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, ambiance, meals, the tradition and structure have one thing about them that makes you are feeling utterly comfortable.
Each step I soak up Japan makes me really feel secure. 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 want to present this place, which I then selected as one of the crucial lovely on the planet, to my household.
From my expertise, listed here are my journey ideas for Tokyo and Kyoto.
Right here is an outline:
Language in Japan
The Japanese language is sophisticated and takes a very long time to be taught utterly, particularly due to the characters, that are a mix of Japanese and Chinese language characters.
However realizing a couple of phrases will provide help to to talk to individuals within the nation in a respectful approach. That is extremely really useful.
These embrace:
‘Kon’nichiwa’ – this implies ‘hey’ and is the Japanese greeting.
It’s also crucial to say thanks. The Japanese say thanks again and again. In Japanese, you do that with the phrase ‘Arigato’. ‘Arigatogozaimasu’ is a stronger approach 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 utilize ‘sumimasen’.
You also needs to know the phrase for goodbye – ‘sayonara’.
Now you’ve all of the well mannered types of handle at your disposal that will help you to maneuver round Japan respectfully.
Journey Suggestions for Tokyo
Our journey begins in Tokyo. There are many direct flights to a number of airports round Tokyo.
Haneda Airport is a little bit nearer to the town and Narita a little bit additional away. Each are splendidly linked 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 lets you journey freely on all subway or bus strains by way of most cities in Japan. There are merchandising machines the place you may prime up your move and at each subway exit you may see the present steadiness of your credit score whenever you try. It’s also possible to use these passes to pay in some retailers or merchandising machines.
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Whereas we’re with reference to ‘paying’: you may pay with a bank card wherever within the vacationer areas. Nonetheless, 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 examine 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 provides temples, a lotus flower lake and area for festivals and culinary discoveries.
Reverse the Ueno practice station you’ll discover the pedestrian space of Ameyokocho. Right here you may 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 individuals who dwell within the nation and you may see the nation from their perspective.
So we had the chance to have fun at an actual Mikoshi competition in one in every of Tokyo’s suburbs. The massive shrine is carried by way of the whole city by many women and men all through the day.
Within the night, the Mikoshi carriers arrive on the competition’s massive shrine and celebration web site. They’re accompanied by conventional Japanese music and the nice pleasure of all contributors.
Shibuya
Whenever you consider Tokyo, you routinely 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 may 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, most likely probably the most loyal canine on the planet. He accompanied his grasp to the practice station each morning and picked him up once more within the night.
Even when his proprietor out of the blue 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 superb assembly place.
Omotesando
The Omotesando within the Harajuku/Jingumae district is a superb place for purchasing and strolling.
Simply observe your instincts and discover the small alleys to the left and proper of the primary road. You should definitely 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 situated on the Sumida River and might be simply explored on foot or by rickshaw, passing fantastic bridges and colourful lanterns. Not removed from there, additionally, you will discover the Tokyo Tree, a lookout tower from which you’ll be able to see the whole metropolis.
Right here in Asakusa, you could find conventional arts and crafts, corresponding to home made 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 energetic streets of Denpoin-dori, Kannon-dori and Asakusa Chuo-dori are notably charming and stuffed with the ambiance of previous Asakusa.
Sensoji
The Sensoji might be probably the most well-known and most photographed temple in Tokyo. It was inbuilt 628 and is due to this fact additionally one of many oldest Buddhist temples within the capital.
The historical past of the temple can 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 occasions to return the determine to the river, however it stored 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’ve thought that? The crimson lantern within the middle 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 characterize the 5 parts? Earth, water, fireplace, air and vacancy.
Kokeshi Dolls
These Kokeshi dolls are given as a fortunate allure for the delivery of a woman, a marriage, a enterprise opening or as a memento from Japan. They’re made by hand to a excessive normal and largely from fruitwood.
However additionally they have a tragic historical past. In Japanese custom, youngsters 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 toddler died, the household took consolation in the truth that God had taken the kid again. These dolls had been thought of 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, a very powerful faith in Japan. The Japanese don’t find out about their religion in school, as is the case with many different religions. Usually, the religion is handed down from mother and father to youngsters.
Shinto means “approach 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 like the openness of this faith, which reveals nice knowledge and energy.
Ritual cleaning
You possibly can 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 a little bit 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 suggests luck. Then pull on the thick rope to ring the bell. The sound of the bell retains evil spirits away.
Whenever you arrive, you greet the god by bowing twice, then clap your fingers twice. After that, you pray in silence, specific 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 every single place in Japan can be evident in its faith.
There are numerous actions devoted to luck on the shrine grounds. Omikuji are small Japanese paper strips that predict the long run.
The good factor is, in the event you draw a paper strip that predicts dangerous luck, you may tie the strip to a small rope or, as right here, to a tree and thus eliminate the dangerous luck instantly.
For prayers and needs, there are picket plaques often known as ema that may be held on the shrine. That is how the gods are stated to obtain the prayers and fulfill the desires.
When leaving Japanese temples and shrines, the identical guidelines apply as when getting into. This ensures that the go to is a closed circle, which can be stated 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 completely 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 state of affairs, there are sometimes footpaths constructed over the roads or, conversely, massive roads and even railroad strains on stilts one stage larger by way of the town. And in case you are standing at a site visitors mild in Shinjuku, for instance, one of many busiest practice stations on the planet, the twittering of birds or the gentle music from the loudspeakers is extremely stress-free.
I counsel anybody who’s afraid of crowds to make a journey to Tokyo, as a result of there is no such thing as a place the place crowds of individuals are extra stress-free than there. No person is loud, no one jostles, no one pushes, the whole lot is mild, orderly and stuffed with mindfulness, even at rush hour. That is an artwork that I discover admirable.
What I’m describing is just one facet of the coin, as a result of no tradition has just one dimension. As secure, as well mannered, and as orderly as the whole lot seems, I’ve by no means seen a extra vibrant flip facet wherever on the 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 ladies 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 reveals that you just see whenever you zap by way of the Japanese TV program in your lodge room additionally present the wild range inside this strictly ordered world.
At night time, the Shinjuku district is dazzling. You should definitely go to the well-known Omoide Yokocho alley of bars. If you’re 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 will discover a variety of specialties in a colourful setting, both on the best way in Kabukicho-Ichiban-gai road or within the tower itself.
Culinary Japan
I discover it fascinating that whenever you consider Japanese meals, you instantly consider sushi, however there are such a lot of completely different delicacies that haven’t but made their method to Europe.
Sukiyaki or Yakiniku, to call just some.
It’s unimaginable how a lot meat, and never simply fish, dominates the menus. Wagyu beef is on the prime of the recognition scale right here.
I like the Japanese capacity to have fun the whole lot that has to do with consuming and having fun with meals. Within the numerous eating places, you may put together your personal meal on a small built-in desk grill or you will get a pot of broth on a hob on the desk, just like a Chinese language fondue or sizzling pot, in which you’ll be able to put together all types of greens and meat specialties which you can get on the buffet.
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Shabu Sai Ueno is one in every of 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, advantageous grill constructed into the tables on which you’ll be able to fry the assorted meat specialties which can be served in skinny slices. Rice and numerous sauces are served as facet dishes. It’s notably cozy whenever you enter eating places and take off your sneakers 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 quite a lot of elements in small bowls, creating an ideal 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 neglect the favored Onigiri, rice balls with numerous fillings, which schoolchildren and workplace employees pack as a sandwich. So scrumptious and assorted that I actually miss them right here in Germany.
The wax fashions of the dishes at a lot of the eating places are additionally notably typical.
Motels in Tokyo and Kyoto
A lodge on the Yamanote Spherical Line is price its weight in gold. It’s a fast and straightforward method 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 Lodge in Ueno, however they’re additionally out there in different districts corresponding to Akihabara or different cities corresponding to Kyoto or Saporro.
This group additionally provides 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 supply nice lodging in Hiroshima, Yokohama, Osaka and numerous different cities.
On the “Practice”
If you’re planning to journey round Japan, I like to recommend the Shinkansen, the quickest practice on the planet. It would take you from Tokyo Station to Kyoto in simply over 2 and a half hours.
There’s an further journey tip with ideas only for the Shinkansen. I additionally suggest reserving a JR Move, which works completely and permits limitless practice journey in Japan.
Ensure you don’t miss Mount Fuji in your approach from Tokyo to Kyoto. The Shinkansen passes so near it which you can {photograph} and admire it by way of the practice home windows, surrounded by clouds of mist or, relying on the season, even with its peak coated in snow.
Kyoto Journey Suggestions
I like Kyoto. I can’t say it some other approach.
Kyoto has grow 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 occasions passed by.
The Higashiyama district, with the very conventional lanes of Sannenzaka and Ninnenzaka, which lead off from the Kiyomizu-dera temple, continues 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 fantastic feeling to immerse your self within the historical past of this metropolis, the place the geishas had been at dwelling.
Strolling round in a kimono on a temple tour could appear touristy, however as with all experiences, it relies on your perspective. If you’re curious and have a want to immerse your self in a sure feeling, to grasp 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 too can 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 may remodel your self into a beautiful geisha for a day.
Nittai-ji Tempel
The previous streets across the Kiyumizu-dera Temple are undoubtedly price exploring.
Sadly, over the previous 22 years, the whole lot right here has not solely grow to be extra crowded but in addition extra tourist-oriented, and the previous originality is now not really easy to find.
Don’t miss out on following your nostril, wanting 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 situated straight on the best way to the Kiyomizu-dera Temple and is totally ignored by most. It’s lovely and abandoned.
Kiyomizu-dera Tempel
The Kiyumizu-dera Temple is among the really spectacular temples in Kyoto.
Good to find out about visiting Kyoto
Admission to the temples is normally free or, within the case of the well-known temples, prices a couple of euros per individual.
Don’t guide a tour upfront by way of Viator or GetYourGuide simply since you are afraid of not with the ability to get tickets to the temples on the spot. You will get the doorway ticket spontaneously on the spot, which supplies you way more freedom and suppleness.
Should you completely need to take a guided tour and be accompanied by a information, you’re after all welcome to guide such a tour by way of these platforms or domestically.
Fushimi Inari Schrein
The Fushimi Inara Shrine within the Fushimi district is among the most magical locations in Japan for me.
Through the day, the decrease walkway is especially busy, however as quickly as darkness falls, it turns into a little bit quieter. There’s something magical about getting into this highly effective shrine within the moonlight.
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When approaching a shrine, the very first thing you see is the crimson torii, or gate. The crimson colour is claimed to beat back evil spirits and hazard.
To point out respect, you must bow earlier than the gate and solely then enter the shrine.
Fushimi Inari Taisha is a Shintō shrine. It’s thought of the primary shrine of about one third of all Inari shrines in Japan and is probably the most well-known Shintō shrine in Kyōto.
If in case you have seen the film “The Geisha”, you will notice little Chio strolling to this very shrine to hope for her biggest want. It got here true, and guess what? So did the want I expressed there. For me, this shrine is among the strongest locations I’ve ever visited.
An exquisite Japanese lady, whose mom is from Kyoto and really non secular, 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 due to this fact all needs are in good fingers there.
The avenues of torii, the gates made from wooden or stone and normally painted crimson, are notably 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 large number of those torii, all of that are donations from people, households or firms. She tells me that it will be significant to not stroll close to the posts or within the center, as these are reserved for the gods.
Greater than 1000 of those crimson gates might 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 number of stamina.
Attribute of all Inari shrines are the fox statues, the messengers of the goddess of fertility Inari, who normally put on crimson bibs round their necks.
Ginkaku-ji
Ginkaku-ji is one in every of my private favourite temples in Kyoto. For one factor, it’s not as overcrowded as different temples and since it comprises quite a lot of magnificence in a small space.
There’s an space with Zen sand artwork, a lake with a typical Japanese picket pavilion within the background and a wonderful 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 course of the property is named “Silver Pavilion”, despite the fact that it’s made from wooden. Legend has it that the pavilion’s jet-black wooden shined silver within the moonlight, therefore the identify.
Perhaps there’s a much less magical rationalization. The Pavilion by the Lake, the Kannon-den, was constructed within the fifteenth century by the Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa as a retirement dwelling and was presupposed 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 presupposed to be silver, however it by no means occurred.
Earlier than the shogun’s villa turned a temple, it was the middle of Higashiyama tradition, dwelling to tea ceremonies, flower arranging, poetry and No theater. These days, Ginkakuji is among 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 course of the advanced is the sand backyard and an roughly 2-meter-high sand sculpture.
The sand backyard is named 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 characterize water and the sand cone referred to as Kogetsudai symbolizes Mount Fuji.
You possibly can 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 may catch a glimpse of Kyoto. The association of the completely different shades of inexperienced, the interaction of sand and stones in opposition to the backdrop of the picket temple is a feast for the eyes.
You need to plan about an hour to your go to to the temple. From there, you may attain many different well-known temples and shrines alongside the Thinker’s Stroll, a small path that runs alongside a stream. These embrace the Chion-in Temple and the Nanzen-ji Temple.
Arashiyama
The Arashiyama district is price visiting, as it’s dwelling to the well-known Arashiyama bamboo forest, the Arashiyama Monkey Park and the Tenru-ji Temple, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Web site. Your entire district may be very well-liked with guests.
Arashiyama – Bamboo forest
Should you don’t need to share the bamboo forest with so many individuals, you may guide a rickshaw tour in a separate space. It’s finest to guide nicely upfront, as these are sometimes booked out days upfront.
The bamboo forest is gorgeous and the ambiance is spectacular.
Tenryu-ji Temple
The doorway to the Tenryu-ji Temple is correct subsequent to the doorway to the bamboo forest. It is among 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 method to this present day 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 youngsters, the place they’ll watch child monkeys swing by way of the timber from the branches or teams of monkeys chilling within the meadow.
In Kyoto, as in Tokyo, it’s straightforward to get round from place to position by subway or bus. If you could get someplace quicker, most of the temples shut as early as 5 p.m. within the fall, so taxis or Uber are additionally out there.
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 just a few meters vast. One facet of the eating places faces the river that flows by way of Kyoto, the Kamo. In summer time, it’s fantastic to take a seat and eat on the spacious terraces by the river. In winter, the motion strikes indoors.
If you’re curious, you may attempt typical Kyoto dishes in one of many eating places, together with eel, snails, radish and fish.
Within the facet road of Pontocho Alley, which can be crossed by a small river, there may be one other row of eating places across the bridges and alleys.
Apart from all of the temples and the geisha district with its alleys, Kyoto additionally has different sides. Fashionable skyscrapers, purchasing streets and the massive Nikishi Market.
Karaoke
What is unquestionably worthwhile is a go to to a karaoke bar. We went to Manekineko on Karamachi-dori and actually had a number of enjoyable singing in our sales space.
There’s nonetheless a lot to find in fantastic Japan. If in case you have a little bit extra time, you may definitely go to different cities there or calm down on the gorgeous Okinawa archipelago.
Okinawa is among the 5 Blue Zones on earth. Folks right here dwell longer than elsewhere on earth.
My private insider tip!
Right here: Okinawa – Japan’s oasis
For me, it was undoubtedly not the final journey to this excellent nation. “Matane”, which suggests “see you quickly”!
