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Raina Ong Staff Writer,japan-guide.com On March 16, 2024, the new service started along the recently extended Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet train line beyond Kanazawa and into Fukui Prefecture. Before the extension, the Hokuriku Shinkansen went as far as Kanazawa, and the city has enjoyed an increase in tourist numbers since the opening of the bullet train […]
Raina Ong Staff Writer,japan-guide.com Niigata is one of the largest prefectures in Japan and has the Sea of Japan on one side and a mountainous interior. Thanks to its terroir, abundant rivers and springs, Niigata Prefecture is known as a rice growing and sake producing region. Niigata City, the capital of the prefecture, is about […]
Raina Ong Staff Writer,japan-guide.com Kyoto, the old capital of Japan, has long been a top travel destination for visitors to Japan. The city contains many well preserved historical sights compared to the other major urban cities of Tokyo and Osaka, and is a popular location for those who want to experience traditional culture. A single […]
Matt Evans Staff Writer,japan-guide.com Located just a few minutes’ walk northeast of Tokyo Station, the district of Nihonbashi is a buzzing commercial hub known for its imposing architecture, countless shops and restaurants, and as the home of some of the city’s most important institutions, from the headquarters of the Bank of Japan to the Tokyo […]
Raina Ong Staff Writer,japan-guide.com Located on the western side of the Izu Peninsula, the town of Nishiizu is an off-the-beaten path destination that is fitting for those who want to be surrounded by nature. The Pacific Ocean makes up the coastal side of Nishiizu, and the town’s interior is mountainous. When it comes to the […]
Raina Ong Staff Writer,japan-guide.com Himeji Castle is Japan’s best known castle from the feudal period that has survived fires and major destruction. Completed in 1609, the well preserved castle is a national treasure and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993 – one of the first world heritage sites in Japan. The grand […]
As spring rolls through Japan, cherry blossom trees erupt in all shades of pink in a wave from south to north. In the Tohoku region of northern Japan, the colder weather causes sakura to bloom slightly later than in the warmer parts of the country. Visiting these late-blooming sakura is one way to beat the […]
Raina Ong Staff Writer,japan-guide.com Okinawa, the southernmost prefecture of Japan, is known for its beautiful beaches, subtropical weather and marine life. Surrounded by ocean, the prefecture contains approximately 160 islands, and it is also the top destination for Japanese residents who want a beach getaway without leaving the country. Alongside its reputation as an idyllic […]
A sleepy port town on the shores of the Seto Inland Sea, Tomonoura boasts attractive coastal views, historic buildings and plenty of local color – making for a relaxing full or half day excursion from Hiroshima City. To experience it for myself, I recently spent a varied and hugely enjoyable day exploring the town and […]
Raina Ong Staff Writer,japan-guide.com Located in eastern Tokyo, Asakusa is one of the iconic tourist destinations in the metropolis, attracting many visitors with its temples and old-town charm. The most well known landmark in Asakusa is its Kaminarimon Gate, which leads to Sensoji Temple. Asakusa and its surrounds are walkable districts that still retain much […]