It’s the land of the rising solar. And in addition the place the place the solar rises in my coronary heart. As a result of the individuals, environment, meals, the tradition and structure have one thing about them that makes you are feeling utterly comfy.
Each step I absorb Japan makes me really feel protected. Each place is clear, the individuals you meet are well mannered and respectful and the structure radiates calm and energy. For me, it’s a particular place within the midst of a wild and more and more careless world.
I used to be there 22 years in the past and now I wish to present this place, which I then selected as probably the most lovely on this planet, to my household.
From my expertise, listed below are my journey suggestions for Tokyo and Kyoto.
Right here is an summary:
Language in Japan
The Japanese language is difficult and takes a very long time to be taught utterly, particularly due to the characters, that are a combination of Japanese and Chinese language characters.
However understanding a couple of phrases will provide help to to talk to individuals within the nation in a respectful manner. That is extremely really useful.
These embody:
‘Kon’nichiwa’ – this implies ‘hi there’ and is the Japanese greeting.
Additionally it is crucial to say thanks. The Japanese say thanks time and again. In Japanese, you do that with the phrase ‘Arigato’. ‘Arigatogozaimasu’ is a stronger manner of claiming ‘thanks’.
If you wish to draw consideration to your self within the sense of claiming ‘excuse me’ since you need to make a request, for instance in a restaurant, you employ ‘sumimasen’.
You must also know the phrase for goodbye – ‘sayonara’.
Now you will have all of the well mannered types of handle at your disposal that can assist you to maneuver round Japan respectfully.
Journey Ideas for Tokyo
Our journey begins in Tokyo. There are many direct flights to a number of airports round Tokyo.
Haneda Airport is slightly nearer to town and Narita slightly additional away. Each are splendidly related to the centre of Tokyo by public transport.
A really particular tip for anybody travelling to Japan: Purchase a ‘Pasmo’ or ‘Suica’ move on the airport or at one of many main subway stations. This move permits you to journey freely on all subway or bus traces by way of most cities in Japan. There are merchandising machines the place you possibly can high up your move and at each subway exit you possibly can see the present stability of your credit score while you take a look at. You may also use these passes to pay in some retailers or merchandising machines.
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Whereas we’re with regards to ‘paying’: you possibly can pay with a bank card anyplace within the vacationer areas. Nevertheless, this isn’t all the time the case in additional unique locations or smaller eating places. Subsequently, be sure you journey with some money and test along with your bank card firm to just remember to can withdraw cash from ATMs in Japan along with your bank card.
Ueno
Ueno is a really unique, enjoyable and colourful district with loads of life and exercise always of the day and night time, and a spacious park that gives temples, a lotus flower lake and area for festivals and culinary discoveries.
Reverse the Ueno prepare station one can find the pedestrian space of Ameyokocho. Right here you possibly can instantly immerse your self in Japanese tradition. The colourful sea of night, the scrumptious smells and the number of Japanese specialties within the numerous eating places are an actual El Dorado for all explorers.
The particular spotlight when touring is when you understand individuals who dwell within the nation and you’ll see the nation from their perspective.
So we had the chance to have fun at an actual Mikoshi competition in one in all Tokyo’s suburbs. The massive shrine is carried by way of all the city by many women and men all through the day.
Within the night, the Mikoshi carriers arrive on the competition’s giant shrine and celebration website. They’re accompanied by conventional Japanese music and the good pleasure of all individuals.
Shibuya
Once you consider Tokyo, you mechanically consider the well-known Shibuya Scramble Crossing. Crossing it’s a actual spotlight. So is watching others cross it.
You get a very good view from the Starbucks proper on the intersection. From right here, you possibly can movie, {photograph} or simply watch the hustle and bustle on the road beneath.
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Hachiko
Right here additionally, you will discover the well-known statue of Hachiko, in all probability probably the most loyal canine on this planet. He accompanied his grasp to the prepare station each morning and picked him up once more within the night.
Even when his proprietor all of the sudden died, he continued to attend for him each night – for nearly ten years. He was given this monument in reminiscence of this. It’s a touching story that has even been made right into a film. These days, the monument of Hachiko is a good assembly place.
Omotesando
The Omotesando within the Harajuku/Jingumae district is an excellent place for purchasing and strolling.
Simply comply with your instincts and discover the small alleys to the left and proper of the primary road. Be sure you plan a cease at Takeshita-dori on this route, with its many retailers full of colourful, loopy garments and equipment.
Asakusa
Asakusa is a usually Japanese and genuine district, centered round Senso-ji, one of many oldest temples within the nation.
It extends over a big space and is bordered by quite a few conventional retailers and eating places on the favored Nakamise-dori purchasing road.
Asakusa is positioned on the Sumida River and may be simply explored on foot or by rickshaw, passing great bridges and colourful lanterns. Not removed from there, additionally, you will discover the Tokyo Tree, a lookout tower from which you’ll see all the metropolis.
Right here in Asakusa, you could find conventional arts and crafts, corresponding to do-it-yourself knives or Japanese paper, alongside typical sweets or scrumptious snacks such because the tasty rice crackers, the well-known dorayaki, stuffed egg pancakes, fried manju rolls or motchi skewers.
The full of life streets of Denpoin-dori, Kannon-dori and Asakusa Chuo-dori are significantly charming and stuffed with the environment of outdated Asakusa.
Sensoji
The Sensoji might be probably the most well-known and most photographed temple in Tokyo. It was inbuilt 628 and is subsequently additionally one of many oldest Buddhist temples within the capital.
The historical past of the temple can also be very thrilling. Legend has it that two fishermen within the close by Sumida River caught a golden statue of Kannon – the goddess of kindness and mercy – of their nets. They tried a number of instances to return the determine to the river, however it saved coming again to them. Lastly, they determined to construct a temple for the statue. This was named Senso-ji.
The trail to the temple is lined with white lanterns bearing Japanese characters.
Would you will have thought that? The purple lantern within the heart weighs over 400 kg, the opposite two copper lanterns every weigh about 1000 kg.
Conventional pagodas all the time have an uneven variety of flooring. Do you know that the 5 ranges of Buddhist pagodas signify the 5 components? Earth, water, fireplace, air and vacancy.
Kokeshi Dolls
These Kokeshi dolls are given as a fortunate allure for the beginning of a lady, a marriage, a enterprise opening or as a memento from Japan. They’re made by hand to a excessive customary and principally from fruitwood.
However in addition they have a tragic historical past. In Japanese custom, kids as much as the age of about 9 years belonged to God; this view got here from the time of excessive toddler mortality. When a baby died, the household took consolation in the truth that God had taken the kid again. These dolls have been thought-about to be reminders of the kid who had been taken again “by God”.
Shintoism
Shintoism is a captivating and really open faith and, together with Buddhism, an important faith in Japan. The Japanese don’t find out about their religion in school, as is the case with many different religions. Typically, the religion is handed down from dad and mom to kids.
Shinto means “manner of the gods”. Greater than 100 million individuals, or 80% of the Japanese inhabitants, are Shintoists.
The shrines are devoted to numerous deities. Everyone seems to be allowed to hope at a Shinto shrine, no matter their faith. I really like the openness of this faith, which exhibits nice knowledge and energy.
Ritual cleaning
You may typically see water basins, temizuya with ladles, close to the shrines, that are referred to as hishaku. Right here, earlier than approaching the deity on the shrine, individuals carry out the ritual of misogi, a purification of physique and thoughts.
First, you pour slightly water over your left hand after which over your proper hand with the ladle. Subsequent, you rinse your mouth with water, however don’t swallow it. Lastly, empty the water from the ladle over your left hand and the deal with.
Praying in Japan
If you find yourself standing in entrance of the shrine, first throw some cash into the slot. 5-yen cash are very appropriate for this as a result of they sound like “go-en”, which implies luck. Then pull on the thick rope to ring the bell. The sound of the bell retains evil spirits away.
Once you arrive, you greet the god by bowing twice, then clap your fingers twice. After that, you pray in silence, categorical your want and maintain your fingers in entrance of your chest in prayer pose. On the finish, thanks with a deep bow.
The respect that may be felt in all places in Japan can also be evident in its faith.
There are lots of actions devoted to luck on the shrine grounds. Omikuji are small Japanese paper strips that predict the longer term.
The good factor is, if you happen to draw a paper strip that predicts unhealthy luck, you possibly can tie the strip to a small rope or, as right here, to a tree and thus do away with the unhealthy luck instantly.
For prayers and desires, there are wood plaques referred to as ema that may be held on the shrine. That is how the gods are mentioned to obtain the prayers and fulfill the desires.
When leaving Japanese temples and shrines, the identical guidelines apply as when coming into. This ensures that the go to is a closed circle, which can also be mentioned to convey good luck.
Colourful and Various Neighborhoods in Tokyo
Tokyo is a big metropolis with 9.6 million inhabitants. It consists of many very totally different neighborhoods, so it doesn’t appear that huge.
Above all, it appears relaxed and calm to me as a result of the Japanese mentality may be very elegant and reserved on the skin. To ease the site visitors scenario, there are sometimes footpaths constructed over the roads or, conversely, giant roads and even railroad traces on stilts one stage larger by way of town. And in case you are standing at a site visitors gentle in Shinjuku, for instance, one of many busiest prepare stations on this planet, the twittering of birds or the smooth music from the loudspeakers is extremely enjoyable.
I counsel anybody who’s afraid of crowds to make a journey to Tokyo, as a result of there isn’t any place the place crowds of individuals are extra enjoyable than there. No one is loud, no person jostles, no person pushes, all the pieces is light, orderly and stuffed with mindfulness, even at rush hour. That is an artwork that I discover admirable.
What I’m describing is just one aspect of the coin, as a result of no tradition has just one dimension. As protected, as well mannered, and as orderly as all the pieces seems, I’ve by no means seen a extra vibrant flip aspect anyplace on this planet. The alternative pole of this construction is the colourful, the wild, the loopy, which is obvious within the bars and playing halls within the neighborhoods of Tokyo that come to life at night time.
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The outfits of many Japanese girls specifically are something however reserved or boring; they’re a firework of prospects and an excessive amount of braveness is required to put on many outfits.
The exhibits that you just see while you zap by way of the Japanese TV program in your resort room additionally present the wild range inside this strictly ordered world.
At night time, the Shinjuku district is dazzling. Be sure you go to the well-known Omoide Yokocho alley of bars. In case you are alone or in a pair, you could possibly get a desk within the quaint, tiny bars of this small alley.
In any other case, simply stroll on to Kabukicho Tower. You can find a variety of specialties in a colourful setting, both on the way in which in Kabukicho-Ichiban-gai road or within the tower itself.
Culinary Japan
I discover it fascinating that while you consider Japanese meals, you instantly consider sushi, however there are such a lot of totally different delicacies that haven’t but made their technique to Europe.
Sukiyaki or Yakiniku, to call just some.
It’s unbelievable how a lot meat, and never simply fish, dominates the menus. Wagyu beef is on the high of the recognition scale right here.
I like the Japanese skill to have fun all the pieces that has to do with consuming and having fun with meals. Within the numerous eating places, you possibly can put together your personal meal on a small built-in desk grill or you may get a pot of broth on a hob on the desk, just like a Chinese language fondue or sizzling pot, in which you’ll put together every kind of greens and meat specialties you could get on the buffet.
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Shabu Sai Ueno is one in all our favourite sizzling pot spots. And Tokori Japanese Yakiniku in Ueno serves up some improbable yakiniku.
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Yakiniku
At a yakiniku meal, there’s a small, positive grill constructed into the tables on which you’ll fry the varied meat specialties which can be served in skinny slices. Rice and numerous sauces are served as aspect dishes. It’s significantly cozy while you enter eating places and take off your footwear and garments on the door.
The Wagyu beef on the Narita Airport restaurant Yakisuki Yanma was an actual deal with. Uncooked meat that is dropped at the desk on sizzling stones, the place it’s poured with a scrumptious sauce accompanied by a wide range of components in small bowls, creating an amazing hissing sound, is an actual deal with.
Sukiyaki
Sukiyaki was additionally new to me. It’s a one-pot dish during which the meat is cooked slowly on the desk, both earlier than or after the noodles and greens which can be additionally within the stew. Earlier than you benefit from the slowly roasted meat, you dip it in a uncooked egg. Scrumptious!
Onigiri
And to not overlook the favored Onigiri, rice balls with numerous fillings, which schoolchildren and workplace employees pack as a sandwich. So scrumptious and different that I actually miss them right here in Germany.
The wax fashions of the dishes at a lot of the eating places are additionally significantly typical.
Motels in Tokyo and Kyoto
A resort on the Yamanote Spherical Line is value its weight in gold. It’s a fast and straightforward technique to get to probably the most well-known, genuine and fascinating locations in Tokyo.
I can extremely suggest the resorts of the Nohga group. We stayed on the Nohga Resort in Ueno, however they’re additionally obtainable in different districts corresponding to Akihabara or different cities corresponding to Kyoto or Saporro.
This group additionally gives lodging in ryokans, the everyday Japanese inns.
The Mitsui Backyard resorts are additionally really useful and a bit extra worldwide than the Nohga resorts. We additionally stayed a couple of nights on the Mitsui Backyard Jingugajen Tokyo Premier, however there are 12 extra resorts on this group even in Tokyo and so they additionally provide nice lodging in Hiroshima, Yokohama, Osaka and numerous different cities.
On the “Prepare”
In case you are planning to journey round Japan, I like to recommend the Shinkansen, the quickest prepare on this planet. It’s going to take you from Tokyo Station to Kyoto in simply over 2 and a half hours.
There may be an further journey tip with suggestions only for the Shinkansen. I additionally suggest reserving a JR Cross, which works completely and permits limitless prepare journey in Japan.
Be sure you don’t miss Mount Fuji in your manner from Tokyo to Kyoto. The Shinkansen passes so near it you could {photograph} and admire it by way of the prepare home windows, surrounded by clouds of mist or, relying on the season, even with its peak lined in snow.
Kyoto Journey Ideas
I really like Kyoto. I can’t say it every other manner.
Kyoto has turn out to be extraordinarily trendy within the 22 years since I final visited. However the unique corners, the geisha district and the enchanting temples nonetheless inform of the magic of instances passed by.
The Higashiyama district, with the very conventional lanes of Sannenzaka and Ninnenzaka, which lead off from the Kiyomizu-dera temple, remains to be so unspoilt that you just get the sensation that Kyoto just isn’t a metropolis however a small, touristy mountain village.
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Kimono
A particular expertise is to borrow a kimono for a day from one of many many kimono retailers. It’s a great feeling to immerse your self within the historical past of this metropolis, the place the geishas have been at residence.
Strolling round in a kimono on a temple tour could appear touristy, however as with all experiences, it depends upon your angle. In case you are curious and have a want to immerse your self in a sure feeling, to know higher and expertise extra intensely, then it’s a profound expertise that you shouldn’t miss.
For the Kinomos, I can suggest the rental store proper on the bus cease on Higashioji Dori, throughout from the Seven Eleven. However you may as well discover different rental retailers to the left and proper of it, corresponding to First or Kyokomachi. We didn’t have a reservation and simply walked in. For 4500 yen and 1600 yen for the coiffure, you possibly can remodel your self into a beautiful geisha for a day.
Nittai-ji Tempel
The outdated streets across the Kiyumizu-dera Temple are positively value exploring.
Sadly, over the previous 22 years, all the pieces right here has not solely turn out to be extra crowded but additionally extra tourist-oriented, and the outdated originality is not really easy to find.
Don’t miss out on following your nostril, trying into inviting archways, letting your self drift and following your eye. This fashion, you’ll uncover abandoned temples, small subtleties, deserted courtyards and particular locations past the tourist-lined alleys. Like this lovely Nittai-ji Temple, which is positioned immediately on the way in which to the Kiyomizu-dera Temple and is totally ignored by most. It’s lovely and abandoned.
Kiyomizu-dera Tempel
The Kiyumizu-dera Temple is without doubt one of the actually spectacular temples in Kyoto.
Good to learn about visiting Kyoto
Admission to the temples is often free or, within the case of the well-known temples, prices a couple of euros per particular person.
Don’t ebook a tour upfront by way of Viator or GetYourGuide simply since you are afraid of not having the ability to get tickets to the temples on the spot. You may get the doorway ticket spontaneously on the spot, which supplies you rather more freedom and suppleness.
In case you completely need to take a guided tour and be accompanied by a information, you might be in fact welcome to ebook such a tour by way of these platforms or domestically.
Fushimi Inari Schrein
The Fushimi Inara Shrine within the Fushimi district is without doubt one of the most magical locations in Japan for me.
In the course of the day, the decrease walkway is especially busy, however as quickly as darkness falls, it turns into slightly quieter. There’s something magical about coming into this highly effective shrine within the moonlight.
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When approaching a shrine, the very first thing you see is the purple torii, or gate. The purple colour is claimed to keep at bay evil spirits and hazard.
To indicate respect, it is best to bow earlier than the gate and solely then enter the shrine.
Fushimi Inari Taisha is a Shintō shrine. It’s thought-about the primary shrine of about one third of all Inari shrines in Japan and is probably the most well-known Shintō shrine in Kyōto.
When you’ve got seen the film “The Geisha”, you will note little Chio strolling to this very shrine to hope for her best want. It got here true, and guess what? So did the want I expressed there. For me, this shrine is without doubt one of the strongest locations I’ve ever visited.
A beautiful Japanese girl, whose mom is from Kyoto and really spiritual, explains the ability of this place to me as follows: These shrines are the gateway to the world of the gods, of which there are greater than 800 in Shintoism, every assigned to a subject and subsequently all needs are in good fingers there.
The avenues of torii, the gates product of wooden or stone and often painted purple, are significantly attribute of this shrine. They symbolize the transition between the world of people and the world of the gods.
The Fushima Inari Shrine consists of a mess of those torii, all of that are donations from people, households or firms. She tells me that it is crucial to not stroll close to the posts or within the center, as these are reserved for the gods.
Greater than 1000 of those purple gates may be discovered at this spectacular shrine.
There’s a small half-hour path and a big round route up the greater than 230-meter-high Inari Mountain, which takes 2-3 hours and a variety of stamina.
Attribute of all Inari shrines are the fox statues, the messengers of the goddess of fertility Inari, who often put on purple bibs round their necks.
Ginkaku-ji
Ginkaku-ji is one in all my private favourite temples in Kyoto. For one factor, it’s not as overcrowded as different temples and since it accommodates a wide range of magnificence in a small space.
There may be an space with Zen sand artwork, a lake with a typical Japanese wood pavilion within the background and a stupendous backyard.
Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion Temple) is a Zen temple and in addition a UNESCO World Heritage Web site.
Nobody actually is aware of why the pavilion in the midst of the property known as “Silver Pavilion”, despite the fact that it’s product of wooden. Legend has it that the pavilion’s jet-black wooden shined silver within the moonlight, therefore the title.
Perhaps there’s a much less magical clarification. The Pavilion by the Lake, the Kannon-den, was constructed within the fifteenth century by the Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa as a retirement residence and was purported to appear to be a smaller model of the well-known Golden Pavilion, Kinkanku-ji, which his grandfather had constructed on the time. As a substitute of gold, it was purported to be silver, however it by no means occurred.
Earlier than the shogun’s villa grew to become a temple, it was the middle of Higashiyama tradition, residence to tea ceremonies, flower arranging, poetry and No theater. These days, Ginkakuji is without doubt one of the most well-known temples in Kyoto and much much less touristy than its “golden” brother, Kinkaku-ji, particularly simply after opening or simply earlier than closing time.
Ginshadan
Proper in the midst of the complicated is the sand backyard and an roughly 2-meter-high sand sculpture.
The sand backyard known as Ginshadan, which interprets as ‘sea of silver sand’. In Buddhism, taking a look at a sand backyard is a part of meditation. The waves within the sand signify water and the sand cone referred to as Kogetsudai symbolizes Mount Fuji.
You may stroll alongside small paths by way of the moss-covered and hilly backyard panorama, previous a splashing waterfall that flows right into a stream, and as much as a lookout level the place you possibly can catch a glimpse of Kyoto. The association of the totally different shades of inexperienced, the interaction of sand and stones in opposition to the backdrop of the wood temple is a feast for the eyes.
It is best to plan about an hour to your go to to the temple. From there, you possibly can attain many different well-known temples and shrines alongside the Thinker’s Stroll, a small path that runs alongside a stream. These embody the Chion-in Temple and the Nanzen-ji Temple.
Arashiyama
The Arashiyama district is value visiting, as it’s residence to the well-known Arashiyama bamboo forest, the Arashiyama Monkey Park and the Tenru-ji Temple, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Web site. The whole district may be very fashionable with guests.
Arashiyama – Bamboo forest
In case you don’t need to share the bamboo forest with so many individuals, you possibly can ebook a rickshaw tour in a separate space. It’s finest to ebook effectively upfront, as these are sometimes booked out days upfront.
The bamboo forest is gorgeous and the environment is spectacular.
Tenryu-ji Temple
The doorway to the Tenryu-ji Temple is true subsequent to the doorway to the bamboo forest. It is without doubt one of the 5 most well-known Zen temples in Kyoto and has been a World Heritage Web site since 1994.
The Sogenji Backyard behind the primary corridor, laid out by Muso Soseki within the 14th century, is especially lovely. Muso was a grasp of backyard design and a Zen grasp who developed the Japanese tea ceremony.
The backyard, with its watercourses, moss and mild hills, has been preserved on this technique to at the present time and frames a lake that may be seen from the steps of the primary home.
Arashiyama – Primate park
The Arashiyama Monkey Park is a specific spotlight for kids, the place they’ll watch child monkeys swing by way of the bushes from the branches or teams of monkeys chilling within the meadow.
In Kyoto, as in Tokyo, it’s simple to get round from place to put by subway or bus. If you have to get someplace sooner, lots of the temples shut as early as 5 p.m. within the fall, so taxis or Uber are additionally obtainable.
Culinary Kyoto
The place to eat in Kyoto is the well-known Pontocho alley. Right here, one restaurant follows the opposite.
The alley is car-free and only some meters vast. One aspect of the eating places faces the river that flows by way of Kyoto, the Kamo. In summer season, it’s great to sit down and eat on the spacious terraces by the river. In winter, the motion strikes indoors.
In case you are curious, you possibly can attempt typical Kyoto dishes in one of many eating places, together with eel, snails, radish and fish.
Within the aspect road of Pontocho Alley, which can also be crossed by a small river, there’s one other row of eating places across the bridges and alleys.
Moreover all of the temples and the geisha district with its alleys, Kyoto additionally has different sides. Trendy skyscrapers, purchasing streets and the massive Nikishi Market.
Karaoke
What is certainly worthwhile is a go to to a karaoke bar. We went to Manekineko on Karamachi-dori and actually had a variety of enjoyable singing in our sales space.
There may be nonetheless a lot to find in great Japan. When you’ve got slightly extra time, you possibly can definitely go to different cities there or chill out on the gorgeous Okinawa archipelago.
Okinawa is without doubt one of the 5 Blue Zones on earth. Individuals right here dwell longer than elsewhere on earth.
My private insider tip!
Right here: Okinawa – Japan’s oasis
For me, it was positively not the final journey to this excellent nation. “Matane”, which implies “see you quickly”!
