Planet Tokyo: Planet Tokyo JLog

Best travel reads on Japan

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:00:00 PST

So, which books are they? Here are three classic books I�d recommend if you�re planning on traveling in and around Japan.

The Inland Sea, by Donald Richie (Originally published in 1971, re-released in 2002 by Stonebridge Press).

Cheap Guesthouses for longer stays

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:00:00 PST

Once you find how affordable a long-term rental guesthouse in Japan can be, you might find you want to extend your stay in Japan. International guesthouses, colloquially called gaijin houses (foreigner houses) can be very affordable if you�re staying in Japan a month or longer. For example, you can get a room for 48,000 yen (includes electricity and gas) with a shared bath, kitchen and living room. That�s what five nights in a Japanese-style minshuku or ryokan would cost you!

Japan is still cheap!

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 00:00:00 PST

Because of the current high value of the yen, Japan may not seem such a cheap destination anymore. But don�t worry, you can still get by very cheaply in Japan, as long as you are armed with some inside information. Here are some tips the guidebooks won�t tell you.

High, sacred places

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 00:00:00 PST

If you�re visiting Japan, you�ll no doubt want to see a few shrines and temples. Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples are main draws for all travelers, domestic and foreign. Especially if you�re traveling in the Spring or Autumn, however, I recommend you get off the beaten track a bit and take the some of the more scenic routes to these temples and shrines. During these shoulder seasons when the weather isn�t so hot, you�ll find many more opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors, and one way is to combine shrine and temple viewing with hiking to your destination.

On the Peace Trail

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PST

Most people who come to Japan will not miss the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum (also called the �Peace Park�) in Hiroshima city which commemorates the bombing of the city by the USA in 1945. This first-hand experience with an atomic bomb is largely responsible for Japan installing Article 9 of their constitution which stipulates that Japan will never again go to war.

Kayaking and Rafting

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PST

Fall is a great time for kayaking, canyoning and rafting. These sports also offer a great way to see some of Japan�s amazing scenery. Imagine kayaking with views of Mt. Fuji, paddling down Shikoku�s scenic Yoshino River or gliding among the calm waters of the Seto Inland Sea. From rivers to seas, these sports will be sure to give you a Japanese thrill.

The Inland Sea Islands

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PST

Japan�s Inland Sea, called �Seto Naikai� in Japanese, is one of Japan�s best kept secrets. While most people only know the bigger islands (called �shima�) such as Awajishima and Shodoshima with extensive ferry services to bring people, cars and trucks from the mainland, the smaller islands are accessible only by the occasional ferry or private boat. As the smaller islands become more popular even among Japanese travelers, the options for getting around to them are increasing, but tourism along the Inland Sea is still in its infancy.

What is Respect for the Aged Day?

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PST

The third Monday of September is Respect for the Aged Day, a national holiday in Japan. The Japanese call national holidays "red days" because they appear in red print on the calendar. As this will make September 12�14 a long weekend, be prepared for heavier than usual traffic and crowded trains if you are traveling.

Akihabara

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:00:00 PST

If you�re young and hip, or just want to act like you are, then Tokyo�s Akihabara district is the place to be. And luckily now, as it is becoming somewhat of a tourist-attraction (I say somewhat because if you catch it now, you can still see it before the tourist hordes discover it) you can even get a tour of Akihabara in English.

So, you wanna meet a geisha?

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 PST

Everyone knows that geisha aren�t a common sight in Japan anymore. Sure, there are said to be a couple thousand throughout Japan, but when you consider a nation of 120 million people, that�s not many geisha to go around. I�ve lived in Japan 16 years and have never seen a geisha. But then again, I haven�t actively seeked them out either.