Japan is a super neat place with a ton of charm and quirkiness. Japan is also full of interesting facts like it’s the only country in the world with a reigning emperor. Emperors have no tangible power, but they are still revered as a symbol of the country’s traditions and unity.
The angled roofs on older buildings, and in many Japanese houses are an upshot of the country’s strict Sunshine Laws. As such, the laws restrict the amount of shadow a building can cast. And with slanted roofs, they ensure there is a modicum of sunshine that makes it to street level for people to enjoy!
The Japanese have a deep affection for the beauty of the landscape. The ancient Shinto religion says natural features like mountains, waterfalls, and forests have their own spirits, like souls. Most of Japan is actually covered by countryside.
Believe or not, Japan can be a dangerous place as 3 of the tectonic plates that form Earth’s crust meet nearby. They often move against each other, causing earthquakes. In fact, more than a thousand earthquakes hit Japan every year. Japan also has about 200 volcanoes, 60 of which are active.
Food and Beverage
Japanese cuisine offers an abundance of gastronomical delights from the most recognizable dishes like sushi and ramen. Restaurants in Japan range from mobile food stands to centuries old ryotei. Here are some of the most delectable foods Japan has to offer:
Sushi – has become mainstream around the world. This raw fish dish is prepared with and served on rice seasoned lightly with vinegar. It comes in a variety of flavours and textures: like tangy, plump, and juicy. Despite sushi’s posh image, it has a humble origin: street food. Who knew?
Miso Soup – is a traditional Japanese soup that uses dashi stock (umami stock made from dried seaweed and dried fish) and then flavored with miso (dried soybeans with salt and dried seaweed). The brothy soup usually contains tofu and green onions.
Chanko Nabe – or Sumo Stew is a robust hot pot filled with all kinds of vegetables and tons of protein in a rich dashi and chicken broth. Sumo wrestlers eat this for breakfast before their 3 hour work out.
Tempura – is harmoniously light and fluffy and is one of Japan’s only contribution to the world of deep-fried foods. The batter-coated seafood and vegetables are traditionally fried in sesame oil and served with either a tiny pool of salt or a dish of soy sauce-flavoured broth spiked with grated radish for dipping.
Unagi– is river eel, usually grilled over charcoal and painted with a sweet barbecue sauce. It’s a delicacy that evolved from old Japan and most restaurants that specialise in eel have a traditional and delicious approach to making and serving it.
Ramen– is essentially egg noodles in a salty broth and it has become Japan’s favourite late-night meal. There are four major soup styles: tonkotsu (pork bone), miso, soy sauce and salt. Fukuoka is particularly famous for its rich tonkotsu ramen while pungent miso ramen is a specialty of Hokkaido.
Shabu Shabu – is the Japanese version of thin slices of beef or pork being swished around with chopsticks in bubbling broth. It’s a decadent dish, with platters of marbled meat brought to the table for diners to cook themselves. A super fun activity especially for a date night! And if you are feeling really adventurous, try the fugu skin, bean curd and raw scallops:)
Soba – are long, thin buckwheat noodles. The noodles are served in either a hot, soy sauce-flavoured broth, or at room temperature on a bamboo mat with broth on the side for dipping.
Okonomiyaki – is a Japanese comfort food thats a savory pancake filled with any number of things (but usually cabbage and pork) and topped with fish flakes, dried seaweed, mayonnaise and a Worcester-style sauce. It sounds busy and maybe a tad gross but it’s actually quite tasty. I fell in love with it!
There are 2 regions that specialize in this food, Osaka and Hiroshima. Both regions make variations and both are worth trying. I settled on the cabbage, yam and cheese one being my favorite, and of course both had to be topped off with Worcestershire sauce and Japanese mayonnaise:)
Yakitori – is charcoal grilled chicken and if you go to a restaurant, nearly every part of the chicken is on the menu, all of which is grilled to perfection, seasoned with either shio (salt) or tare (a sweet soy sauce-based glaze).
Dorayaki is a mildly sweet type of Japanese confection that is made of 2 small pancake like patties separated by a filling made from bean paste. It’s worth the hype!
Tokyo
Tokyo is Japan’s capital and the world’s most populous metropolis with a growing population of 41 million people. It is also one of Japan’s 47 prefectures (districts). Prior to 1868, Tokyo was known as Edo. A few decades later, Edo had grown into one of the world’s largest cities. When the emperor and capital moved from Kyoto to Edo, Edo was renamed Tokyo or “Eastern Capital”.
Some of Tokyo was destroyed by bombing during WWII, but today and after being completely rebuilt, Tokyo offers an unlimited choice of shopping, entertainment, culture and dining to its visitors. Tokyo also offers a number of attractive green spaces in the city center which provide a nice getaway.
Shibuya Scramble Crossing
The sprawling intersection just outside Shibuya Station is a complete embodiment of Tokyo itself: basically action in all directions. There are 3 huge television screens mounted on the buildings facing the intersection that flash all day, while the rest of the area is covered with lights, advertisements, and more lights. The most incredible view of this iconic landmark is from above, way above from the Shibuya Sky Top. This is a busy place so you’ll want to get tickets in advance especially around and after sunset when Tokyo is lit up and at its most striking.
The intersection is also a popular location for movies and media taking place in Tokyo. It has appeared in the films such as Lost in translation, Bullet Train and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. films. As a reflection of modern Japan, photographers and videographers are constantly circling the intersection, climbing on guard rails and perching on subway entrances in an effort to find the best vantage point for photography or videography purposes.
Meiji Shrine
Meiji Shrine is a shrine dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken. Meiji Shrine and Yoyogi Park which is adjacent, make up a large forested area within the densely built-up city. There are plenty of walking paths for a relaxing stroll away from the concrete and its jungle.
Cafe Capyba
Cat cafes are pretty popular in Japan however, in this space, capybaras are the star resident and humans are invited to come and play with them like they would at any other cat cafe around the country.
Capybara are the world’s largest living rodents, and while they’re native to South America, in Japan they are revered. In fact, they are so beloved that there’s even an anime character dedicated to them. While they’re usually kept in zoos, here they roam free and longe around. “Tawashi” is the friendliest capybara and he likes to spend time snacking and napping on the couch, seemingly happy to be surrounded humans. What a wonderful place to hang out and spend some time with the animals.
Harajuku District
Harajuku refers to the area around Tokyo’s Harajuku Station. It is the center of Japan’s most extreme teenage cultures and fashion styles, but also offers shopping for adults and some historical sites of interest. The focal point of Harajuku’s teenage culture is Takeshita Dori is (Takeshita Street) and its side streets, which are lined by many trendy shops, fashion boutiques, used clothes stores, crepe stands and fast food outlets geared towards the fashion and trend-conscious teens.
The Owl Village
Located in Harajuku, this cafe and bar is a wonderful place where you can relax and play with owls peacefully. Yep, owls!!!! All kinds of them:)
All of the owls are habituated and very comfortable around people. This space is relaxing and is a great way to get some self care in by way of hanging out with some owls! I had no idea barn owls love their little faces and ears scratched. Feeding the owls was pretty cool too. I was literally feeding them raw meat with bones. Owls can pretty much digest the whole of animals. One thing that surprised me was how much they love to play with cat toys.
Harajuku Kawaii Zooland Cafe
Want to play with a super cute fennec fox, ferrets and meerkats? Well you can at this cafe! I once had a fennec fox jump into my lap in Kuwait while out in the desert, he stole my popsicle so I wanted to have another interaction with these cute animals 🙂
I had never had any interaction with meerkats let alone seen one before this. It was an hour well spent! I did not know meerkats are completely immune to venom. They are part of the mongoose family which explains the venom bit since mongooses are tough and like to take on snakes (and almost always win!). The hedgehog and ferrets were a lot of fun too!
Senso-ji Temple
This temple is also known as Asakusa Kannon Temple and its a glorious Buddhist temple and is considered to be one of Tokyo’s most colorful and popular temples. Co-located are the 2 Buddha statues which are quite pretty.
The legend has it that 2 brothers fished a statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, out of the Sumida River, and even though they put the statue back into the river, it always returned to them. As a result, Sensoji was built specifically for the goddess of Kannon. It was completed in 645, making it the oldest temple in Tokyo!
Sumo Wrestling
Sumo is a Japanese style of wrestling and Japan’s national sport. It originated in ancient times as a performance to entertain the Shinto deities. Many rituals with religious background, such as the symbolic purification of the ring with salt, are still followed today. In line with tradition, only men practice the sport professionally in Japan.
The rules are simple: the wrestler who first exits the ring or touches the ground with any part of his body besides the soles of his feet loses. Matches take place on an elevated ring (dohyo), which is made of clay and covered in a layer of sand.
A contest usually lasts only a few seconds, but in rare cases can take a minute or more. There are no weight restrictions or classes in sumo, so wrestlers can easily find themselves matched off against someone many times their size. As a result, weight gain is an essential part of sumo training. My cat, Seamus would make a great sumo wrestling cat lol
Hello Kitty Japan
Hello Kitty is a Sanrio character that was created 50 years ago on November 1st in 1974. Her real name is Kitty White and she was supposedly born in the suburbs of London. Her height is described as five apples and her weight as three apples. Hello Kitty is portrayed as a cute, shy, bright, sweet, kind-hearted and a tomboyishly beautiful girl, who’s very close to her sister Mimmy. Her trademark signature is a red bow on her left ear. There are countless stores in Tokyo that are dedicated to just her:) You can find anything from bandaids to hair brushes to toilet bowl covers lol
Hello Kitty made her first appearance on a coin purse sold in Japan back in 1975. Since then, the lovable cartoon cat has become a cultural icon globally, and not just among the preteen girls she was originally marketed towards. Adults and even celebrities like Paris Hilton and Mariah Carey are enamored by her.
The DAWN Avatar Robot Cafe
It turns out not all robots are out there stealing our jobs. Some are actually making employment more inclusive. This is the case in Japan!
The cafe employs human pilots or robot operators who live with disabilities to control the robots in the cafe, creating inclusive hospitality jobs for workers who can’t leave their houses and are, in many cases, bedridden. Workers living with severe disabilities, whom DAWN’s creators refer to as ‘bedridden veterans’, can use a mouse, iPad, or gaze-controlled remote to control the robots from a wheelchair or a bed. Isn’t this is the bomb? Our pilot was a cancer survivor named Satoko from Okinawa and she was really lovely. We had a a great chat with her.
Mikasa Historic Memorial Warship
Listed as one of the world’s 3 great memorial ships, the Mikasa was used to defeat the Russian Baltic fleet during the Japanese-Russo War. While on board, and if you go below deck, there are excellent presentations and an awesome museum about the ship’s history.
Essentially, the Mikasa is a battle ship that was built in England in 1902. Japan won an overwhelming victory in the battle against Baltic Fleet of Russia and not surprisingly, the Japanese are super proud of this accomplishment. The interior has been restored and is kept in excellent condition.
Kiddyland Tokyo
Tokyo has a tax free toy store that specializes in character goods ranging from Hello Kitty to Star Wars to Peanuts. It’s an absolute consumer heaven for both adults and children alike.
Kiddy land doesn’t just sell all Japanese brand merchandise, there’s a great deal of merchandise from American brands like Star Wars, Disney, and Marvel. You can find anything from socks to steering wheel covers to umbrellas. My only problem was sticking to a budget and not getting distracted by all the shiny cool things!
Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji or Fujisan as the locals call it, is Japan’s highest mountain and it stands at almost 12000ft. It is a stratovolcano that has been worshiped as a sacred mountain and experienced a big surge in popularity among artists, climbers, and tourists over the years. In 2013, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Mount Fuji is an active volcano, which most recently erupted in 1707 and can be seen from Tokyo and Yokohama on clear days. Clouds and poor visibility often block the view of Mount Fuji, visibility tends to be better during the colder seasons of the year than in summer, and in the early morning and late evening hours than during the middle of the day. We took the train to Lake Kawaguchi and got spectacular views of it!
Shinkansen: AKA the Japanese Bullet Train
Japan’s main islands of Honshu, Kyushu, Hokkaido are served by a network of high speed train lines that connect Tokyo with most of the country’s bigger cities. Japan’s high speed trains are called “Shinkansen” which are known ubiquitously as bullet trains. They are all operated by Japan Railways (JR).
Bullet trains operates at speeds of up to 320 km/h, and it’s known for its punctuality…….like down to the second. Besides being the most cost- effective means of travel in the country, Shinkansen is also known for its comfort, relatively silent cars with spacious, always forward-facing seats, safety and efficiency. In fact, bullet trains have had a clear record with zero accidents since their introduction in 1964. We opted to purchase the First Class tickets because we had heard from other travelers that this onboard service was second to none and honestly the difference in cost from economy and first class was relatively small. We were not disappointed and chose to travel First class throughout our entire journey.
Kyoto
Kyoto served as Japan’s capital and the emperor’s residence from 794 until 1968. It is one of the country’s 10 largest cities with a population of 1.5 million inhabitants.
Over the centuries, Kyoto was destroyed by many wars and fires, but due to its exceptional historic value, the city was dropped from the list of target cities for the atomic bomb and escaped destruction during WWII. Numerous temples, shrine and other historically priceless structures survive in the city today.
Super interesting fact about this city: When the US targeting cell was deciding on atomic bomb targets in Japan, Kyoto was one of the initial targets. However, the Secretary of War was adamant about not hitting this city because he spent his honeymoon here and believed there was too much cultural significance and beauty. The US hit Hiroshima and Nagasaki instead.
Kyoto still has geishas and maikos (geishas in training). A geisha is a Japanese female performance artist, traditionally hired to entertain guests at teahouses and social events. A geisha will sing, dance, perform music, host tea ceremonies, and serve food and drinks. While the untrained eye may find it difficult to differentiate between the two, there is one sure fire way to tell them apart: the lipstick. Maikos only apply lipstick to their bottom lip, while a geisha’s lips will be fully painted 🙂
The Kyoto Imperial Palace
The Kyoto Imperial Palace is located within the Imperial Park grounds, in the city center. It used to be the residence of Japan’s Imperial Family until 1868, when the emperor and capital were moved from Kyoto to Tokyo.
The palace grounds can be accessed for free and explored without joining a tour and without any prior arrangements. However, the palace buildings cannot be entered but every square inch of the gardens are pretty much accessible to anyone 🙂
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Fushimi Inari Shrine is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates. The compound is enveloped in a network of trails which lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari, which stands at 233 meters high.
Fushimi Inari is the most important of several thousands of shrines dedicated to Inari, the Shinto God of rice. Foxes are sacred as they are thought to be Inari’s messengers. This complex houses many fox statues across the shrine grounds.
Loutre Otter Cafe
If you’re up for visiting a truly unique animal café in Japan, look no further than Loutre! This café is home to a group of lively otters that love to play with you! We learned that we are both allergic to otter dander. Both of us were scratching and felt a burning sensation for hours after this interaction. However, we both felt like it was 100% worth the reaction.
The café is made up of a spacious main seating room, with a large tank that houses the otters. There’s also a small playroom full of toys and bedding. These guys are seriously cute and full of energy! We watched an otter named Wasabi brush her own teeth with a people toothbrush which made us both laugh.
The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
The iconic Bamboo Forest is a tranquil nature spot that is now a series of pathways. Only 30 minutes or so from Kyoto city center, the towering bamboo forest is an almost shocking contrast to the urbanity surrounding it.
Wooden paths weave through the dense grove of tall bamboo stalks that reach dozens of feet into the sky, creating a canopy. As the wind passes through the thickets of brush, the wood creaks, the leaves rustle, and the trunks knock together. Thus creating a peaceful sound like almost nothing else.
Iwatayama Monkey Park
This park is home to about 120 snow monkeys, which are also called Japanese Macaques. They are native to Japan, and they love to bathe in the mountain springs.
While these iconic monkeys are human-fed, they are still wild, and you shouldn’t stare, touch or harass them. I looked at one for too long and he lost the plot and showed me his bottom set of canines while covering his top set with his upper lip….a tell tale sign he was angry. For the most part, they go about their business and are eager to gobble up apple chunks, bananas and peanuts. They can be pretty obnoxious and will grab the food right out of your hand so it’s best not to pull out any type of food or drink.
Kinkaku-Ji Temple
Kinkakuji is a zen temple whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. My jaw dropped when I saw this!
Kinkakuji is an impressive structure built overlooking a large pond, and is the only building left of Yoshimitsu’s former retirement complex. It has burned down numerous times throughout its history including twice during the Onin War, a civil war that destroyed much of Kyoto. It was burnt down again more recently in 1950 when it was set on fire by a fanatic monk. The present structure was rebuilt in 1955.
Kiyomizu-Dera Temple
Kiyomizudera, is translated to “Pure Water Temple” is one of the most celebrated temples of Japan. It was founded in 780 on the site of the Otowa Waterfall, and derives its name from the fall’s pure waters. In 1994, the temple was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Kiyomizudera is best known for its wooden stage that emerges from its main hall, 13 meters above the hillside. The stage affords nice views of the plethora of maple and cherry trees. The main hall, which together with the stage was built without the use of nails, houses the temple’s primary object of worship, a small statue of the eleven faced, thousand armed Kannon. It truly is magnificent!
To-ji Temple
Kyoto is a city steeped in history. It is home to 17 of the 22 UNESCO World Heritage Sites declared in Japan. Kyoto is an incredibly interesting destination in that sense. Moving throughout certain areas of this city is like stepping back in time.
Toji Temple is one of those sites. It is home to the tallest wooden pagoda in all of Japan. Its name means “East Temple” in Japanese, and it was founded in 796. At one time there was also a “West Temple,” called Saiji, but today only its sister, Toji, remains.
Ninja Dojo
We decided to experience truly authentic ninja training with ninja clothes, ninja stars, ninja sword, other various ninja weapons and many ninja techniques at tatami dojo in downtown Kyoto. A Japanese Ninja master was assigned to train us for the day and taught us some pretty cool techniques.
After a brief introduction to the history of ninjas, you get into the stances, weaponry, how to walk, balance, and how to attack. Some skills came pretty easily to me while others were a bit more cumbersome for me. I managed to use the poison blow darts with surprising accuracy while handling the samurai sword was tougher. I was ok with the smaller ninja sword as it was easier to handle and swing. The ninja throwing stars were not my friend lol
Osaka
Osaka is Japan’s second largest metropolitan area after Tokyo. It has been the economic powerhouse of the region for many centuries. In the 16th century, Toyotomi Hideyoshi chose Osaka as the location for his castle. Osaka is impressive and there is many things to do in this glorious city.
Shitenno-Ji Temple
Shitennoji is one of Japan’s oldest temples and the first ever to be built by the state. It was founded in 593 by Prince Shotoku, who supported the introduction of Buddhism into Japan. Although the temple’s buildings burned down several times throughout the centuries, they were always carefully reconstructed to reflect the original 6th century design.
The outer temple grounds are free to enter, but admission to the inner precinct, the Gokuraku-jodo Garden and the treasure house cost a few hundred yen. A short walk away, the garden was designed based on descriptions of the Western Paradise of the Amida Buddha. Also on the temple grounds stands a treasure house that displays paintings, scriptures and other valuable belongings of the temple in periodic, themed exhibitions.
Osaka Castle
The construction of Osaka Castle started in 1583. In fact, it has been built and rebuilt several times over. The entire Osaka Castle Park covers about 2 square kilometers with lots of green space, sport facilities, a multi-purpose arena (Osakajo Hall) and a shrine.
The castle tower is surrounded by secondary citadels, gates, turrets, impressive stone walls and moats. The Nishinomaru Garden encompasses the former “western citadel”, and is the main lawn garden with over 600 cherry trees.
Street Carting (not like Mario Cart)
Osaka is a neon nightmare, literally lol, and I mean this in the best possible way. It’s like someone threw up obscenely bright colored blinking lucky charms everywhere! Suffice to say, it has an infinite number of illuminated signs, giant mechanical crabs (which are pretty cool cause even the eyes move), and busy streets that’ll make go-karting feel like something from a video game.
During our Osaka go-kart experience, we were able to pass through areas like the old-fashioned Shineskai and Dontobori entertainment district. While it does feel like you’re in a video game, you quickly realize you are actually driving on real city streets, sometimes up to 60km per hour. Hence why you need a real-life driving license, preferably an International Drivers License.
Tea Ceremony
Tea Ceremony in Osaka is a highly ritualized activity that involves the preparation and serving of matcha or powdered green tea. You are served in a traditional tea room by a subject matter expert, or tea specialist. The ceremony is conducted in a quaint, tranquil setting and is considered an art form that comes with its own aesthetics, philosophy, and symbolism.
The matcha we were offered was from the “Yamamasa Koyamaen” collection. It’s a fifth generation tea that began in 1861. You are also served seasonal treats made according to the month. Most treats are made from bean paste and they are aesthetically pleasing but not super sweet. You start with the treat and then you drink the tea. Your tea is only complete until you slurp the bubbles up. This lets the host know you have finished:)
After the ceremony is performed, it becomes your turn to complete each step of the ritual. What’s cool is how peaceful the entire experience feels from start to finish. It’s complete serenity. I highly recommend trying a traditional Japanese tea ceremony to really appreciate it like the art form that it is.
Universal Studios
Universal Studios Japan (USJ) was the very first theme park under the Universal Studios brand to be built in Asia. It opened in 2001 and has been expanded over the years. This park is the most visited amusement park in all of the country.
Universal Studios Japan currently has many sections 10 sections: Hollywood, New York, San Francisco, Jurassic Park, Amity Village, Minion Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World to name a few. There are lots of amusement rides, ranging from child-friendly carousels to thrilling roller coasters and simulators based on popular movies such as Jurassic Park and Jaws to be enjoyed.
In addition to rides, the theme park offers many opportunities to take pictures with popular characters’ mascots such as Snoopy, Hello Kitty and the Muppets.
Nara Deer Park
Nara’s has over 1000 deer who have become a symbol of the city. Its deer are surprisingly tame. Nara Park covers a broad area, and in fact a portion of it is made of by the grounds of Kasuga Taisha Shrine. The deity enshrined here is Takemi Kajichi no Mikoto, said to have ridden to Nara upon a sacred deer from Kashima Shrine. Because of this legend, deer were thought of as sacred animals and the helpers to the gods. Thus, they have been protected religiously for many years.
Nara is known for its “deer crackers,” or “shika senbei”. For the deer in Nara Park, grass is obviously the most important component of their diet. But “deer crackers” are like cat nip to them. Made from wheat flour and rice bran, these treats are made without any sugar for the health of the deer. Deer crackers are a registered trademark of the Foundation for the Protection of Deer in Nara, and a portion of their profits goes to efforts to protect them:)
Hiroshima
While it is probably most famous for being devastated by a nuclear attack at the close of World War II, the city is not morose or bitter about its past, and instead promotes peace and understanding.
Every year on August 6th, a memorial service is held to commemorate the victims of the atomic bomb in 1945. Thousands of people write messages of peace on paper lanterns that are lit at sunset and placed in the water to float down the river past the iconic remains of the Atomic Bomb Dome.
Hiroshima Memorial
On August 6, 1945, the first ever atomic bomb was detonated over Hiroshima, resulting in the deaths of upwards of 146,000 people. In the interest of memorializing the severe human toll of the bomb and advocating for future peace, the city designated an area of land to serve as a memorial site.
The Former Hiroshima Prefectural Promotion was constructed in 1915 and it stood almost directly below the blast from the atomic bomb dropped by the US military on August 6, 1945. Though much of the building’s exterior was stripped away, the skeletal frame of the building managed to survive. Today, it is known as the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome or the A-Dome.
Seeing the structure exactly as it was after the bombing is pretty moving. Every August 6th, joining the masses of people who gather around the park for the Peace Memorial Ceremony. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park contains the Cenotaph for Atomic Bomb Victims, and other memorials, monuments, and buildings.
Hiroshima Castle
Hiroshima Castle is also called the Carp Castle. It is five stories tall, and its grounds are surrounded by a moat. Also within the castle’s grounds are a shrine, several ruins and a few reconstructed buildings of the Ninomaru or the second circle of defense.
While it was spared the demolishment that many other castles met during the Meiji period in Japanese history, Hiroshima Castle was completely destroyed by the atomic bomb that hit in 1945. It was consequently rebuilt in 1958.
Itsukushima Jinja Shrine
The centuries-old Itsukushima Shrine is the source of both the island’s fame and its name. Formally named Itsukushima, the island is more popularly known as “Miyajima”, or “shrine island”.
This particular shrine and its torii gate is built on water, which makes it look like it’s floating in the sea during high tide. The shrine is made up of multiple buildings, including a prayer hall, main hall and noh theater, which are connected by way of boardwalks. It really is super cool to walk out to.
Cat Cafe “Moff Schimint”
Cat cafes or “neko” (the Japanese word for cat) cafes are a type of coffee shop where patrons can pet and play with cats that roam freely around the cafes. They can be found in almost all of Japan’s biggest hubs and almost never at street level. Sometimes they can be difficult to locate but worth it if you are a cat lover.
These cafes are popular in Japan because the Japanese have an infinity for cats but pet ownership in the city can be difficult due to small living quarters, strict rental agreements and busy lifestyles. As such, the neko cafes are very popular with locals as well as travelers who love the company of cats.
Nagasaki
Nagasaki was Japan’s early gateway to trade with the West, and this influence still shines through in its districts from its stately European-style homes and a large Christian population that still exists today. Historically the city had strong links to China and Korea. Unspoiled beaches and island getaways surrounded by crystal-clear seas continue to draw swimmers, divers, and sea kayakers from all over, as well as eco-tourists with its flora and fauna.
Nagasaki Atomic Museum
At 11.02 a.m. on August 9, 1945, the sky above Nagasaki was filled by a white flash, and all the clocks stopped. “Fat Man”, the atomic bomb dropped by the U.S hit this city hard. A gigantic mushroom-shaped cloud soared up towards the blue sky as Nagasaki was burning and charred to the ground.
Upon entering the museum, you are confronted with a mangled water tower that was once at Keiho Junior High School, just 800 meters from the bomb’s hypocenter. The structure is just one of many showing the devastation the bomb had on the area. Many of the materials on display are provocative, and the firsthand accounts from the bomb’s survivors make for particularly graphic reading. It is this museum aim to bring attention to the unnecessary use of nuclear weapons and to hopefully see a world where there’s a complete abolition of nuclear weaponry.
Inasayama Park
Mount Inasa is a 333 meter high mountain close to the city center. The summit can be reached by ropeway, bus or slope car and offers great views over the city. In fact, the night views from Mount Inasa are ranked among Japan’s three best night views.
Hashima Gunkanjima Island
Opening to tourists in 2009, Gunkanjima spawned an interest in abandoned ruins tourism and was later named a UNESCO world heritage site in 2015. When staring at the decaying and dilapidated buildings up close, it’s hard to picture this island in its prime when it was home to a thriving and vibrant community.
Hashima or Gunkanjima (Battleship Island) as it is more commonly known is located 13km away from Nagasaki and its for the most famous of Nagasaki’s 505 uninhabited islands. Given the nickname for its battleship-like silhouette, the eerie island and its former coal mine and has become one of Japan’s most unlikely tourist attractions.
James Bond’s “Skyfall” has a scene on this very island, putting a spotlight on to this unique place. Although the scene wasn’t actually filmed on the island itself due to the deteriorating buildings, the approach to it was. It’s a tough place to get to as there are roughly only 100 days of the year the seas permit the 1 hour boat ride. Additionally, in order to land, the waves have to be less than 50cm. We had booked a landing but on the day of, the waves were registered at 81 cm so we had to settle for a sailing tour around it.
Developed by Mitsubishi and a hub of national coal mining, Gunkanjima’s population reached an astonishing 5,300 people when it was functional. The island was abandoned in around 1974 when energy needs changed, and the coal mines were closed. For years the island was left to the elements, a grim symbol of Japan’s rapid industrialization.
Nagasaki Penguin Aquarium
The Nagasaki Penguin Aquarium specializes in these adorable creatures. Although the aquarium is relatively small, the multiple exhibits that showcases them really gives them every opportunity to show off their individual personalities! Located just inside the main entrance is a large tank where the penguins are free to roam and swim and rest as they please. A highlight was seeing 2 penguins mating about 3 feet away from both Jonathan and I. We seem to be pretty lucky that way, we usually get to see some kind of animal copulating during our travels. LOL
The Nagasaki Penguin Aquarium was built facing Tachibana Bay and it hosts the largest variety of penguins in Japan. 9 out of the 18 species that inhabit the world, a total of 180 penguins call this place home. There are many other attractions to see such as mudskippers, horseshoe crabs and moray eels, starfish amongst others while enjoying a visit here.
Worth the visit or not: WORTH
Japan is one of the most amazing tourist destinations I have ever been to as it offers many unique experiences that you cannot find in any other part of the world. The culture of this country is an interesting blend of Eastern traditions and Western modernity that is found anywhere and everywhere.
There are an estimated 80,000 temples and shrines in Japan of all shapes and sizes and some are over 1,000 years old! The Buddhist temples and zen gardens are incredibly peaceful and when you enter them you really can experience how magical these places actually are.
Japan also has with an extremely low crime rate making it one of the safest countries in the world. This is something the Japanese are, understandably, quite proud of. Japanese people often leave their doors unlocked, children are perfectly safe traveling on the subway by themselves, and visitors are able to walk around the cities at night without having to worry. Japan’s low crime rate is partly due to the cultural belief in Japan where they always prioritize the common good above their own needs. How collectivistic!!!!! Japan is so safe, you can even fall asleep on the train in Tokyo, the world’s biggest city, and wake up with your wallet and phone still in your possession 🙂
Japan is one of the oldest civilizations and has a beautiful and diverse history. The stunning scenery with mountains and jaw dropping views offers so many different experiences that attract tourists from all corners of the world. The cherry blossoms coming alive is also a highlight for many intrepid travelers:)
People in Japan have the attitude that bothering the people in their environment is done as little as possible. You will notice it as soon as you enter the train because it is amazing how silent it is on trains, restaurants and even on the street. Everyone is as respectful as possible but at the same time also incredibly helpful. There is no shortage of people who are willing to help when you are looking for directions or need a quick translation. The Japanese are also obsequiously polite and have manners that put my please and thank-you usage to shame. Watching the evolution of Jonathan from the start of the trip to the end where he was bowing as a mark of respect to everybody he came across made me smile.
The food is incredible and wide ranging. It is truly a foodie’s paradise. Japan is also home to square watermelons and the juicy and delicious white strawberries that you can only get in Japan. Although these are niche items and quite pricey (almost 2$ per strawberry), they are worth a try. So are the matcha treats.
Parking carousels that rotate your car around, washing toilets that blow-dry, warm and deodorize your butt…..and play music, robots serving food, street carting in costumes, cartoon versions and mascots of everything, vending machines that sell dirty panties….Japan has all kinds of unique things. You will never get bored discovering new and quirky things while exploring Nippon, I promise! Just give yourself between 2 and 3 weeks to get the Full Monty out of this country:)
Happy Travels 🙂