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Japan is a destination that blends ancient tradition with cutting-edge modern life in a way few countries can match. Travelers can move from serene temples and bamboo groves in Kyoto to the neon energy of Tokyo, then on to mountain hot spring towns, coastal villages, and world-class ski regions. What makes Japan especially memorable is the care and craftsmanship found in everyday life—whether in seasonal cuisine, beautifully maintained gardens, efficient transportation, or the deep sense of hospitality that shapes the travel experience.
Key highlights include exploring Tokyo’s distinct neighborhoods, visiting Kyoto’s shrines, temples, and geisha districts, seeing Osaka for food and nightlife, and experiencing natural beauty from Mount Fuji views to autumn foliage and spring cherry blossoms. Many travelers also enjoy riding the shinkansen, staying in a ryokan, soaking in an onsen, and sampling regional specialties such as sushi, ramen, kaiseki, and street food. Practical tips: get an IC transit card for easy local travel, reserve popular accommodations and train tickets early during peak seasons, learn a few basic Japanese phrases, carry some cash for smaller shops, and pack according to the season since weather varies widely across the country.
The best time to visit Japan is generally March to May and October, when popularity peaks and travelers can enjoy mild weather, seasonal scenery, and many of the country’s most iconic experiences. Spring is ideal for cherry blossoms, while October offers comfortable temperatures and beautiful autumn colors with fewer summer weather challenges.
All these trains in Japan look impeccable.
After checking out of the wonderful hotel 'The Thousand' today, we had some time to stroll around the huge station mall before departure of our Shinkansen 🚅. We hadn't seen the...
Today was all about Japanese culture, combined with some physical activity like climbing what felt like 10,000 stairs 😅. First, we walked from the hotel for about 40 minutes to...
With 37.2 million inhabitants, Tokyo is the largest city in the world. With so many inhabitants, there is plenty of room for niches and specialization. In short, Tokyo has...
Live translation with Google Translate in Japanese
the first few days are over
Next stop: Kumamoto. Famous for its castle and Suizenji Park. Too bad I forgot that the castle was heavily damaged by an earthquake in April 2016. But no worries. It was...
So now I am in Nagasaki. Not far from my hostel, there is the small artificial island of Dejima. Okay, island is a lie. It used to be an island and now it is just enclosed by...
Just two more weeks until I return to Germany. So I packed my bags and booked a flight to Kyushu, the southernmost of the four main islands of Japan. As I was waiting at the...
Weather looks good, two days off in a row. So I bought another Hakone Free Pass and off we go! On the first day, I went to Lake Ashi and from there I could already see Mount...
So since Saturday I have been in Osaka, the counterpart to Tokyo. Osaka is known for its delicious food and the friendliness of its residents. I found the hostel right away. It...
First warm and humid, then rain and humid :) On the last day in Nagoya, before going to the language school in Gifu, I visited THE landmark of the city (Nagoya is actually quite...
Today was a city tour! First, I visited the Osu Kannon Temple. I believe it is the largest in Nagoya. Right next door is a shopping district that was even blasted with heavy...
Ninja village Iga Ueno
Today, we took it a bit easier. We explored the surroundings during a break in the rain and saw a beautiful butterfly (about 10cm), a dragonfly, and a praying mantis....
Off to Kamakura, a very popular coastal town with many temples and shrines. First, we headed to the Engakuji Temple, which is a large complex with various temples and buildings....
Today again in Ueno Park, there was music and entertainment from dancing women in beautiful dresses. There was also some food that couldn't be missed.
After a short night, it's now evening 5:30 PM. I have landed at the airport and now I need to fill out some forms as best as I understand. I look for my suitcase and on my way...
On April 14th it was goodbye Honshu (“main island” of Japan) and back to Okinawa. Quickly bought a few snacks for the flight and then we went out for a long meal in the "Vie de...
Am Wochenende fand der Forest Jam statt. Zwei Tage lang wurde zu progressiver und psychedelischer Musik von japanischen Künstlern kräftig getanzt und gefeiert. Dieses Fest wird...
The day started off with a bombshell: Thanks to the German railway system, Nico couldn't get off the train in Frankfurt and missed the flight. Everyone was stressed and...
Travel Impressions As the capital of Japan and officially the largest city in the world, there is nothing that Tokyo does not have. There is something for every taste. The...
Last breakfast at Intercontinental Tokyo Bay
September 14, 2019 - Trip to Mt. Takao Good things come to those who wait... and boy was this day long 😉 My day trip to hike up Tokyo's famous mountain Mt. Takao was quite a...
by day and more and more ebb.... and at night again with the little boat from the hotel. Super!
So we continue to Tokyo after Nagano! Tall buildings and crowds of people. And to make it clear from the start: Tokyo itself does not have 30 million inhabitants. The city...
Nach langer Pause mal wieder ein Eintrag :) Wenn ich frei hatte mal kein Regentag war, habe ich nur kleine Sachen gemacht. Ich bekomme gleich zweimal Besuch hier in Kanazawa. Da...
Back to the lake again, to see nothing again. And then on to the brewery tour. Chiyo (you'll never guess her age :D) was looking forward to the beer the whole time, 'Free...
And of course, first stop at the town hall: register. Then relax. Allegedly it's only 25° today, but it's so humid that you start sweating like a little pig after just 2 meters...
Today we went to the west of Osaka, to the harbor. Here is the world's largest aquarium with a whale shark as the main attraction. But we didn't go in. Instead, we rode the...