Owner: Japan Travel Guide URL:http://japantraveltourism.blogspot.com Join Date: Fri, 04 Jan 2008 10:37:51 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: Helpful information and tips for Japan Travel - includes Japan hotels, Japanese culture, Japanese translators.
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Luxury Family Vacation - How and Where To Enjoy Japan's 5 Northern Popular Attractions 2008-02-29 21:38:00 Luxury family vacation is very great comfort, especially among beautiful and expensive surroundings, that seldom we enjoy and if this opportunity comes to every family, what comes up first in mind is the place. When it comes to a family vacation where money is not a problem, Japan
's northern most of islands worth to take a look. Having your family holidays at Hokkaido is going to give your family the well deserved holidays of their lifetime. Hokkaido being the 2nd largest and least developed of Japan's 4 main island had attracted millions of visitors from around the world. With its spectacular scenery, cool weather and endless food trails. Here are some hotspots for your luxury family vacation to Hokkaido: 1) Noboribetsu is a favorite hot spring destination for Hokkaido tourist. Hokkaido Read more:Vacation
, Luxury
, Family
, Northern
, Attractions
Top Ten Things To Do In Japan 2008-02-19 21:23:00 Japan is one of the countries that have the best of both worlds. It's advanced in terms of technology, and yet, it has been able to retain its greatest heritage - its culture. Indeed, Japan has done an amazing feat as it can manage to stay as one of the world's leading economic powers while still being able to hold on to the roots of its past. And, as such, it has become one of the most interesting places to visit - a rich blend of history and technology. 1.) Watch the cherry blossoms fall There's no symbol of Japan more famous than the beautiful Cherry Blossoms. Indeed, the cherry blossom, with beauty so intense but so fleeting, is something that you have got to see if you ever visit Japan. They bloom during the months of April and May, and by the end of these months, they fall to the gro Read more:Japan
, Top Ten
Vacation Holiday In Japan Travel Guide 2008-02-08 20:41:00 Thinking of a holiday vacation in exotic Asia but does not know where to go? This travel guide article introduces you to Japan
, the country in which you can find buzzing cities where you can shop and party till the wee small hours of the morning or if you prefer, visit Japan's almost nature perfect countryside and marvel at its awesome natural beauty. Japan, or sometimes referred to as "Land of the rising sun" is an island nation located in north-eastern Asia between the northern Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan. The country has a land mass of approximately 377,870 sq km (145 896 sq miles) which is just a tad smaller than the state of California. The country is made up of four major island groups with more than 4,000 smaller islands surrounding the big four islands of Hokkaido to the nor Read more:Vacation
, Holiday
, Travel
, Guide
Learn Japanese in Japan and enjoy outstanding Ski resorts 2008-02-08 20:39:00 If you are a ski lover and wish to experience and alternative and unique spot on hearth, you must travel abroad and learn Japan
ese in Japan. Though unknown by many, Japan offers incredible ski resorts and snowed caped regions excellent for practicing snowboarding, ski and all types of winter sports as you learn Japanese
in Japan. If you wish to enjoy
snowed peaks as well as outdoor sports and commercial areas, your pick must be Kariuzawa as you learn Japanese in Japan. Have fun in Prince Ski Resort and buy traditional goods on the outlet mall of the city. Learn Japanese in Japan and reach Kariuzawa in just an hour from the centre of Tokyo. The city is also a perfect destination as a summer getaway to practice cycling, tennis, golf and hiking. If you learn Japanese in Japan you must visit Read more:outstanding
Japanese travel guide 2008-01-30 01:23:00 Getaways are meant to take a person away from all the hurly and burly of life to perfect peace and tranquility. An ideal getaway vacation can thus be at a place where you embrace the beauty of nature in complete serenity. The paradigm example of this is Japan where visitors themselves have discovered countless beautiful getaways. So lets take a look at some of the popular and ideal getaways in the land of rising sun. Some frequently visited getaways in the Japan are as follows:· Hagi- it is a nice historic archaic Samurai and castle town in the rural Japan. It is located near the western tip of the Honshu Island. Hagi has some of the wonderful museums and beaches. The Joka- Machi old samurai quarter is worth visitng in Hagi. Besides this the Kumaya Art Mueseum, the Kasuga Shrine near Joka Read more:Japanese
The World of the Geisha 2008-01-30 01:20:00 Yasunari Kawabata's crystalline novel Snow Country relates a love affair between an aloof dilettante and what is known as an onsen, or "hot-spring", geisha; and much of the novel's relentless melancholy arises from the onsen geisha's low place on the geisha totem pole. The dilettante is slumming, in other words, and his girl, though adept at the typical and treasured art of shamisen-playing, drinks and talks too boldly for a woman of her station.The phenomenal success of Arthur Golden's novel Memoirs of a Geisha and now the recent movie release- has rekindled the public's interest in these secretive and seductive creatures, just as their species seem destined to receive the coup de grace suffered by so many things traditionally Japanese. No ear is so trained as that hoping to hear dying wo Read more:World
Sensoji Temple: The Heart Of Tokyo 2008-01-30 01:17:00 The spiritual heart of Asakusa, and for that matter Tokyo
, is the impressive Sensoji Buddhist Temple
. Built sometime in the 7th century before Tokyo was even Edo, to house the golden statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, which, according to legend was fished out of the nearby Simudagawa, by two local fisherman brothers. Despite their efforts to return Kannon to the river where she was found, the statue kept finding its way back to them. Subsequently a temple was built to house the goddess. Sensoji is Tokyo’s only agreed tourist attraction, and is visited daily by hundreds of tourists and worshippers from Japan and all over the world.Arriving from Asakusa subway station, Sensoji is entered through Kiminarimon (“Thunder Gate”). A majestic structure that houses two protective deities: Read more:Heart
Japanese Hospitality in Tokyo Hotels 2008-01-30 01:16:00 Tokyo is Japan’s capital city and without any doubts also it’s largest as well as most attractive. Though it is actually one among the nations 47 prefectures, it is preferably called a metropolis rather than a prefecture. The metropolis consists of city wards, cities, towns and villages apart from quite a few small Pacific Islands which lie to the south of Japan’s main island Honshu. Almost one third of the metropolis area is made up of the 23 city wards which form the center of Tokyo. Tokyo was originally known as Edo which was to become the country’s political center in 1603. It started growing into becoming one of the world’s most populous cities and renamed Tokyo meaning "Eastern Capital". It was also at this time with the Meiji Restoration in 1868 the emperor and capital shi Read more:Japanese
, Tokyo
, Hospitality
, Hotels
Experience Warmth Hospitality of Narita Hotels 2008-01-30 01:15:00 Narita city in Japan is a unique mix of historical sights, water and greenery which in combination with an International airport makes it a delight for the international tourist. The area of Narita city is approximately 214 square kilometers. It has a location strategically to the north of Chiba prefecture. The Bando Taro rapids divide the prefecture from Ibaraki prefecture. The Lake Imba to its west and the Hokuso plains to its south-east with a few golf courses and peanut fields make it a place fit to be frequented by leisure tourists as well as sport loving tourists. One can check into any Narita Hotel to quietly savor the peaceful action and tranquility of the region. It is said that Narita city has been endowed with two hearts. One part of the city is a rich natural environment of wat Read more:Hospitality
, Hotels
, Warmth
Japanese Karaoke 2008-01-30 01:13:00 Pass any number of local clubs or bars on any given night in Japan, and you will no doubt hear the off key refrain of people participating in one of the countries all time favorite activities: karaoke. Although there are conflicting reports on how this popular form of recreation came about, most people agree that it most likely began in Kobe in the early 1970's, when a popular singer by the name of Daisuke Inoue introduced the concept after being asked frequently by guests to provide a recording of his performances they could sing along with on company sponsored vacations. Realizing the potential, Inoue developed a karaoke machine that played background music of his most popular songs for the price of 100 yen. Originally regarded as a fad which lacked the atmosphere of a live performance, Read more:Japanese
The Japanese Kimono 2008-01-30 01:12:00 The word kimono literally translates to "something worn" and has been considered the national attire of Japan since its inception in the fifth century. The earliest kimono were influenced through extensive cultural exchanges between China and Japan, when Chinese traders introduced traditional clothing known as Hanfu, which were later modified throughout Japan's history resulting in todays contemporary kimono. Kimono
can best be described as a T- shaped, straight lined robe with a collar and wide full length sleeves that falls to the ankle, made from a single bolt of fabric known as a tan, which comes in standard dimensions. The kimono consists of four main strips of cloth, two panels forming the sleeves, two covering the body, and additional smaller pieces that make up the narrow front pan Read more:Japanese
The Magic of Kyoto 2008-01-30 01:11:00 Japan. The name evokes images of cherry blossoms and temples, of Samurai and Kimono clad Geisha. The contemporary Japan of today is a diverse conglomeration of history and tradition merging with a future that often struggles to understand itself. A country vibrantly alive and awaiting the traveler who seeks to experience a culture replete with skyscrapers and bullet trains, of castles and paddy fields lined with rustic wooden homes. What better place to begin your journey within this exotic land than the city of Kyoto
. This extraordinarily beautiful city with its abundance of shrines, temples, palaces, gardens, and historically priceless buildings, exemplifies the essence of Japanese culture and history. With over 2,000 Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines architecturally still intact, it i Read more:Magic
The Climate of Japan 2008-01-30 00:22:00 Japan has four distinct seasons and enjoys a relatively mild and temperate climate, with the exception of Hokkaido to the north, and the subtropical area of Okinawa to the south. Each season has its own characteristics, with the highest precipitation in most areas falling during the rainy season, which runs approximately from mid June to the end of July. June is the official start of the rainy season, with conditions gradually becoming more humid and rainy in the steamy month of July when temperatures can soar into the high 90's daily with almost 100% humidity. For those who plan to travel to Japan in the summer, an extended visit to Hokkaido in the north which is mercifully spared a rainy season is a welcome break from the heat of Honshu and the other major islands. Many Japanese living i Read more:Japan
, Climate
The History of Japan 2008-01-16 23:09:00 A land richly steeped in history and culture, legend attributes the creation of Japan
to the sun goddess Amaterasu, whose claim to the throne by her grandson Emperor Jimmu in 660 B.C, was a traditional belief that constituted official recognition until 1945. The first indication of recorded history in Japan was around the year A.D. 400, when the ambitious Yamato clan based in Kyoto was successful in gaining control over several other key family groups in central and western Japan. The next several centuries were kept under the tight reign of this powerful clan, who succeeded in creating an imperial court similar to that of China, and whose authority was eventually undermined by influential aristocratic families who vied for control. Also emerging in the same period were elite war Read more:History
Taking the Train in Japan 2008-01-16 23:08:00 For new arrivals in Japan
riding trains quickly becomes a necessity of life. Taking
on the challenge of a crowded morning rush hour train is a right of passage, and foreigners who pass this grueling test are promoted to the ranks of those tenacious individuals able to adapt to this country's major form of transportation. Scenes viewed on television or in magazines of white gloved conductors pushing throngs of commuters into crammed compartments are unfortunately a reality, and anyone bold enough to literally jump into this melee will experience the claustrophobic's worst nightmare.My initial encounter with rush hour in Tokyo was on a Monday morning, and I was due to report bright and early for my first teaching job thirty minutes away by train. With the naivety of a novice rider I patientl Read more:Train
Planning a trip to Japan �" and how to behave respectfully. 2008-01-06 09:13:00 In my capacity as the UK Director of Operations for One World Tours Limited, I am often asked all kinds of travel questions. I personally believe that when visiting a different country that you should be respectful of your hosts beliefs and customs. So with that in mind I have put together some useful tips and basic rules that should be observed when visiting Japan
.By far the best and most efficient way to travel is by train using the Japan Rail Travel Pass for foreigners. You will need to buy an exchange order before entering Japan as you can not buy it when you are there and travel agencies in your area will be able to tell you where you can get hold of one. You have to be eligible for the pass so if you are visiting Japan for temporary sightseeing or are a Japanese national who lives pe
The Cost of Living in Japan 2008-01-06 09:11:00 Japan, and especially it's capital city of Tokyo, have been notoriously famous throughout the years as being among the world's most expensive places to live. Those who have experienced a ten dollar cup of coffee in the Ginza, or noticed the stylishly packaged melons for sale at airport tourist shops for 10,000 yen will attest to this fact. Yet the truth of the matter is you don't have to spend a fortune to enjoy a comfortable and enjoyable life style in Japan. One of the major considerations in regard to avoiding the potentially high cost of living is deciding where to reside. As rent will consume as much as thirty percent of your income, choosing a suitable area to live becomes a number one priority when trying to hold on to your yen.The first rule of thumb when looking for affordable acc Read more:Japan
, Living
The Coffee Shops of Japan 2007-12-31 22:46:00 With Japan
rated as the third largest coffee consumer in the world, it comes as no surprise that coffee shops (kissatens) abound, with Tokyo alone home to over ten thousand. Shops come in all sizes and styles, but the smaller versions usually include only a counter and a few tables that are often sole proprietorships run by a husband and wife team who are helped by a part time waitress. These establishments also often double as a small restaurant which offer sandwiches or a light meal during lunchtime. For breakfast a “morning set” is often available which usually consists of juice, coffee, eggs and toast. These mom and pop businesses are gradually being replaced by the bigger chain shops such as Detour, Tully's, and Starbucks, which offer over the counter coffee, more spacious seating Read more:Coffee
Hokkaido: Japan's Last Frontier 2007-12-31 22:44:00 Known for it's vast open spaces and breathtaking vistas, Japan
's second largest island of Hokkaido offers visitors the ideal place to escape the confinements of life in the city and reconnect with a more natural way of life. With the island representing only five percent of the population of Japan, Hokkaido is one of the last wilderness areas remaining in the country, and is home to many national parks attracting an array of outdoor enthusiasts, from skiers and snowboarders, to cyclists, hikers, and campers. One of the most popular destinations for those wishing to explore the ultimate outdoor experience is Daisetsuzan National park, Hokkaido's largest. Consisting of a densely forested area, it's unspoiled wilderness provides hikers an opportunity to see abundant wild life. Also not to be Read more:Frontier
The best Jobs in Japan 2007-12-16 22:32:00 Are you thinking about Working in Japan
? Are you having trouble deciding what to do? Then read on, and I'll try to make things clearer for you about all the different kinds of jobs in Japan.Most foreigners come to Japan to teach English. This is not usually because they want to do it, but because they think there aren't any other jobs around. However, this is not the case. There are quite a few types of jobs in Japan, you just have to know where to look. If you look around, you can find jobs in Ski, Beach, or Golf resorts around Japan, or you can work in bars / restaurants, or you can even try out modeling if you're good looking enough!The best place to start looking for jobs is on the internet. If you're already in Japan, there are also a couple of great magazines which advertise a whole
Ski Japan, not just Niseko! 2007-12-16 22:31:00 Do you want to Ski Japan
?If you like skiing, and you haven't been to Japan yet, then you should definitely put it on your list! Japan, unbeknown to many, is actually one of the finest, relatively undiscovered skiing destinations in the world! It's world class powder snow, and completely unique cultural experience has been attracting thousands of new ski tourists every year, particularly from Australia.Niseko, in Hokkaido, is where about 99% of the ski tourists go. Why? Mainly because of the terrain. Niseko is home to 4 of the biggest Ski Resorts in Japan, Grand Hirafu, Annupuri, Higashiyama, and more recently, the Australian owned Hanazono. With a combined lift-pass, you have access to the largest combined terrain in the whole of Japan. In addition, Niseko is the only Ski region in Japan w
Work in Ski Jobs in Japan 2007-12-16 22:30:00 Do you want to work in Ski Jobs in Japan
? Here's everything you need to know before you go!Recently, because Japan has experienced a huge Ski tourism boom, more and more foreigners are finding work in Ski Resorts around Japan. Working in a Ski Resort gives you the chance to experience the REAL Japan, and see a beautiful side of the country not many people know about. And on top of that, you get to meet so many amazing new friends, improve your Japanese speaking skill, ski for free, and even get paid for it!Ski resorts are all over Japan, the most popular regions which are Niseko, in Hokkaido (this is the most famous area with foreigners, but also the least culturally interesting, for the same reason), Nagano (home to the 1998 Winter Olympics), and Niigata (famous for it's huge dumps of pow
Japan Jobs other than Teaching 2007-12-16 22:29:00 Are you thinking about coming to Japan
? If you want to come as a tourist, it can be quite an expensive place (although not as much as it used to be!). Also, there are so many amazing things about Japan that you don't really notice if you're only here for a short period. If you really want to come and experience Japan in all its glory, you should come for at least 6 months, get a job, and live here for a while.Japan is one of the most homogenous societies in the world. Walking down the street, it's quite rare to see other foreigners. Historically, Japan has always been a really closed society; an island nation that accepted foreign influence slowly, and very hesitantly. So, naturally, you would think that there aren't a lot of jobs around for foreigners. But actually, things are changing, a
Top 10 sights of Kyoto, Japan 2007-12-16 22:28:00 When people first consider the idea of a holiday in Japan
, their thoughts usually turn to Tokyo. Now, there's nothing wrong with Tokyo - its soaring skyscrapers perfectly contrasting with its sombre temples - but there is a lot more to Japan than the bright lights of its world famous capital. That's why at Inside Japan Tours we try to encourage people to look beyond the country's magnificent capital, and to explore the other culturally and historically significant cities.Take Kyoto
, for example. The city is the historical and cultural capital of Japan - a fine mix of urban sprawl and cultural gems. Indeed, Kyoto was home to the Japanese Imperial family from 794 all the way up to 1868 when the Emperor decided to relocate to Tokyo. Kyoto is one of the few major Japanese cities to avoid the d
Entertaining Holidays in Japan Hotels 2007-12-16 22:27:00 Japan is a favorite destination for tourists worldwide. It has quietly but strongly emerged as a hot favorite of the tourists round the year. A holiday vacation in Japan begins from the New Year and continues till the next New Year! In fact, the Japanese businesses all shut down from January 1 to January 3 as people use this holiday time to spend time together with their loved ones. The Japanese give a lot of prominence to this holiday period and is locally called 'shogatsu' or 'oshogatsu'. At the end of the year the Japanese celebrate with typical year forgetting parties called 'bonenkai parties'. These signify leaving behind the gone years worries and troubles with a forward looking approach to a fresh start.The New Years Eve sees the entrance gates being decorated and cleaning in all Ja Read more:Japan
, Hotels
, Entertaining
, Holidays
Japanese Garden of Monaco 2008-03-11 03:37:00 Have you ever seen an authentic Japanese
garden? Well, I had the chance of seeing the one in Monaco
and was really impressed too. Wanna taste a little Japanese culture? Stepping on this ground is escaping from the real world into a fantasy land. You suddenly find yourself in a typical Japanese natural setting like the ones you see in marvelous paintings. The only thing that's missing is the fog. Instead, the Mediterranean sun reveals all minute details in a warm light. With Japanese gardens, what you see is not all; the surface of things is the mere reflection of the psyche of an ancient culture. One really needs to be literally "cultured" in this direction to best appreciate the value of this art. (which I myself was not at the time of my visit! And it was a pitty as I did not know what t Read more:Garden
Japanese Overseas Travel Insurance 2008-03-11 03:35:00 If you are an expatriate planning on long-term residence in Japan you can, after a one-year stay, become a part of Japan's national health program. Until that time, however, you're going to need Japanese
overseas travel insurance. Some of the Japanese overseas travel insurance options include not only trip or annual medical emergency coverage for travel but also disability insurance, personal liability coverage and term life insurance. Japanese overseas travel insurance's medical coverage with some plans offers full (100 percent) reimbursement for prescription medicine, medical care for diagnostic purposes, hospital stay and even surgery. You'll also be covered in case of terrorism and an evacuation to your home residence in the event of medical or terrorist emergency. One firm whose Japan Read more:Travel
, Travel Insurance
Culture Shock & English Teachers in Japan 2008-03-11 03:33:00 Moving halfway around the world, to a culture as foreign and difficult to penetrate as Japan
's is difficult for anyone. If you become an English
teacher here, you will probably have to deal with a Japanese boss and staff with different cultural values from your own. This can lead to a feeling of paranoia in some cases; isolation and disillusionment. To a great extent, leaving your friends and family and going to Japan to teach English engenders some of the same feelings as that of teenagers rebelling from their parents in the West. Teenagers rely on their parents, yet resent and rebel against them. Of course they complain to their friends about them too. Foreign English teachers in Japan must rely on their Japanese bosses for: their work visa, in some cases their apartment, and of course t Read more:Shock
Visiting the Japanese Home 2008-03-11 03:31:00 So, you plan to visit a Japanese
home? Well, before you do such you must first learn the etiquette in Japanese homes. The Japanese home culture revolves around three values: courtesy, cleanliness, and graciousness. Learning to apply these values whether in the Japanese context or not benefits you not only as you deal with the Japanese - it will allow you better dealings and communications with other people as well.Courtesy. The first thing you have to do is greet the family. Bowing slightly as you greet them would be the best move, for shaking hands is still an awkward formality in Japan. The lower you bow the more respect you give.If you could bring a small present, do so, especially a food souvenir called “omiyage” in Japan to delight your hosts and immediately create a warm atmosphe
A Reason to Travel to Japan 2008-03-11 03:29:00 When you think of Japan
, what comes up to your mind? There might be “Sony” and “Toyota” or “Samurai” and “Geisha.” You might consider that the former ones represent the modern Japan and the later ones represent the past. However, the real Japan is not such simple and contains the both aspects together through its historical stream. It is little bit hard for people to understand that the two different characters exist in one country.There are some clues to glance at the real face of Japan. As you know, Japanese cars are becoming more and more popular in the US. The reasons explain the typical quality of the Japanese products. Practicability and Flavor. The reliability is that people can count on and the quality is that owners can be satisfied with for a long time. How about Read more:Travel
, Reason
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