Sorry I’ve been away for so long. But now I am back and I’m back with a vengeance and to start off, I’m working on a new site design for VisitJapanNow.com. So don’t be too alarmed with the new look. I’ll be working and tweaking it over the next several days and weeks as I become familiar with the design platform and get the site looking like I want.
I’m really excited about getting back here and talking about one of my favorite countries Japan. Hopefully, you’ll stick around, learn some interesting things about Japan (and me!) and I hope to learn some new fabulous things about Japan (and you).
Well, I got to get back to the site design but I’ll have some interesting and fun facts about Japan up for your reading pleasure soon.
Until then,
Take care!
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.
September 8, 2008
in Food
While most people are familiar with many aspects of Japanese dining, actually visiting the city and experiencing their restaurant culture can be a fun and educational experience. When the topic of Japanese dining arise in conversation, most people are going to think of sushi. It is true that sushi is a big part of Japanese cuisine, and if you are planning a visit to Japan, you will want to bone up on your sushi terminology. There is more to be aware of than just raw fish, and you will want to know what to order and what your options are prior to dining out. It is also important that you practice chopstick usage, as they will be the primary utensil you will be offered at traditional Japanese restaurants. As many know, dining out in Japan is more than just sitting down at a table and shoveling food in one’s mouth. The Japanese have traditions and rituals surrounding their eating experiences and it is best to have an idea of what to expect prior to your arrive in the country.
In addition to the cuisine you would expect to find in Japan, there will probably be a few surprises. Bento boxes are often elaborate boxed meals, separated into compartments and varied in shape, sizes, and color.
Bento boxes have been elevated to an art in Japan and are even growing popular across the world. They are unique because they create and organized and creative dining experience. At New Year’s you can buy special, expensive boxes, similar to Bento boxes, called Osechi meal boxes. It is filled with traditional celebratory New Year’s foods, and legend has it that the reason the boxes came about was so that Japanese ladies would not have to cook around the New year.
For the faint of heart, you can also find more traditional European and American style fare in Japan, such as pizza and burgers. But chances are, you won’t hear any of the locals raving about the quality or taste of these standards. So if you’re planning a visit to Japan, brush up on your chopstick skills, get familiar with sushi terms and plan to be adventurous.
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!
As all visitors and residents of Japan will tell you, it is almost impossible to narrow down the landmarks to those you must see in a short period of time. But if you divide your activities into regions, themes, or historical periods, you will have a better shot at covering all of the basis. One of the best ways to tour Japan is to focus on the buildings and architecture of the country. Some of the most beautiful and educational landscapes can be viewed just by choosing a group of buildings to view on your trip.
Begin with the Great Buddha of Nara in Nara, Japan. A survivor of historical battles the hall and statue have retained their status as the world’s biggest wooden building with a frontage of 57m with 47.5m of height. The Imperial Palace, namesake to numerous locations in American and around the world, is located in Kyoto. The Palace has been rebuilt ten times because of fire damage. In Kyoto city, you will want to visit the Ginkaku Shrine. It was built by a Japanese politician that has a love of the arts. The Hoodo, a Buddhist temple consecrated in 1053 is located in Kyoto Prefecture. Tourists will enjoy Mount Kamakuru, featuring temples, shrines and the Great Buddha of Kamakuru. Lastly, Aizu Castle, was originally a mansion constructed by Ashina Naonari in the first year of Shitoku Era. Throughout the years it has been renovated and fortified and has grown to be one of the major tourist sites in Japan.
