It is the land of the rising solar. And additionally the place the place the solar rises in my coronary heart. Because the individuals, ambiance, meals, the tradition and structure have one thing about them that makes you’re feeling fully relaxed.
Every step I soak up Japan makes me really feel secure. Every 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 stunning on the earth, to my household.
From my expertise, listed here are my journey suggestions for Tokyo and Kyoto.
Here is an outline:
Language in Japan
The Japanese language is difficult and takes a very long time to be taught fully, particularly due to the characters, that are a mix of Japanese and Chinese characters.
But understanding a couple of phrases will provide help to to talk to individuals within the nation in a respectful manner. This is extremely really helpful.
These embody:
‘Kon’nichiwa’ – this implies ‘hello’ and is the Japanese greeting.
It can also be essential to say thanks. The Japanese say thanks again and again. In Japanese, you do that with the phrase ‘Arigato’. ‘Arigatogozaimasu’ is a stronger manner of claiming ‘thank you’.
If you wish to draw consideration to your self within the sense of claiming ‘excuse me’ since you wish to make a request, for instance in a restaurant, you utilize ‘sumimasen’.
You must also know the phrase for goodbye – ‘sayonara’.
Now you may have all of the well mannered types of handle at your disposal that will help you to maneuver round Japan respectfully.
Travel Tips for Tokyo
Our journey begins in Tokyo. There are loads of direct flights to a number of airports round Tokyo.
Haneda Airport is slightly nearer to the town and Narita slightly additional away. Both are splendidly linked to the centre of Tokyo by public transport.
A really particular tip for anybody travelling to Japan: Buy a ‘Pasmo’ or ‘Suica’ cross on the airport or at one of many main subway stations. This cross means that you can journey freely on all subway or bus strains by way of most cities in Japan. There are merchandising machines the place you possibly can prime up your cross and at each subway exit you possibly can see the present steadiness of your credit score once you take a look at. You may also use these passes to pay in some outlets or merchandising machines.
Related learn: The Complete Guide to Experiencing the Shinkansen High-Speed Trains in Japan
While we’re with regards to ‘paying’: you possibly can pay with a bank card wherever within the vacationer areas. However, this isn’t at all times the case in additional authentic locations or smaller eating places. Therefore, you should definitely 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 authentic, enjoyable and colourful district with loads of life and exercise always of the day and evening, and a spacious park that provides temples, a lotus flower lake and area for festivals and culinary discoveries.
Opposite the Ueno prepare station you will see the pedestrian space of Ameyokocho. 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 realize 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 pageant in one in all Tokyo’s suburbs. The massive shrine is carried by way of the complete city by many women and men all through the day.
In the night, the Mikoshi carriers arrive on the pageant’s massive shrine and celebration web site. They are accompanied by conventional Japanese music and the good pleasure of all members.
Shibuya
When you consider Tokyo, you robotically 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 under.
Related learn: A Guide to Nightlife in Shibuya and Shinjuku, Tokyo
Hachiko
Here additionally, you will discover the well-known statue of Hachiko, in all probability essentially the most loyal canine on the earth. He accompanied his grasp to the prepare station each morning and picked him up once more within the night.
Even when his proprietor abruptly died, he continued to attend for him each night – for nearly ten years. He was given this monument in reminiscence of this. It is a touching story that has even been made right into a film. Nowadays, the monument of Hachiko is a superb assembly place.
Omotesando
The Omotesando within the Harajuku/Jingumae district is an excellent place for buying and strolling.
Just observe your instincts and discover the small alleys to the left and proper of the principle avenue. Be certain to plan a cease at Takeshita-dori on this route, with its many outlets full of colourful, loopy garments and equipment.
Asakusa
Asakusa is a sometimes 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 outlets and eating places on the favored Nakamise-dori buying avenue.
Asakusa is situated on the Sumida River and could 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 complete metropolis.
Here in Asakusa, you will discover conventional arts and crafts, equivalent to selfmade 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 significantly charming and stuffed with the ambiance of outdated Asakusa.
Sensoji
The Sensoji might be essentially the most well-known and most photographed temple in Tokyo. It was in-built 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 occasions to return the determine to the river, but it surely saved coming again to them. Finally, they determined to construct a temple for the statue. This was named Senso-ji.
The path to the temple is lined with white lanterns bearing Japanese characters.
Would you may have thought that? The crimson lantern within the heart weighs over 400 kg, the opposite two copper lanterns every weigh about 1000 kg.
Traditional pagodas at all times have an uneven variety of flooring. Did you realize that the 5 ranges of Buddhist pagodas symbolize 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 lady, a marriage, a enterprise opening or as a memento from Japan. They are made by hand to a excessive commonplace and largely from fruitwood.
But 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 an enchanting and really open faith and, together with Buddhism, an important faith in Japan. The Japanese don’t find out about their religion at college, as is the case with many different religions. Often, the religion is handed down from dad and mom to youngsters.
Shinto means “way of the gods”. More than 100 million individuals, or 80% of the Japanese inhabitants, are Shintoists.
The shrines are devoted to varied deities. Everyone is allowed to wish at a Shinto shrine, no matter their faith. I really like the openness of this faith, which reveals nice knowledge and energy.
Ritual cleaning
You can typically see water basins, temizuya with ladles, close to the shrines, that are known as hishaku. 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. Next, you rinse your mouth with water, however don’t swallow it. Finally, empty the water from the ladle over your left hand and the deal with.
Praying in Japan
When you’re 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.
When you arrive, you greet the god by bowing twice, then clap your palms twice. After that, you pray in silence, specific your want and maintain your palms in entrance of your chest in prayer pose. At the tip, thanks with a deep bow.
The respect that may be felt all over the place in Japan can also be evident in its faith.
There are many actions devoted to luck on the shrine grounds. Omikuji are small Japanese paper strips that predict the longer term.
The good factor is, in the event you draw a paper strip that predicts dangerous luck, you possibly can 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 wood plaques often known as ema that may be held on the shrine. This 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 coming into. This ensures that the go to is a closed circle, which can also be stated to carry good luck.
Colorful and Diverse 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 could be very elegant and reserved on the surface. To ease the visitors scenario, there are sometimes footpaths constructed over the roads or, conversely, massive roads and even railroad strains on stilts one degree larger by way of the town. And in case you are standing at a visitors mild in Shinjuku, for instance, one of many busiest prepare stations on the earth, the twittering of birds or the gentle 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 persons are extra enjoyable than there. Nobody is loud, no one jostles, no one pushes, every part is light, orderly and stuffed with mindfulness, even at rush hour. This 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 every part seems, I’ve by no means seen a extra vibrant flip facet wherever on the earth. The reverse 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 evening.
Related learn: Tokyo: A City of Ordered Chaos
The outfits of many Japanese girls particularly are something however reserved or boring; they’re a firework of prospects and a substantial amount of braveness is required to put on many outfits.
The reveals that you just see once you zap by way of the Japanese TV program in your resort room additionally present the wild range inside this strictly ordered world.
At evening, the Shinjuku district is dazzling. Be certain to go to the well-known Omoide Yokocho alley of bars. If you’re alone or in a pair, you might be able to get a desk within the quaint, tiny bars of this small alley.
Otherwise, 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 avenue or within the tower itself.
Culinary Japan
I discover it fascinating that once you consider Japanese meals, you instantly consider sushi, however there are such a lot of completely different delicacies that haven’t but made their option to Europe.
Sukiyaki or Yakiniku, to call only a few.
It is 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 means to have fun every part that has to do with consuming and having fun with meals. In the varied 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, much like a Chinese fondue or scorching pot, in which you’ll be able to put together all types of greens and meat specialties you can get on the buffet.
Related learn: Discover Unique Food Experiences in Tokyo
Shabu Sai Ueno is one in all our favourite scorching pot spots. And Tokori Japanese Yakiniku in Ueno serves up some unbelievable yakiniku.
Related learn: Discover Unique Food Experiences in Tokyo
Yakiniku
At a yakiniku meal, there’s a small, superb grill constructed into the tables on which you’ll be able to fry the varied meat specialties which are served in skinny slices. Rice and numerous sauces are served as facet dishes. It is especially cozy once 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. Raw meat that is delivered to the desk on scorching stones, the place it’s poured with a scrumptious sauce accompanied by a wide range of substances in small bowls, creating an important hissing sound, is an actual deal with.
Sukiyaki
Sukiyaki was additionally new to me. It is a one-pot dish through which the meat is cooked slowly on the desk, both earlier than or after the noodles and greens which are additionally within the stew. Before you benefit from the slowly roasted meat, you dip it in a uncooked egg. Delicious!
Onigiri
And to not neglect the favored Onigiri, rice balls with numerous fillings, which schoolchildren and workplace staff pack as a sandwich. So scrumptious and assorted that I actually miss them right here in Germany.
The wax fashions of the dishes at many of the eating places are additionally significantly typical.
Hotels in Tokyo and Kyoto
A resort on the Yamanote Round Line is price its weight in gold. It’s a fast and straightforward option to get to essentially the most well-known, genuine and fascinating locations in Tokyo.
I can extremely suggest the accommodations of the Nohga group. We stayed on the Nohga Hotel in Ueno, however they’re additionally out there in different districts equivalent to Akihabara or different cities equivalent to Kyoto or Saporro.
This group additionally affords lodging in ryokans, the standard Japanese inns.
The Mitsui Garden accommodations are additionally really helpful and a bit extra worldwide than the Nohga accommodations. We additionally stayed a couple of nights on the Mitsui Garden Jingugajen Tokyo Premier, however there are 12 extra accommodations on this group even in Tokyo they usually additionally provide nice lodging in Hiroshima, Yokohama, Osaka and numerous different cities.
On the “Train”
If you’re planning to journey round Japan, I like to recommend the Shinkansen, the quickest prepare on the earth. It will take you from Tokyo Station to Kyoto in simply over 2 and a half hours.
There is an additional journey tip with suggestions only for the Shinkansen. I additionally suggest reserving a JR Pass, which works completely and permits limitless prepare journey in Japan.
Make certain you don’t miss Mount Fuji in your manner from Tokyo to Kyoto. The Shinkansen passes so near it you can {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 coated in snow.
Kyoto Travel Tips
I really like Kyoto. I can’t say it every other manner.
Kyoto has change into extraordinarily trendy within the 22 years since I final visited. But 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 isn’t a metropolis however a small, touristy mountain village.
Related learn: Complete Kyoto Travel Guide
Kimono
A particular expertise is to borrow a kimono for a day from one of many many kimono outlets. It is an excellent feeling to immerse your self within the historical past of this metropolis, the place the geishas had been at dwelling.
Walking round in a kimono on a temple tour could seem touristy, however as with all experiences, it depends upon your perspective. If you’re 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. But you too can discover different rental outlets to the left and proper of it, equivalent 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 rework your self into a beautiful geisha for a day.
Nittai-ji Tempel
The outdated streets across the Kiyumizu-dera Temple are positively price exploring.
Unfortunately, over the previous 22 years, every part right here has not solely change into 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, wanting into inviting archways, letting your self drift and following your eye. This manner, you’ll uncover abandoned temples, small subtleties, deserted courtyards and particular locations past the tourist-lined alleys. Like this stunning Nittai-ji Temple, which is situated immediately on the best way to the Kiyomizu-dera Temple and is totally ignored by most. It is gorgeous and abandoned.
Kiyomizu-dera Tempel
The Kiyumizu-dera Temple is among the actually 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.
Do not e-book a tour prematurely through Viator or GetYourGuide simply since you are afraid of not with the ability to get tickets to the temples on the spot. You can get the doorway ticket spontaneously on the spot, which provides you far more freedom and adaptability.
If you completely wish to take a guided tour and be accompanied by a information, you’re in fact welcome to e-book such a tour by way of these platforms or regionally.
Fushimi Inari Schrein
The Fushimi Inara Shrine within the Fushimi district is among the most magical locations in Japan for me.
During the day, the decrease walkway is especially busy, however as quickly as darkness falls, it turns into slightly quieter. There is one thing magical about coming into this highly effective shrine within the moonlight.
Related learn: Must Visit Sites in Kyoto
When approaching a shrine, the very first thing you see is the crimson torii, or gate. The crimson coloration is claimed to keep at bay evil spirits and hazard.
To present respect, you must bow earlier than the gate and solely then enter the shrine.
Fushimi Inari Taisha is a Shintō shrine. It is taken into account the principle shrine of about one third of all Inari shrines in Japan and is essentially the most well-known Shintō shrine in Kyōto.
If you may have seen the film “The Geisha”, you will notice little Chio strolling to this very shrine to wish 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.
A beautiful Japanese lady, whose mom is from Kyoto and really spiritual, explains the facility 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 palms there.
The avenues of torii, the gates manufactured from wooden or stone and normally painted crimson, 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 large number of those torii, all of that are donations from people, households or firms. She tells me that it’s important to not stroll close to the posts or within the center, as these are reserved for the gods.
More than 1000 of those crimson gates could be discovered at this spectacular shrine.
There is 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 quite a lot of stamina.
Characteristic 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 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 is an space with Zen sand artwork, a lake with a typical Japanese wood pavilion within the background and a good looking backyard.
Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion Temple) is a Zen temple and in addition a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
No one actually is aware of why the pavilion in the course of the property known as “Silver Pavilion”, regardless that it’s manufactured from wooden. Legend has it that the pavilion’s jet-black wooden shined silver within the moonlight, therefore the title.
Maybe 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 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. Instead of gold, it was presupposed to be silver, but it surely by no means occurred.
Before the shogun’s villa grew to become a temple, it was the middle of Higashiyama tradition, dwelling to tea ceremonies, flower arranging, poetry and No theater. Nowadays, 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
Right in the course of the advanced 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 symbolize water and the sand cone known as Kogetsudai symbolizes Mount Fuji.
You 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 possibly can 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 wood temple is a feast for the eyes.
You ought to plan about an hour in your go to to the temple. From there, you possibly can attain many different well-known temples and shrines alongside the Philosopher’s Walk, a small path that runs alongside a stream. These embody 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 Site. The total district could be very fashionable with guests.
Arashiyama – Bamboo forest
If you don’t wish to share the bamboo forest with so many individuals, you possibly can e-book a rickshaw tour in a separate space. It’s greatest to e-book effectively prematurely, as these are sometimes booked out days prematurely.
The bamboo forest is gorgeous and the ambiance is spectacular.
Tenryu-ji Temple
The entrance 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 Site since 1994.
The Sogenji Garden behind the principle corridor, laid out by Muso Soseki within the 14th century, is especially stunning. 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 option to this present day and frames a lake that may be seen from the steps of the principle home.
Arashiyama – Primate park
The Arashiyama Monkey Park is a selected 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 put by subway or bus. If it is advisable to get someplace quicker, lots 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. Here, one restaurant follows the opposite.
The alley is car-free and just a few meters broad. 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 possibly can strive typical Kyoto dishes in one of many eating places, together with eel, snails, radish and fish.
In the facet avenue 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.
Besides all of the temples and the geisha district with its alleys, Kyoto additionally has different sides. Modern skyscrapers, buying streets and the big 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 quite a lot of enjoyable singing in our sales space.
There continues to be a lot to find in fantastic Japan. If you may have slightly extra time, you possibly can actually go to different cities there or chill out on the gorgeous Okinawa archipelago.
Okinawa is among the 5 Blue Zones on earth. People right here dwell longer than somewhere else on earth.
My private insider tip!
Here: Okinawa – Japan’s oasis
For me, it was positively not the final journey to this excellent nation. “Matane”, which suggests “see you soon”!
