Why visit Japan? There are numerous reasons to treat yourself to a Japanese vacation. Even if the idea of visiting a country where English is not the primary language is intimidating, Japan has so much to offer you’ll regret not going there.
The food is fabulous. In Tokyo, you can eat inexpensively at the many small fast food places serving udon and soba noodles, tendon (tempura and rice) and gyudon (beef, onions and rice) and sushi. The fresh fish is fabulous and you’ve got to take a look at the famous Tsukiji fish market.
If you like hot tubs, you’ll swear you’ve gone to heaven when you try out the natural hot springs. Japan is full of these beautiful springs. Soak at your leisure while you enjoy the pristine natural surroundings. You’ve never been so relaxed.
You haven’t seen anything until you’ve seen Shinjuku at night. Even if you’ve braved Times Square on New Year’s Eve, you won’t be prepared for the sight and experience of Shinjuku on any night of the week. This busy section of Tokyo features lots of shopping, museums and restaurants to keep the thousands of people busy at all hours of the day or night.
If you like history, you can visit the famous gold temple at Kinkajuji. You can visit beautiful castles that are nothing like the European castles. Hiroshima and Nagasaki have preserved some of the effects of the atomic bombs that fell in World War II. It is a solemn place that will change you forever.
If you visit in the spring, you can catch one of the magnificent Cherry Blossom festivals throughout the country. The opening of the blossoms is actually tracked as it moves through the country with spring weather from the south to the north.
Looking to experience all the joys of Japan? First you’ll need to learn how to speak Japanese!
I used to watch Iron Chef and marvel at the many ways they used rice, and it made me more interested in finding out more about Japanese food in general. Now, I’m hooked.
Rice is used at every meal… just plain steamed white rice. I admit I thought brown rice would be more popular than it is in Japan. It is amazing how many ways rice can be used. Rice cakes are used as a dessert, often stuffed with red bean paste or other sweet filling. Mochi is a chewy sweet or savory sheet of rice-y goodness (is that a word?) that can be cooked and eaten on its own or may be found wrapped around other goodies like bites of ice cream. I’ve since managed to try some of these tasty treats from Japan and they really are good.
I want to learn more ways to use rice. Learning about how the Japanese utilize it has inspired me. It is an amazing grain that feeds a large portion of the world’s population. It deserves more attention from those of us in the West.
Japan is a very mountainous country, yet there are a few majestic peaks that stand above all the rest. If you plan to visit Japan, you must see at least one of them. These picturesque peaks show off the natural beauty of Japan.
Mount Fuji
This is the tallest mountain in Japan. Mount Fuji is a perfect peak… it has the classic pointed cone that is often depicted in artwork and admired the world over. A dormant volcano, Mount Fuji is revered in Japan for its beauty and perfection. Mountain climbing and skiing are activities that are common around this mountain. Climbing is done only during a short period in the high summer as attempting the climb the rest of the year is very dangerous. Mount Fuji rises to an impressive height of 12,388 feet above sea level.
Mount Tate
Mount Tate is 9892 feet above sea level. It is located in the Toyama region of Japan. This mountain is known for its impressive fall beauty, when all the trees are draped in bright colors. The Oyama Shrine is located at the peak of Mount Tate. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful Shomyo Falls while they make the climb to the plateau.
Mount Haku
Mount Haku is also a dormant volcano. It stands 8783 feet above sea level. This mountain is a designated national park and remains pristine. Hiking is allowed and wildlife abounds here. Seasoned hikers may choose to take some of the rougher trails. They offer quite a challenge and can be very treacherous. Mount Haku is at its best in the late summer and fall.
Other mountains in Japan include Mount Aso, Nantai-san, Akaishi-dake and Hachimantai. If you truly love the mountains of Japan, check out the book “100 Famous Japanese Mountains” by Kyuya Fukada. Written in 1964, it celebrates the mountains of Japan and gives their history as well as climbing tips. It maybe out of print where you are so you may want to pick up a copy of Hiking in Japan
instead.
Japanese money can be a little confusing if you aren’t familiar with it. First of all, the Japanese call it Okane (pronounced oh-kah-neh). I was always a bit confused when someone would say something small cost 10,000 yen. What is a yen, anyway? It turns out that a yen is the basic coin in the Japanese money system, kind of like the penny in America. So, it would be a little like paying 10,000 pennies for something that cost $100.
Once I understood that, it made a bit more sense. The Japanese have a 1 yen coin, a 5 yen coin, a 10 yen coin, a 50 yen coin, a 100 yen coin and a 500 yen coin. The 5 yen and the 50 yen coins have holes in the middle. I thought it was interesting that this dated back to the days when men would string their coins on a cord and wear them around their necks. Paper money in Japan usually comes in 1,000 and 10,000 yen denominations.
The rate of conversion varies depending on many factors. Today, in 2009, 1000 yen is about equal to $10.23 in the United States.
Be sure to check the current exchange rates before you visit.
Some good tips I’ve learned: the vending machines found all over the cities in Japan will accept all Japanese coins except the 1 and 5 yen coins. They will also accept the 1000 yen paper bills. If you need to use a pay phone, they only accept 10 and 100 yen coins or prepaid phone cards.
If you are planning a visit to Japan in the near future, you will not want to pass up the fantastic shopping the cities have to offer. If Tokyo is in your plans, be sure to visit one of the several 100yen shops in the city. Similar to an American dollar store, 100yen shops offer a variety of treasures for shoppers of all tastes. 
Japan also has a variety of department stores, including Matsuya, Mikimoto and Wako. At all of them you can find a variety of fashions and accessories in all price ranges and for all tastes.
In addition to department stores, bookstores and yen shops, Japan has neighborhood flea market and rummage sales, similar to what you might find in European and American neighborhoods. These flea markets are a great place to find discounted souvenirs, as well as used books, clothing, pottery, shoes and trinkets.
Both Tokyo and Osaka have regularly scheduled flea markets that boast hundreds of vendors.
Another aspect of Japanese shopping culture to be on the lookout for is stores that specialize in trendy, of-the-moment items that young Japanese citizens go crazy for. Many boutiques are hidden away off the main drags and you will find unique clothing and items that can’t be found anywhere else. These items would make excellent souvenirs and while shopping for them, you will experience a bit of Japanese culture that is often unique to the locals. Shopping in Japan gives visitors a chance to experience the culture and economy of the country while enjoying their vacation.
