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Essays About Japan: Top 5 Examples and 5 Prompts

Japan is a beautiful country famous for its lush landscape, delicious food, and well-mannered people. Here are some examples of essays about Japan .

A developed country in Asia known as the “land of the rising sun,” Japan has become a hot commodity for tourism and business. Japan is truly a sight to behold, from its beautiful cherry blossoms , efficient public transportation system, and delicious food.

Japan’s rich history has allowed it to develop into one of the most advanced nations in the world, and its technology is renowned worldwide. Moreover, its people are known for their discipline , hard work, and resilience, even in the face of severe natural disasters. Japan is, without a doubt, a country worth visiting.

If you want to write essays about Japan , here are our best essay examples and writing prompts to help you begin.

1. What Japan Taught Me About Life by Beth Louise

2. japan experience: reflection on japanese culture by rayan elhafiz abdalla, 3. what i learned about design from travel in japan by teo yu siang.

4. The best time to visit Japan by Pat Kay

5. A Day Trip To Kobe by David Swanson

5 prompts for essays about japan, 1. what does japan mean to you , 2. misogyny in japanese society, 3. why visit japan, 4. japan’s history, 5. living in japan: what’s it like.

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“In fact, there’s so much to see and do that it feels like a lifetime of exploring would never uncover all that’s on offer. It’s also a bright, buzzing lesson in living fast; just wandering around in the crowds is a massive adrenaline rush, and Monday nights are as mental as Fridays. But despite the intensity of a city so large, people are calm and quiet. It’s the most magical juxtaposition. Everything is moving at light-speed, but with such efficiency and thoughtfulness, that it feels like a well-oiled, intuitive machine, powering a ride that you never want to get off.”

In her essay, Louise writes about her experience traveling to Tokyo, Japan . She compares it to a machine, with all the people in the city playing their part. She is amazed by the people’s focus, discipline , manners, and sense of purpose, and she can better appreciate life’s simplicity. She is mesmerized by Japan and recommends booking a trip to Tokyo as soon as possible.

You might also like these essays about being yourself and essays about college .

“People were very friendly, they will greet you even if they don’t know you. One shocking incident that I will not forgot, is when the cashier was trying to help me put all my coin money in my wallet with me. In America I am not used to having someone put my money inside my wallet, that is really invading personal space. However, I learned that in Japan it seems normal to just drop off someone’s coins in their wallet.”

Similar to Louise, Abdalla reflects on new things he discovered about Japan and its people during his time there. These range from trivial things such as the “Pokemon Go” rollout in the country to the Japanese’ sense of honor and discipline . He recounts an experience in which the cashier was helping him put his change into his wallet, something he is not used to back home. He provides excellent, although short, insight into Japan , its culture, and its people.

“Everything around us is designed: from the smartphones we use every day to the tactile paving on a walkway. But it’s often hard to examine the designed environment around us with eyes as fresh as a tourist’s. So if you’ve made it to the end of this post, I’ve got a challenge for you: The next time you take a walk outside, try to become aware of the thousands of design decisions around you. What works, and what can be improved?”

Siang writes about the edge that Japanese cities and society in general have because they are well-designed. He cites innovations such as fast, automated cash register machines and aid for the visually impaired and recalls lessons such as the importance of accessibility when designing something.

4. The best time to visit Japan by Pat Kay

“When people ask me “When is the best time to visit Japan ?”, I usually reply with “anytime”. Japan is always a good idea, at any time of year. It’s truly an all-year-round destination that provides vastly varied experiences throughout its distinct 4 seasons. Whether you’re a traveller who loves snow, or one who thrives in humidity; a traveller who wants to see beautiful nature changes, or wants to be thrown into crowds; whatever your style of travel, there’s a season and a time for that.”

Kay describes the weather and activities during the different seasons in Japan , giving readers an idea of when they would prefer to visit. Japan ranges from the ethereal but chaotic cherry blossom season to the calm, frigid snow season; however, each year’s season has its own charm. Kay’s essay gives good insight into the best times to visit Japan .

“When planning a visit to Kobe, consider the fact that the city has been completely rebuilt since 1995, following the great Hanshin earthquake that leveled much of the city. Except for a few memorials, you likely won’t be aware of the destruction at all. Instead, what you will discover is a cosmopolitan port city where foreign influences intermingle, museums are dedicated to sake, and a conveniently compact and walkable quarter showcases a robust nightlife scene that has featured jazz on the menu for nearly a century. Oh, and, of course, there is the beef.”

In this short write-up, Swanson lists the best things to do in Kobe, Japan , a place best known for its top-quality beef. However, there are many things to do in the city besides eating beef, such as viewing historical buildings, going to the hot springs, and visiting the botanical gardens. However, Swanson notes that eating is an integral part of a trip to Kobe, and one should not miss out on trying the beef.

In your essay, you can write about the country’s significance to you. For example, are you from there, or do you have Japanese ancestry? Have you visited? Write about your connection to the country and why this connection exists in the first place. If Japan has a special place in your heart, this essay topic is for you.

When editing for grammar, we also recommend taking the time to improve the readability score of a piece of writing before publishing or submitting

With all its glory and excellence, Japan is less evolved in gender equality. So how are women treated in Japan ? First, delve into research about the treatment of women in Japanese society, and show how the culture differs from modern western gender equality ideologies. Then, discuss why Japan is behind in encouraging women’s equal rights. Make sure to cite research, statistics, and interviews to support your point.

This topic is straightforward; whether you have been or not, try to persuade others to visit the country. Include highlights that others should visit and suggestions for places others can visit. If Japan was a bad experience for you, go the other way: why should you not visit Japan ?

Japan has a dark history surrounding its role in World War II. In your essay, briefly explain these events and research their effects on Japan after the war. How did the war change Japan – for better or for worse? Elaborate on the impact and, as always, include references to strengthen your arguments. This is quite a broad topic, so you can focus on one element of Japanese society: values, city planning, relationships with tourists, race, inequality, and gender equality.

Based on reading articles and sample essays as well as any experiences in Japan , list the advantages and disadvantages of living in Japan and conclude whether it would be ideal for moving to Japan or not. Use anecdotes from travel writers or people who live in Japan to show why living in japan is enjoyable or not so enjoyable. Pick a stance for a compelling argumentative essay.

If you are interested in learning more, check out our essay writing tips !

If you’re stuck picking your next essay topic, check out our guide on how to write an essay about diversity .

Personal Essay Example: Reasons Why I Want to Visit Japan

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Where is one place in the world you would like to visit? Explain why you would want to visit this place, and what you would want to do or see once you arrive. Include specific details and examples in your response.

If I could visit any place in the world, it would be Japan. Many people, such as my friends, relatives, and reviews, told me how amazing Japan is. Japan is one of the most attractive places for tourists, millions of people each year travel there to try its exotic and traditional food. Another reason why is because of the beautiful sakura flowers that only bloom once a year. Japan also has one of the most unique hotels, one being a capsule hotel, like the name says you live in a capsule.

Japan is known for their natural beauty. There are many mountains, waterfalls, and forests, and most importantly, cherry blossoms. Like I said in my manifesto, I like adventuring to new places and especially in mother nature. As my parents say, I’m quite the photographer so, whenever I go to new places, I can add some photos to my collection and see many astonishing views. One of my wishes is that I get a Fujifilm X-T4, it is a camera that specializes in photography, and I want to capture almost everything that I do. If I go to Japan during April, I would definitely go to Chidorigafuchi. Chidorigafuchi is a seven hundred meters long river that leads to the Imperial Palace. The river is surrounded by cherry blossoms and you can take a boat/canoe ride down the river. Chidorigafuchi is one of the most popular places in Japan for viewing cherry blossoms, and during April, cherry blossoms bloom and shine at their brightest. Cherry Blossoms are one of my favourite types of plants because of how beautiful they are and how rare they are. Remember that this is a once-in-a-year time and the cherry blossoms die fast so if you get to see them, you are very lucky! The next place I would go to is Mount Fuji. Mount Fuji is a popular tourist attraction in Japan that a lot of people recognize. It is the thirty-fifth tallest mountain in the world and rises up to 12,388 feet, so I want to see it myself. When I’m at Mt. Fuji, I want to see around because there are five lakes and many temples that surround Mt. Fuji. There is also a lot of history, so I want to learn about it. An example is that Mt. Fuji was known as a sacred kami or spirit in the Shinto religion. The last place I would like to go is to a hot spring. Hot springs are very common because of all the volcanoes Japan has. Hot springs are very relaxing and are located in traditional Japanese inns.

Japan has one of the most unique and exotic foods in the world, that’s why I want to try their foods. Fun fact, 30% of the world's 7 Eleven’s are in Japan and it is pretty common to see a convenience store in every street. So whenever you need a cheap meal such as an egg sandwich, you can head over to 7 Eleven or Family Mart. Many shops in Japan have a traditional food called bento box. All families have a different recipe and they could be eaten for any meal, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and sometimes dessert. One exotic food that I want to try is omurice from Yukimura Motokichi. He works at Kichi Kichi and is most popular for his omurice. He entertains everyone with his cooking tricks, jokes, and makes a very memorable time for everyone. Omurice is a dish that contains fried rice and an omelette, topped off with some ketchup. Another dish I would like to eat is sushi, a traditional dish from Japan and is my favourite food of all time. I like sashimi over the rolls because I think that in sushi, the fish is the most important part of the combination. Sushi is a traditional food for the Japanese people and whenever you eat sushi in Japan, it may be pricey, but believe me, it tastes like heaven. Another food I would like to try is ramen. I love noodles and ramen is my favourite type of noodle dish. I would take tonkatsu ramen because ramen is about broth and tonkatsu ramen has pork bone broth. And for dessert, I would take mochi. Mochi has a wide range of flavours but I would take the green tea matcha because I drink green tea almost every day and it is my favourite type of tea. Unique food that is only grown in Japan is square or cube watermelons. They are essentially ornamental and are very expensive. They are around two hundred and fifty dollars and I want to see what’s so special about them. Another food I would like to try is street food. Every countries’ street food is unique but Japan’s stand out to me. There are more than two thousand items to try and street food doesn’t take very long.

There are a lot of tourist attractions in Japan and there is a lot I like to go to. I really want to go to Japan’s Disney World. I am a big fan of theme parks and I heard that Disney World is a very fun place to go to. So far, have been to Canada’s Wonderland and Universal and both turned out to be super fun. I really like Disney movies and now that they own Marvel or the Avengers, I really want to check out what they built for the Avengers. I also want to visit the Great Buddha of Kamakura. It is a colossal representation of Amida Buddha and is one of the most celebrated Buddhist figures. My family are Buddhists so it is nice to go here. Last but not least, I want to go to Hokkaido. Hokkaido is an island located north of Japan, taking up twenty percent of Japan’s mass and five percent of its population. Hokkaido is one of the most popular destinations for travelers in Japan. Boasting unspoiled natural sights, festivals, historical landmarks, coastline villages and the freshest seafood in the country, the island is sure to impress even the most seasoned traveler.

My third reason why I want to go to Japan is because of their unique hotels, one is a capsule hotel. Capsule hotels were also known as pod hotels are a type of hotel that has been invented in Japan. The room/capsule you get is roughly the length and width of a single bed and has the height for a person to crawl in and sit/sleep on the bed. The amenities you get would be the same as any other hotel, a/c, power sockets, slippers, etc. Amenities outside the capsule, you are given toilets, showers, Wi-Fi, dining rooms, and sometimes a cafeteria. It is around ¥2000 to ¥4000, which is 18 to 37 Canadian dollars, which is cheaper than most hotels. Once you get there, your clothing and footwear are swapped to Japanese clothing, yukata and slippers. Another unique hotel from Japan is bus and train hotels. Bus and train hotels both have the size of a business classroom in an airplane. They have comfortable reclining chairs that can turn into a bed. You are also given as many amenities as a hotel would.

In conclusion, I would like to visit Japan because I find that their natural beauty is really beautiful and their foods are very flavorsome. Japan, in general, is unique because I find that the culture, art, technology, etc is very different from other countries. I think that no other country can offer the same characteristics Japan has.

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20 Reasons Why You Should Visit Japan

Japan is the most amazing tourist destination and it offers many unique experiences that you cannot find in any other part of the world. The culture of this country is an interesting blend of Eastern traditions and Western modernity that can be seen everywhere. Japan is one of the oldest civilizations and has a beautiful and diverse history. The stunning, diverse scenery with mountains and breathtaking views, which are much appreciated by the Japanese, offers so many different experiences that attract tourists from all corners of the world. In this article we give you our best reasons why you should make a trip to this amazing country at least once in your lifetime.

1. Pristine natural scenery

2. mount fuji , 4. incredible food, 5. beautiful temples, shrines, and zen gardens, 6. friendly people, 7. efficient public transportation, 8. thrilling experiences , 9. festivals/matsuri, 10. clean country, 11. shopper’s paradise, 12. weird stuff, 13. sakura (cherry blossoms), 15. onsen & sento , 16. unesco world heritage sites, 17. japanese castles , 18. sumo & sport events, 19. traditional arts and crafts, 20. unique accommodation, tour packages, other articles you might like.

The first reason to visit is obviously the natural beauty of the country. Even though many people think of Japan as a highly modern country with flashy neon lights and advanced technology, shopping malls and high-end stores, there are many ways in which Japan is a nature lover’s paradise as well!

As soon as you travel outside of the big and modern cities you will discover that the country is home to some of the best natural scenery in the world . From the wilderness in Hokkaido to the white pristine beaches of Okinawa , Japan’s nature is incredibly diverse. The rugged mountains, rocky coastlines, pristine white beaches, bamboo forests and some of the world’s most beautiful waterfalls are just some of the natural beauty to be enjoyed all year round.

Mount Fuji is famous all over the world as a place to visit during any season of the year. But the majestic Fujisan is not ‘just a mountain’ as it takes a very special, sacred place in the Japanese culture. Since the 7th century it has been a sacred site for Shintoism, the indigenous religion of Japan . Japanese people have always held Mount Fuji close to their heart and Mount Fuji is displayed in many artistic outings, including (ancient) pottery, calligraphy, ukiyo-e paintings and woodblock prints.

Climbing Mount Fuji is at the top of many people’s bucket list and an estimated 400,000 people climb the volcano each year. The climbing season of the highest peak (3,776 m) in Japan lasts from early July to early September. Though, even if you are not keen on making your way to the summit, Mount Fuji is a sight to behold .

▼Book our tour to the 5th station of Mt. Fuji!

Japan is amongst the safest countries in the world , with an extremely low crime rate. This is something the Japanese are, understandably, quite proud of. Japanese people often leave their doors unlocked, children are perfectly safe traveling on the subway by themselves, and visitors are able to walk around the cities at night without having to worry. Japan’s low crime rate is partly due to the cultural belief in Japan where they always prioritize the common good above their own needs. You will likely come across some situations that you might think of as dangerous or stupid behaviour, but are perfectly normal in Japan. Japan is so safe, you can fall asleep on the train in Tokyo, the world’s biggest city, and wake up with your wallet and phone still in your possession. Or even on the street, you might see some salaryman passed out after 1 or 2 drinks too many but they won’t be robbed of their valuables. When you do forget something in a restaurant or on the train, always try to go back, it is highly likely that someone kept it for you or brought it to the police!

Even though Japanese cuisine is available around the world, the country attracts millions of tourists every year just to experience authentic Japanese food . Some of the usual experiences are the sushi conveyor belt and sake bars and don’t forget to try some fresh sushi at Tsukiji Fish Market or the delicious street food like takoyaki in Osaka.

For many visitors, a trip to Japan provides the opportunity to indulge in some authentic Kaiseki food. Kaiseki is a traditional form of cuisine that has evolved over a period of thousands of years, using ingredients that are hardly found in any other part of the world. Any random, shady looking place makes the best sushi, ramen or tempura. Even the konbini food is tasty and freshly prepared on a daily basis. Tokyo has more Michelin stars than any other city in the world , with also the most three-star restaurants (12) in the world! Add to it a variety of traditional Japanese drinks and you have an experience of a lifetime waiting for you!

Are you hoping to try all the best food in Japan but don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, you can book a fun and delicious food and drink tour with us! We will assure that you will hit all the best spots that you would never normally stumble upon.

There are an estimated 80,000 temples and shrines in Japan of all sizes and some are over 1,000 years old! The Buddhist temples and zen gardens are incredibly beautiful and if you enter them you really can experience how peaceful and magical these places actually are.

Inari Shrines are the most familiar Shinto shrines to Japanese people and they are also known as “o-inari-san”. Thousands of them are spread all over the country. One of the most important Inari Shrine is Fushimi Inari in Kyoto, which is dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice. It is famous for its thousands of vermilion Torii gates and definitely something you have to see with your own eyes.

Even if you are not visiting Kyoto, you will have the opportunity to visit shrines with rows of torii gates throughout the country , even in the centre of Tokyo!

When you’re visiting Japan you will quickly find out that Japanese behavior is completely different to how people behave in Western countries. People in japan have the attitude to bother the people in their environment as little as possible. You will notice it as soon as you enter the train because it is amazing how silent it is in the train! Everyone is as respectful as possible and also incredibly helpful. If you have a question or seem to be confused about something you will always find someone who can help you! The language barrier is difficult at times, but Japanese people will always try to help you. It is difficult to describe a feeling like this with words so you should definitely experience on your own.

Recommended article: Why You Should Learn Japanese

The public transportation network in Japan is simply amazing . Especially when you are in the bigger cities, the system is just incredible. With trains or metro’s departing every few minutes (during the day) it is amazing how fast you can commute from one part of the city to another part within a short period of time.

The famous shinkansen, also known as the bullet train, takes you to all parts of the country. The extensive high-speed train network in Japan, connecting Hokkaido, Honshu and Kyushu, is extremely reliable with frequent departures throughout the day. The Tokaido Shinkansen line, connecting Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, is Japan’s busiest and most popular line with 370 departures each day! As a tourist it is definitely the most convenient, reliable, fastest way of discovering Japan . The best part for international tourists is that they can purchase a Japan Rail Pass that will give them unlimited travel for a designated period of time throughout the country!

Adventure tourism is not something that one would associate with Japan, but the truth is that you can find many exciting experiences in this country. Whether it is snowboarding or skiing in Hokkaido or Nagano , or cycling along the Seto Inland Sea , catching a glimpse of Mount Fuji from the rollercoasters of FujiQ Highlands or sand-boarding in Japan’s desert of Tottori , the options for thrill-seekers are endless.

With about 75% of Japan covered in mountainous landscape you can embark on some amazing multi-day hikes or walk the steps of ancient pilgrimage routes like the Kumano Kodo Trail or the Shikoku 88 Temples Pilgrimage and witness the perfect mixture of nature and culture. At many tourist spots like Arashiyama or Asakusa you can also actively explore the area while riding a traditional Japanese rickshaw.

At any time of the year, Japan hosts a number of events and matsuri for anyone to enjoy . Matsuri are traditional Japanese events where often floats, called mikoshi, are carried around between temples and shrines. They often take place in the summer and attract thousands or even millions of visitors with their energetic atmosphere, and amazing street food activities for everyone to enjoy.

In wintertime you will find some unique and great festivals too, like the Kamakura snow hut festivals that are held around the country. There are also several illumination festivals with spectacular light shows and decorations, some only over the Christmas period where others last well into spring. Another world famous festival is Sapporo’s Snow Festival that attracts millions of visitors each year with spectacular ice sculptures and cozy winter scenes.

Something that you will soon notice after your arrival; Japan is extremely clean ! Even in the metropole of Tokyo you will not often see trash laying around, no cigarette butts on the curbs and streets smell nice. The lack of garbage bins available in the cities might make you wonder how is this even possible? The answer is simple, Japanese people respect their surroundings, clean up after themselves and take their trash home. A cultural principle that is highly valued in the Japanese society is mottainai , which can be freely translated as nothing goes to waste. When something is broken, it is not immediately replaced but often repaired and re-used.

Shopping is another reason why you should visit Japan, more so for the local brands than for the international ones. Tokyo and other major cities have world-class shopping centers as well as traditional markets where you can shop for local handicrafts and souvenirs. Often cities, small or big, have their own local shopping street.

These shopping streets full of small stalls and local vendors are known as a Shotengai. If you are travelling to Tokyo, then you should visit the popular areas in Harajuku, Ginza and Akihabara. If you go to Osaka, Umeda and Shinsaibashi are also popular shopping destinations. For gaming and anime lovers, shopping in Tokyo will be an unforgettable experience, Nakano would be the best destination for you .

Square watermelons, washing toilets that blow-dry and play music, plastic food menus, cartoon versions and mascottes of everything, maid cafe etc, Japan has all kinds of unique things.

Walk around in Harajuku to experience the famous Japanese kawaii culture , it is literally everywhere! Cute girls, kawaii food, mascottes, the kawaiiness in Japan knows no limits! Another unique popular culture is Japan’s otaku or geek culture. Otaku refers to pop culture fans who are obsessed with manga or anime. Best places to experience some of Japan’s otaku culture are Akihabara and Nakano in Tokyo.

▼Explore all the weird that Harajuku has to offer with the tour below!

No visit to Japan in spring is complete without sakura. For two weeks, everyone and everything in the spirit of the beautiful flowers. Everyone wants to see this million dollar view and hanami (blossom viewing parties) are everywhere. Japan is very passionate about picnicking under the cherry trees in full blossom.

Sakura presents the arrival of spring, a time for renewal and optimism and because of the short blooming season (about two weeks), the cherry blossoms also symbolize the transience of life, a major theme in Buddhism. During the sakura season you will see limited edition sakura (flavoured) treats and souvenirs everywhere.

One of the biggest contributors to Japan’s famous anime culture is the Ghibli movies. Have you ever seen My Neighbor Totoro or Spirited Away? They are some of the world’s most famous anime movies produced by the renowned Studio Ghibli, the animation and art producer founded by Hayao Miyazaki. In Tokyo, you can visit the Ghibli Museum , home to drawings of Studio Ghibli movies, models of how animations are made, and a small theater showing a special short film. Also, Japan opened the Ghibli-themed park in Aichi prefecture in 2022. A must visit if you are a Ghibli fan! If you want something extra, you may want to visit some of the locations which were used in Ghibli movies !

When asked about their favourite thing in Japan, many people will (amongst others) answer onsen. Taking an onsen, a hot spring filled with mineral-rich spring water heated by geothermal forces that contains several minerals beneficial to the body, is a must-try activity for tourists as it is completely different from taking a bath in other countries around the world. It is also a big part of the Japanese culture and the ultimate activity to relax after a day filled with discovering the nature and culture of Japan. There are several written and unwritten rules to respect when taking an onsen, a ritual that dates back to at least the 8th century. Famous onsen destinations are Kusatsu Onsen, Hakone Onsen and Beppu Onsen .

Sento are communal bath houses where people pay for their entrance. These bath houses were traditionally used by households that did not have their own bath and could be found in big cities and small villages. Today, the number of sento is decreasing as the number of houses with bathing facilities is increasing.

By now you should know Japan is home to some of the world’s most picturesque places, a rich culture and a long history. Indeed, Japan is home to no less than 23 UNESCO World Heritage Sites ; 19 Cultural Heritage Sites and 4 Natural Heritage Sites. Ranging from historically important shrines like Itsukushima Shinto Shrine on Miyajima to unique natural ecological treasures like Mount Fuji or Shiretoko National Park.

In the history of Japan, a large number of castles were built, many of which were destroyed during the many battles or natural disasters like earthquakes. But there are some beautiful castles in Japan that still exist and can be visited, some of which are also designated UNESCO sites. A total number of 12 original castles , meaning they have a castle tower (or main keep) that was built during the Edo period or earlier, are located around the country.

Another type of unique cultural event are the Grand Sumo Tournaments that take place at each odd-numbered month and last for two weeks. Sumo is Japan’s national sport, but not just a sport. In act, sumo is full of shinto rituals and watching a sumo match with a guide will help you to understand this ancient sport even better. Watching a sumo game is definitely an experience you should have at least once in your life!

Grand sumo tournament ring entering ceremony

Baseball is Japan’s most popular sport, first introduced in 1872 by an American college professor. Whether you are a baseball fan or not, watching a baseball game will be an exciting experience for anyone ! It is good fun to join the Japanese baseball spectators and cheer on the teams. The games usually start from 2pm or 6pm and last for about 3.5 hrs.

Craft in Japan has a long history and has played an important role in the Japanese culture. From the more famous ones such as knives, pottery, kimono, yukata, and tatami, to lesser-known ones such as kokeshi dolls, fireworks, kendama, origami, daruma dolls , Woodblock Prints , Nambu Ironware, and rounded and folding fans, there is a large list of traditional japanese crafts. Each region has its own local specialties. Some of the craft and art is more valuable in price since they are handmade by professional craftsmen but all make for a great souvenir to take home ! There are many places that offer craft and art experiences like pottery workshops and tea ceremonies.

Purchase your own beautiful Japanese crafts here!

Japan is home to a large number of Western-style hotels, but something that you should not miss out on is staying at the traditional Japanese ryokan. A ryokan is a type of Japanese inn that has been around since the 8th century. It often features tatami-floor rooms, onsen, and other public areas where visitors wear yukata, the traditional more casual kimono. Often an overnight stay comes with a delicious, large, Japanese dinner and breakfast made from seasonal and locally produced products. Staying at a ryokan is a great place to enjoy onsen (privately) and experience some of the traditional elements of Japanese culture.

If you are interested in experiencing the simple and traditional lifestyle of Buddhist monks, temple lodging known as shukubo is an excellent option. Shukubo literally means “sleeping with the monks” and besides a great night’s rest and delicious shojin-ryori, the Buddhist vegan cuisine, you can join the monks for morning prayers.

Originating in Osaka, capsule hotels have made their advance in Japan. These hotels, usually found in the larger cities, originally targeted individuals looking for a cheaper alternative for single nights stay. Recently there are also more luxurious alternatives of the pod hotel that are more comfortable, though not as cheap as you might think.

These are just 20 reasons why you should visit Japan, but the list is endless. We haven’t even talked about the beautiful autumn colors, the cute deers, animal cafes, and love hotels amongst other things. Nowhere else on earth will you find a country like Japan, with its unique blend of long standing traditions and modern rituals, century old buildings and peaceful gardens sandwiched between the city’s modern highrises. Incredible fresh food, domestic drinks, sake and local specialties that you can get from any hole in the wall spot. Friendly people that will go out of their way to make you comfortable and require as much as a simple thank you. Reliable and punctual public transportation in a country that is among the safest in the world. The list of reasons for you to come to Japan is simply endless. Conclusion: plan your trip to Japan as soon as possible, you are in for a treat!

Japan Wonder Travel Tours

Japan Wonder Travel is a travel agency that offers guided tours throughout Japan. From private walking tours to delicious Food and Drink tours, we can help you organize the best tours just for you! If you want to explore Japan and learn more about the history and backstories of each area you are visiting, our knowledgeable and friendly English speaking guides will happily take you to the best spots! In addition, we can provide you with any assistance you may need for your upcoming trip to Japan, so please feel free to contact us if yu have any questions or need some help!

▶ Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Drink Tour Explore the most lively and popular fish market in Tokyo and try some of the local’s favorite street foods and sake with one of our friendly and knowledgeable English speaking guides!

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▶ Mt. Fuji Day Trip Bus Tour from Tokyo Experience the breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji by visiting the highlights of the area on our guided sightseeing bus tour! Departing from Shinjuku in central Tokyo, you can travel comfortably to all of the best spots in the area by bus.

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These are just 20 reasons why you should visit Japan, but the list is endless. We haven’t even talked about the beautiful autumn colors, the cute deers, animal cafes, and love hotels amongst other things. Nowhere else on earth you will find a country like Japan, the unique blend of long standing traditions and modern rituals, century old buildings and peaceful gardens sandwiched between the city’s present-time highrise. Incredible fresh food, domestic drinks, sake and local specialties that you can get from any hole in the wall place. Friendly people that will go out of their way to make you comfortable and require as much as a simple thank you. Reliable and punctual public transportation in a country that is among the safest in the world. The list of reasons for you to come to Japan is simply endless. Conclusion: plan your trip to Japan as soon as possible, you are in for a treat!

Happy traveling!

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What’s It Really Like to Travel Japan?

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How do I even begin to describe what it’s like to travel in Japan?

It is an experience . It surrounds you. Every moment of every day is filled with new discoveries and cultural difference and utter delights. I can’t describe it beyond that, but everyone who has been knows exactly what I’m talking about.

If there were a word to describe Japan as a whole, it would be reverent. This is a nation where every action displays a culture of deference, respect and obedience. It encompasses daily life.

Some examples?

Reverence of food. The food here is prepared and delivered with such deep respect and meticulous care, even in fast food joints. Anything else would be anti-Japanese. I didn’t have a single bad meal in Japan.

Reverence of manners. Japan has a longstanding reputation of politeness. One place where this was most evident was on trains. Whenever a conductor entered a car, he would enter and exit the car with an energetic yet crisp bow before attending to passengers.

Reverence of nature. Nature receives the utmost respect here, and you’ll often find that everything from architecture to food plays into an overall respect of the natural environment of Japan.

Reverence of rules. Japan is a rules-based culture. There are lots of written and unwritten rules – the Japanese wouldn’t dream of throwing recyclables in the trash, or acting rude to a stranger, or dressing like a slob. The list of taboos here is extensive.

Yes, most than anything else, it’s reverence that defines Japan. But beyond that, here are a few of the idiosyncrasies I noticed in the Land of the Rising Sun:

English is used for style, not function.

See English lettering somewhere? Chances are it’s not used for the purpose of communicating with non-Japanese speakers. Again and again, I noticed that English was used for little more than decoration.

On my first night in Tokyo, I was looking for a restaurant in a mall and I was delighted to find a pamphlet emblazoned with Mall Directory in ornate script. I opened it up…and it was all in Japanese. The English was just used for stylistic purposes.

Sex is overt — except when it’s not.

If there’s any neighborhood you must visit in Tokyo, make it Akihabara. I planned to check out the electronics stores, seeing the newest innovations years before they hit the western market.

Instead, I found myself in the center for otaku (super-geek) culture. Electronics stores held court next to porn shops, crammed with sex toys and hentai (anime porn) comic books. Arcades were filled with nipple-baring figurines in sexual poses as prizes. Throughout the neighborhood, girls dressed as sexy maids advertised their cafes.

Now — the strange thing is that actual sex is kept under lock and key. While seeing men reading porn on the subway is a common occurrence, you wouldn’t see a couple making out and borderline dry humping in Tokyo. You barely saw people even holding hands. As I mentioned in my geisha post , there are clear boundaries between actual, consensual, conventional, relationship-based sex and just about everything else.

It’s not as expensive as you think.

Japan has long held a reputation as being one of the most expensive countries in the world to visit, with Tokyo holding the crown as one of the world’s most expensive cities.

After my visit, I think that reputation is a bit undeserved . Two things in Japan are quite expensive: lodging and long-distance transportation. But beyond that, prices aren’t that bad. I’d compare them to prices in London, Paris or New York.

Food, in particular, can be done on the cheap. Almost all of our meals cost less than 1000 yen ($10). My splurge meals actually weren’t that painful – I had a seafood feast in Kyoto for 3500 yen each ($35), a Kobe beef lunch in Kobe for 2950 yen each ($29.50), and a selection of sushi at a nice sushi bar in the pricey Tokyo neighborhood of Ginza – plus sake – for about 2100 yen ($21).

Subway rides in Tokyo cost 100-200 yen each ($1-2). Vending machine beverages cost 80-200 yen ($0.80-2). I even bought a Kindle Paperwhite from a discount camera shop in Shibuya for 8200 yen ($82) when it currently retails on Amazon for $139 !

I found Japan to be much cheaper overall than Australia or Switzerland, countries where everything is expensive.

Food is theater.

One night in Kyoto, my new friends Michael from the Deep Kyoto blog and his girlfriend Miu took me out for a seafood feast at a fun, wild and cheap seafood restaurant called Asahi Suisan . Halfway through our meal, a badass fishmonger (and the most muscular Japanese guy I’ve ever seen) brought out an enormous bluefin tuna and butchered it with gusto to cheers throughout the restaurant and squeals from a table of nearby girls.

And while he did it, video played in the background of the same fishmonger on a reality show in Japan, competing for his region in the field of tuna butchering!

It was a fabulous night of entertainment and it was another side of seeing how reverent the Japanese are toward the preparation of food.

Everything is marvelously efficient.

One of the greatest performances was when my nozomi train to Kyoto pulled in. A fleet of women dressed in salmon uniforms, down to matching sneakers (!), entered the car and performed identical movements, taking out the trash bags and turning the seats around to face the other way, preparing them for the next influx of passengers.

In Japan, I would constantly think to myself, Oh. That makes sense . In the West, when presented with a more efficient solution, people would give reasons why not to implement it — that doing so would cost too much time or money that could be spent elsewhere. In Japan, they just do it, no questions asked.

The best-dressed women in the world live in Tokyo.

Sure, Italian and Parisian women dress beautifully, and London and New York women have a lot of style, but it’s nothing like the women in Tokyo. From perfectly tailored short dresses to their understated but highly functional designer flats, I gawked at the fashion in Tokyo.

Where to Stay in Tokyo: Best Areas and Accommodation

Kimonos are still very much worn.

I had the idea that Japanese women only wore kimonos for special occasions or times when traditional wear was best. Well, that’s not the case — I saw plenty of kimono-clad women (and men wearing the more plain yakuta ) throughout Tokyo and Kyoto!

In Kyoto, some temples allow women in for free if they’re wearing a kimono. That will actually save you a fair amount of cash, as most Kyoto temples charge around 400-600 yen ($4-6) entry. But in other cases, they’re simply what is worn for formalwear. I would love to get a formal kimono of my own someday.

Japan is HOT!

I thought August would be the perfect time to travel through Japan, with nice summer sunshine – no way, Jose! It gets unbearably hot with very high humidity. People in Kyoto actually walked around with towels around their necks to mop up their ever-dripping brows.

It’s too bad, because the heat put a damper on a lot of our sightseeing in Kyoto in particular, when I was visiting lots of outdoor temples.

While I was in Tokyo, the mercury actually hit 42 C (106 F), breaking records. People told me again and again that I was traveling at the worst time possible. My advice to you? Visit Japan in the spring or fall if you can.

Japanese toilets really are that amazing.

Believe it or not, those fancy Japanese toilets with all the push buttons aren’t only found in luxury establishments. You’ll even find fancy Japanese toilets at cheap ramen joints and Starbucks. Once you figure out which button performs the “rear cleansing”, you’ll never go back.

Incidentally, Japanese women take longer in the bathroom than anyone I’ve ever met.

These facts may or may not be related.

Cute rules.

You know all about Hello Kitty — but there’s so much cutesiness throughout Japan! Mascots for everything from companies to products often involve little furry cartoon characters holding hands and playing together. Cute little tunes, the kind you’d expect on a children’s show, play throughout Japan as well.

One might start thinking about the psychological implications of that – the Japanese work so hard that they enjoy their childhood wherever they can — but I just found it fun to bop along with the little animals.

Everyone is incredibly helpful.

Do you look lost? You won’t be for long. Japanese people are exceedingly helpful and even if they don’t speak English, they will drop everything to help you find your way.

I first noticed the exceptional level of helpfulness when I entered an electronics store. I asked about Kindles and the man replied that they didn’t have any, but another store might, and he’d be happy to give them a call and check.

This wasn’t another branch of their stores – this was a competitor. And he offered to call them for me. In the US, the most I would get from a salesperson would be, “You could try Best Buy.”

Japanese people love to photobomb.

Do they EVER love to photobomb!

But what is the single most shocking aspect of all?

You turn into a Japanese tourist.

Ah, Japanese tourists. The older ladies are decked out in visors and Keds, the teenagers with cameras worth thousands of dollars, the groups being led around by an umbrella. I squeezed through huge Japanese crowds on my way to class in Florence each morning, as they took up entire piazzas on their own.

And the Japanese tourists take pictures of absolutely everything .

Well. You know what I took pictures of in Japan? Toilets. Trash cans. Vending machines.

Yes, I became a Japanese tourist myself – because everything here really is so different and I couldn’t stop marveling at it all.

I get it now, Japanese tourists. I’m sorry I’ve made fun of you.

Japan is all-encompassing.

Even though Japan is on the pricier side, I consider it an extremely high value destination. Like Paris and New York, just walking down the street is a fascinating experience in Japan. Every moment, you will be stunned and amazed at the world that surrounds you.

Japan is delicious. Japan is kind. Japan is ridiculously clean. Japan is freaky and cute.

More than anywhere else I’ve been, I feel like Japan is the kind of destination that every traveler must experience at least once in his or her lifetime. I loved my two weeks there and I can’t wait to return.

Just one thing – don’t forget to buy travel insurance before you travel to Japan! I never travel without it and always use World Nomads.

What's it REALLY like to travel in Japan? | Adventurous Kate

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JRailPass.com » Japan Travel Blog » Why travel to Japan? 20 best reasons to visit it

Why travel to Japan? 20 best reasons to visit it

June 15, 2022

A Shinkansen In the Tokaido Shinkansen Line passing near Mount fuji

There are a endless number of reasons to visit Japan , as the country has something to entice almost every kind of traveler.

Whether you’re dying to explore Japanese history and culture at the variety of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country, indulge in diverse Japanese cuisine, or experience a ride on the lighting-fast Shinkansen trains, a trip to Japanese promises adventure around every corner.

From the chance to visit some of the many impressive temples and castles around the country, to the opportunity to take a dip in an Onsen hot spring, below you’ll find the 20 best reasons why you should visit Japan .

It’s easy to get around on public transportation

Japan has one of the most efficient and reliable public transport systems in the world, with a wide range of travel options including bus, train, and subway services across the country.

One of the best ways to get between cities is to ride the Shinkansen bullet trains , which can reach a speed of up to 300 km/h and boast a range of luxury services onboard. The most cost-efficient way to travel by Shinkansen is to buy a JR Pass online before traveling to Japan.

Book your Japan Rail Pass now

Japan is very clean

The Japanese really pride themselves on their cleanliness , and upon first arrival in the country you may be surprised by how sparkling clean the streets are.

Hotels and restaurants tend to be absolutely spotless , filled with pleasant smells, and regularly and efficiently cleaned. One downside is that there tends to be a total absence of trash cans in public spaces. However, you can just follow the Japanese example and carry garbage with you until you find a place to get rid of it later on.

Japanese people are polite and friendly

The Japanese have a worldwide reputation for being uncommonly polite, friendly, and welcoming. Although the language barrier may prove a challenge at times, people in Japan usually try to be as helpful as possible if you ask anything of them.

It’s a good idea to brush up on Japanese etiquette tips before traveling: locals will appreciate your efforts to respect local customs!

The incredible natural landscapes

Although Japan is perhaps best known internationally for its technologically advanced cities, the majority of the country is actually taken up by a vast expanse of forested hills and mountains , and there is lots of nature to explore.

One of the most obvious beauty spots to visit is the iconic Mount Fuji , but you shouldn’t rule out a visit to lesser known natural gems such as the Arashiyama bamboo forest or the Ritsurin landscape gardens on Shikoku Island .

The large number of UNESCO sites

Japan boasts a total of 21 World Heritage Sites , including 17 cultural monuments and 4 natural landscapes, and there are currently 8 more sites pending UNESCO classification.

Toshogu shrine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Travelers interested in Japanese history should definitely pay a visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial , which commemorates the victims of the 1945 atomic bomb, as well as Shirakawago and Gokayama , historic villages which feature unique thatched-roof dwellings.

The majestic temples in Japan

There are number of stunning historic temples and shrines in almost every town and city in Japan, while larger cultural centers can have up to 1,000 temples within their municipality.

One of the most impressive temples in Japan is the Byodoin Buddhist temple in Uji, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates back over a thousand years. The Toji temple in Kyoto , which boasts the tallest wooden pagoda in Japan and an extensive garden full of cherry trees, is also well worth visiting.

The unique castles

Visitors to Japan can dig deep into the country’s history by exploring the elegant architecture and fascinating family legacies of Japanese castles.

Primarily serving as the homes for local feudal lords and their family during the Sengoku period of Japanese history, the castles in Japan are defined by their elegant façades and interiors, as well as extensive defensive features.

Some of the most impressive castles in Japan include the well-preserved Hikone castle , which dates back to 1622, and the castle in Himeji .

The spectacular cherry blossom season

Japan is one of the best places in the world to view the spring cherry blossom and attend a Cherry blossom festival.

Once the cherry blossom season peaks in April , locals and visitors alike flock to Japanese parks and gardens to engage in hanami (picnics beneath the cherry trees). Some of the best places to experience the blooming flowers include Hirosaki Castle Park and Shinjuku Gyoen, located in the heart of Tokyo.

The exciting summer festivals

If you’re visiting Japan during the summer months, you should plan to experience some of the colourful Matsuri festivals which take place all over the country.

Obon festival: floating lanterns (toro nagashi)

These traditional celebrations pay tribute to legendary historical events and different deities connected to an individual shrine in the towns where they take place. Many Matsuri festivals feature processions of enormous floats , colorful parades, and spectacular fireworks shows.

Christmas in Japan is magical

Spending in Christmas in Japan is worth the effort just to experience the range of extravagant winter illuminations that saturate the city streets during the festive period.

Those planning to spend winter in Japan are also advised to visit the Sapporo snow festival in Hokkaido, where you can see a range of incredible ice sculptures , many based on well-known pop culture characters.

The world-class powder snow

Winter sports enthusiasts shouldn’t miss the chance to go snowboarding and skiing in Japan at one of the many resorts across the country, as Japanese powder snow is considered some of the best in the world.

Many of the best ski resorts in Japan are located on the northernmost island of Hokkaido, such as Furano, Rusutsu, and Niseko, as well as in the Japanese Alps on Honshu.

The chance to bathe in a natural hot spring

Onsens are Japanese hot spring baths filled with mineral-rich spring water heated by geothermal forces , somewhat like a natural Jacuzzi.

Onsen baths have been present all over Japan since at least the 8th Century , when the belief that hot springs had curative and rejuvenating powers was at its height. Taking a bath in an onsen is an incredibly relaxing experience , and popular with both Japanese locals and tourists.

The superb Japanese cuisine

Food is incredibly important in Japanese culture , and while in the country you’ll be able to sample a huge range of the many delicious dishes that make up Japanese cuisine.

From worldwide favorites like sushi and ramen , to Sukiyaki (beef hot pot) and Yakiniku (Japanese barbeque), there are an endless number of dishes in Japan guaranteed to make your mouth water.

Japan is also the country with the most 3-star Michelin restaurants in the world , and there are are also a number of Matsuri food and drink festivals you can experience during your trip.

The fantastic architecture

You’ll be able to take in some incredible modern architecture while in the major Japanese cities, such as the Tokyo Skytree , the tallest building in the capital.

You can also find some exquisite examples of traditional Japanese architecture all over the country, such as the majestic Ise shrines on the Shima Peninsula.

The advanced technology

From futuristic capsule hotels with complimentary tablets, to high-tech public toilets , advanced technology is in full display in every corner of Japan’s cities.

If you feel like getting an inside look at technological advancements in Japan, pay a visit to the permanent robotics exhibitions at Miraikan – The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Tokyo’s Odaiba district .

Japan is a Mecca for manga and anime lovers

If you first fell in love with Japan through manga and anime , you’re bound to be in heaven during a visit to Tokyo, which boasts a number of anime-themed experiences .

Visit J-World Tokyo , an indoor amusement park based around popular manga characters, the One Piece Tower, or the Pokémon Mega Center Tokyo , a huge store which offers a range of Pokémon merchandise exclusive to Japan.

It’s the home of Studio Ghibli

Fans of classic Japanese animation films like Princess Mononoke (1997) and Spirited Away (2001) shouldn’t miss the chance to see some of celebrated director Hayao Miyazaki’s creations at the Studio Ghibli museum in Mitaka .

Children can play on a huge replica of the Catbus from My Neighbor Totoro (1988) and watch animated shorts exclusive to the museum. There is also an ever-changing range of exhibitions exploring Ghibli’s creative process.

Japan is the birthplace of karaoke

If you love belting out your favorite songs, whether in front of a small group of friends or a crowd of random strangers, then you’ll want to take advantage of the huge karaoke culture while in Japan.

You might not be aware that Karaoke actually originated in Japan and continues to be incredibly popular: there are currently around 100,000 karaoke boxes and bars across the country.

The fashion

Fashion lovers arriving in Japan should head directly to Tokyo’s most stylish area , Harajuku , where most of the biggest Japanese trendsetters set up shop.

Those more interested in traditional Japanese fashion may want to pay a visit to Kyoto and try on one of the elegant kimonos or yukatas the city is famous for.

Japan is very safe

Japan is considered to be one of the safest countries in the world, and has one of the lowest global crime rates .

Japanese people often leave their doors unlocked, children are perfectly safe traveling on the subway by themselves , and visitors are able to walk around the cities at night without having to worry.

Nevertheless,as when traveling to any foreign destination, visitors to Japan should still exercise caution in crowded places and use common sense.

Related tours & activities.

What’s it Like to Travel in Japan?

I thought I had finished writing about Japan, but it turns out I was wrong.

My posts about Japan have quickly become my most-read of all time and I’m now starting to receive a hell of a lot of questions about how to make the most of a trip to this wonderful country. I’m diving back into my time in the Land of the Rising Sun , then, and planning on sharing a ton of resources over the next couple of weeks.

Up first: what it’s like to travel in Japan! These are my favourite type of blog posts to write — you can browse my growing collection of them on my What’s It Like to Travel In? page — as they allow me to blend a detailed travel guide with random observations, fun stories, and first impressions.

Let’s get stuck in!

It’s Going to Be Overwhelming for the First Few Days

Does that photo make you feel like having a panic attack and hiding away from the world? Me too.

Most people kick off their Japan adventure in Tokyo or Osaka, both of which are large cities full of bright lights, flashing signs, loud noises, unfamiliar smells, crowds of people, and plenty of chaos. When you throw a hefty case of jetlag into the mix, visitors often end up feeling as though they’re walking around in a bubble, unable to process what on earth is going on.

Arriving in Japan is culture shock to the extreme. I’ve been to 80-odd countries and I’ve never experienced it to the extent that I did here.

But the good news is that the sensory overload doesn’t last for long.

While you’ll never fully understand what’s happening as you travel around the country, the differences become less overwhelming and you quickly learn to embrace Japan’s unique mix of order and chaos.

But it Really Wasn’t That Weird?

Now, I don’t know about you, but when I first started planning my trip to Japan, I prepared myself to see things . Strange things. Unexplainable things. Extraordinary things.

And… I didn’t.

I arrived in Tokyo, fully expecting to hit the ground and start taking photos of a thousand peculiar sights. I planned on barely sleeping during my trip, because I thought there’d be so much unfamiliarity to absorb.

Nope.

I landed in Tokyo and it felt like a big city. A regular city. A familiar city.

Which isn’t to say it wasn’t special — I adored Tokyo — but just that it felt like a normal city filled with normal people. I didn’t run into people cosplaying on the streets, I wasn’t served by robots in restaurants, I wasn’t surrounded by outlandish fashion choices, I didn’t spot vending machines filled with used underwear on every street.

My preconceived notions of Japan were based on bad stereotypes that have been perpetuated by Western society and I felt like a dumbass for buying into them.

Japan was no more “weird” than any other country I’ve been to. It has its quirks, sure, but what country doesn’t?

The Food is Going to Blow Your Mind

I’m still talking about the incredible meals I devoured in Japan!

Whether it was the pork rib ramen in Osaka, the crispy takoyaki in Tokyo, or the fresh as hell sushi in Kyoto, I couldn’t get enough of the food in Japan. There was plenty of interesting foods to try for the first time, like pufferfish jerky and pickled quail eggs, and experiencing my first kaiseki (a traditional multi-course Japanese meal) was one of the highlights of my entire trip.

After visiting Japan, I can easily place Japanese food in my top 5 cuisines in the world, along with Mexican, Vietnamese, Greek, and Spanish. I even wrote a blog post about my favourite meals in Japan because I was so enamoured with the food.

Train is the Best Way to See the Country

If you’re planning a trip to Japan, the first thing you should be doing is buying a Japan Rail Pass .

While the rail passes seem like a fairly large expense to pay up-front (I paid $420 for my two-week pass), they’ll more than likely save you money on your trip.

I’ll confess I was skeptical the passes would be as much of a necessity as people said, so picked one up then made a note of the cost of every train we took in the country. It turned out that my 14-day JR pass saved me a whopping ¥19,000/$175! That’s a huge amount of money, so I’m firmly of the belief that this is an investment you’ll want to make.

Travelling by train across Japan is such an iconic experience, too. The trains are incredibly fast and punctual, the rail network is extensive, and it’s altogether a comfortable and convenient way to get around. It’s a huge expense if you’re going to be travelling in Japan on a budget, but I think it’s a cultural experience that’s worth splurging for.

Confession: I Was Baffled by Tokyo’s Metro

On our first day in Japan, my partner tweeted: “If you think you’re a competent traveller and would like to be very humbled, can I suggest trying to figure out the Tokyo metro?”

I’ve muddled my way around a hell of a lot of subway systems around the world, but Tokyo’s was the first to leave me well and truly flummoxed.

To start with, the stations are enormous. I was staying beside Shibuya station and it would regularly take me a solid 30-60 minutes to figure out where on earth my platform was even located. It was just as complicated trying to find the right exit!

The stations are hyper-busy, too. The top 20 busiest train stations in the world are all found in Japan. Shinjuku station — the busiest — sees 3.6 million people transiting through it every single day . I can’t even comprehend that many people passing through a single building, let alone every day!

Oh, and here’s a map of the Tokyo metro and train lines:

For some reason, buying the correct ticket seemed to be impossible for us to do correctly! The Tokyo subway system is operated by three separate companies, and you’ll need different tickets for the lines that each company owns.

If our route required us to change stations, we simply could not buy the right ticket. I don’t think we succeeded even once! Even when we were convinced we finally understood where we were going, our ticket would invariably fail in the machines when we went to change lines and we’d need to find help from a member of staff. It’s probably no great surprise that we ended up walking around Tokyo for most of our time there and only used the subway three times.

What we should have done, however, was buy a SUICA card, rather than bothering with single tickets. It’s a rechargeable travel card that’s valid on all of the metro and train lines across Japan, and it would have saved us a hell of a lot of time, confusion, and hassle.

It’s Worth Getting Out of the Main Cities While You’re There

A lot of people devise an itinerary that’ll take them to the three big hitters in Japan tourism: Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. And while those cities are undoubtedly most popular for a reason, I found myself really enjoying the lesser-known spots just as much.

Wandering around the town of Yamanouchi in freshly-fallen snow was a wonderful experience, Takayama was the perfect place to learn about traditional Japanese architecture, and beautiful Miyajima Island was the most relaxing stop on my trip.

Even if you don’t have a huge amount of time in Japan, I’d still recommend jumping on a day trip or two to explore outside of the huge cities. Hit up Nara as a day trip from Kyoto, head to Hakone to see Mount Fuji as a day trip from Tokyo, or set off for Myajima Island for some respite on a day trip from Hiroshima.

During my next visit to Japan, I’d like to get further away from the beaten track and explore a bunch of places I haven’t even heard of right now. Which, yes, is essentially me admitting to being too lazy to research lesser-known places in Japan to include here.

There’s a Lot of Animal Attractions… Most of Which Exhibit Dubious Ethics

Japan is the land of animals being treated badly, unfortunately.

As you travel across the country, you’ll be struck by how many animal cafes you can visit. There’s hedgehog cafes, otter cafes, owl cafes, alpaca cafes, ferret cafes, penguin bars, and the vast majority of them are not doing great things for the animals’ health.

In Japan, owl cafes offer the chance to sit beside a tethered owl that’s been forcibly domesticated and will never be allowed the opportunity to fly. In 2016, a cat cafe in Tokyo was shut down after it was discovered owners were keeping 60 cats within a 30 square metre rom. The penguin bar in Tokyo keeps four penguins captive in a tiny enclosure at the back of a smoky bar.

I went to a hedgehog cafe in Tokyo and came away feeling conflicted by the ethics of me having done so, and decided I wouldn’t repeat the experience.

Even the snow monkeys ended up being a disappointment for me. The animals were herded towards tourists by staff, fed in order to keep them from leaving the hot springs, encouraged to fight with each other, and generally seemed to be distressed that they couldn’t get away.

And this was just what I personally experienced. Japan has also experienced international condemnation for a whole host of animal welfare violations, from whaling to the Taiji dolphin hunt.

If in doubt, steer clear of any animal-based attractions in Japan.

Japan’s Vending Machines are the Bomb

I loved the vending machines in Japan! They’re everywhere, sometimes dozens of them in a row, and they’re standing on practically every street. There’s over 5 million of them — one for every 23 people in the country — and they’ll be one of the first things you notice when you first arrive.

The vast majority of them sell drinks — hundreds of varieties, from the delicious-but-gross-sounding electrolyte-filled Pocari Sweat to hot coffee in a can — and they’re a fantastic way to stay refreshed while you’re exploring

And, of course, there’s a whole bunch of unusual stuff you can buy from them, too, like actual puppies, live lobsters and beetles, a Coke that freezes into a slushy when you open it, umbrellas, surgical masks, mystery boxes, pizzas, ties, wigs for dogs, origami, and yes, used women’s underwear. I even ordered several meals from a vending machine in Japan!

And You’ll Probably Get Weirdly Excited Over the Toilets

Everybody falls in love with Japanese toilets! I feel like such a predictable beast for even including this in my post, but let’s face it: Japan’s toilets are in a whole other league.

So what’s so life-changing about them? They have so many features! As someone who visited the country during winter, I loved that there was a seat warmer. On top of that, there’s a built-in bidet that self-cleans between each use and a blow-dryer for afterwards. You can adjust where the water sprays, the temperature of it, and the amount of pressure it applies. You can even play music from the toilet if you don’t want anybody to hear what you’re doing in there, and some feature a deodoriser, too.

The buttons on the toilet are fairly self-explanatory, but every one I used had a slightly different design and set of features, which kept things fun. Mystery toilet!

As I begin contemplating buying a house within the next couple of years, let me tell you that I’m already thinking about how I’m going to get myself a Japanese toilet for it!

Why Are There So Many Ugly Cars?

Why are the cars in Japan so squished and blocky?!

One of the first things I noticed after arriving in the country was how many odd-looking cars there were. There were so many that looked like this photo: like they’d been plopped into a car crusher for a second, then removed and placed on the streets.

Yeah, It’s Fairly Expensive, But Also Not That Expensive

I put off travelling to Japan for years due to one simple reason: I didn’t think I could afford it.

To my great surprise, it ended up being much more affordable than I expected! In total, I paid just under $100 a day while travelling as part of a couple on a mid-range budget. That included my rail pass, accommodation in hotels and guesthouses, entrance tickets to temples and attractions, food and drink, and travel insurance. I’ve definitely visited more expensive countries in the world.

For more information on my expenses, check out my detailed guide on how much it costs to travel in Japan .

There Are So Many Different Types of Accommodation

One aspect I loved about Japan travel is how many different types of accommodation there are to stay in. I tried to check out as many of them as possible.

I stayed in a capsule hotel, spent a night in a ryokan, slept on a tatami mat floor, hung out in family-run guesthouses, and checked out some pretty hipster hostels.

My biggest surprise was learning that sleeping on a tatami mat was so comfortable! I often opted for the tatami mat rooms over Western-style bedrooms, as they’re usually a couple of dollars cheaper, and they worked out to be just as comfortable. I actually found it super cool to be staying in a minimalist room without any furniture! My only complaint was the smell of the tatami mats — most people love it, but I just couldn’t get used to it.

Staying in a ryokan was another exciting accommodation experience. These Japanese inns are generally known for being super-expensive, giving you the opportunity to experience a traditional local lifestyle. You’ll stay in a tatami mat room, bathe in a communal onsen, and tuck into a kaiseki with the other guests during dinner and breakfast. It was one of the coolest experiences I had in the country.

My final accommodation standout was a capsule hotel. I stayed here more for the novelty than the comfort levels, but it ended up being surprisingly cosy. My room had around 20 beds in small pods, all packed in together, but you still had a lot of privacy. I had my own little light in my capsule, my own power sockets, temperature control, and a curtain to close to keep people from peering in. These are a great way to save money in Japan, so I’d recommend trying them out if you’re going to be visiting on a budget.

I Felt Super-Safe in Japan

Japan has a reputation for being one of the safest countries in the world, and I certainly never felt in any danger while I was there. I felt perfectly safe exploring the country alone, walking around at night on my own, sleeping on the train with my bags at my feet, and carrying my expensive camera in the open. I felt safer in Japan than anywhere else I’ve been in the world.

Still, that doesn’t mean that you should grow complacent and let your guard down. As with any country in the world, you should still keep watch over your belongings, be wary of complete strangers that are taking a sudden interest in you, and be careful with your alcohol consumption. All that good stuff.

Oh, and you should probably refresh your knowledge on what to do if there’s an earthquake before you get there. I experienced my first earthquake in Taiwan and because I grew up in the U.K., had no idea what to do. I remember feeling my bunkbed rattle beneath me as I frantically googled what to do in an earthquake. I should have been better prepared.

My fellow female travellers out there may want to utilise the women-only train carriages during peak travel times to ensure you’re away from any wandering hands — this is likely the only safety issue you’ll encounter in the country.

Keep your wits about you, take common sense safety measures, and you’ll have a wonderful time.

Winter is Going to Be Cold

Japan gets freezing in the winter and scorching in the summer.

I visited in December and was so cold. So much colder than I thought I would be. Although I confess to having little tolerance to the cold, so you’ll probably think I was being pathetic. Temperatures hovered around the freezing mark, and it snowed in Hiroshima and Yamanouchi. I regularly wore five layers of clothing and still spent most of my time shivering.

Visiting during summer takes you to the other end of the temperature spectrum. It gets super-hot in the summer months, with temperatures hitting as much 40 degrees (100°F) some years.

This is a destination that’s best visited in the spring or autumn.

But the Bonus with that is the Onsens!

One of the huge bonuses to visiting in the winter is getting to dive into Japan’s onsen culture. Onsen is the Japanese word for hot spring, and you’ll find them scattered all over this volcanic country. Some are outdoors, some are inside, some are found in guesthouses, ryokans, and hotels, some are in public bathhouses, some are public, some are private, some are same sex, some are mixed gender. The only rule is that you have to be naked.

I jumped in an onsen almost every night of my trip and it was so relaxing and comforting to do so. I highly recommend looking for accommodation with on-site onsens, as it allows you a little more privacy. At my hostel in Hakone and my ryokan in Yamanouchi, I got to jump in the private couples onsen with my boyfriend, which was so much fun!

In theory, you’re not supposed to use the onsens in Japan if you have tattoos, although the rules have relaxed in recent years. If you have one that can’t be covered up with a bandaid, I’d recommend checking out Tattoo Friendly , which lists hundreds of Japanese onsens you can visit if you’re inked.

And that was Japan!

This post was so much fun to write! If I’m being honest, I think I could have sat down and written another 3,000 words about my time in Japan — there’s just so much to learn from this country.

I can’t wait to return.

Have you been to Japan? If not, do you dream of visiting one day?

Related Articles on Japan 🏯 How to Spend Two Weeks in Japan: An Itinerary for First-Time Visitors 💴 The Cost of Travel in Japan: My Budget Breakdown 🍣 15 Weird and Wonderful Things to Eat in Japan 🎌 23 Incredible Things to Do in Osaka, Japan 😎 Hipster Harajuku: The Coolest Neighbourhood in Tokyo 🦔 Should You Go to a Hedgehog Cafe? My Experience in Japan 🐒 Why Seeing the Snow Monkeys in Japan Sucked

Lauren Juliff

Lauren Juliff is a published author and travel expert who founded Never Ending Footsteps in 2011. She has spent over 12 years travelling the world, sharing in-depth advice from more than 100 countries across six continents. Lauren's travel advice has been featured in publications like the BBC, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Cosmopolitan, and her work is read by 200,000 readers each month. Her travel memoir can be found in bookstores across the planet.

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25 comments.

Japan sounds fascinating on so many levels. I think I would feel overwhelmed at first, but reading your post has made me think that going here is still achievable for us. I would love to experience a capsule hotel and their crazy vending machines as well as the cultural side of the country

This is a very useful post, Lauren! Elliot and I are most likely going to go to Japan next year (we’re thinking autumn), and I’m already overwhelmed thinking about planning it. So hearing helpful tips about trains (and that SUICA card!) and tattoo-friendly onsens is great!

I went to Japan last year for the first time and I feel like we barely scratched the surface! My favourite dish was pork ramen, it was the first meal I had in Kyoto and it was absolutely delicious. I can’t wait to go back!

Good point about being prepared for earthquakes. I’ve never experienced one, but if I continue traveling the way I do now, then maybe it’s just a matter of time. It makes me kind of nervous. You wrote it was your first earthquake, have you experienced many? And in that case, where? In Asia?

I never been drawn to Japan but as usual after reading your blog posts about a destination I feel an urge to go there NOW. You’re such a good writer!

Cool post Lauren. Did you take any of the high-speed trains while you were there? One of the best parts of my trip to Japan was experiencing the fast bullet trains. They go 320 km/h!

I’ve been staring at that metro map for the last 5 minutes trying to figure it out! :D Thank you for sharing this. I’m planning on heading to Japan soon, hopefully in a few months, and this definitely helps get me prepared for it, at least mentally :)

It’s true that Japan is not as expensive as everyone seems to think. Of course it’s a country with a high standard of living, but there are many ways for the budget traveler to get around that. For instance, most supermarkets have a cook preparing fresh food to sell. It’s usually quite good and way cheaper than restaurants. Plus, if you come 1 hour or so before they close, they’ll offer big discounts on the last meals available!

When is the best time to travel to Japan? You would say April/May or September/October? Which is the perfect month in your opinion?

This post really reminds me of the one have years I spent living in Japan. Japan is such a unique and special country in so many ways but it was difficult to live there.

I used to always hate Shibuya station. I don’t was trying avoid getting off there are changing there because I would inevitably get lost. One thing that I did live about Japan now is that sometimes you could find Beer vending machines I found that so cool.

Oh and then the small cars are called K cars. They have cheaper insurance. I think people like them because of the limited parking space, you even have to pay extra to park your car outside your apartment.

I really love Japan! I always make sure to eat my fave Japanese Food when I’m there and yes, the Metro gave me a headache too!

The map of local trains actually scared me haha. Surely I’d get lost in this mess. Off great post as always ;)

This is not appropriate for school children in the beginning It said a very naughty word in the very beginning I’m Offended. and It also said Dumba**

Why on earth would you think my site was written for kids?

Wow! I’m a lazy person Lauren, but you make travel seem so awesome! I love your writing- your words are clear and your voice is really articulate. You’re an image for women all around the world- follow your dreams!

The key to the Tokyo subway system is to focus on the Yamanote Line, which is the main loop around central Tokyo. From there, you can connect to other lines to take you where you want to go.

We love Tokyo and my daughter and I have even done a 72 hours in Tokyo trip! She still talks about Tokyo and a recent trip to Hong Kong was a good comparison for her, but she still likes Tokyo better.

Piss Alley was a blast – mostly Yakitori stands are what is mostly there now – but there is a good little Ramen joint, and another we really liked is gone now.

There are also a ton (no kidding!) of great sushi places – web search for cheap sushi in Tokyo for lots of options.

Another great place we loved to eat at was Pepper Lunch – they serve the food to you on a flat-iron cooker that comes straight out of the oven – and you cook your food and eat it!

Tokyo is not intimidating – it’s a great place to visit and signs are in English (mostly) and the city is pretty easy to navigate.

Thanks so much for sharing, Brent!

The picture telling people to not poke the face of Sarubobo is so typically Japan, I love it!! I recently moved to Tokyo to take a break from backpacking and I have to pinch myself every day that I get to live in this hectic and beautiful city. You’ve captured Tokyo and Japan’s quirks really well!

Good article. Visited Japan last year for ten days and absolutely loved it. Like many people, I also postponed visiting due to fears about very high cost, but once there I realize it is not that bad- how much you spend is really dependant on your tastes and how much luxury you require. It is very possible to do Japan on a budget, you just have to know ways to save money. Fore example, many corner stores sell packaged, relatively inexpensive meals that tasty and healthy for only a fraction of the price of what you would pay in a restaurant.

Hi, I enjoyed reading your article. The pics are beautiful, especially the one with the train on the bridge. I have to mention a few things that stuck with me. First…OMG! I got vertigo just by looking at the metro map. Used women’s underwear!? Really??? I laughed when I read your description of the cars “squished and blocky”. Yup! I will go to Japan just to use the toilets. LOL! Great post. Can’t wait to go there.

Hope you have a wonderful time there! :-)

I am going to Japan at the end of december, 1. I really tought it wasnt going to be that cold, but you now scare me a little :P. I live in Medellin now (70F all year) but I use to live in upstate NY, how come I can get so scare about cold? ehehe 2. I really wanted to see the snow money park. In the pictures, the mokeys look so Zen :(. But after reading your post, I am for sure not going. I love animals, but I dont want to see them being misstreated or in distress

Oh, don’t be scared of the cold in Japan! I’m super sensitive to it after spending seven-odd years travelling in mostly tropical places.

Really appreciated this post! I can’t wait to get to Japan :)

One of the best articles I’ve read on Japan that shows me exactly what to expect as a traveler.

I highly recommend using google maps while riding public transportation in Japan. With Tokyo’s subway systems, it offers detailed instruction for transferring plus giving you the exact exit numbers to use to reach your destination. One warning, Japanese people walk about twice faster than me, the estimated transfer time is usually not enough for me. However, the next one is usually minutes away. I have used it successfully in other parts of Japan with public transportation systems that will link all options in Osaka, Nara, Fukuoka and Kanazawa. I am not 100% sure about very rural area which I usually get to by car.

Japanese Tourism Industry Report

To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
As a template for you assignment

Infrastructure

Types of tourists, tourism contribution to local economy, evaluation of destination marketing, comparative analysis of popular tourism destinations within the region to japan, tourism organizational structure, security risk and assessment, operating sectors, works cited.

Japan has always been known as a conservative society that is well entrenched in its ideas of tradition, culture and the preservation of social institutions (Japan, 58-63). Yet, it is this focus on tradition that has resulted in the preservation of its ancient cultural traditions that has enthralled and fascinated the world for generations.

At the present, the country is home to 125 million people with the main language spoken being nihonggo. There are also various regional dialects such as Kansai-bien which is primarily being utilized within the rural areas of the Kansai region (Japan, 58-63).

At the present, the current exchange rate between the Yen and Dirham is 1.00 AED = 21.7418 JPY. While it may seem high you need to take into consideration the fact that while Japan has some of the best inns in the world, the inherent costs are usually twice as high as those in other countries.

For people wishing to visit the country, the best time to do so is during the winter and spring seasons in order to take full advantage of the hot spring resorts that the country is famous for.

When it comes to the local infrastructure of Japan, it is actually quite interesting to note that the Japanese utilize public transportation more so than other countries. There are actually relatively few cars within the country with a vast majority of the general public relying on the dozens of train lines, bullet trains as well as airports that the country has to offer.

To make things easier for tourists, the Japanese government has helpfully placed signs in both English and Japanese on all public methods of transportation in order to help tourists easily access various locations around the country.

It should also be noted that weekly passes can be bought at various train stations that allow travelers to utilize the trains as much as they want within the designated period on the cards. As such, for any tourist wishing to go to various locations within the country it can be done in a relatively cheap and easy manner.

(Encompasses the U.A.E, U.S., Europe and other countries)	(Within the Asian region)	(Within Japan)	(People looking for a permanent place to retire)
Middle to high income 30 to 55 years (middle aged) College Educated Is usually quite stressed 2 to 3 children	High income Aged 30 and above Composed of Businessmen and entrepreneurs Usually coming from areas such as Hong Kong, Beijing and Australia 3 – 4 children	Low to moderate income Young to middle agedHigh education statusWorks within the 2 largest metropolitan areas in the country (i.e. Tokyo and Osaka)1 to 2 childrenUsually goes on vacation with a large group of friends or associates from work	Pensioned (fixed income) 60 years old and above College graduates Usually composed of U.S./European retirees 2 to 3 children
Mid-quality hotel rooms, Affordable food, Located near the beach, Access to public/affordable transportation Professional hotel staff Friendly Locals	High quality food, Located right next to the beach, Luxurious hotel rooms Professional hotel staff Friendly locals	Cheap hotel rooms, Inexpensive food, Convenient access to the beach Located near affordable places to eat Access to public transportation	Relaxing environment, Low cost of living expenses, Safety, Friendly locals
Seeks to conform to an allotted budget for the vacation Focuses on a variety of outdoor activities such as surfing, diving, paragliding etc. Thinks quite highly of the local population	Cost is not an issue Seeks to derive as much enjoyment as possible from the experience Interested in experiencing as many new things as possible Does not think highly of the local population	To spend as little as possible Focuses more on practicality rather than luxury Enjoys taking vacations in large groups	To find a nice quiet place to retire Develop good relationships with the locals Relax for the rest of one’s life in a nice environment
Independent Open to new ideas Confident	Arrogant Superficial Sticks to preconditioned ideas regarding the local culture Possesses a feeling of entitlement	Peaceful Cooperative Fear of spending too much	Peaceful Cooperative Open to new ideas
Mid-level hot spring resorts,	High end luxury resorts	Mid-level resorts	Small beach resorts with an attached development plan for beach front property for retirees.
To experience new activities and get away from the stress of work	To enjoy the various luxurious amenities available within the target destination.	To go out on a vacation with a group of friends in order to better connect with one another	To look for a place to retire in peace
The desire to unwind and relax	To experience what Japan has to offer	To go out with friends	To finally retire in peace
Influenced by the desire to experience new activities that they otherwise would not be able to do in the countries they come from (i.e. relax on the beach, paragliding, deep sea diving etc.)	Focuses on having the best of everything throughout the entire experience. This encompasses having the best hotel rooms, the best foods, going for the most expensive activities etc.	Revolves around the desire to participate in activities as a group. This involves eating with a large group of friends, interacting with people they know and going for a variety of group based activities.	For retirees, this involves examining the country and location where they plan to retire. As such, buying behavior for this particular demographic is heavily influenced by the degree of safety and relative ease of life in their desire location.

On average, Japan brings in roughly 8.3 million tourists a year from various international locations such as the U.S., Europe, the Middle East and several countries within Asia. While tourism is not a vital part of the local economy, it still provides more than $3.5 billion dollars a year in annual income.

It must be noted though that as a direct result of the Fukushima nuclear disaster tourism in Japan has actually dropped by 25% within the past year, however, the numbers are expected to rise given that the supposed danger has passed.

Another factor that should be taken into consideration when examining the local economy of the country is the fact that a vast majority of tourism services are oriented towards local rather than international consumers.

This is evidenced by the fact that there is little in the way of significant internationalization of services which specifically cater to international clientele.

This is actually one of the impediments to increasing tourism within the country since many tourists are wary of visiting a country that does not have sufficient local services to address their concerns especially when it comes to being understood by the local populace that barely speaks English.

The primary strategy that has been employed by Japan has been to create partnerships with a variety of travel agencies within other countries in order to incorporate various locations within the country in their packaged tour deals.

By doing so, this has brought in almost 60% of all guests to the location during the busy and slow seasons and continues to be one of the main ways the country is able to get tourists. One of the primary reasons behind the utilization of such a strategy is due to the fact that while English is taught in various schools, it is not extensively utilized in business proceedings.

As such, Japan has had to rely extensively on external agencies in order to promote its various tourism destinations. Not only that, compared to Europe, Australia and the Philippines there is little in the way of a sufficiently extensive online presence within social media networks for Japan.

The country does not even utilize E-commerce platforms in order to create a faster and more prudent method for international guests to make reservations and pay for rooms ahead of time.

While it may be true that this due to the fact that many of ryoukans and onsens prefer to operate utilizing “traditional” methods this just means that they are missing out on potentially tapping the a large online consumer market.

It must also be noted that the popularity of social media platforms such as Facebook and Google + makes it a free and easy method for hotels and tourism destinations to advertise their services via satisfied liking and sharing of the page as well as through various online promotions.

It is based on this that it is recommend that various ryoukans, onsens and tourism destinations within the country setup a proper E-commerce application for future websites as well as setup a Facebook page.

By doing so this creates the potential for such establishments to access new customer bases in far off locations and make it easier for them to make a reservation and pay for their room without having to spend too much.

	Philippines	Thailand	Japan	Australia
Strength	Has one of the world’s most biologically diverse marine ecosystems Possesses beautiful white sand beachesThe local population is known throughout the world for their hospitalityFood and hotels are relatively inexpensiveNearly everyone within the country speaks English	Possesses a wide range of cultural traditions and historic sites that are unique to the country Has one of the lowest prices for hotels and food in the world Locals are relatively kind to foreigners	Has one of the oldest cultures in the world with a wide range of unique cultural attractions throughout the country Is well known for its hot springs which supposedly have restorative properties Is one of the safest and most technologically advanced countries within the world	Has a local culture that is understandable by most westerners Is well known for its beaches Widely considered to be one of the surfing capitals of the world Has a relatively low crime rate
Weakness	The local armed resistance groups such as MILF and Abu Sayyaf have been known to kidnap and hold tourists for ransom There is rampant corruption in various sectors resulting foreigners sometimes being gouged on prices	Is located within a region that is prone to tsunamis The country is known more for its lucrative red light districts that it is for its cultural attractions Kidnapping by local criminals is a definite possibility	It is one of the most expensive places in the world to take a vacation with prices for even basic goods exceeding the cost seen in most western countries The locals rarely understand English and are often afraid to interact with foreigners	The country has hundreds if not thousands of local species that could kill a person rather quickly The Australian Outback is one of the most dangerous places on Earth Due to adverse water distribution policies several areas within the country are prone to dust storms
Opportunities	Still has a relatively underdeveloped tourism industry and as such there are numerous opportunities for expansion	Within the past few years Thailand has emerged from the tsunami disaster through large investments in its tourism industry resulting in better facilities and more affordable prices	Recent initiatives from the Japanese government to increase the number of tourists entering the country have resulted in fewer restrictions and red tape involving tourist visas	The country has slowly been building up a platform for increasing the number of tourists to the country through vigorous TV ads and online viral marketing campaigns
Threat	All locations indicated in this table suffer from the same problem of increased uncertainty over the current state of the global economy which has negatively impacted the number of people that willing to go on extended vacation (Hiwasaki, 675-692). Consumers have become more hesitant to go on vacations since they do not know if they will be able to continue to keep their jobs if they do so. The current prolonged recession has actually resulted in a direct slowdown of infrastructure development involving resorts within the countries indicated in this analysis and has cast doubt over the ability of the region to continue to maintain its current level of distinction which is the primary factor behind the continued decline of their tourism industries within the past few years.

The main tourism organization within the country is the Japan Tourism Agency which basically monitors and implements the various tourism polices that apply to foreign tourists as well as local residents.

The main purpose of the agency is to promote and monitor the number of tourists that enter into the country and develop specific legislation that is subject to the approval of the main governing body of the country that is aimed at ensuring a steady flow of tourists and the income they provide for local businesses (Japan: Market Profile, 186-190).

One of the more recent actions of the agency has been the implementation of new legislation which lowers the standards and amount of requirements for foreign tourists to enter into the country (CHOONG-KI, 392-323).

The main aim of such an endeavor was to encourage even individuals with moderate to low incomes to visit the country and see the sights. It should be noted though that the Japan Tourism Agency mainly concerns itself with international tourists and does not involve tourism activities of local residents.

An examination of the U.A.E travel advisory website reveals that there are currently no announcements that specifically state that there are major problems with vacationing in Japan at this moment in time.

It was noted on the website though that tourists from the U.A.E should be cautious regarding the current political climate between Japan and China due to their current island dispute.

As such, there is a possibility that increased activist protests may occur. All in all though, Japan is considered a relatively safe environment for foreign tourists and, as such, citizens of the U.A.E are free to travel there if they wish.

Attractions

Underwater Scuba Diving

Considered to be one of the most biologically diverse areas on the planet, Japan, particularly Okinawa island, has a wide variety of coral reefs and diving spots that have been widely praised by diving magazines and the International Diving Association as being one of the most beautiful yet also one of the safest places to see the wonders of underwater nature unfold before their very eyes.

Guests at any one of the various resorts in Japan can sign up for a rather affordable diving lesson along with supervised dives at several of the island’s best locations. These dives include an exploration of the local coral reef system, diving into various caves near one the other local islands and a moderate feeding of the local marine life.

Due to the crystal clear waters that the Japan island system are known for, guests can rent a variety of underwater cameras and equipment in order to film themselves diving and exploring the fascinating wonders in an around the island system of Okinawa.

Do note though that it is highly illegal to either capture fish or attempt to extract coral from the surrounding areas and as such guests should abide by the rules lest they get into trouble and be banned from ever diving in the waters of Japan again.

Another factor that should be taken into consideration is that those who wish to take up diving lessons must already know how to swim and have a moderate level of physical strength since the tanks are quite heavy.

While the Japan does not necessarily have large mountainous areas, it does however have a variety of beautiful hiking trails where an intrepid explorer can go and visit the wonders the sparsely tree covered areas have to offer.

It is usually the case that tour groups are led by a local guide who follows a predetermined path through the hilly landscape where he/she points out a variety of interesting sights and animals.

Do note that forest exploration within Japan is not as dangerous as compared to countries such as Africa or South America for example since the country does not have any predators that would pose a danger to a hiker that is aware of his surroundings and can make a certain amount of noise to scare the creature off.

Some hikes even end in a rather exciting whitewater rafting adventure where hikers climb onto orange rafts and navigate down the river until they reach a miniature lake which often has an alternative source of water in the form of a small waterfall.

Do note though that you need to be in relatively good health and be in tip top shape in order to go hiking since it is often lasts for hours and goes through relatively tough terrain.

Japanese Hot Springs

If there is one thing Japan is famous for it is its onsens (i.e. hot spring resorts) located in areas such as Kusatsu, Shibi, Shirahone and Okuhida. These resorts cater primarily to individuals who want to experience the joys of relaxing in naturally heated (i.e. heated from the volcanic rock below) mineral rich waters (Buckley Jr. et al., 357-383).

It is often the case that onsens are open air baths within resorts that gives bathers a panoramic view of a clear night sky and the surrounding landscape.

It is usually the case that the demographic to a Japanese onsen are individuals usually within their late 30s to early 70s however there has been an increasingly large amount of younger demographics that have been trying out these hot spring resorts as of late.

The primary reason is the fact that an onsen is considered the ultimate traveler’s experience within Japan that any tourist in the country should seek out (Hall, 19).

Major Shopping Districts

While Japan has several of the world’s best shopping districts none compare to the fame of its Akihabara district. Connected with the otaku subculture of Japan, Akihabara can be considered a hub for technology, manga, and anime.

It famously has an assortment of maid cafes wherein attractive Japanese girls dress up in maid costumes and serve you while calling you “master”. The shopping district is also one of the best places in Asia to find the best discounts on electronic goods and various unique types of consumer devices (Foster, 351-372).

Lastly, it is also the primary location from which Japan’s otaku sub-culture congregates in order to trade, buy and sell all things related to manga and anime. What you have to understand is that the popularity of manga and anime has surpassed the borders of Japan and has actually reached numerous international locations such as the France, the U.S., China and even the U.A.E.

As such, Akihabara has become a prime destination for many anime and manga lovers from different countries to stock up on various figurines and toys related to their favorite series. It should also be noted that what is unique about Akihabara is that unlike other prime tourist destinations around the world, it actually lacks the presence of any major hotel chains in the area.

The primary reason behind this is due to the fact that a majority of the buildings located within the district primarily cater to the sale of consumer electronics and anime related paraphernalia.

What the area has instead are “capsule hotels, these hotels utilize a unique concept wherein instead of rooms rows of stacked man-sized capsules are placed within a room that have a bed, television and a small ventilation shaft installed inside. This type of hotel was meant to maximize on the limited amount of space within the Akihabara.

Is a major business and commercial hub within Japan that possesses dozens of malls, several of the best hotels in the world and is comparable to Los Angeles on a busy day. Overall, this city is not that unique since it shares numerous similarities with other cities all over the world and does not have the uniqueness of Akihabara.

While Japan has innumerable ecotourism destinations due to its focus on preserving natural resources and saving the environment, the most famous ecotourism destination within the country is Hokkaido Island located on the northwest part of the country (Hiwasaki, 107-126).

The reason this particular destination is considered an ecotourism hotspot is due the fact that the general environment looks like an area in Europe rather than Asia. This is due to the combination of long fields of grass, small hills dotting the landscape here and there, snow capped mountains as well as various species of trees that have white bark that do not resemble native species (Hiwasaki, 107-126).

It should also be noted that the area is home to numerous native species that are not found any other place on the Earth such as the reclusive Hokkaido fox and deer as well as various species of owls. Not only that, the design of the buildings within this particular

Business Travel

Business travel within Japan is facilitated easily through the use of its expansive public transportation system, its bullet train system that connects various regions of the main island (the Shinkansen) as well as through several regional airports that have 24 hour flights. Overall, travel within the country is quite easy for foreign tourists so long as you follow the necessary guides for reaching your destination (Japan: Market Profile, 186-190).

Cultural Heritage Tourism

What you have to understand is that in the case of Japan its unique cultural heritage is the main selling point of its tourism industry (FRANCIS-LINDSAY, 151-168).

As such, in regions such as Kanto, Tohoku, Chugoku, and Kansai the main tourist attractions are not the local flora or fauna, rather, it is the various traditional temples, villages and ways of life that several Japanese communities espouse that become the main selling point of such regions (FRANCIS-LINDSAY, 151-168).

For any tourist wishing to stay in Japan there are an assortment of 5 star hotels within the cities of Tokyo, Shinjuku, Osaka, Saitama and other such major areas of commerce, however, to truly appreciate a tourist experience in Japan it is highly recommended that you skip hotels and instead utilize “Ryoukans” which are the Japanese equivalent of inns.

While these areas do not utilize the same ranking system as hotels, they are considered some of the best places to stay within the country since they serve guests traditional Japanese cuisine within traditional Japanese rooms with sliding doors, tatami mats and walls made out of thick paper.

Do note though that there are no ryokans within the city since they are often found in the countryside in order to help their guests relax and appreciate nature. Several famous areas for ryokans are Tamatsukuri, Arima, Okinawa and Hokkaido due to their largely un-spoilt areas which are free from industrial development.

Major Festivals and Events

It is actually quite interesting to note that each region in Japan celebrates a variety of unique festivals that are inherent only to that particular region. This is due to various historical events, however, there are festivals such as Hanami, Tanabata, Toro Nagashi, the Shogatsu and assortment of others that universally celebrated across the various regions of the country.

A large percentage of these festivals are usually held near or on the grounds of the local Shinto shrine and, as such, is usually the best direction to head to for tourists that want to experience the full force of Japan’s festivals.

Future of Destinations

When it comes to the short and long term goals of the Japanese tourism industry, it is interesting to note that due to the current European debt crisis and the general turmoil in the global economic market it has been decided that within the short term the tourism sector of the country will continue to follow its current plan of providing high quality amenities and services at high cost however in the long term what will happen is a slow and carefully planned diversification of services in order to cater to clients that have medium to low income brackets (Hiwasaki, 675-692).

The reason behind this is quite simple, the current problems within the global economy has created a noticeable impact on hotel guests and tourists at the present wherein many have been reluctant to spend as much as they used to (Uzama, 356-365).

If this current trend continues it is likely that Japan will still continue to receive a steady stream of people however these will consist of individuals/families that would be looking for a bargain instead of luxury (Uzama, 356-365). Thus, a transition would be necessary in order to meet the demands of this new consumer market.

It was realized within the past year that if such a strategy is not implemented it is very likely that the country will see a considerable reduction in the amount of tourists that arrive. Japan has actually taken the first initial steps into this direction by lowering the visa requirements needed to enter into the country in order to encourage foreign tourism.

Market Problems

The current problem with the tourism market between Japan and the U.A.E is the fact that consumer spending is at an all time low due to the 2008 – 2012 (present day) economic downturn.

Unfortunately, the inherent problem with the current situation is that it creates a vicious cycle wherein low consumer spending results in companies reducing various aspects of their operational capacity (i.e. manufacturing of products, low level employees etc.) in order to remain in business which results in even lower consumer spending since people do not have jobs to support themselves anymore.

An example of the effect of such a behavior by major corporations can be seen in the Dubai wherein up to 28% percent of current construction projects have been delayed due to workforce cutbacks employed by various companies in an attempt to continue to remain viable despite lackluster local demand.

Another global factor that should be taken into consideration when examining the tourism trade of Japan is the current debt crisis in Europe that was brought about through not only the reckless actions of various banks within region (as seen in the case of Ireland) but also through government mismanagement of finances (seen in the case of Greece) and exposure to a reckless housing market (the case of Spain) which has also adversely affected domestic manufacturing within the U.S. Such factors have taken a steep toll on the airline passenger market with up to 50% of profits effectively wiped out in period immediately during the aftermath of the 2008 recession with only a marginal improvement on domestic flights. As a direct result of such issues, this has severely impacted Japan’s local tourism industry resulting in far fewer profits and the closure of several prominent tourism destinations due to lackluster demand.

Solving the Problem

Shifting to New Consumer Markets

With low consumer spending and an atmosphere of economic uncertainty which pervades the traditional markets of Japan in Europe and America there is a necessity to pursue new consumer markets in various parts of the U.A.E. As such, the following are recommended methods of increasing the popularity of the country through using social media networks:

Advertising Through Social Media: YouTube Stars

Various forms of consumable media in the form of print ads, billboards, commercials, online marketing campaigns and a plethora of other types of advertising initiatives are rife with the images of various popular individuals showing just how prevalent product endorsements are in the advertising campaigns of numerous companies.

The logic behind this particular method of advertising stems from the fact that people are more likely to purchase a product or utilize a particular service if they see someone else happily using it, studies even show that the likelihood of product patronage goes up astronomically if it is seen that a pop culture icon is utilizing a particular type of product.

This speaks volumes of the influence of pop culture on consumer buying behavior however it is also indicative of the fact that companies are aware of what causes consumers to purchase a particular product and act accordingly in order to exploit it.

Yet, the inherent problem with using popular culture celebrities is the fact that they are often quite expensive and demand millions of dollars in fees. An alternative strategy that I have devised that overcomes this particular problem utilizes YouTube stars as a means of promoting the resorts of Bohol.

On average, YouTube stars such as Ray William Johnson, Philip DeFranco, Shane Dawson, Smosh and others like them often generate millions of views per video, greater even than some shows on cable television. Furthermore, these shows are watched by a global audience encompassing countries such as the U.S., China, Russia, Australia, and various states within the European Union.

This would enable any marketing campaign that centers on the use of such YouTube stars to in effect target a wide range of consumer markets at a relatively low cost.

YouTube stars in general do not demand a lot of money for placing ads within their show; it is usually the case that by providing promotional code or a link in the description of the video the company that created an advertising contract with them usually pays on the basis on the number of clicks.

This averages to around $5,000 to $6,000 on select advertising and promotional deals; this is a vast difference when compared to the millions demanded by A-list stars within Hollywood. You also have to take into consideration the fact that YouTube stars can come from a variety of different countries wherein they have a distinct level of popularity with the local populace.

Based on this, a marketing campaign could spend half the amount of money that would normally go to an A-list star yet reach four times the intended audience demographic by utilizing a select marketing strategy devoted to using YouTube stars from specific regions that cater to the audience demographics that the campaign is attempting to appeal to.

Strategies to Consider

Sponsored Links, Promotional Codes and Banners

The best way in order to fully utilize the viewership of a YouTube star is to have them sponsor the resort by having them mention it then have them point to either a banner location on the screen, a promotional code the viewers can use to get discounts or a link in the description of the video where viewers can go and visit a website detailing the various resort packages they can avail of.

This is often the strategy Netflix uses on either the Philip DeFranco show or on EpicMealTime in order to gain a substantial amount of subscribers to their services. The same strategy can be utilized on select YouTube stars from specific regions and through multiple shows.

By examining the viewership range and what type of viewers normally watch a particular YouTube star the marketing campaign will be able to determine what star to use, how long should the promotion period last for and will be able to monitor the overall effectiveness of the campaign via the number of clicks on the link, the number of people watching the video or the sheer amount of times the promotional code is used.

Vloging a Sponsored Vacation

One potential avenue of approach is to arrange for an all expenses paid trip for the YouTube star to a select resort in Bohol where they can vlog their experience to their viewership. Vlogging is a term that is a result of combining the words “blogging” (referring to act of publishing personal thoughts and experiences online for complete strangers to read) and “video”.

The vlogs of YouTube stars often generate a substantial degree of views due to the current obsession over “reality viewing” wherein people want to watch people living their lives as it unfolds. By having YouTube stars vlog their experiences within the resort for a few days this in effect acts as type of commercial which shows cases the amenities and overall appeal of the location.

Since it comes from a personal perspective and not through a telegraphed and obviously one sided view of the resort, this in effect generates a unique appeal to the market segments that the marketing campaign is attempting to target.

It must also be noted that the YouTube stars in question could also be potentially convinced to host their shows with a live background of the resort. This enables the marketing campaign to more effectively capture a larger audience without having to increase the amount of money paid to the YouTube star since they are already on an all expenses paid free vacation.

Overall, it can be seen that Japan is a country that is rich in cultural heritage and possesses attractions that would cause a significant degree of wonder and amazement for any tourist from the U.A.E. It is truly beautiful and amazing and one that I myself would love to visit in the near future.

It must be noted though that at the present the country lacks a significant enough online presence and is still considered one of the most expensive places to take a vacation.

It is based on this that it is highly recommended that the country attempt several new ways in which it can develop its online presence, especially through social media, and devise a way that it can make its local services cheaper for tourists in order to increase the amount of foreign visitors into the country.

Buckley Jr., Peter J., Hafiz Mirza, and Stephen F. Witt. “Japan’s International Tourism In The Context Of Its International Economic Relations.” Service Industries Journal 9.3 (1989): 357-383. EBSCOhost .Web.

Choong-ki, Lee. “The Impact Of Visa-Free Entry On Outbound Tourism: A Case Study Of South Korean Travellers Visiting Japan.” Tourism Geographies 12.2 (2010): 302-323. EBSCOhost . Web.

Foster, M. D. “What Time Is This Picture? Cameraphones, Tourism, And The Digital Gaze In Japan.” Social Identities 15.3 (2009): 351-372. EBSCOhost . Web.

Francis-Lindsay, Janice. “The Intrinsic Value Of Cultural Heritage And Its Relationship To Sustainable Tourism Development: The Contrasting Experiences Of Jamaica And Japan.” Caribbean Quarterly 55.2 (2009): 151-168. EBSCOhost . Web.

Hall, Kenji. “Get Sick, Visit Japan.” Businessweek 4143 (2009): 19. EBSCOhost . Web.

Hiwasaki, Lisa. “Community-Based Tourism: A Pathway To Sustainability For Japan’s Protected Areas.” Society & Natural Resources 19.8 (2006): 675-692. EBSCOhost .Web.

Hiwasaki, Lisa. “Tourism In Japan’s Parks And Protected Areas: Challenges And Potential For Sustainable Development.” International Review For Environmental Strategies 4.1 (2003): 107-126. EBSCOhost . Web.

“Japan.” Travel & Tourism Forecast Asia & Australasia (2005): 58-63. EBSCOhost . Web.

“Japan: Market Profile.” Travel & Tourism Forecast World (2004): 186-190. EBSCOhost . Web.

Uzama, Austin. “Marketing Japan’s Travel And Tourism Industry To International Tourists.” International Journal Of Contemporary Hospitality Management 21.3 (2009): 356-365. EBSCOhost . Web.

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The 10 most wonderful places to visit in Japan

Mar 28, 2024 • 6 min read

An internationally married couple who came to Tsukiji for sightseeing while eating fried food

From buzzing cities to serene forest walks, these are our favorite places to visit in Japan © Taiyou Nomachi / Getty Images

Japan offers up a real feast for travelers, with mountainside onsen (hot spring) villages, beach-lined islands and buzzing megacities all on the menu.

You could arguably spend a lifetime sampling the country’s delights, but some towns and sights are staples – core ingredients to any great Japan trip. Here’s our pick of the 10 best places to visit in Japan .

Best for contemporary culture

Tokyo is a city forever reaching into the future, pushing the boundaries of what's possible on densely populated, earthquake-prone land, and building ever taller, sleeker structures.

It's Japan's top spot for contemporary art and architecture, pop culture, shopping, drinking and entertainment (and a tie with Kyoto for dining). But more than any other sight, it's the city itself that enchants visitors.

It's a sprawling, organic thing, stretching as far as the eye can see. Constantly changing with a diverse collection of neighborhoods , no two experiences of Tokyo are ever the same.

Planning tip: Tickets for sumo, kabuki and Giants baseball games usually go on sale one to two months in advance. The Imperial Palace and Ghibli Museum are other popular attractions that require prior planning.

Father and daughter playing with snow in Kyoto Japan

Best for traditional experiences

Kyoto , Japan's imperial capital for a thousand years, is home to more than a thousand temples. Among them are the monumental, like Kinkaku-ji (an exquisite pavilion sheathed entirely in gold leaf), and the meditative, like Ryōan-ji , with its stark Zen rock garden.

And temples are only the beginning. There's the culture of tea, which you can appreciate at one of the city's many elegant teahouses; the art of the geisha, those iconic performers of traditional music and dance; and also a rich food culture, including kaiseki (Japanese haute cuisine).

3. Naoshima

Best for architecture

Naoshima is one of Japan's great success stories: once a rural island on the verge of becoming a ghost town, it's now a world-class center for contemporary art.

Many of Japan's most lauded architects have contributed structures, including museums, a boutique hotel and even a bathhouse – all designed to enhance the island's natural beauty and complement its existing settlements.

The resulting blend of avant-garde and rural Japan is captivating. It has also inspired some Japanese to pursue a slower life outside the big cities, relocating to Naoshima to open cafes and inns.

Planning tip: Try to plan your visit during one of the three exhibitions of the Setouchi Triennale festival, which happens during the spring, summer and fall every three years – the most recent was in 2022. Naoshima hosts various art, drama, music and dance events that make this festival really special.

Two bench stand empty beneath trees with autumnal leaves and next to a large lake, Lake Kawaguchiko, with the giant Mt Fuji in the distance. The mountain is topped by snow.

Best for views and pilgrimages

Even from a distance, Mt Fuji will take your breath away. Close up, the perfectly symmetrical cone of Japan's highest peak is nothing short of incredible. Dawn from the summit? Pure magic.

Fuji-san is among Japan's most revered and timeless attractions. Hundreds of thousands of people climb it every year, continuing a centuries-old tradition of pilgrimages up the sacred volcano.

Those who'd rather search for picture-perfect views from the less-daunting peaks nearby will be following in the steps of Japan's most famous painters and poets.

Planning tip: The best time to climb Mt Fuji is during its official season, from July 1 through mid-September, which avoids the rainy season and snowfall. Always check for typhoon warnings before hiking in Japan.

5. Hiroshima

Best for introspection

Hiroshima today is a forward-thinking city with attractive, leafy boulevards. It's not until you visit the Peace Memorial Museum that the true extent of human tragedy wreaked by the atomic bomb becomes vividly clear.

A visit here is a heartbreaking, important history lesson. The park around the museum , much of which was designed by Japan's great modernist architect Tange Kenzō, offers many opportunities for reflection.

But the city's spirit of determination – as well as its food – will ensure that you'll have good memories to take with you when you leave.

A forest walkway on the island of Yakushima that goes through the trunk of a giant cedar tree.

6. Yakushima

Best for forest bathing

Yakushima, a small island off the coast of southern Kyūshū , is often described as magical and enchanting – otherworldly even. It's a place where words fail and clichés step in.

Home to some of Japan's last primeval forests, you'll find the yakusugi , an ancient cedar native to the island whose giant roots seem to form alien tentacles.

Hiking trails underneath them cover craggy terrain, often fuzzy with moss. The landscape here is believed to have inspired the iconic Studio Ghibli animated film, Princess Mononoke .

Detour: When you're not hiking, stop by the Yakusugi Museum to learn more about the importance of yakusugi to the islanders of Yakushima. An English audio guide is available.

7. Koya-san

Best for exploring temples

Riding the funicular up to the sacred Buddhist monastic complex of Kōya-san feels, appropriately, like ascending to another world.

There are over a hundred temples here, the highlight of which is Oku-no-in , where paths weave their way among towering cryptomeria trees and time-worn stone stupas covered in moss and lichen.

Other temples offer a different experience: the chance to spend the night, dine on traditional vegetarian Buddhist cuisine and wake up early for morning meditation with the resident monks.

Planning tip: Though Japanese temples and shrines do not have established dress codes, visitors are expected to stay relatively quiet in these sacred spaces.

8. Okinawa and the Southwest Islands

Best for beaches

Okinawa and the Southwest Islands offer a totally different experience from the rest of Japan. This semi-tropical archipelago forms an arch between Kyūshū and Taiwan .

Until the islands were annexed by Japan in the 19th century, they formed their own kingdom – the Ryūkyū Empire – and the cultural differences are apparent in everything from the architecture to the food.

This is where you'll find Japan's best beaches, like those on the Yaeyama Islands and the Kerama Islands, with sugar-white sand fringed with palms and turquoise waters. Bask in the sun, or snorkel and scuba dive.

Locals eat at tables set up on the road outside a late night restaurant in Osaka, Japan. The restaurant is lit up in lights and appears bright against the dark night sky.

Best for street food and nightlife

Tokyo doesn't nab all the superlatives when it comes to urban experiences. Osaka , Japan's third-largest city, is tops for street food: don't miss its signature dish, takoyaki (grilled octopus dumplings).

It also has the most dramatic of nightscapes: a dazzling display of LED lights, animated signage and flashing video screens along the canalside strip Dōtombori .

The city, Japan's oldest merchant center, has a pace, spirit and zest for life all of its own; its unofficial slogan is kuidaore (eat until you drop).

Planning tip: In addition to nightly accommodation fees, Osaka hotels will typically charge an accommodation tax that varies depending on the standard nightly rate.

Two hikers with large backpacks walk along a trail through thick forest in Kamikochi, Japan.

10. Kamikōchi

Best for mountain hikes

One of Japan's most stunning natural vistas, Kamikōchi is a highland river valley enveloped by the soaring peaks of the Northern Japan Alps .

Easy day hikes are possible along the Azusa-gawa, following the pristine river through tranquil forests of willow, larch and elm.

The birthplace of Japanese alpinism, Kamikōchi is also the gateway for more challenging treks up some of the country's tallest mountains, such as Yari-ga-take (3180m/10,433ft). Private cars are banned from Kamikōchi, which lessens the impact of the crowds.

This article was first published Apr 29, 2021 and updated Mar 28, 2024.

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White Paper on Tourism

Last Update : 2024/3/22

White Paper on Tourism in Japan

Fig.I-44 and I-45 were revised. (September 4, 2018)

The "Ultimate Souvenir Forum" event described on pages 83 to 84 in the "Reconstruction / fortification project of attractive tourism areas in collaboration of public and private sectors" section has ended, and the URL listed is not currently being used.

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Tourism In Japan: History and Today's Situation

The sample paper on Tourism In Japan familiarizes the reader with the topic-related facts, theories, and approaches. Scroll down to read the entire paper.

Tourism is a major foreign exchange earner for many countries. Most of them are keen on creating an environment that is conducive and attractive for tourists. Governments and the private sector the world over market the tourist attractions within their jurisdictions to ensure they get a share of international travelers. Local tourist destinations are also increasingly becoming popular with citizens of the country which the attractions are located being charged lower prices by the relevant entities to encourage them to visit and promote their tourism sites.

People are usually interested in visiting new places, beautiful landscapes, sunny beaches, primitive societies and historical monuments among others. Asia as a continent prides itself in being the home to a significant proportion of international tourists. Japan is one of the biggest beneficiaries. The country is home to about nineteen world heritage sites.

Japan has managed to keep intact key aspects of its culture, a factor that has for years ensured it continuously attract tourists who are interested in learning more about the way of life of its people (McDowell 2015). Japan’s tourism industry is headed for great growth with current trends and future the government future targets set to see inbound visitors making sector become the country’s main source of employment.

.The country’s tourism sector is recording steady growth. The number of tourists in Japan has been increasing in the recent years.

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The year 2016 has seen the number of foreign tourists visiting Japan rise to 2.3 million in the month of July alone (Japan National Tourism Organization 2016). The figure represents a 19.7 percent increase in terms of proportion compared to July of 2015. The figure surpassed that recorded in the month of April 2016 that initially had the highest figures for the year 2016 with the excess figure standing at 215000 visitors. The government had placed its estimates on inbound visitors at 20 million visitors by the year 2020 with last year missing the target by less than half a million with the figure standing at 19.7 million. The figure represents a 47.1% rise compared to that of the year 2014. The growth rate for the year 2016 is the highest since 1964 when the country’s national tourism organization started collecting data. Given the momentum with which the tourism sector is growing, the country is set to not only achieve the year 2020 target but also surpass it by a huge margin. The success has got the government to start considering reviewing the target and setting a higher one.

History Of Tourism In Japan

The composition of inbound visitors has also changed. Chinese visitors constituted the largest proportion of the visitors for the first time Japan’s tourism history. Such an event was unexpected. There are several factors that can explain the change. One of them is the growing middle-class in China. The economic growth in China has been accompanied by an increase in the number of people joining the country’s middle-class category who have greater amounts of disposable income that they can spend on luxury. Another reason for the large number of Chinese visiting is the weakening of Yen (Japan’s currency) against the Chinese currency (World Travel & Tourism Council 2015). The depreciation of the Yen makes inbound visitors find the cost of visiting Japan as holiday destination cheaper than before. The third factor in growth is relaxing of Japan’s visa requirement. The Chinese tourists were also the largest spenders. Their total expenditure accounted for about 40.8% of the 3.5 trillion Yen spent by tourists in 2015. The spending was so much and popular that it resulted in the coining of the term ‘bakugai’ which means explosive buying, to refer to the shopping sprees associated with the Chinese tourists.

Even though China ranks at the top in terms of inbound tourist to Japan, factoring in the population shows a lot of potential for growth (Research & Co 2016). For instance, even though Taiwan and Hong Kong are much smaller in comparison to China their proportionate tourist numbers are far much than those of China. In view of the growth potential, Japan can look forward to a greater number of inbound Chinese tourists than before.Japan also still has more room for deregulation, a factor that is bound to lead to a surge in the number of tourists from its three biggest inbound tourists that include Chinese, Taiwanese and Koreans. However, a reversal in the weakening of the Yen may lead to a counter effect that may see the numbers become more unpredictable.

Inbound tourism is one of the most promising businesses in Japan. Holiday and travel is the new employment platform and economic driver for the population. Its contribution currently rivals that of the auto industry that is a major employer. The sector currently employs more than 3% of the country’s total population (Japan Macro Advisors 2016). After the winning the bid to host the 2020 Olympics, the government intensified its efforts aimed at promoting tourism. The private sector was not let behind. Various stakeholders began taking advantage of the measures set in place by the government in promoting tourism to offer complementary services that would help create enabling conditions. One of such initiatives was by NTT Docomo Inc that launched a wireless internet service to cater for foreign tourist some of whom had initially complained about the lack of wifi in the country (Kodera 2014). Such kinds of initiatives by both the government and the private have created more employment opportunities especially in the service industry.

Clearly, Japan’s tourism industry is headed for great growth given the current trends and future the government future targets that might see the inbound visitors become the main source of employment. The country’s tourism sector is recording steady growth. Inbound tourist numbers in Japan have been increasing at an unprecedented rate in the recent years, helping it set new records in its tourism sector (Business Monitor International Ltd. 2016). The composition of inbound visitors has also changed. This year, Chinese visitors constituted the largest proportion of the visitors for the first time in Japan’s tourism history. Factors such as deregulation, a weakening Yen and a surge in the middle-class are the main contributors to this new trend. Despite the fact that China ranks at the top in terms of inbound tourist to Japan, factoring in the population size shows a lot of potential for growth. Japan can take advantage of the opportunity to do more in terms of deregulation and creating a more conducive environment for tourists.Inbound tourism is one of the most promising businesses and the various stakeholders in Japan’s tourism industry should do their best to maximize their income.

Bibliography

Business Monitor International Ltd. (2016). Japan tourism report . London, Business Monitor International.

Japan Macro Advisors, (2016). Number of Visitors to Japan|Foreign visitors|Tourism . [online] japanmacroadvisors.com. Available at: https://www.japanmacroadvisors.com/page/category/economic-indicators/gdp-and-business-activity/number-of-visitors-to-japan/ [Accessed 19 Sep.

Japan National Tourism Organization (2016) Welcome to the Japan national tourism organization website . Available at: http://www.seejapan.co.uk/jnto_consumer/index (Accessed: 19 September 2016).

Kodera, A. (2014) Tourism emerges as new economic driver for Japan | the Japan times . Available at: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/08/25/reference/tourism-emerges-new-economic-driver-japan/#.V-AIjTVJR-8 (Accessed: 19 September 2016).

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A study on the causes and effects of stressful situations in tourism for japanese people.

1. Introduction

RQ1. What are the negative psychological impacts (the negative feelings) of tourism as perceived by local residents?
RQ2. What are the causes of negative psychological impacts?
RQ3. What are the strategies that local residents use to cope with negative psychological impacts?
RQ4. What are the effects or outcomes of the coping strategies used?

2. Literature Review

3.1. the first phase of data collection and analysis, 3.1.1. the first step of data collection, 3.1.2. the second step of data collection, 3.1.3. the third step of data collection, 3.1.4. the analysis of the first phrase’s data, 3.2. the second and third phases of data collection and analysis, 3.3. limitations and merits of the methods, 4. results and discussions, 4.1. negative feelings and their causes, 4.2. coping strategies and their effects, 5. implications of the results, 5.1. theoretical implications, 5.2. practical implications, 6. conclusions, author contributions, institutional review board statement, informed consent statement, data availability statement, conflicts of interest.

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Click here to enlarge figure

Types of Data	Number
News articles	26
Blogs	7
YouTube videos (comments)	8 (70)
Tweets	121

Original in Japanese	Translation in English
憤りを感じている	Indignant
痛みを感じている	Pain
イライラしている	Frustrated
苛立っている	Frustrated
うんざりしている	Fed up, tired
怒っている	Angry
悲しい	Sad
苦悩している	Distressed
苦しめられる	Distressed
怖い	Scared, fleftened
ストレス	Stressed
心配している	Concerned, worried
疲れている	Tired
辛い	Bitter
懐かしい	Nostalgic
疲弊している	Exhausted
不安	Anxious, insecure
不平不満	Discontented
不満	Dissatisfied, discontented
辟易している	Tired, overwhelmed

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Nghiêm-Phú, B.; Shibuya, K. A Study on the Causes and Effects of Stressful Situations in Tourism for Japanese People. Behav. Sci. 2021 , 11 , 143. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs11110143

Nghiêm-Phú B, Shibuya K. A Study on the Causes and Effects of Stressful Situations in Tourism for Japanese People. Behavioral Sciences . 2021; 11(11):143. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs11110143

Nghiêm-Phú, Bình, and Kazuki Shibuya. 2021. "A Study on the Causes and Effects of Stressful Situations in Tourism for Japanese People" Behavioral Sciences 11, no. 11: 143. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs11110143

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Japan seeks more visitors despite overtourism woes

Its goal of more than doubling the current number of tourists is well within reach, despite surging overtourism concerns, nation’s tourism chief says

Japan’s tourism chief said on Thursday its ambitious goal of luring 60 million foreign tourists a year – more than double the current level – is well within reach, despite surging overtourism concerns.

Ichiro Takahashi, head of Japan’s tourism agency, acknowledged the previously announced target of 60 million remains “tough”, but stressed it is within the realm of possibility.

“It is a figure that we can very much achieve by making the right efforts”, Takahashi told a briefing in Tokyo.

“There are still many little-known places in Japan that are left unexplored by tourists from overseas – I believe Japan has infinite tourism resources,” Takahashi said.

Over three million foreign tourists visited Japan for a third consecutive month in May, according to government statistics released on Wednesday.

The city of Himeji, in western Japan, was among the latest local governments to express frustrations.

The municipality famous for Himeji Castle is mulling making the World Heritage site’s admission fees for overseas tourists four times as expensive as those for local residents, local media reported.

“A wooden structure will be worn out and become more brittle after many people climb up and down”, mayor Hideyasu Kiyomoto told Japanese media, stressing the need to “curb overtourism”.

Local citizens using the castle as a community hub shouldn’t be charged the same amount as “people who only come here once in around 10 years for sightseeing purposes”, he said.

Another flashpoint around overtourism is Mount Fuji, where a new, crowd-control gate was erected Monday along its popular trail.

The measure followed a rare step taken last month by an exasperated Japanese town to deliberately block a view of the volcano with a large black barrier, in a bid to deter photo-hungry tourists.

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Japan government paper seeks to promote rural areas to foreign visitors

Foreign visitors learn how to make sushi in a cooking class at Sushi Making Tokyo in the Asakusa district of Tokyo.

The government stressed in an annual report Tuesday the need to attract more foreign visitors to rural areas in the country, reducing their concentration in large cities.

The number of foreign visitors to Japan in 2023 came to around 25.07 million, about 80% of the level in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, with their travel spending hitting a record high of ¥5,3 trillion ($33.6 billion). About 70% of accommodations for those visitors were located in the three metropolitan areas.

The white paper said that eliminating such concentration in big cities will lead to regional revitalization and help curb overtourism, preventing an excessive influx of tourists from seriously affecting the daily lives of local residents and the environment.

As measures to attract foreign visitors to rural areas, the white paper cited the creation of experience-based programs that make use of local nature, traditional culture and food, the dissemination of information on wide-area tour routes and the addition of extra value to accommodation facilities.

Foreign visitors learn how to make sushi in a cooking class at Sushi Making Tokyo in the Asakusa district of Tokyo. | Bloomberg

In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.

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Tourism in Japan
In addition to domestic tourism, Japan attracts tourists from all over the world (Guichard-Anguis 2009, p.103). Tourist attractions in Japan. Many things attract tourists in Japan. The attractions range from cultural and historical treasures, beautiful mountains, forests, and the seacoast.
Essay on Why I Want to Visit Japan
Essay on Why I Want to Visit Japan. This essay sample was donated by a student to help the academic community. Papers provided by EduBirdie writers usually outdo students' samples. Japan is a fascinating and beautiful country in East Asia. Japan has lots of different traditions, festivals, landforms, and tourist attractions.
Essays About Japan: Top 5 Examples And 5 Prompts
Japan is a beautiful country famous for its lush landscape, delicious food, and well-mannered people. Here are some examples of essays about Japan.. A developed country in Asia known as the "land of the rising sun," Japan has become a hot commodity for tourism and business. Japan is truly a sight to behold, from its beautiful cherry blossoms, efficient public transportation system, and ...
Personal Essay Example: Reasons Why I Want to Visit Japan
Japan is one of the most attractive places for tourists, millions of people each year travel there to try its exotic and traditional food. Another reason why is because of the beautiful sakura flowers that only bloom once a year. Japan also has one of the most unique hotels, one being a capsule hotel, like the name says you live in a capsule.
Tourism in Japan
Tourism in Japan. Tourism in Japan is a major industry and contributor to the Japanese economy. Foreigners visit Japan to see natural wonders, cities, historic landmarks, and entertainment venues. Japanese people seek similar attractions, as well as recreation and vacation areas. In 2019, Japan attracted 31.88 million international tourists. [1]
20 Reasons Why You Should Visit Japan
11. Shopper's paradise. Shopping is another reason why you should visit Japan, more so for the local brands than for the international ones. Tokyo and other major cities have world-class shopping centers as well as traditional markets where you can shop for local handicrafts and souvenirs.
What's It Really Like to Travel Japan?
Japan has long held a reputation as being one of the most expensive countries in the world to visit, with Tokyo holding the crown as one of the world's most expensive cities. After my visit, I think that reputation is a bit undeserved. Two things in Japan are quite expensive: lodging and long-distance transportation.
Why Travel to Japan? 20 Best Reasons to Visit it
The spectacular cherry blossom season. Japan is one of the best places in the world to view the spring cherry blossom and attend a Cherry blossom festival. Once the cherry blossom season peaks in April, locals and visitors alike flock to Japanese parks and gardens to engage in hanami (picnics beneath the cherry trees).
What's it Like to Travel in Japan?
Japan is the land of animals being treated badly, unfortunately. As you travel across the country, you'll be struck by how many animal cafes you can visit. There's hedgehog cafes, otter cafes, owl cafes, alpaca cafes, ferret cafes, penguin bars, and the vast majority of them are not doing great things for the animals' health.
Japanese Tourism Industry
On average, Japan brings in roughly 8.3 million tourists a year from various international locations such as the U.S., Europe, the Middle East and several countries within Asia. While tourism is not a vital part of the local economy, it still provides more than $3.5 billion dollars a year in annual income.
10 best places to visit in Japan
Here's our pick of the 10 best places to visit in Japan. 1. Tokyo. Best for contemporary culture. Tokyo is a city forever reaching into the future, pushing the boundaries of what's possible on densely populated, earthquake-prone land, and building ever taller, sleeker structures. It's Japan's top spot for contemporary art and architecture ...
'Cool Japan'
Several academic societies focus on tourism, but they consist of a mixture of academic researchers, consultants, think tanks of travel agencies and members of the tourism industry. The biggest society, the Japan Institute of Tourism Research, increased its membership from 209 in 1989 to 526 in 2000 and to 1006 in 2017; of these, only 7.9% gave ...
Experiences in Japan
Our Recommendations. Explore the heart and soul of Japan through curated experiences. Let us guide you deeper into the heart of Japan. Meet apprentice geisha, stay overnight in a temple, raft through an epic gorge, take a private cooking lesson, rock out at a music festival or just relax on a hidden beach; Japan is yours to discover.
Japanese Tourism Impact
Japanese Tourism Impact. 833 Words4 Pages. Tourism has become one of the important economic factor for any nation today. With the increase in technology, the world is gradually changing and becoming closer and smaller day by day. The country known for its advanced technology, Japan is popular in terms of travel, commerce, technology, cuisine ...
Tourism in Japan
Tourism in Japan was at a standstill for about year until 2012. During the year of 2011, Japanese people did not travel and "people refrained from leisure activities" (Euromonitor, 2013). About a year after the earthquake, tourism grew and there was "an increased desire to travel"
Tourism Research on Japan—Overview on Major Trends: Japanese and
4 The Journal of Tourism Research has 350 articles published between volume 1 in 1961 and volume 56, number 1 in 2015. The total number of JAST excludes articles written by foreign language, equivalent to essay and research note. As for The Tourism Studies, 140 articles published between volume 1 in 1987 and volume 27, number one in 2015 are targeted.. The numbers of article might have been ...
Statistics/White Paper
White Paper on Tourism. Last Update : 2024/3/22. Each year, the state of tourism as well as the tourism-related measures taken by the government are summarized in "White Paper on Tourism," and reported to the Diet. An overview of Japan's tourism administration is reported in the form of white paper.
Tourism In Japan: History and Today's Situation
Japan's tourism industry is headed for great growth with current trends and future the government future targets set to see inbound visitors making sector become the country's main source of employment. .The country's tourism sector is recording steady growth. The number of tourists in Japan has been increasing in the recent years.
(DOC) Tourism in Japan
Tourism from abroad brings in around 900 billion yen per year for Japan. To put it in perspective, France makes around 5 trillion, the UK 3 trillion, Germany 3.7 trillion, and America 11 trillion yen from tourism. It might look like just a matter of zeroes on paper, but that is a significant difference.
Living in Japan: Travel Essay
Living in Japan: Travel Essay. For me, life in Japan has been a puzzle to be solved. When I work out which piece goes where, life becomes easier. Chiba, a port city about 50 minutes by train from Tokyo, is situated on Tokyo Bay. As I wake each morning, I know for certain that before the day is out I will be asked the following two questions ...
A Study on the Causes and Effects of Stressful Situations in Tourism
Feature papers are submitted upon individual invitation or recommendation by the scientific editors and must receive positive feedback from the reviewers. ... In order to sustain the long-term development of tourism in Japan, Japanese central and local governments, as well as tourism businesses in the country, may consider the following directions.
Tourism In Japan
Its aim was to provide a sound of foreign tourist travel assistance. Later in 1907, Japan entered a new milestone in the development of the tourism industry. The official government carried out the Hotel Development Law, which allowed the Railway Ministry began to construct publicly owned hotels throughout …show more content…
Full article: Contents tourism: background, context, and future
This introductory essay shows a brief overview of issues discussed by previous contents tourism studies to provide the basic theoretical framework on analyzing contents tourism phenomena in the age of transmedia, multi-use of contents. Contents Tourism is a Japanese word designating tourism which is stimulated by Popular Culture.
Japan seeks more visitors despite overtourism woes
Ichiro Takahashi, head of Japan's tourism agency, acknowledged the previously announced target of 60 million remains "tough", but stressed it is within the realm of possibility.
Japan government paper seeks to promote rural areas ...
The number of foreign visitors to Japan in 2023 came to around 25.07 million, about 80% of the level in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, with their travel spending hitting a record high of ¥ ...