Author Archive

Temples and Shrines: Understanding the 2 main Japanese religions

Friday, March 27th, 2020

Japan has a long tradition of different religious beliefs coexisting, and even merging, creating a unique spiritual landscape.
During your trip, you will come across many temples and shrines. While it may all look similar to unfamiliar eyes, some basics will help you gain understanding and enjoy your travels further.
What are the main differences between Shinto and Buddhism? Let’s take a look!

Shinto – Gods that created Japan

Shinto is the native religion of Japan. It is based on the worship of kami (deities) that embody natural phenomenons (fertility for example) or location (a specific rock or tree). It is a form of animism where there is no hierarchy between divinities. Some are prominent though, like Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess, or Mt Fuji.
One of the main kami represents a fox, Inari Ôkami, and is found all over Japan. Inari is the Japanese kami of foxes, of fertility, rice, tea, and sake, of agriculture and industry.
Shinto shrines (jinja 神社 in Japanese) can be recognised by their bright red colour, and use of large red gates – known as torii.

Famous Torii – Fushimi Inari

Buddhism – From the silk road to Japan

Buddhism arrived in Japan around the 5th century from China, through the silk road and Korea. As in other parts of Asia, there are many different Buddhist schools, that embody different practices and approaches. Japan is famous for the Amida and Zen Buddhism, but smaller schools still exist to this day.
Buddhism is a philosophy based on the idea of finding a way to break out of the reincarnation cycle samsara. How we reincarnate in the next life is the product of our actions in life (good or bad). A Buddha is someone that has broken free from samsara and has reached nirvana, the state of liberation.
A bodhisattva is a compassionate being that postpones becoming buddha in order to help humanity. There are many bodhisattvas worshiped in Japan, the most famous of them is Avalokiteshvara – or Kannon in Japanese. Kannon has many different forms, but the most famously depicted with a thousand hands to save as many souls as possible.

Good luck and wishes – Omikuji and Ema votive tablets

Temples and shrines usually offer omikuji, small sheets of paper thought to predict luck. You can usually draw one at random for around 100 jpy. If the draw isn’t so lucky, you can tie the paper on a thread or a tree to undo the bad luck.
Ema are wooden tablets, where visitors can write their wishes and tie them in the hope they will be fulfilled. They are also usually available at both shrines and temples.

Omikuji

Common figures in Buddhism

Jizô

When walking around, and visiting temples (tera 寺 in Japanese), you are likely to notice statues wearing red bibs or hats. This is Jizô (Ksitigarbha in Sanscrit). Jizô is one of the main four bodhisattvas in East Asian Buddhism and is very present in Japan. He is thought to protect the soul of deceased children or lost pregnancies, as well as protecting travelers and pilgrims. Jizô is found along many paths and roads all over the country.

Niô

Arriving at a temple, the visitor usually walks through a large gate, before entering the main area. Two statues guard the gates: they are Niô or the two demon guardians of the Buddhist law.
They symbolise all creation as the right statue’s mouth is open, forming “a” sound, and the left-hand statue’s mouth is open in an “n” sound. They are the first and last letters in Sanskrit, like the alpha and omega.
A temple gate

Multifaceted religious practices

Many temples and shrines display elements from both religions, like the famous Sensôji Temple in Tokyo’s Asakusa district neighbouring a large Shinto shrine. Because Shinto was made State religion during the Meiji period (1868-1912), a number of practices and rituals integrated Shinto symbols. A lot of Japanese visits both shrines and temples and syncretism is an inherent part of Japanese religious practices.

Tags: Aude, Culture, History, Religion
Posted in Blog | Comments Off on Temples and Shrines: Understanding the 2 main Japanese religions

Is it worth buying a Japan Rail Pass for my Japan trip? – Answered

Friday, March 27th, 2020

NOTE: as of 2024 – the JR National Pass prices have changed, which may make it cheaper to purchase individual point-to-point train tickets, please look up the latest JR and Train ticket prices. (for the convenience, it may still be worth it to buy a pass where you can use unlimited JR transport; consider local JR passes too, not just the national pass.)

The Japanese train network is very famous across the world, and the Japan Rail (JR) Pass makes your travel so much easier. But the question here is: “Is it worth buying the JR Pass for my journey?”. So, let’s talk about whether or not you can save money by purchasing a JR Pass!

How much does a Japan Rail Pass Cost?

First things first! We should be looking at the cost of your JR Pass. Here is a simplified price table that is shown in Aussie dollars, but please keep in mind that the prices shown on the table are approximations. The prices vary depending on the currency exchange rate. “Green” class is equivalent to a premium economy class on an airplane. It entitles you to ride on the higher class cars on all JR trains where available.

	Ordinary Pass		Green Pass
	Adult	Child	Adult	Child
7 Day Pass	$380	$190	$510	$260
14 Day Pass	$620	$310	$850	$425
21 Day Pass	$800	$395	$1,100	$550
*All prices are approximations and will differ depends on the exchange rate.

Hmmm… It seems to be a little expensive… But, is that really expensive against what you get in return? Let me go through some cases where it is and isn’t worth the money.

How will I save money with a JR Pass?

The answer to this question is very simple: “The more you ride, the better value you get!” It sounds easy to do, right? But maybe in some cases, like if you are traveling one to two weeks in Japan, you would wonder how many JR Trains you need to ride to make up for the money spent on the JR pass.

Case 1: When you should buy the 7 Day JR Pass
If you land and depart from Narita Airport, and you want to explore Tokyo and Kyoto.
Narita to Tokyo Return = $80
Tokyo to Kyoto return =$370

Total = $450

Ordinary JR Pass = $380

The ordinary JR Pass covers every cost from the airport to the Tokyo CBD. So, it is definitely worth it to buy JR Pass.

Case 2: When you should buy the 14 JR Pass
If you land and depart from Narita Airport, and you want to visit Tokyo to Hiroshima via Kyoto and Osaka.
Narita to Tokyo Return = $80
Tokyo to Kyoto =$180
Kyoto to Osaka = $20
Osaka to Hiroshima = $133
Hiroshima to Tokyo = $250
Total=$665

Ordinary JR Pass = $620

By stopping at a few major cities in Honshu Island, you would make up the value of the JR Pass. It means that the more you enjoy Japan, the more value you are getting out of your JR Pass!

When should I not to buy JR Pass?

I would NOT recommend that you purchase a JR Pass if you are only traveling within Tokyo and it’s surrounds, or between Kyoto & Osaka. You are probably already aware that the further you travel with your JR Pass, the more value you will get out of it.

Let me tell you an example from my experience.
My friends stayed in Tokyo for 6 nights, and when they were planning their holiday around Tokyo, they asked me whether or not they should buy a JR Pass. Their itinerary was as below:

Day1: Cairns -> Narita Airport (Arrive at 7 pm)
Day2: Sightseeing in Tokyo City
Day3: Visiting Mt Fuji via Odawara
Day4: Tokyo Disneyland
Day5: Sightseeing in Tokyo City
Day6: Nikko
Day7: Tokyo sightseeing & Departure from Narita Airport (at 10 pm)

They were thinking of buying a JR Pass because they wanted to experience the Shinkansen Bullet trains, and wanted to get unlimited train journeys. In their case, they would not get the value they would pay since the travel distance didn’t meet the break-even point.

Let’s calculate this case!
Narita to Tokyo return = $80
JR Network rides =$30 (Max use)
Tokyo to Odawara (Gateway to Hakone) return =$110
Tokyo – Omiya – Nikko = $115
JR Network rides =$30 (Max use)
Total = $365

Although they took a decent long-distance trip from Tokyo, it was just under the break-even point. So, it was not worth it for them to buy JR Pass. If that is the case, joining a day tour to Mt Fuji-Hakone or Nikko would be a much more cost-effective and efficient way to visit those destinations.

Conclusion

The important fact for you to get the best value from the JR Pass is to: “Visit and enjoy as many cities as time allows you!”. The JR Pass definitely gives you great access to most cities in Japan by Shinkansen and local JR lines. But if you stay within and around one city, you can save money by purchasing a SUICA and topping it up when needed.

I hope this article will help you understand whether or not it is worth buying a JR Pass. If you have any questions regarding JR Pass, our “JR Pass explained” video will likely answer your questions.

Happy travel to Japan!

Tags: JR Pass, Tak, transport
Posted in Blog | Comments Off on Is it worth buying a Japan Rail Pass for my Japan trip? – Answered

Japan Rail Pass – Explain How It Works

Friday, March 27th, 2020

Konnichiwa! (G’day in Australian)

If your local bookie was taking BYO betting markets, I’d be confident in placing a monstrous bet that you have already heard about or researched the Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass). In the case that I am wrong and I’ve bankrupted myself, at least I’ll sleep well knowing that after reading this you will have an arsenal of information on how you’re going to make your way around Japan!

What is the JR Pass?

What if I told you that the JR Pass got you unlimited travel on a few busses and a ferry?

In theory, I wouldn’t be wrong, but funnily enough, the passes really give you access to the uber-precise Japanese railway system. You can scoot all around Japan with these encompassing passes, however, it’s worth knowing a little bit of how the Japanese rail behemoth is structured before we get into details.

In 1987 The Japan Railways Group took over the operation and infrastructure of government-owned rail networks. Fast forward and we now have 6 different JR passenger railway companies that offer 29 different JR passes.

These 29 passes come in all shapes and sizes, such as a 1-day Kansai area pass or the big kahuna, the 21-day national pass. Each pass is designed to give your itinerary and budget the flexibility and freedom of choice it deserves. There are also two styles of travel, Ordinary and Green, or maybe better represented as the economy and business class.

Navigating your way around 29 passes can be quite difficult if you haven’t been to Japan or have a preternatural knowledge of railway systems. For this reason, the cooperating areas of JR Central, East, Kyushu, Hokkaido, West and Shikoku have created the JR National Pass, the ultimate tool for getting you from A to B.

The JR National Pass gives you access to:

Any JR listed lines (including Shinkansen Bullet Trains, express, limited express, rapid and local trains)
Free seat reservations on applicable services
Ferry from Miyajima-guchi to Miyajima Island
JR listed Busses
Tokyo Monorail
Aomori Railway services between Aomori and Hachinohe
IR Ishikawa Railway Line between Kanazawa and Tsubata

It’s amazing how seven bullet points can impart the incredible value of one humble rail pass! However, the budding skeptic inside you is probably thinking ‘what’s the catch?’

There are only two catches…..

The JR National Pass DOES NOT give you access to:

Privately owned rail lines
Travel on NOZOMI and MIZUHO class Shinkansen on the Kyushu, Sanyo and Tokaido lines

Look It’s not ideal, but before we start cursing the JR Corp, let’s explore these exclusions a little further.

The fact that you cannot travel on the NOZOMI or MIZUHO class Shinkansen is not exactly a huge disadvantage. You still have access to 19 other types of Shinkansen, so do not despair! The benefit of the NOZOMI and MIZUHO Shinkansen is that they have fewer stops and, what a surprise, you arrive at your destination sooner.

The next catch is the private railway lines and this is a doozy, probably one the most commonly misconceived aspects of the JR pass. Unfortunately, not all railway lines are owned by The Japan Railways Group. My brain hurts looking at this, no matter how many times I lay my eyes on it. But these are lines owned by JR where you can use your JR Pass. This is really pertinent for travel within the cities of Japan as most have plenty of private railway lines.

To get on these private lines, you will need to get yourself an IC Card. These IC cards are pre-paid, tap-on-tap-off cards that allow you access to most private lines. Metro and subway travel is really quite inexpensive, so it’s not the end of the world. Make sure to check out my article about IC Cards and how to choose one that’s right for you.

See, not so bad after all.

Recapping all of this:

The JR National Pass gives you access to all JR networks across the country
You cannot use private railway lines
There are 29 passes to explore
You cannot use MIZUHO or NOZOMI class Shinkansen
You can reserve seats, free of charge!

Who should get the pass?

The JR National Pass is a really awesome tool for getting around the numerous cities of Japan, this much is the fact. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you need one. I know, I know. I talked about all this value and how great and flexible the JR National Pass is and now I’m saying you don’t need one? But hear me out.

Firstly, this is the current pricing for the JR National pass;

	Green Class		Ordinary Class
	Adult (12+)	Child (6-11)	Adult (12+)	Child (6-11)
7-day	$517	$259	$387	$194
14-day	$836	$418	$616	$308
21-day	$1088	$544	$789	$394

(*Prices are approximation)

Like many other passes around the world, there is a point where you meet or exceed the initial outlay for the pass. This is a super important calculation that will give you insight into how much value you will get from your pass.

The first part of the calculation is the outlay, which will vary depending on where you actually purchase the pass from. The second part of the calculation is factoring in your itinerary. To do this we need to head over to our best buds at HyperDia.

Whilst you are planning your Japan itinerary, this website will be your best friend! Aside from timetables and routings, it also gives you approximate costs. This is the most important thing right now, given that our quest is to find out if you need a JR National Pass.

this ticket costs 14,140 YEN inclusive of a seat reservation. You can opt-out of this seat reservation process at the station to make it a little cheaper, but considering it is free as part of the JR National Pass, let’s compare apples to apples.

Doing a bit of quick maths, you can see that if you were to purchase a 7-day JR National Pass and you were to travel from Tokyo to Osaka return, you would hit your breakeven point! This means that anything else that you do, say a day trip to Himeji Castle or Naoshima Art Island, is completely free! (don’t you love that word, I certainly do)

However, on the flip side of this coin, if you were only traveling from Tokyo to Osaka one way it makes no sense to get a National JR Pass. It would save you almost 15,000 YEN if you purchase a sector ticket when you get to Japan. 15,000 YEN…..Imagine the possibilities….

HACK – When doing your calculations, my suggestion is only taken into account the Shinkansen travel, not the applicable JR metro/subway travel. JR travel within the cities is really inexpensive, around ¥200 per journey, if even that. Make your calculations off the Shinkansen travel and if you are traveling enough to make your money back on a pass, reap the benefits of free travel on the other JR lines and services.

The key to all of this is a thorough research of your itinerary. Information is king!

Recapping all of this:

Make sure to fully explore your itinerary and how you will connect it
Channel your inner Big Shaq and do the quick maths
Only take into account the Shinkansen travel when calculating

How to purchase the JR Pass?

Alright! You’ve decided that your itinerary warrants purchasing a JR pass, now for the wallet deflating task of actually purchasing a JR pass.

There are many vendors of the JR pass worldwide, and like many other products online, some are reputable and others are not so much.

The safest option of ordering yourself a JR pass is through JTB, Japan’s largest travel and tourism organisation. Founded in 1912 by a joint venture between the corporate sector and the government, JTB and its constituents have a wealth of knowledge and experience in their specialty, Japan.

See JR Pass Page>>

IMPORTANT- When you purchase a JR National pass online, you are actually purchasing an exchange coupon, not the physical pass. These are only valid for 3 months from the date of the issue! So if you’re planning on going in 12 months’ time, sit down and relax, you have plenty of time.

Recapping all of this:

JTB is the preferred supplier of JR passes (See More Details >>)
JR exchange coupons are only valid for 3 months from that date of issue!

Getting the JR Pass?

Paint a picture in your mind, you are in Japan with your JR exchange coupon in hand, silently daydreaming of all the incredible places that it will take you. Now, you wake from this and realise that Japanese train stations and airports are like labyrinths and you don’t actually know where to go, or how to get your JR pass!

The first step of this process is you entering the country and getting your temporary visitors (TV) permit from immigration. Whilst there are many passports that entitle you to the TV permit, there are also plenty of nations whose passports require them to get a more complex visa for their visit. If you are in doubt about your visa situation, please contact your nation’s department of foreign affairs to check if you require a complex visa for entry into Japan.

Once you have cleared immigration and have a TV permit in your passport, it’s time to go to a JR office to get your pass;

HACK- if you are at the airport and you don’t intend on using your JR pass straight away, save yourself some time and hold onto it and get it redeemed at one of the train stations. Airport locations can have lengthy lines as every man and his dog wants to redeem their pass straight away!

Actually redeeming the JR pass is deceptively easy. Once at the train station, the attendant will run you through the process and issue your actual JR pass. You will need to fill out a small form that contains a pertinent piece of information, your first day of use.

JR passes are valid for calendar days rather than an hour based system, this means that if you redeem your JR pass at say 5 pm and use it on the same day, this will count as an entire day rather than the pass is valid from 5 pm to 5 pm.

Back to the first day of use, if you do not intend to use your pass from the airport you can future date your JR pass so that it is active from a specific date. This will give you maximum use of the pass!

HACK- You have access to both the Narita Express and the Tokyo Monorail as a part of your pass. The Narita Express is quite an expensive service, YEN3300 per way, so sometimes it is worth using your pass to include this if your itinerary permits. On the flip side of this, going from Haneda airport on the monorail or the Keikyu line is quite inexpensive and, unless you have other travel planned on that day, it is not worth using a day of your JR pass for.

Our other article explains whether or not it is worth it to buy a JR Pass for you.
Read: Is it worth buying a Japan Rail Pass for my Japan trip? – Answered

Also, if you have questions about JR Pass, our official video will likely answer your questions.

Conclusion

Hopefully, now you are a little bit more confident about what the JR Pass is, how it works and whether or not you need one. The JR Pass is an awesome tool for some people, but for others, it may not really be worth your while. It is super important that you think about what your plans are whilst you are in Japan before you dive headfirst into a sizeable monetary investment that is a JR Pass.

Happy travels!

Tags: Josh, JR Pass, Shinkansen Bullet Train, transport, Travel tips
Posted in Blog | Comments Off on Japan Rail Pass – Explain How It Works

5 Best Tokyo Family Friendly Parks – Great for Culture & Nature Lovers

Thursday, March 26th, 2020

Japan is not a budget destination to many regards, and even a local like me easily agrees with that. When traveling with your family, spendings in Tokyo can add up quickly. Let me introduce to you 5 great parks in Tokyo for a lovely family time!

Ueno Park

Ueno Park is one of the oldest parks in Japan, and it was established in 1873. Ueno Park is called “Ueno Forest ” among Japanese people because of its abundant greenery. You will find a variety of historical and cultural facilities in the park. So this is the perfect park for all traditional Japanese culture lovers!

Why visit?

Ueno Toshogu
Ueno Toshogu is a shrine that was built in 1627 to worship “Ieyasu Tokugawa” who established the Edo Era in the 16th century. Although nearly 400 years of time has gone passed, the building still stands strong and attracts visitors from all around the globe. This golden building is truly amazing.
Museums & Zoo
There are a number of museums in and around Ueno Park. I personally love the Tokyo National Museum that showcases Japanese traditional arts, antiques, and Samurai’s arms. I always love to visit museums when I am on holiday because museums get me to see the great inventions of the places. If you are after authentic Japanese history, this is the place for you.
If you are more into animals, Ueno Zoo is the place for you. Three adorable pandas are waiting for your visit! You may find it strange to see a traditional five-story pagoda in the zoo, but it has been there since 1631 and is registered as an important cultural property of Japan.
Cherry Blossoms & Autumn leaves
Ueno Park is famous as one of the best spots for Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo. It is so famous that in peak season, millions of Japanese tourists visit this beautiful park for ‘hanami’, or cherry blossom viewing. Ueno shows another face during Autumn with vibrant red, yellow and oranges leaves. I just enjoy a cup of coffee while looking at this beautifully colored park. It is worth stopping for a while if you are around

Admission Fee;
Ueno Toshogu: Free

Tokyo National Museum
Adults: 620 yen
University Students: 410 (310) yen
High/Junior High/Elementary School Students and persons under 18 and over 70: Free

Ueno Zoo
600 yen (adults 15-64 years old),
200 yen (children 12-14 years old).

Showa Kinen Park

If your idea letting you kids burn off some energy, Showa Kinen Park is the perfect spot you are looking for! This park is located near Tachikawa Station which is 35 mins away from Shinjuku Station by JR Chuo line. It is well-known as the largest park in Tokyo so that it may be difficult to see everything within one day. Let me show you what fun is there for you!

Why visit?

Play with the kids!
Why don’t you hop on a massive trampoline and jump on the largest hammock in Japan with your kids? In Showa Kinen Park, you can! The playground is so much fun and even adults can enjoy it.
Also, cycling is the easier and nicest way to see this very large park. Many bicycles are available for rental at the park entrance at a very reasonable price. This is one of the most enjoyable activities for young kids in Tokyo!
Cherry Blossom & Autumn Leaves
Showa Kinen Park is not as famous as Ueno Park or Sumida River for Cherry Blossom and Autumn Leaves, but 1500 cherry blossom trees make the park brightly pink in the spring, and thousands of trees like maple and Ginko trees colour the park with vibrant red, orange and yellow in Autumn! You will experience the beauty of nature during these seasons. There is so much more space than in any other parks of Tokyo CBD. So grab a bento (lunchbox) from a convenience store nearby and enjoy a picnic!
Japanese Garden
Once you get tired of cycling or hopping on the trampoline, have a rest in the Japanese garden where you will find true peace of mind. In this well-maintained garden, you will enjoy the silence of Japanese culture. Each of the four-season greets you with different plants and colours, curated for you by the Japanese gardeners. There is a Bonsai Exhibition right next to the door as well. It is worth spending some time there to explore over 100 years of vegetal arts.

Admission Fee;
adults: 410 yen,
Elementary and Junior High student fees at 80 yen

Shinjuku Gyoen Park

Shinjuku Gyoen Park is called the oasis of Metropolitan Tokyo because it is located in the middle of the concrete jungle “Shinjuku”. This park has a stunning traditional garden with a cute tea house. The park used to be a Samurai family’s mansion that was turned into the National park after WWII. It is only 10 min walking distance from Shinjuku station, so why not visiting when you are nearby Shinjuku.

Why visit?

Traditional Gardens
There are two Japanese gardens; one of them was established as the mansion of the Samurai family in 1591. You will feel the tradition and history behind this garden. Surprisingly, this park does not only have Japanese gardens but also a French formal garden and an English landscape garden. It has plenty of large open spaces to escape the massive crowds in Tokyo. Grab a cup of green tea and refresh yourself on the lawns!
Cherry Blossom and Autumn Leaves
Shinjuku Gyoen Park is the most famous spot for enjoying Cherry Blossom as even the Japanese Prime Minister holds a cherry blossom event there every Spring. When you see hundreds of pink trees with high-rises at the back, you will understand why Gyoen Park is so popular. It is a great instagrammable spot!
Autumn is another best season to visit when the leaves change. There are a number of different trees that change how the park looks with red, yellow and orange leaves. It is worth spending hours to take pictures of the Japanese gardens during this time because the garden is designed to look beautiful in Autumn.

Admission Fee;
Adults: 500 Yen
Students 250 Yen
Children (junior high school students /15 and under) Free

Mt. Takao

Did you know that you can do HIKING in the largest city in the world? Tokyo’s hiking spot is about 1 hour from the major areas of the city by train. Mt Takao is very popular for family hikers because it is only 599m high and walking track is easy for even kids! It will be a great get-away from the busy urban side for one or a half-day.

Why visit?

Hiking, Lift or Cable Car?
You choose how you want to get to the summit of the mountain! For bushwalking lovers, hiking is a great way to enjoy the beautiful nature of Mt Takao. The recommended course is called “Inari Course” which is 3.1km long and it takes about 70 minutes to get to the summit. If you are used to bushwalking, this will be easy-peasy for you!!
Don’t worry if you are not a confident walker because you can take either Lift or Cable Car to get to the top. Life is like a ski lift, so I am sure kids will love it. (Neither JR Pass nor SUICA is accepted for Lift and Cable Car).
Downhill requires so much less fitness level, so why not enjoying Tokyo’s best air when you go down!
Yakuo-In Temple
Most of the Japanese visit Mt Takao for the Yakuo-In Temple. This temple was established in 744 on the orders of Emperor Shomu as a base for Buddhism in eastern Japan. Even in the recent era, monks are there to practice every day. I have taken my Aussie friends to Mt Takao. They loved hiking but more they loved was this temple because it offers a serene and calm surrounding and authentic atmosphere around it. Yakuo-In Temple is also famous as a temple that protects you from traffic accidents. So, it is great to buy the family amulets for a souvenir!
Takao Onsen (Hot Spring)
After hiking or walking around Yakuo-In Temple, soaking your body in the hot spring is a great way to finish the Mt Takao day trip! Takosan Onsen is located right next to “Takaosan Guchi Station”. There are six types of hot spring baths in the facility. Once you get soaked in the outdoor rock bath, your family has achieved a major Japan Experience bucket list item.

Admission fee;
Lift & Cable Car (the same price applied)
One way Adult: 490 Yen
One way Child: 250 Yen
Return Adult: 950
Return Child: 470

Kasai Rinkai Park

Take the Keiyo Line for 15 minutes from Tokyo Station, then you will arrive at Kasai Rinkai Park which welcomes visitors with Tokyo Bay as a backdrop. You will see that this park is very popular among Japanese Families. This well-maintained park gives you a nice break from busy cityscapes and has some walking trails, large lawn areas, beaches, and a famous observation building.

Why visit?

Sea Life Park
I’m sure that you already know that the Japanese love Tuna! Yes, we really do, so this aquarium built a massive doughnut-shaped tank where many tuna swim around. Going there and see so many Japanese kids around the tank saying that “Looks Yummy!”. They are definitely Japanese!!
The other side of the aquarium offers educational experiences with touch tanks for kids. It’s fun for adults too!
Sea-Bird sanctuary
Kasai Rinkai Park is famous for the aquarium, but 70% of the park is designated as a sea bird sanctuary to preserve the bay habitat. Osprey, Great Egret, Grey Herton, a total of 157 species of wild birds inhabit along the boardwalk. If your kids are active, they will love the boardwalk to explore the bird sanctuary.
Tip: you may see more active birds when low tide, so it might be a good idea to check the tidal change before the visit if you are really chasing birds!
Diamond and Flowers Ferris Wheel
This Ferris wheel reaches 117m high which is the highest point you can get by Ferris wheel in Japan. It takes 17 minutes for one round so that you can enjoy the surrounding scenery. When it is clear, Mt Fuji shows its appearance in the west, and Tokyo Sky Tree is on the north side. If you are lucky, you might see fireworks and Cinderella Castle together from Disney Resort which is right next to this park!

Admission Fee: Free

Admission Fee
Aquarium; Adult: 700 Yen, Under 12: Free
Ferris Wheel: 700 Yen (No Kid’s price applied)

Tags: Family, Nature, Park, Sakura Cherry Blossoms, Tak, Tokyo
Posted in Blog | Comments Off on 5 Best Tokyo Family Friendly Parks – Great for Culture & Nature Lovers

Top 5 Basic Etiquette Tips When Visiting Japan

Thursday, March 26th, 2020

Every country has its own social rules of conduct that you would need to follow and what is considered acceptable might be unacceptable to others. In Japan, there are several customs and rules that is best to be aware of and avoid doing them when traveling around in another foreign country such as Japan. The things that you may do and behave while traveling in japan could offend people and it is possible that no one will tell you about these things because Japanese people tend to be shy and do not like confronting people about it.

1. Food, Drink and Dining manners

In public areas, eating or drinking while walking is frown upon in Japan. You can carry your take-away food or drinks in a secure bag to consumers later but just not on public transport such as their trains and buses. There is some exception such as long-distance travel on the Shinkansen -trains which some does allow you to eat and drinks or another occasion is when finishing your drink while standing at the vending machine.

Chopsticks
Chopsticks are the essential utensil used in Japan, there are some do’s and don’ts when using them in japan. One point is to never leave your chopsticks standing upright in a bowl of rice or to pass food directly to another person’s chopsticks. These actions are seemed to associate with funerals ritual and the dead. Do not play with your chopsticks (e.g. spearing, hitting them on the table, waving them around, etc.) as this is considered rude table manners.

Dining manners
For most customs slurping is considered rude table manners but for the Japanese, it is considered a sign of appreciation for your meal especially when eating noodles and soupy dishes. Picking up bowl to finish the last few pieces or soup is also perfectly acceptable in Japan. Avoid pouring any soy sauce on white rice but instead, use the small condiment dish to hold your sauce. It is also polite to say ‘Itadakimasu’ once before eating or drinking, and ‘Gochiso sama deshita’ to your host or the restaurant’s staff after finishing your meal as it shows a sign of respect and greetings. There is a no-tipping in the social customs of Japan. Leaving cash after your bill on the table at a restaurant will often result in Japanese people coming after you to return it. You will also notice a tray when making your payments, this is a tray to place your money rather than giving it to them directly.

2. Shoes Off Manners

One of the golden rules when traveling to Japan is to learn when and where to take off your shoes.

Japanese people ALWAYS instruct you or have signed up to let guests and foreigners know when to take their shoes off. If you are traveling and are unsure, take notice of shoes lined up outside the entrance doors.

Private homes, hotels, restaurants, shrines and anywhere that is indoor in Japan, will mostly expect you to remove your shoes before entering and there should be a pair of slippers is provided for you to wear instead. The behind reason is that you are tracking filthy dirt from the outside into the house which is a sign of disrespect and the matter of cleanliness Japanese people are it is best to follow the golden rule.

When entering the loo (Toilets/Bathrooms), you must exchange your slippers for the toilet slippers and when exiting the loo, you just slip back into your original slipper and leave the toilet slipper. Make sure to remember to exchange as it will be concerning and mortify the Japanese if you are seen walking around in the toilet slippers.

3. Visiting temples and shrines manner

Japan is very known for its heritage sites and many religious temples and shrines. When you are visiting these religious sites it is expected that you are to speak quietly in a low tone manner in the main halls, do not enter into places that are blocked of and definitely do not disrespect the statues and gods that are inside the religious sites and be mindful of what you are wearing when visiting these religious sites, nothing that is revealing or clothing like you are heading off to a club or beach.

Another ritual that must be done when entering shrines is the water cleansing source of any shrine. Some shrines would have instructions for you to be aware and follow but others do not. Use the ladles provided to pour water over your hands to rinse them, and pour water into your hand to use to rinse your mouth (please spit the water out on the ground, not back into the water source) this is believed to cleanse your body before entering the sacred place.

4. Public Areas

When traveling around Japan, it would require you to commute mostly on public transports given its convenience and most efficient way to get you from point A to point B.
Respecting the people and your surroundings is important in Japanese culture. Having to be silent and quiet during your commute is very normal. It is rude to be speaking loudly on trains and buses as it is viewed to be disturbing other fellow passengers.

Lining up and queuing in japan is a big thing in japan that you would see very often from catching public transport to restaurants and even shopping malls. Everyone who does line and queue up happens to wait patiently and in an orderly fashion. Places that require you to line up or are populated with people usually have marked lines indicating where you should be standing and waiting.

Another thing to consider is sniffles and coughs and being sick in general. Blowing your nose in public is viewed as rude and gross as mentioned before Japanese people are all about cleanliness. When you are in Japan it is common to see a lot of people in surgical masks that may have printed pictures to stylish masks or different kinds of patterns are worn by people to help prevent any germs or used as protective gear when contacting or being surrounded by others.

5. Learn the Basic Japanese Language

Leaning the common polite words and phrases to help you navigate around Japan would be very useful but also show the Japanese people your interest and love for their culture. Although English is a common language, knowing the basic language of the place you travel is a language etiquette. Do not assume that people will somehow understand you just because they speak a little English. There are some gesture and body language that you can use when trying to communicate with others but there a are few hand gestures and body language which can seem as rude and disrespectful to others.
So, getting to know and learning the few basic things would help you along the way when traveling around Japan.

Tags: Culture, Jacquie, Travel tips
Posted in Blog | Comments Off on Top 5 Basic Etiquette Tips When Visiting Japan

5 Reasons I Hate Ramen

Thursday, March 26th, 2020

It is well known around the office that I don’t care for ramen. Sometimes I get asked how I can claim to love Japanese food when I am not a fan of what is arguably one of Japan’s most well known and loved noodle dishes. So I jumped at this chance to explain my position and perhaps convert others to my way of thinking.

1. The broth is too salty

I enjoy the subtle flavours of Japanese dishes. Ramen, however, regardless of which soup base or variety you consume, has, in my opinion, an overly strong salty taste. From the miso variety popular in the northern city of Sapporo to the tonkotsu variety of Fukuoka in the south, all of them have a less than subtle taste. Instead, I crave the chewy delicious soba noodles found across Japan. These noodles are made primarily from buckwheat and can be eaten in a soup broth or dipped into a light sauce. The flavour is delicious and you have more control of how strong that flavour is. A place that is well known for these noodles is the Nagano region of Japan. You can try them while on a ski holiday at one of the famous ski fields or participate in a cooking class to make your own from scratch.

2. Ramen doesn’t come with a lot of toppings

For those who like ramen, I think that the appeal is mostly the noodles and the soup. Sometimes a particular ramen dish might be known for the toppings such as pork, black fungus or egg, however, there is just not enough! You might already be aware that the ramen you eat in Japan originates from China. There is another noodle dish found in the southern city of Nagasaki that is also of Chinese origin and in my opinion far superior. It is called Champon and is a soup noodle dish with a variety of colourful ingredients on top including vegetables, seafood and pork. When in Nagasaki also try the castella (sponge cake introduced by the Portuguese) and kakuni (sliced soft stewed pork served in a bun)! I could spend the whole day eating in this port city.

3. Eating Ramen in summer is too hot

For those who have visited Japan in the summer months, you will know it can be quite hot and humid. While it can still be a good time to visit if you are interested in summer festivals and fireworks, the last thing you feel like doing is digging into a steaming hot bowl of ramen. Luckily Japan has the answer to your noodle cravings, nagashi somen. This fun slightly tricky to eat dish is a summertime Japan speciality. The noodles flow through running water, diners catch the noodles and dip into sauce to eat. There are many places you can try this in Japan. I would recommend the lesser-known spot of Takachiho in Kyushu. You can visit the spiritual heart of the Shinto religion, view the spectacular Takachiho gorge and sample delicious noodles.

4. Ramen is not very portable

But what about the instant varieties I hear you say. Yes, they are convenient and when you purchase a pack at one of the ubiquitous Konbini (convenience stores) found across Japan they even have hot water so you can cook them on the spot. However, where to sit, where to put your rubbish? Have you tried walking in a crowded place while eating instant ramen? While at one of the many Japanese festivals (you should definitely visit at least once if you get the chance) the noodle dish I recommend is yakisoba. This stir-fried savoury noodle dish is cooked in huge batches and often comes with an egg and seaweed flakes. With no hot soup base to spill in a crowd, this is very much the friendlier portable noodle dish.

5. The lines are just too long

I know there are many people out there willing to line up for extended periods of time in order to get a seat at the most popular ramen places, I am just not one of them. I am always way too hungry to wait in line for more than a few minutes and certainly wouldn’t wait for ramen. Once again, I have an alternative to suggest. Udon noodles are delicious and there are lots of chains throughout Japan offering a self-serve style where you choose your noodles then pick from a variety of toppings and side dishes. You can decide whether your noodles are in soup, without soup or even in curry at some places. These restaurants offer quick service, the food is very tasty and there is rarely a huge wait to get fed.

Summary

Have I convinced you that ramen is not as fantastic as everyone says? If not, I still wish you the best in your gastronomic travels in Japan. Please enjoy your ramen adventures, maybe even join a ramen cooking class so you can recreate the dish at home. I won’t be seeing you there of course, but if you still have room for more food I would highly recommend sampling some of the other delicious and varied noodle dishes of Japan.

Tags: Beth, Culture, Food
Posted in Blog | Comments Off on 5 Reasons I Hate Ramen

Harajuku: forget kawaii fashion, welcome to vintage heaven

Thursday, March 26th, 2020

Tokyo is well known as a shopping paradise. With a large variety of shops and long opening hours, you have many hours of fun ahead. The plethora on offer can be overwhelming, and if you are not looking for the obvious, a little guidance is crucial. Let’s have a look at where to find great vintage shops in Harajuku!

Behind Harajuku: ‘Ura Hara’ area

‘Once known as the Lolita heaven in the second half of the ’90s, Harajuku has evolved into a multi-faceted fashion destination. The main avenue of Harajuku – Omotesando – is famous for its high-end brands.
‘Ura’ means ‘behind’ or beyond’ in Japanese, and behind the glossy Harajuku windows, many smaller streets filled with boutique vintage shops await!

See my track (Google Map) >>

First stop: Harajuku street

Get off the Yamanote loop line at Harajuku Station, and make your way down the crowded Takeshita street.
You are headed towards Harajuku street, the edgy little sister of Takeshita street, famous headquarters of crepe shops and teenage fashion boutiques. At the end of Takeshita street, cross Meiji Dori and enter this small, quieter, vintage shop heaven.
Don’t forget to look up as shops may be on the upper floors!
To visit: BerBerJin, Laboratory Vintage or Furugiya Playback.

Second stop: Cat street, the hip spot

At the end of Harajuku street, turn right at the lights at Jingumae 2 chome intersection, and follow the narrow street until you find the Deus Ex Machina Tokyo shop. Stop here for a coffee break, and enjoy the great atmosphere of the shop filled bikes and art prints. After your break starts walking down the famed Cat street. There are many vintage shops all along the way, and you can explore the many small side streets that offer plenty of options.

If you are looking for vintage jeans, retro Ts and kimonos, CHICAGO is a chain of thrift shops that have great options. One of the main shops is located on the side of the Ralph Lauren Omotesando shop. 2nd Street Harajuku deserves a visit as well.

For traditional Japanese dress, Kimono Kabukis is a specialized boutique in the area, and you can also find second-hand kimonos at an outdoor booth on the corner of La Foret Harajuku department store on weekends.

For more affordable finds, Jumble store or Brand collect are large thrift shop chains with contemporary brands, both Japanese and International.

From Harajuku to Shibuya

Crossing Omotesando and entering the second part of Cat Street walking towards Shibuya, you will find the famous RagTag, specialising in high-end options. RagTag is great for finding the likes of Comme des Garçons, Y3 or Sacai, and many international couture brands. The 3rd floor is dedicated to bags and high-end accessories.

Stop by Candy Showtime where you can witness traditional hard candy making, with many different intricate designs, from traditional to popular manga characters.
Further down Cat street, the Flamingo shop will welcome you for more vintage goodies.

The end of Cat street will bring you to Shibuya where you can keep on shopping in the many department stores, or stop for a well-deserved lunch or dinner.

Hunting for vintage treasures in Harajuku

Come and follow the guide for a vintage shopping tour of Harajuku! Walk the hip neighborhood’s small streets and find that unique piece to take home.

Tags: Kimono, Shopping, Tokyo
Posted in Blog | Comments Off on Harajuku: forget kawaii fashion, welcome to vintage heaven

Tips and tricks for finding a hotel room in Japan for your family

Thursday, March 26th, 2020

If you’ve had a search for family rooms in Japan, you’re probably becoming more and more exasperated trying to find something that will suit all of your requirements. Before we get started, it’s important to understand a few cultural differences that will explain the headaches that you have been getting:

Hotel Sizes

Japanese hotel rooms are smaller than what we are used to in Australia. Fair enough given the massive difference in population vs land mass between our country and theirs! Chances are, if you’ve found a super cheap hotel room that will sleep 4-5 people, it is probably too good to be true and one of the main reasons is that is is a very small room! To be fair, there are some lovely family hotel rooms in Japan, especially Tokyo, pictured here is the Keio Plaza.

Bedding

You might have come across a twin share room that is 2 x single beds for your family of 4. If your kids are under 6 then this is why! It is very common for Japanese parents to share a single bed with their child under 6 so that is what all online searches are going to produce for you. I’d warrant to say that Aussie parents probably don’t want to sleep in a single bed with their child, so it’s best to check with the experts about what the bedding situation is before confirming your reservation! Further to this, it is important to understand that, more often than not, the bedding in a triple or quad hotel room will all be single beds (sometimes king single beds).

Apartments & Interconnecting Rooms

Multiple bedroom apartments and interconnecting rooms are going to be few and far between in Japan. We can certainly search for these for you but in the likely case that there aren’t any available, we could recommend that you request adjacent rooms or have a look at a few of the other options that we will talk about below!

Western Hotel Rooms in Japan: Is it really possible to fit a family of 4 in a 15m2 room in 2 x semi-double beds?

The short answer is no; while this may be OK for a lot of Japanese families, it’s certainly not an ideal situation for an Aussie family! What is a semi-double bed, you ask? It’s basically a king single bed. There are many new hotel chains popping up with multiple options for families traveling from overseas and one that we can recommend is the hotel chain Mimaru. Mimaru offers studio apartments with a self-contained kitchen in Tokyo, Kyoto, and *coming soon Osaka! They can sleep up to 5 adults and also offer a large number of interconnecting rooms!

Japanese-style Inns (Ryokan): are these a good option for my family?

Most definitely!! Once you move outside of larger cities, why not take the opportunity to try a traditional ryokan. We highly recommend booking a ryokan stay in hot spring towns and rural areas; highly recommended cities to do a ryokan stay are Hakone, Kawaguchiko, Takayama, Miyajima, and Beppu (to name a few). In most places, you will be sleeping on futons on tatami (mattresses on bamboo flooring), though please feel free to ask us about Japanese/Western combination rooms where you would have a Western bedding section & a Japanese bedding/sitting room section! At a traditional ryokan, you can expect to be looked after like royalty and you will generally have access to relaxing hot springs (onsen) on-site with full course Japanese cuisine served for breakfast & dinner! As you are traditionally sleeping on the floor in a ryokan, and housekeeping put away the futons during the day so that you have a space to relax, they generally can fit many more people in one room.

Machiya: Living like a local!

If you’re wanting to experience a Japanese house with multiple bedrooms, a self-contained kitchen and easy access to local attractions. Please ask us about Machiya that we can offer in Kyoto, Kanazawa & Takayama. These 1-3 bedroom houses are perfect for your large family and actually don’t always cost an arm and a leg for the additional space. Centrally located with local support offered, you can really have an authentic experience and feel like you’ve moved to Japan for a short while!

Contact JTB, the Japan Specialists, to assist with your family trip to Japan.

If any of the above accommodation options seem like a fit for your family, please don’t hesitate to contact us at JTB to find the perfect accommodation option for your trip to Japan. We can tailor-make an itinerary to suit your needs!

Tags: accommodation, Family, Hotel, Onsen, Ryokan
Posted in Blog | Comments Off on Tips and tricks for finding a hotel room in Japan for your family

We had a fantastic trip.

Wednesday, July 17th, 2019

Good morning Blake

Thank you so much for all your orgainsing and booking; we had a fantastic trip. Everything was awesome and the Japan rail passes were amazing; we caught the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Osaka and returned and caught the Narita airport express. The One Piece show was great too. Our fast passes for Universal Studio were fantastic; and our two day pass to Disneyland and DisneySea. It was great because everything was all organised in Australia before we left and we appreciate all your assistance and constant communication with our booking. The SUICA cards were a lifesaver with the Tokyo metro and the Disneyland monorail.

Thank you again.

Warm Regards

Dannielle

Posted in Reviews | Comments Off on We had a fantastic trip.

Totally recommend your service

Wednesday, July 17th, 2019

Dear Chris

Better late than never!!!

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for organising such a great trip in Japan from 15 May – 04 June 2019. We love Naomi and are so grateful that she put us in contact with you.

The most amazing thing for people our age, was the detailed instructions that came with our journey throughout Japan. We also appreciated the choice of tours and places to stay.

All of our tour guides were great, but we would like to mention two in particular. Kenta who took us on the Salary Man’s tour inn Shimbashi. His knowledge was very comprehensive and as we were the only 2 on this tour, we had an extended night of enjoyment.

Secondly – Kao in Fukuoka, where we went to Dazaifu and Yanagawa. Her knowledge and grasp of English was excellent, and she had to answer some curly questions for us, but the knowledge she has of facts for the future of Japan was totally outstanding.

We can totally recommend your services.

Pat and Robyn

Posted in Reviews | Comments Off on Totally recommend your service

Always go above and beyond

Monday, July 1st, 2019

My pleasure, Chris san!

You have been an amazing help with such efficient service and you always go above and beyond to help me create the best itinerary!

Thank YOU always! Have a lovely weekend J

Koyomi

Posted in Reviews | Comments Off on Always go above and beyond

Anait is an absolute gem.

Wednesday, June 26th, 2019

Hey Clement,

I wanted to give you my glowing feedback for Anait! She is an absolute gem and I have been working exclusively with her for the last 12 months. I can’t speak highly enough of her. Her attention to detail is so amazing, I love that she goes above and beyond to give me the ‘walking distances to and from hotels/stations’ and she always makes suggestions of great tours. I am appreciative that I am able to email her my quote/booking requests and she will without fail action them within 24 hours (even sooner when I sometimes put her under pressure).

Our conversion rate together is pretty high, I recon we convert 9 out of 10 quotes which is amazing!!

She is a huge asset to your company and I wanted to make sure everyone knows that I think she is THE BEST IN THE BIZ!

Feel free to share my feedback with her and anyone who wants to hear!!

Thanks for listening, have a great day!

Natalie

Posted in Reviews | Comments Off on Anait is an absolute gem.

Wouldn’t have discovered Ueno on our own

Wednesday, June 26th, 2019

Hi Miyuki

Just letting you know that our trip to Japan was amazing. Thank you for your assistance.

Everything was so well organised. In particular thank you for your suggestion of staying in Ueno for our final couple of days when we returned to Tokyo. It is a lovely area and we probably wouldn’t have discovered it on our own.

Susan

Posted in Reviews | Comments Off on Wouldn’t have discovered Ueno on our own

Had a fantastic trip to Japan

Wednesday, June 26th, 2019

Morning Hayley,

Thank you for your email

We had a fantastic trip to Japan. Hows your trip?

Honestly booking everything in advance makes things a lot easier and saves our time.

The airport limousine bus was great because we got dropped off very close to our hotel and given we had a lot of shopping on the way back, it was great because we don’t really have to wheel around our luggage everywhere.

The Japan Rail Pass was also great value, we traveled to Osaka and Kyoto using that, was a great experience, it was really easy to use we had no issue with that.

Suica card also great, as we can use it in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, only thing if you want to travel metro areas its probably cheaper buying the 24 hours metro daily pass.

The sim card works really well too, it switch straight away as soon as you get there. However my one bit slow towards the end of the trip. but my husband’s sim card works perfectly throughout the trip.

We really enjoyed Disney and Universal too, however if we went back would probably purchase the queue jumping tickets on top of the general admission. Given that it was a very busy period, we had to line up for a long, long time for some rides which was OK, but given we only had a day to go around there we didn’t get to do everything we wanted too – so not sure if you on-sell that but something I would definitely recommend to people in future!

Overall, we were pretty happy with everything :)

Thanks so much for your assistance

Kind Regards,

Indah

Posted in Reviews | Comments Off on Had a fantastic trip to Japan

I wouldn’t use any other company

Friday, June 14th, 2019

Dear Anait,

I spoke with Barry on Wednesday about his Japan holiday and he had a lovely time! Both he and his wife were worried about navigating the train trips around Japan, however he said it was very easy! He loved the Tokyo accommodation the most and all of the tours.

I was very happy that this worked out so well, Barry is a regular client of ours and was very anxious before this trip. Thank you so much for all of your help! You and Clement were especially helpful! I wouldn’t use any other company for Japan!

Have a great day!

Posted in Reviews | Comments Off on I wouldn’t use any other company