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’re feeling fully relaxed.
Each step I absorb 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 vital lovely on the planet, to my household.
From my expertise, listed here are my journey suggestions for Tokyo and Kyoto.
Right here is an summary:
Language in Japan
The Japanese language is difficult and takes a very long time to study fully, particularly due to the characters, that are a combination of Japanese and Chinese language characters.
However realizing a couple of phrases will make it easier to to talk to individuals within the nation in a respectful means. That is extremely really helpful.
These embrace:
‘Kon’nichiwa’ – this implies ‘good day’ and is the Japanese greeting.
It is usually essential to say thanks. The Japanese say thanks time and again. In Japanese, you do that with the phrase ‘Arigato’. ‘Arigatogozaimasu’ is a stronger means of claiming ‘thanks’.
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 employ ‘sumimasen’.
You also needs to know the phrase for goodbye – ‘sayonara’.
Now you could have all of the well mannered types of handle at your disposal that can assist you to maneuver round Japan respectfully.
Journey Ideas for Tokyo
Our journey begins in Tokyo. There are many direct flights to a number of airports round Tokyo.
Haneda Airport is a bit nearer to the town and Narita a 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’ 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 traces by way of most cities in Japan. There are merchandising machines the place you may high up your cross and at each subway exit you may see the present stability of your credit score while you try. You may as well use these passes to pay in some outlets or merchandising machines.
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Whereas we’re as regards to ‘paying’: you may pay with a bank card wherever within the vacationer areas. Nonetheless, this isn’t at all times the case in additional authentic locations or smaller eating places. Subsequently, make sure you journey with some money and test together with your bank card firm to just remember to can withdraw cash from ATMs in Japan together 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 house for festivals and culinary discoveries.
Reverse the Ueno prepare station you will see that 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 you understand individuals who stay within the nation and you may see the nation from their perspective.
So we had the chance to have a good time at an actual Mikoshi pageant in one in all Tokyo’s suburbs. The big shrine is carried by way of your complete city by many women and men all through the day.
Within the night, the Mikoshi carriers arrive on the pageant’s massive shrine and celebration website. They’re accompanied by conventional Japanese music and the good pleasure of all contributors.
Shibuya
If 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 essentially the most loyal canine on the planet. He accompanied his grasp to the prepare station each morning and picked him up once more within the night.
Even when his proprietor all of the sudden died, he continued to attend for him each night – for nearly ten years. He was given this monument in reminiscence of this. It’s a touching story that has even been made right into a film. These days, the monument of Hachiko is a superb assembly place.
Omotesando
The Omotesando within the Harajuku/Jingumae district is a superb place for procuring and strolling.
Simply observe your instincts and discover the small alleys to the left and proper of the primary avenue. Remember 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 procuring avenue.
Asakusa is situated on the Sumida River and may be simply explored on foot or by rickshaw, passing great bridges and colourful lanterns. Not removed from there, additionally, you will discover the Tokyo Tree, a lookout tower from which you’ll see your complete metropolis.
Right here in Asakusa, yow will discover conventional arts and crafts, equivalent 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 full of life streets of Denpoin-dori, Kannon-dori and Asakusa Chuo-dori are significantly charming and filled with the ambiance of previous Asakusa.
Sensoji
The Sensoji might be essentially the most well-known and most photographed temple in Tokyo. It was in-built 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 instances to return the determine to the river, nevertheless it saved coming again to them. Lastly, they determined to construct a temple for the statue. This was named Senso-ji.
The trail to the temple is lined with white lanterns bearing Japanese characters.
Would you could have thought that? The crimson lantern within the heart weighs over 400 kg, the opposite two copper lanterns every weigh about 1000 kg.
Conventional pagodas at all times have an uneven variety of flooring. Do you know that the 5 ranges of Buddhist pagodas signify the 5 components? Earth, water, hearth, air and vacancy.
Kokeshi Dolls
These Kokeshi dolls are given as a fortunate allure for the start of a lady, a marriage, a enterprise opening or as a memento from Japan. They’re made by hand to a excessive normal and principally from fruitwood.
However in addition they have a tragic historical past. In Japanese custom, kids as much as the age of about 9 years belonged to God; this view got here from the time of excessive toddler mortality. When a baby died, the household took consolation in the truth that God had taken the kid again. These dolls have been thought-about to be reminders of the kid who had been taken again “by God”.
Shintoism
Shintoism is an interesting and really open faith and, together with Buddhism, a very powerful faith in Japan. The Japanese don’t find out about their religion at college, as is the case with many different religions. Typically, the religion is handed down from dad and mom to kids.
Shinto means “means 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 wish 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 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 end up 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.
If you arrive, you greet the god by bowing twice, then clap your arms twice. After that, you pray in silence, specific your want and maintain your arms in entrance of your chest in prayer pose. On the finish, thanks with a deep bow.
The respect that may be felt all over the 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 longer term.
The great factor is, when you draw a paper strip that predicts unhealthy luck, you may tie the strip to a small rope or, as right here, to a tree and thus eliminate the unhealthy luck instantly.
For prayers and needs, there are wood plaques often called ema that may be held on the shrine. That is how the gods are mentioned to obtain the prayers and fulfill the needs.
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 be mentioned to carry 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 massive.
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 traces on stilts one stage larger by way of the town. And in case you are standing at a site visitors gentle in Shinjuku, for instance, one of many busiest prepare stations on the planet, the twittering of birds or the delicate 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 isn’t any place the place crowds of persons are extra stress-free than there. No one is loud, no person jostles, no person pushes, the whole lot is light, orderly and filled 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 other 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.
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The outfits of many Japanese ladies particularly are something however reserved or boring; they’re a firework of potentialities and a substantial amount of braveness is required to put on many outfits.
The reveals that you simply see while you zap by way of the Japanese TV program in your lodge room additionally present the wild range inside this strictly ordered world.
At evening, the Shinjuku district is dazzling. Remember to 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’ll discover a variety of specialties in a colourful setting, both on the way in which in Kabukicho-Ichiban-gai avenue or within the tower itself.
Culinary Japan
I discover it fascinating that while you consider Japanese meals, you instantly consider sushi, however there are such a lot of completely different delicacies that haven’t but made their approach to Europe.
Sukiyaki or Yakiniku, to call only a few.
It’s unbelievable how a lot meat, and never simply fish, dominates the menus. Wagyu beef is on the high of the recognition scale right here.
I like the Japanese capacity to have a good time the whole lot that has to do with consuming and having fun with meals. Within the varied eating places, you may put together your personal meal on a small built-in desk grill or you may get a pot of broth on a hob on the desk, just like a Chinese language fondue or scorching pot, in which you’ll put together every kind of greens and meat specialties that you could get on the buffet.
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Shabu Sai Ueno is one in all our favourite scorching pot spots. And Tokori Japanese Yakiniku in Ueno serves up some unbelievable yakiniku.
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Yakiniku
At a yakiniku meal, there’s a small, nice grill constructed into the tables on which you’ll fry the assorted meat specialties which are served in skinny slices. Rice and varied sauces are served as facet dishes. It’s significantly cozy while 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 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 a terrific hissing sound, is an actual deal with.
Sukiyaki
Sukiyaki was additionally new to me. It’s a one-pot dish by which the meat is cooked slowly on the desk, both earlier than or after the noodles and greens which are 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 varied fillings, which schoolchildren and workplace employees pack as a sandwich. So scrumptious and diverse that I actually miss them right here in Germany.
The wax fashions of the dishes at a lot of the eating places are additionally significantly typical.
Resorts in Tokyo and Kyoto
A lodge on the Yamanote Spherical Line is price its weight in gold. It’s a fast and simple approach to get to essentially the most well-known, genuine and fascinating locations in Tokyo.
I can extremely suggest the inns of the Nohga group. We stayed on the Nohga Lodge in Ueno, however they’re additionally obtainable in different districts equivalent to Akihabara or different cities equivalent to Kyoto or Saporro.
This group additionally gives lodging in ryokans, the everyday Japanese inns.
The Mitsui Backyard inns are additionally really helpful and a bit extra worldwide than the Nohga inns. We additionally stayed a couple of nights on the Mitsui Backyard Jingugajen Tokyo Premier, however there are 12 extra inns on this group even in Tokyo they usually additionally supply nice lodging in Hiroshima, Yokohama, Osaka and varied different cities.
On the “Prepare”
If you’re planning to journey round Japan, I like to recommend the Shinkansen, the quickest prepare on the planet. It’s going to take you from Tokyo Station to Kyoto in simply over 2 and a half hours.
There’s an further journey tip with suggestions only for the Shinkansen. I additionally suggest reserving a JR Move, which works completely and permits limitless prepare journey in Japan.
Be sure to don’t miss Mount Fuji in your means from Tokyo to Kyoto. The Shinkansen passes so near it that you could {photograph} and admire it by way of the prepare home windows, surrounded by clouds of mist or, relying on the season, even with its peak coated in snow.
Kyoto Journey Ideas
I like Kyoto. I can’t say it every other means.
Kyoto has develop into extraordinarily trendy within the 22 years since I final visited. However the authentic corners, the geisha district and the enchanting temples nonetheless inform of the magic of instances passed by.
The Higashiyama district, with the very conventional lanes of Sannenzaka and Ninnenzaka, which lead off from the Kiyomizu-dera temple, continues to be so unspoilt that you simply get the sensation that Kyoto will not be 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 outlets. It’s a great feeling to immerse your self within the historical past of this metropolis, the place the geishas have been at dwelling.
Strolling round in a kimono on a temple tour could appear touristy, however as with all experiences, it will depend on 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. However it’s also possible to 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 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 develop into extra crowded but additionally extra tourist-oriented, and the previous originality is now not really easy to find.
Don’t miss out on following your nostril, trying into inviting archways, letting your self drift and following your eye. This fashion, you’ll uncover abandoned temples, small subtleties, deserted courtyards and particular locations past the tourist-lined alleys. Like this lovely Nittai-ji Temple, which is situated instantly on the way in which to the Kiyomizu-dera Temple and is totally ignored by most. It’s lovely and abandoned.
Kiyomizu-dera Tempel
The Kiyumizu-dera Temple is likely one of 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 particular person.
Don’t e-book a tour upfront through Viator or GetYourGuide simply since you are afraid of not with the ability to get tickets to the temples on the spot. You may get the doorway ticket spontaneously on the spot, which provides you way more freedom and adaptability.
When you completely wish to take a guided tour and be accompanied by a information, you’re after all welcome to e-book such a tour by way of these platforms or domestically.
Fushimi Inari Schrein
The Fushimi Inara Shrine within the Fushimi district is likely one of the most magical locations in Japan for me.
Throughout the day, the decrease walkway is especially busy, however as quickly as darkness falls, it turns into a bit quieter. There’s something magical about coming into this highly effective shrine within the moonlight.
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When approaching a shrine, the very first thing you see is the crimson torii, or gate. The crimson coloration is alleged to thrust back evil spirits and hazard.
To point out respect, you need to bow earlier than the gate and solely then enter the shrine.
Fushimi Inari Taisha is a Shintō shrine. It’s thought-about the primary shrine of about one third of all Inari shrines in Japan and is essentially the most well-known Shintō shrine in Kyōto.
When you have seen the film “The Geisha”, you will note 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 likely one of the strongest locations I’ve ever visited.
An exquisite Japanese lady, whose mom is from Kyoto and really non secular, 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 due to this fact all needs are in good arms there.
The avenues of torii, the gates product of 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 mess of those torii, all of that are donations from people, households or firms. She tells me that it is crucial to not stroll close to the posts or within the center, as these are reserved for the gods.
Greater than 1000 of those crimson gates may be discovered at this spectacular shrine.
There’s a small half-hour path and a big round route up the greater than 230-meter-high Inari Mountain, which takes 2-3 hours and a variety of stamina.
Attribute of all Inari shrines are the fox statues, the messengers of the goddess of fertility Inari, who 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 isn’t as overcrowded as different temples and since it incorporates a wide range of magnificence in a small space.
There’s an space with Zen sand artwork, a lake with a typical Japanese wood pavilion within the background and a lovely backyard.
Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion Temple) is a Zen temple and likewise a UNESCO World Heritage Web site.
Nobody actually is aware of why the pavilion in the course of the property is known as “Silver Pavilion”, regardless that it’s product of wooden. Legend has it that the pavilion’s jet-black wooden shined silver within the moonlight, therefore the identify.
Possibly 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 purported to appear like a smaller model of the well-known Golden Pavilion, Kinkanku-ji, which his grandfather had constructed on the time. As a substitute of gold, it was purported to be silver, nevertheless 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 likely one of the most well-known temples in Kyoto and much much less touristy than its “golden” brother, Kinkaku-ji, particularly simply after opening or simply earlier than closing time.
Ginshadan
Proper in the course of the advanced is the sand backyard and an roughly 2-meter-high sand sculpture.
The sand backyard is known as Ginshadan, which interprets as ‘sea of silver sand’. In Buddhism, taking a look at a sand backyard is a part of meditation. The waves within the sand signify water and the sand cone referred to as Kogetsudai symbolizes Mount Fuji.
You 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 wood temple is a feast for the eyes.
It is best to plan about an hour in 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. All the district may be very in style with guests.
Arashiyama – Bamboo forest
When you don’t wish to share the bamboo forest with so many individuals, you may e-book a rickshaw tour in a separate space. It’s finest to e-book properly 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 true subsequent to the doorway to the bamboo forest. It is likely one of the 5 most well-known Zen temples in Kyoto and has been a World Heritage Web site since 1994.
The Sogenji Backyard behind the primary corridor, laid out by Muso Soseki within the 14th century, is especially lovely. Muso was a grasp of backyard design and a Zen grasp who developed the Japanese tea ceremony.
The backyard, with its watercourses, moss and delicate hills, has been preserved on this approach to at the present time and frames a lake that may be seen from the steps of the primary home.
Arashiyama – Primate park
The Arashiyama Monkey Park is a selected spotlight for youngsters, the place they will watch child monkeys swing by way of the bushes from the branches or teams of monkeys chilling within the meadow.
In Kyoto, as in Tokyo, it’s simple to get round from place to position by subway or bus. If you should get someplace sooner, lots of the temples shut as early as 5 p.m. within the fall, so taxis or Uber are additionally obtainable.
Culinary Kyoto
The place to eat in Kyoto is the well-known Pontocho alley. Right here, one restaurant follows the opposite.
The alley is car-free and only some meters large. One facet of the eating places faces the river that flows by way of Kyoto, the Kamo. In summer time, it’s great to sit down and eat on the spacious terraces by the river. In winter, the motion strikes indoors.
If you’re curious, you may strive typical Kyoto dishes in one of many eating places, together with eel, snails, radish and fish.
Within the facet avenue 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.
Moreover all of the temples and the geisha district with its alleys, Kyoto additionally has different sides. Trendy skyscrapers, procuring streets and the big 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 variety of enjoyable singing in our sales space.
There’s nonetheless a lot to find in great Japan. When you have a bit extra time, you may definitely go to different cities there or chill out on the gorgeous Okinawa archipelago.
Okinawa is likely one of the 5 Blue Zones on earth. Individuals right here stay 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”!
