls standing by two baby strollers. It was my first experience seeing a “Shibuya Mummy” let alone a Shibuya "Gyaru” mother! For those ... Read More

Historic Locales - (9 articles)

Nikko, this place is frickin huge!

Posted on December 2, 2007 by Hanuman Welch

It's not everyday that you wake up and realize that you have over a dozen World Heritage Sites in your backyard. UNESCO assigns natural and cultural sites World Heritage status every year around the world. What makes Japan particularly special is its high concentration of sites. Doting the landscape from Kyushu to Hokkaido, Japan is one of the most culturally relevant countries on the planet. As... Read More

Castles - (7 articles)

Toyama Castle - Toyama

Posted on May 13, 2007 by Adam R.

Five minutes drive to our local train station and my wife and I off to see her old school mate named Baku who is living in Toyama City, about forty minutes away by local train. We are going for “Hanami” drinking Sake under the Cherry Blossoms, which is a not to miss event throughout Japan. We are going at night as it supposed to be especially scenic and there are less people. We meet up with B... Read More

Temples, Shrines & Churches - (12 articles)

Tokyo never ceases to amaze.

Posted on October 15, 2007 by Hanuman Welch

Seriously. I have been to Tokyo enough times to feel comfortable finding my way on the JR and the local subway lines. I know which spots in Shinjuku to avoid and where to go to get an amazing bowl of ramen. This city, though, always finds a way to leave me stunned and gawking; with my mouth hanging open like a fresh off the plane gaijin. Senso-Ji temple is a perfect example. Tucked away in a sed... Read More

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Museums, Galleries & Shops - (5 articles)

Hara Shobo Ukiyoe Gallery Tokyo

Posted on June 20, 2007 by Adam R.

Since my parents brought home an Ukiyoe book one day when I was in my teens back in Australia, I have been in love with this art form. Before coming to Japan I had purchased three back in Australia but they were cheap imitations. On my recent trip to Tokyo from Tonami City, I stumbled upon a store that specializes in authentic Ukiyoe called Hara Shobo. One thing I love and hate about Japan is yo... Read More

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Onsen - (5 articles)

Backyard Beppu Onsen

Posted on May 21, 2007 by Brenton S.

The city of Beppu in Oita on the island of Kyushu is known for having a large quantity of geothermic heated hot springs known as Onsen. Spouting scalding waters year round, the town of Beppu offers both a city and country outlook at modern Japanese life. The Japanese coined the term “the nine hells of Beppu” for the areas containing unusually large amounts of steam and boiling waters that allu... Read More

Theme Parks - (3 articles)

Wanna go to The Netherlands in Japan?

Posted on May 18, 2007 by Dione

Probably the title sounds stupid but yeah, there’s a place in Japan that looks like Holland (or called The Netherlands). I bet the first things that come out in your minds when you hear the country Holland are tulips, clogs, bicycles and windmills…same here! When I was younger I really dreamt of going to this place because I was so curious on how they grow their high-breed tulips which made them... Read More

Parks/Nature - (7 articles)

Hokkaido Motorcycle Touring

Posted on September 4, 2007 by Klaus D. Orth

12 days Hokkaido motorcycle touring are over - lots of memories remain. Let me share some of them with you. Going from Toon City (Shikoku) to Maizuru City (Kyoto-ken) for the ferry to Otaru City (Hokkaido) was my first challenge. Roughly 450 kilometers with a fully loaded bike. At Otaru I stayed at a friend's place, who is a log house builder. From there I went to Wakkanai, my home for two nigh... Read More

Mountains - (5 articles)

Do's and Don'ts for the 2007 Mt Fuji Climbing Season.

Posted on August 22, 2007 by Hanuman Welch

The not quite noon day sun had already begun baking my skin into a terra cotta shell. Thanks to the terrifying amount of Western European genes afforded to my DNA, this baking would begin a painful week long molting process. Climaxing, when my normally skim milk hued skin, would begin flaking off in sheets. Leaving behind a shiny pink surface that radiates an almost constant sheen of agony. Thanks... Read More

Sports - (2 articles)

A long introduction to snowboarding in Niigata

Posted on June 12, 2007 by Michael Tasseron

As a first time snowboarder, Japan has been kind to me, providing more than a good share of fresh powder days and a variety of runs suitable for beginners and experienced snowboarders. Some people rate Japan as one of the best countries to learn to snowboard. A lot of resorts are affordable and easily accessible from Tokyo by bus or Shinkansen. In late December I booked my first trip to a ski r... Read More