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!
Summer in Japan can be very enjoyable, but you should plan your wardrobe accordingly. June and early July is the rainy season. The Japanese call it Tsuyu. If you don’t like the rain, you should probably either travel in the spring, later in the summer or in the fall. During this time of the year, it really does rain every day. You may want to bring some rain gear, some water resistant shoes, and maybe an umbrella. If your primary interest is the island of Hokkaido, then you’re fine. There is no rainy season there.
If you wait until mid-July through August for your trip to Japan, you will need to plan for hot, humid weather. You may find fewer crowds in Tokyo because many travel to Hokkaido for the cooler weather at this time of year. Bring clothing that will keep you feeling cool and refreshed. Choose thin natural fabrics that will breathe well. Swirly skirts are more comfortable in the heat than pants.
You may want to bring a light sweater, as most places have air conditioning and it may get a little chilly from time to time. Casual wear is just fine for many of the clubs and shops that you may want to visit. If you are planning on doing any clothes shopping while you are there, they will be perfect to wear while you explore the city.
The average high temperature in August is in the upper 80s, so you can expect some higher temps as well. The best thing you can do is pack clothes that make you comfortable in sweaty weather, and try to stay indoors for the air conditioning when you can.
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.
Japan is known for its colorful festivals (matsuri). If you are planning to take a vacation in Japan, you surely should try to plan your tour in a way that will allow you to cover as many of these festivals as possible. Some festivities take days to complete. Given below are some of the most famous festivals and their approximate dates.
February – February in Japan attracts more than a million visitors both from within the country and from all over the world. It is the time of ‘Sapporo Snow Festival’. The highlight of the festival is the display of hundreds of statues made of ice, which all belong to one theme (mostly from the events of the last year). There are ice slides, amusement rides and variety of concessional stands for enjoying sumptuous food.
July and August – ‘Kyoto Gion Matsuri’ kicks of July. One of the top 3 national festivals of Japan, this has a colorful parade of tall floats. It is also called the festival of Yasaka Shrine. August begins with Nebuta Matsuri, the lantern festival which has huge lanterns on display. Don’t miss it if you are traveling to Japan during August. In the 2nd week of August, Awa Odori,a traditional dancing festival, is held in the Tokushima city.
Hope you enjoy your visit to Japan. You can read more about Japanese Festivals here!
