15 Unmissable Places To Visit In Japan part 2 – Part one is here.

Overview of the Pros & Cons of Holiday in Japan

Japan is a beautiful country that has retained its history and tradition hundreds of years ago. The culture and tradition in Japan travel worldwide by travelers who go for a vacation to Japan every year.

Although there are many pros of holidaying in Japan, due to some unforeseen circumstances, not everything is as rosy as they seem to be. This article will highlight the pros and cons of holidays in Japan.

Travel to Japan Is Fast and Easy

The Tokyo airport is one of the busiest airports in the world because many people travel there for vacation or to visit relatives and friends. Due to its busyness, it has amazing amenities to make traveling enjoyable.

For example, the airport offers free electrical chargers that you can use to charge your cellphone or laptop. Moreover, they have huge rest areas where you can sleep for free until your flight is scheduled to depart. If traveling isn’t really your thing and privacy is important to you, then you can stay in one of their many hotels within the airport complex.

The cost of traveling to Japan is relatively cheap. One can buy a flight ticket for as low as $ 400, which is great, especially if you are not earning much money at your job. On the other hand, the country will be more expensive for first-timers who have never visited before due to their lack of knowledge about how things work in Japan.

Get To Experience Some Culture

Japan has retained its beautiful culture and heritage passed down to them by their ancestors. They have beautiful shrines visited all-round the year by many people who walk around in religious clothes.

For example, they have ancient structures like the Fushimi Inari Shrine, where one can go and pray to the gods so that they can be blessed. People who want to experience this beautiful culture should visit Japan during the spring season because it is their most beautiful time of the year.

Relax in the Beautiful Nature of Japan

One of the beauties about Japan is its beautiful nature which is full of mountains and rivers. A little walk around the town will give you a breathtaking view which you can enjoy as you take selfies with your friends without having to worry about embarrassing moments. The countryside will also give you some peace and quietness that most large cities cannot offer.

The Food in Japan is Delicious

The food is great in Japan, and they add a little bit of their twist to everything. One can purchase Japanese meals from famous restaurants that sell miso soup, ramen noodles, fried rice, and sushi, among others which you will be able to enjoy at cheap prices. Also, there are many local eateries where one can go and buy some omelets and steaks at a very cheap price.

Short Distance from the Rest of the World

Japan is located near the Asian continent, making it easy for travelers from all over the world to fly there without any issues. In addition, they have many direct flights to different parts of Asia, which makes it easy to travel to other countries from there. Moreover, it is geographically located to visit China, Indonesia, and Vietnam within a short period.

The Country Has a Perfect Climate

Japan has a perfect climate and temperature all year round, making the country more convenient for travelers who want to enjoy their holiday. At some point during the year, it may get a little bit cold, especially during winter because of their heavy snowfall, but once the seasons change, the weather will become pleasant, and you can enjoy your holiday without having to worry about any discomfort.

The Cons of Holiday in Japan

Unsettling Climate

Japan, like most Asian countries, has an unsettled climate that is hot during the summer season and cold during the winter months. This will make it hard for people to adapt, especially if you come from a country with moderate weather conditions.

During the winter season, temperatures can get as low as 10 degrees which is not a pleasant experience, especially when it rains. One also has to put on warm clothes during the cold season because the wet conditions make everything uncomfortable.

Lonely Life

Japan is famous for its thriving communities that always ensure that everyone lives in peace and harmony. If you are looking for some adventure, this country might not be the ideal destination for you because most people are not open to new experiences. Moreover, there is no much tourism in this country which means that there are barely any cafes or tours agencies that can take you around town.

Inconvenient Transportation

The transportation system in Japan is sound, but it gets very inconvenient when in large cities like Tokyo. They have an extremely large population which means that most of their cities are crowded with cars and other vehicles. One might also find it difficult to go around these cities because many locals will not offer you some form of assistance, especially if you are a foreigner.

Traveling does not need to be expensive, but planning your trip is the key to a cheap and affordable trip. Make sure you plan for the famous destinations that you definitely need to visit, but also decide how long you want to stay in each of these places on your travel itinerary before booking your flight or hotel rooms.

Conclusion

Japan is a country known for its high population and incredible technology. Despite all the controversy surrounding it, such as whaling and nuclear energy, Japan remains a top-rated tourist destination. So, what are you waiting for? Hurry now, and get your visa!

15 Unmissable Places To Visit In Japan part 1 – that will be the topic of today’s article.

Before introducing this article, if you are interested in our core services which are expat financial, insurance and mortgages, you can contact me here. 

The best time to consider your financial situation is when you are moving to a new country.

Introduction

Japan is a fascinating, unique country that’s filled with ancient temples and shrines, gorgeous mountains, stunning sea views, and some of the most peculiar buildings you’ll ever see. Not only can you enjoy some of the best food in Japan on your trip, but you’ll also be able to take in a number of sights too.

Japan has hundreds of places to visit and things to do, but if you’re looking for something a bit different from the usual holiday experience, we’ve created a list of our favorite places to see. Japan is an island nation located off the coast of Asia in northeast Asia. It consists of four main islands: Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu, and a number of smaller islands.

In addition, this country is considered the most beautiful country in the world and a visit will instantly show you why that is. There are hundreds of places to visit and things to do in Japan, but if you’re looking for something a bit different from your usual holiday experience, here we are.

Today, we’ve compiled this article to provide you with a list of the 15 unmissable places to visit in Japan. Not only is that, but we will walk you through the benefits of visiting or living in this country as an expat and many other things, to mention a few. Would you love to check what we’ve unleashed for you? Read further to know more!

Overview of Japanese Cultures & Traditions

The Land of the Rising Sun, Japan, is a beautiful country with strikingly different cultures and traditions. Perhaps one of the most surprising parts about its culture is that it has managed to stay much the same for centuries even as other countries (and their cultures) began to change.

Many people are intrigued by how much Japan has managed to preserve over time, but few understand why. Below are six reasons why Japan has stayed the same and five ways it has changed.

1.    The Longest Lasting Dynasty in History

One of the main reasons for Japan’s cultural longevity is its having one unbroken imperial family since the 6th century. The emperor is still an important part of Japanese tradition, and they are considered to be divine beings (kami). Due to this fact, they have never been overthrown or even marked, for that matter.

2.    Feudalism

Feudal Japan lasted for several centuries and was characterized by a “Shogun ruled the country.” The Tokugawa Shogunate (which ended in 1868) ran much of Japanese politics, philosophy, economy, art, and society during its reign. Such political stability meant that Japan remained much the same in culture, philosophy, and language.

3.    Isolationism

For most of modern history, Japan has been very protective of its borders, meaning that it only recently opened up to foreign a visitor (which is why so many Japanese traditions are still around).

One reason for this was that until the 1860s, Japan was not truly united and had a unique language. This meant that foreigners were often denied entry to the country simply because they could not understand what its denizens were saying.

4.    Shintoism and Buddhism

The arrival of Buddhist monks from China in the 6th century AD led to a huge cultural change in Japan. However, Buddhism eventually merged with Japanese folk religion and adopted Shintoist traditions, which remained untouched by the Chinese (such as ancestor worship).

These two faiths became so intertwined that they survived and strongly influenced all aspects of Japanese culture for centuries.

5.    World War II

Many nations suffered greatly during World War II. Still, Japan was almost completely destroyed. As a result, it had to rebuild quickly and began by embracing its own culture to establish cohesive groups of people that would eventually become the backbone of the economy.

6.    The Future

Most experts believe that Japan will continue doing what it has always done for centuries – preserve its culture no matter what the cost may be. There are even a few who think that Japan will remain unchanged for thousands of years to come, only converting once every aspect of its old way of life has been properly examined and recorded.

5 ways in which Japanese culture is changing

1.    More Overseas Travel

In the past, it was very rare for any Japanese person to leave their home country. However, as more people have become financially well-off, they have begun to travel almost as much as Westerners do. In recent decades, Japan has become a trendy destination for those traveling from other East Asian countries.

2.    More Immigration to Rural Areas

Traditionally, the Japanese population was centered on large cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. However, over the past few decades, Japan has become increasingly depopulated as people drift towards crowded cities. This means that many rural areas are now home to large immigrant populations who find work in the region’s rice fields or on its small fishing vessels.

3.    More Money (And Time) Spent On Religious Festivals

Religious festivals are a notable aspect of Japanese culture, and they place a large emphasis on the Shinto tradition. In recent years, these events have begun to take up larger chunks of people’s income and time as they spend huge amounts buying new outfits or hiring performers for their local festivals.

4.    More Foreign Food

As Japan becomes more globalized, it is natural that the average person’s diet absorbs these outside influences. This means that many people eat more Chinese/Korean/Italian foods than they did decades ago. Many of these dishes are traditional “Japanese” recipes that have been modified with foreign flavors and ingredients.

5.    More Political Change

As Japan becomes more developed, its people also become more vocal about the problems they face and the solutions they have. This has led to a gradual change in government policy which no longer takes a strictly isolationist stance towards foreign trade or immigration.

15 Unmissable Places to Visit in Japan

Japan is often visited for its high-tech cities, sumo wrestlers, and onna geisha. But there is more to Japan than that – there are many places in Japan that you will not want to miss when visiting the Land of the Rising Sun. Below are fifteen places that you should consider visiting.

1)    Mount Fuji

The iconic mountain is a sight to behold and will be one of the first things you see when arriving in Japan. It stands tall at 3,776 meters tall, making it a fitting backdrop for all your photos during your time here. While it may not be possible to climb to the summit, there are plenty of viewing points that are just as breathtaking.

2)    Tsukiji Market

The Tsukiji market is one of Tokyo’s most popular tourist destinations. Only recently has it opened its doors to tourists because previously, only customers were allowed inside this wholesale fish market that sells all kinds of seafood.

There you can see gigantic tuna being sold for a hefty sum. You can also buy your own seafood here, eat at one of the many restaurants or just explore the area and watch as people go about their business.

3)    Mount Takao

This mountain is known for its beautiful autumn foliage, which you can enjoy during all seasons really, but if you want to see people make the most of this beautiful mountain, visit during autumn. The area is easily accessible by train, making it an ideal trip from Tokyo.

4)    Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

This park was opened in 1955 to commemorate those who lost their lives in the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima 67 years ago today. This grey stone memorial has the names of all the people, including some survivors etched on it. The park is open 24/7, which makes it easily accessible for everyone. 

5)    Hakone Open-Air Museum

This museum was opened in 1999 and feature works by famous sculptors like Picasso, Moore, and Tapies. What makes this place so special are the huge sculptures displayed in the garden surrounding the museum. The beautiful natural surroundings of Lake Ashino and Mount Fuji make this a must-see while visiting Japan.

6)    Kiyomizudera

The most famous temple in Kyoto has earned its spot on this list because of the spectacular views you get from here. It is also one of Japan’s oldest temples, founded in 780 AD.

The architecture inside and outside the temple is beautiful, and many stalls sell traditional Japanese goods like omamori (charms). While you are there, make sure to drink some of the water that flows through the temple, as locals believe it has healing properties.

7)    Aogashima Island

This is a unique place to visit rather than one that everyone can include on their list because access is limited. It took 39 years before the island was first discovered in 1649 because it is completely submerged underwater during high tide.

You can only enter the island at low tide, which means you may have to wait quite a long time for your opportunity to see this place up close. The island has no cars, shops, or restaurants, but there are some lodging options if you want to make a day trip here from Hachijojima Island.

8)    Ogasawara Islands

The Ogasawara Islands are located about 1,000 km south of Tokyo in the Pacific Ocean, making it quite far from any other country. There are 30 islands here which you can easily visit via a day trip from Tokyo during the summer months when weather conditions are good. You can snorkel or scuba dive here, go fishing or just relax on the beach.

9)    Odawara Castle

This is another castle founded in 1494, but this one only has the main keep left standing, which you can still see today. Its location right above Odawara makes it a great place to get a view over the city as well as explore the surrounding areas. This place is extremely popular during cherry blossom season, usually in early April.

10) Mt Fuji

While not easy to climb because of its steep slopes, this mountain is definitely a must-see from up close. You can choose from different trails to get a good view of the highest mountain in Japan. The sunrise that you can see from this mountain is a great photo opportunity and something you definitely shouldn’t miss out on.

11) Ghibli Museum

This museum was set up by acclaimed anime director Hayao Miyazaki who wanted to create a place where people could come together to enjoy his works as well as learn about them. Although you have to pay extra to see the inside, it’s definitely worth paying for since Miyazaki created everything.

12) Mt Aso

This large active volcano has an area of about 50 km², which makes it easy to hike around in one day. There are many hot springs located here where you can relax and enjoy the view of Aso. The surrounding areas also feature many historic sites like shrines, rock formations, and burial grounds.

13) Shiretoko National Park

This national park may be a bit far from Tokyo, but it is definitely worth traveling to for those who want an escape from the city. This national park is home to the largest brown bear population in Japan and many other animals like deer, monkeys, and eagles. The surrounding areas also feature hot springs, which you can visit to relax after hiking all day.

14) Nagasaki Peace Park

This park is dedicated to the memory of those who lost their lives in the atomic bombing at Nagasaki during World War II. It’s located in the middle of the city, so it’s an easy place to visit during a day trip. There are many monuments, museums, and memorials here, along with a nice view of Nagasaki harbor from afar.

15) Okinawa Island

This is well known for being Japan’s only subtropical island where coral reefs can be found right off the coast. You can take a ferry here directly from Naha in Okinawa or fly into Itami Airport and then catch a bus down to this beautiful place. There are many things to do, such as snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, and visiting one of the world’s longest coral reefs located just south of this country.