Kyoto

Heading to Kyoto? If so, it helps to educate yourself on all the ins and outs of this breathtaking and historic Japanese city. Kyoto served as Japan’s capital for the lengthy period of 794 to 1868. At this point in time, Kyoto is Japan’s seventh largest city. There are approximately one million residents living in Kyoto today.

Throughout the ages, Kyoto has suffered staggering damage from natural disasters and wars. Many spectacular ancient shrines and artifacts still stand today, because during World War II, Kyoto was deemed a historic site and not targeted during air raids on the country.

Kyoto is resplendent with ancient artifacts and historic sites. Check out Kiyomizu-dera, an amazing temple built out of wood and held up by pillars on the side of a massive mountain. Or, head to Kinkaku-ji and Gingkaku-ji, the Golden and Silver Pavilions, respectively. Spend some time in the famous rock gardens of Ryoan-ji, or tour the Shugaku-in Imperial Villa, one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan.

There are no shortage of temples and shrines in this historic city. Some of the most well-known historical sites include the Kamo Shrines, Saiho-Ji, and Nijo Castle. There are many amazing destinations if you’re seeking culture, and many of them are a part of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites list.

Kyoto is home to sports, festivals, and fine cuisine. Sample the best Japanese food found anywhere, or do some shopping and pick up an authentic Japanese kimono. Kyoto’s kimono weavers are some of the best in the world.

Heading somewhere like Tokyo from Kyoto? Then take a ride on the Tokaido Shinkansen, a passenger rail service. You can also take a public bus to get to your destinations in and around Kyoto. For short trips, go native and try bicycling!

Kyoto, Japan — it’s a place of history, wonder, and magic. Whether you’re there for business or pleasure, you’re sure to enjoy your time in this spectacular city.

Sapporo

Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaido, Japan and boasts a population of over one million. If you’re planning a trip to Sapporo, here are some things you should know.

You can reach Sapporo via two-hour flight from the Haneda Airport in Tokyo. You’ll land at Chitose Airport, which is about 30 miles from the heart of Sapporo. To reach the city, you’ll need the services of a train or car.

There are lots of great things to do in Sapporo. The Sapporo Snow Festival brings tourists in droves every February. This festival is a celebration of winter and features over 300 statues made of snow. At nightfall, the statues are lit to allow for easy viewing at night.

You may have heard of Sapporo beer. It is, after all, enjoyed all over the world. Tour the Sapporo beer factory and learn how beer is made. The Sapporo beer factory is one of four leading beer factories in Japan, and by far the most famous.

If you’re seeking a good time, head down to Susukino. This area of Sapporo is filled with fun places to visit like amusements, arcades, bars, clubs, dining establishments, and more.

Maybe culture is what you seek. If so, then Sapporo has it! Visit the Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art, or check out the open air Historical Village of Hokkaido.

Are you going to Sapporo in the summertime? If so, then you can’t miss the summer festival in Odori Park that features bon dancing, live music, and beer gardens. A beer garden, as the name suggests, is an outdoor area where beer is served.

The food in Sapporo is another reason to visit! A tourist could spend an entire vacation sampling all the gastronomical delights this pleasing city has to offer. Sapporo is home to specialties like barbecue, Ramen noodles, gourmet chocolate, and of course, beer!

Whether you head to Sapporo in the summer, winter, or in between, you’re guaranteed a good time in a spectacular city!

Japan Travel Guide

Japan is a magical place where the old and new combine. Amazing ancient shrines and temples from times long gone stand next to bustling metropolitan cities with every modern advancement. For a taste of the architecture of Japan, check out Matsumae Castle and Ueda Castle. Or see some natural beauty at Kaurakuen Park. Japan is home to many festivals, including the Sapporo Snow Festival and the Grand Festival of Spring.

If you want to experience modern Japan, definitely head to Tokyo. Here you'll find shopping malls, restaurants, world class accommodations and scintillating nightlife. For some family fun, try Tokyo Disneyland or Universal Studios Japan. If it's ancient heritage you want to experience, visit the amazing Sensi-ji Temple. And if natural beauty is your cup of tea, Kenrouken Garden is the place for you. There are so many amazing things to see and do, it would take forever to experience it all!

Tokyo is a bustling Japanese city that welcomes droves of travelers each and every year. Many people visit Tokyo on business, others for pleasure. No matter what your reasons for visiting Tokyo are, our tips can help you make your trip the very best it can be.

When in Tokyo, there are lots of things to see and do. Tokyo is a beautiful city filled with culture, wonder, and excitement. Want a taste of local living? Head to Omotesando-dori, an area filled with art galleries, trendy shops, and outdoor cafes. Or maybe you’re in the mood for some culture. You’ll get all that and a great view at Tokyo City Hall. Enjoy breathtaking views of this majestic city from the 53rd floor observatory.

Hungry? Then head down to Takashimaya, a gourmet lover’s dream. Enjoy a delicious variety of Japanese favorites here, or check out the Tsukiji Fish Market, where you can bid on the freshest catches of the day!

Maybe you’re in the mood for some Japanese art. If so, you’re in luck! Tokyo boasts the Nezu Institute of Fine Arts, which is the private collection of railroad tycoon Kaichiro Nezu. Here you’ll see splendid pieces of Japanese art including fine paintings and exquisite calligraphy.

There are amazing accommodations available in Tokyo. Many of the hotels there are owned by world renowned hotel chains like Hyatt and Imperial. Other fantastic hotels in Tokyo include the Park Hotel Tokyo, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, and the Palace Hotel Tokyo. You haven’t experienced world class accommodations and customer service until you’ve stayed in a Tokyo luxury hotel.

If you want to walk on the wild side, head down to Kabukicho. This is Tokyo’s “Red Light” district, and a place where you’ll find hotels, bars, nightclubs, shops, and more. While Kabukicho has earned a reputation for being one of the more seedy areas of Tokyo, you can still feel secure when touring this region.

Tokyo truly has it all — nowhere else will you find a city of such beauty and vitality. No matter what you’re seeking in a getaway, you can find it in Tokyo.

Nagoya

Japan is most famous for their beautiful cherry blossoms and high tech electronics. When you say Japan, people will automatically think of Tokyo or Osaka. There’s another city in the nation that is overlooked, because it’s not as commercialized as the other two mentioned. It contributes a lot to the economic growth of Japan, and that city is called Nagoya.

Nagoya is the 4th largest city in Japan. You can get there faster from Tokyo by taking the shinkansen, also called the “bullet train.” It’s about a 2-hour ride and it’s quicker than flying, because from the airport to the city alone is about 30-minutes by bus. Nagoya is also a major shinkansen stop between Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hiroshima.

Because of the severe damaged Nagoya suffered during the WWII, it was rebuilt from the ground up. This is Japan’s exemplary rise to the top. Starting from scratch, it’s become the nation’s industrial powerhouse. All the high tech-manufacturing industries in tool machineries, automobiles, aviation, fine ceramics and others are found in this city. A couple of companies in Nagoya are Toyota and Noritake.

This city is not as popular as other tourists’ destinations like Tokyo and Osaka. They don’t have the attractions that the other cities have to offer. But, they do have the most important Shinto Shrine in the nation, the Atsuta-Jingu.

Some of the attractions to see in Nagoya include: the Atsuta- Jingu, Meieki District
(Nagoya Station), the Nagoya-Jo, Ran no Yakata Orchid Gardens, and the Nagoya/Boston Museum of Fine Arts.

The best time to travel in Nagoya is from April-October, when it’s a bit warmer. It gets chilly there from November to March.

One nice feature for English-speaking tourists is the signs, which are also in English.

So, if you happen to be in Japan, make sure to include Nagoya in your itinerary. This is a beautiful city that has a lot of ancient historic significance.

Enjoying Culture in Nagoya

Nagoya is an important industrial and cultural center located in Central Japan. It’s also the 4th largest city in the nation. While not a highly popular tourist destination compared to other cities, there are plenty of sights to see, including historic museums, zoos, shrines, castles and parks, and festival events.

One of the most sacred shrines in Japan is found in Nagoya. The Atsuta Jinja (Jinja means “Shinto shrine”) is one of the most important shrines in Japan. It is surrounded by 1,000-year-old cypress trees and houses the sacred imperial sword, which is one of the three regalia of the imperial family. The other two being the sacred mirror at Ise and the sacred jewels in Tokyo in the Imperial Palace. Over 8 million people visit the site every year.

Another must-see is the Nagoya Castle. This was originally built in the year 152 and it displays Edo period armor and fusama-e (paintings on sliding doors). They have treasured arts that survived the war bombings. On top of the castle are two gold dolphins called kinshachi. It is supposedly a symbol of feudal lord’s authority.

The best time to go to Nagoya Castle is in the spring when 2,000 Cherry Blossom trees are in bloom. They are absolutely beautiful.

Another Nagoya stopover is the Museum Meiji Mura. This 250-acre open-air architectural museum has over sixty buildings from the Meiji period (1868-1912) that was rebuilt and brought here—ten of which were appointed as “Important Cultural Property.”

The Meiji era was an important period for Japanese culture. Japan opened her doors to the outside world. You’ll noticed the used of wooden architecture on the buildings. The Western influence is apparent with the use of bricks, stone, iron, and painted wood.

Earthquake, war, fire and greedy land developers unfortunately destroyed many of the buildings in that era.

Still, there’s much to enjoy and it’ll take about 3 hours to see everything.

Shopping in Nagoya is wonderful. There are plenty of department stores and huge underground shopping malls (Nagoya Station and Sakae) downtown. However, they also have the traditional arcades where you find souvenirs of better quality. A favorite is the Osu Shopping Arcade. The prices are very reasonable.

One of the things that people love about Nagoya is the festival events, such as the “Shichi-go-san” festivals. It literally means seven-five-three. This celebration is held on November 15, for when a girl turns 3 or 7, or when a boy turns 5.

There you have it. I hope that you’ll give Nagoya a visit when you’re traveling in Japan. Just hop on the bullet train and enjoy this beautiful city filled with historic sights to see.