Japan

The traditional cuisine of Japan called Washoku, comprises Rice and Miso soup in most dishes. Vegetables cooked in broth, fish, pickled vegetables and tofu are common in Japanese food. Sukiyaki, Sushi, Tempura, Sashimi and Yakitori are examples of Japanese cuisine. In Kyoto, Okakita and Yamamoto Menzo serve delicious sesame udon, a type of South Asian noodles and are they are known for their delicious Japanese food. The Ryuta Sakamoto is known for its marriage of modern and traditional Washoku cuisine. It is a highly rated, Michelin starred restaurant. In Tokyo, Shinobu Namae serves Japanese-influenced French food which is an exotic delight! Alternatively, sample conventional Sushi at Yuji Imaizumi. Partake in the glory of the tea ceremony at Yoshiaki Takazawa, a rather tiny restaurant in Tokyo.

Japan has an excellent public transport sentiment. Every city has an extensive bus network and city buses have a flat fare.

• Taxis are all pervasive as well and all vehicles rely on a meter system. Smaller cities such as Nagasaki, Hiroshima, Kagoshima et cetera, have tram lines. However, Japan boasts a state-of-the-art rail and subway line. They are the fastest and most convenient mode of transportation in the cities. An unlimited-travel day ticket is usually a sensible idea for tourists, if you are planning to cover major areas in a span of 24 hours.

Be thorough on the routine vaccinations of Measles-Mumps and Rubella (MMR), Diphtheria-Pertussis-Whooping Cough (DPT), Varicella for Chickenpox, Polio Vaccine and a year-round Flu Shot. In addition, you will need prophylaxis against Hepatitis A and B, Japanese Encephalitis and Rabies.

Japanese is the native language of the country, spoken in various dialects. Some useful translations: Hello – Konnichiwa. Good morning – Ohayo Gozaimasu. Good night – Oyasumi. What is the price of ______? – Na kuku wa nani desu ka? How far is – Dono kurai desu ka?

Listed below are the best shopping places in Japan:

• Ginza is home to Japan’s chicest boutiques and designer apparel stores. For souvenirs and trinkets, Nakamise-dori, in Asakusa is a hotspot whereas Kappabashi-Dori is known for its Japanese relics.
• Hand-made accessories abound in Kagurazaka, which is also famous for its traditional wooden sandals (geta) and kimono-made purses. If you wish to scout vintage clothing shops, visit the neighbourhood of Shimo-Kitazawa. Haight and Ashbury is among the best here. While Tokyo is Japan’s fashion hub, Kyoto has decent options for shopping as well.
• AEON Mall in Kyoto is home to a plethora of international and regional brands. Besides, the streets of Shijo-dori come alive with the vibrant hues of their handloom especially kimonos.
• Nishiki Market is teeming with vegetable vendors and lively grocery stalls. Alternatively, you can purchase or even learn to make simple Kyoto dolls and Japanese fans at Kyoto Handicraft Centre.

Japan’s Annual Sumo Basho takes place 6 times each year beginning in January and then occurring every alternate month. 3 of the 6 tournaments take place at the Kokugikan sumo arena in Tokyo and the other 3 are held in Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka.

The famous electronic markets are :

• Akihabara Denki Gai, which is a short walk from the subway station in Tokyo is lined with tall buildings covered in colourful ads and many stores that focus on microscopic nice of the electronics world.
• The Akihabara Electric town is home to the world-famous Akihabara Radio Centre, which is frequented for its electronic sales.
• Otaku which roughly translates to fanboy or fangirl is a place for anime or manga lovers. Yodobashi is an eight-story colossus and one of the largest electronic stores in the world.

Japan can provide a picture-perfect background to a honeymoon. Couples may book a luxurious night cruise on Tokyo Bay and enjoy a romantic candlelight dinner as they sail across its waters. They may sign up for an exclusive chopper ride over the city of Tokyo. When you think of romance in Japan, the first things that come to mind are the dusky-pink cherry blossoms. Honeymooners may choose to take an idyllic stroll through a Sakura garden or park, especially if they’re here during Summer. Many young lovers frequent Ueno Park for picnics among the scenic sights here and also enjoy a decadent boat-ride on the Ueno lake. However, some couples have a particular fondness for aquatic life. For them, a visit to Sunshine City Ikebukuro, an aquarium can be very satisfying. Additionally, go star-gazing here as this place doubles up as a planetarium as well! If you are a fan of window-shopping through beautifully landscaped streets, brilliantly illuminated especially during Christmas, whirl through the hills of Topanga.

The best time to visit Mt Fuji is October to February. Winter is the ideal time to view the mountain as the air is cool and clearer. Also, early morning is the best time of day to visit Mt Fuji.

The best temples to visit in Japan are:

• The Meiji Jingu Shrine which is surrounded by a dense growth of evergreen forests and is famous for its architecture as well as the collection of exhibits in it.
• The Kamakura Hasedera Temple is a beautiful temple and it attracts tourists because of the thousands of charming statues in it.
• The Horyuji Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site and has more than 2,000 historical and cultural articles.

Japan is a country full of life. Adding their own sparkle to the vibrancy of Japan are its unique festivals. These include: Gion Matsuri in Kyoto, comprising lively parades throughout the month of July; Awa Odori, a traditional dance festival in Tokushima; the portable shrine fete of Kanda Matsuri in Tokyo; the mesmeric snowfest of Yuki Matsuri, Sapporo; the fascinating floating lantern celebration of Nebuta Matsuri during August, in Aomori City; the thrilling wooden-floats-based game fete of Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri in Kishiwada City; the upbeat music festival of Kochi Yosakoi, where people put their hands together with a special clapper called Naruko and the Shamoji-oriented Hakata Dontaku Matsuri in Fukuoka City on the 3^rd and 4^th of May.

The Jigokudani Monkey Park in Japan, is located in the forests of Jigokudani valley in Yamanouchi. It is a natural preserve and a part of Joshinetsu Kogen National Park. Its famous in the capacity of a snow-abode for monkeys, who can be caught walking and swinging freely among the pools and waterfalls in the park. The area is rich in wildlife. The Park offers many interesting tours such as a cycling trip through the valley and the exotic local-sake tasting tour.

The best gardens are listed below:

• The Ryoan-ji Temple in Kyoto is the most famous Zen garden made of 15 stones placed on pebbles. It was founded in 1450 and is a peaceful and beautiful haven.
• The Shugakuin Rikyu Imperial Villa, which is also in Kyoto, provides tourists with panoramic views to the city from the open top and is surrounded with amazing gardens and walkways.
• The Rikugien Garden in Tokyo features a huge pond and is covered by numerous maple trees. It provides a tranquil getaway in the world’s busiest city. Ueno Park is alive with Cherry Blossoms and is a famous Sakura hotspot.

Tokyo is one of the major party capitals of the world and is testament to the nightlife in Japan. What’s best about the clubbing scene here is the fact that it is versatile and varies from district to district! Roppongi is known for its mega-clubs and mad DJ party-style. Womb is the most famous pub here. Its disco lights and pulsating sound system only add to its insane vibe. Shibuya-Ku is teeming with more intimate clubs. Unit is heaven for Indie/Alt aficionados. Dommune has a reputation for hosting some of the world’s biggest gigs. In addition, ageHa is an experience by itself. It is huge with a capacity of about 2500 and boasts a swank pool.

Listed below are the famous museums in Japan:

• The Nara National Museum is an art museum in Japan, which primarily displays Japanese Buddhist art and was established in 1889. The recently renovated National
• Treasure Museum is a must-see for history lovers since it exhibits the three-faced, six-armed Ashura Statue, which also happens to be the most celebrated Buddhist statues in all of Japan.
• The exhibits of The Miho Museum consist of works from ancient civilizations including Egyptian and Roman civilizations and also from various Asian cultures.

• As getting a SIM with mobile data is difficult in the country, opt for a wireless router. You may even rent it. The router comes in handy for all your gadgets. It is nicknamed ‘’Pocket WiFi’’ in South East Asia.
• Before arrival, book a Japan Rail Pass as rails are the most convenient mode of commutation here. There are two types of passes: The superior Green Pass and the Ordinary Pass.
• Japan has excellent on-going discounts on its domestic flights. Make sure you avail these!
• Download Hyperdia, which is free for the first month of download. It acquaints you with all the railway and traffic information that you, as a tourist may need.
• Download Google Translate for accurate and easy translations from and to Japanese.
• Remember, only post-office and convenience store ATMs allow foreign cards.

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