This festival takes place in spring and autumn. Several hundreds of people dress up in traditional Japanese attire and dance and parade through town to old Shinto songs led by lion dancers. Designated as one of Japan’s “Important Intangible Folk…
The Expat's Guide to Japan
Everything you need to know about living and working in Tokyo & Yokohama
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Hamamatsu Festival
This festival celebrates the birth of the first son in the last year. With more than 1 million visitors, it ranges as one of the largest festivals in Japan. During the day, there are a number of kite flying competitions…
Kakegawa Festival
The fall festival in Kakegawa (掛川祭) is famous for its performances, “yatai” floats, and lion dance. The Grand Festival takes place only once every three years, the next being in 2012, with performers from each town dancing in procession. The…
Paul Rusch Festival Yatsugatake County Fair
This American-style Thanksgiving Festival is a rarity in Japan. Named after Dr. Paul Rusch, a Kentucky native who, focusing on the area around Yatsugatake Nanroku, devoted his life to helping rebuild Japan and introduce democracy after the war, this festival…
Aoi Festival
The origins of Aoi Matsuri (葵祭) can be traced back to the noble circles of the Imperial court. Among the many Japanese festivals it is known as one of the finest and rarest of its kind. Especially impressive is the…
Kyoto Gion Festival
The Gion Matsuri (祇園祭) is one of Japan’s three major festivals. It was first established in the year 869 in Kyoto and then became increasingly popular throughout Japan. Its primary objective has been to worship the Gion god and by…
Otsu Festival
Originating in the early part of the Edo Period, this religious festival includes a parade of magnificent, 13 story tall lantern floats. This festival is rare for its mechanical dolls (Karakuri Ningyo) which operate on special mechanisms such as “Koi…
Shika no Tsunokiri (deer horn cutting)
For almost 330 years, the Shika no Tsunokiri has been a marker of the fall season in Nara since the Edo Period. The event was started to protect townspeople, as well as valuable cultural properties from being damaged by bucks’…
Kyoto Jidai Festival
Established in 1895 to commemorate the 1,100th anniversary of the Heian Period move of the capital, this festival takes place at Heian Shrine. What is special about this festival, is that it offers you the chance to view a large…
Kurama Fire Festival
The Kurama Fire Festival (鞍馬の火祭) takes place every year on the 22nd of October at Yuki Shrine, in Kyoto. Starting at 6pm, watch fires called Kagaribi (篝火) are ignited in front of each household in the village and, while the…
Kōchi Yosakoi Festival
At this festival the unique “Yosakoi Naruko” dance is performed to the clapping rhythm of the Naruko (a wooden percussion instrument). On the evening of the 9th, there is a big fireworks competition at the Kagamigawa riverside and the main…
Awa Odori
The Awa Odori (阿波踊り) dance is one of the three Obon dances, and is performed to accompanying shamisen, taiko and flute music. During the festival period, a wide area of the town turns into a pedestrian paradise with dance stages…
Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival
This festival which takes place at Kushida Shrine (櫛田神社), home to the patron deity of Hakata, looks back onto a history of more than 760 years. The Yamakasa here are large floats decorated with banners and puppets, which are presented…
Hakata Dontaku
Between 10:00am and 8:00pm, at 30 different locations in the Tenjin and Hakata districts, the so-called “Dontaku-tai” dance groups will perform displays of their skills. In the afternoon, there is also a parade at the Dontaku Plaza on Meiji Dori.…
Okinawa Zento Eisa Festival
Eisa (エイサー) is a traditional Okinawan dance festival, which takes place around the Obon holidays. In 1956, when Koza City (present-day Okinawa City) was established, this event began as an Eisa dance competition. Since then it has evolved into a…
Nagasaki Kunchi
This event consists of musical performances in honor of the patron deities of the surrounding villages which are kept at Suwa Shrine. One of the main features of this festival is its international flair, including cultural imports from Holland, Portugal…
Hita Sennen Akari
The historical town of Mameda (豆田) has been registered as a national cultural asset, and every year on the second weekend of November, Hita Tenryo Festival (日田天領祭り), a festival celebrating the historical importance of the area is held. The bamboo…
Taketa Chikuraku
Taketa Chikuraku (たけた竹楽) is an illumination event that started in 2000 in Taketa City, where over half the city is covered by forested land, with a good portion of it being varieties of bamboo. Bamboo was once a valuable material,…
Geography of Japan
Japan is an island nation located along the east coast of the Asian continent. The Japanese archipelago is composed of four large islands (Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu—see below), the islands of Okinawa, and thousands of other smaller islands, with a…
Seasons & Climate of Japan
Summary Japan has 4 distinct seasons starting with a cold and dry winter. The welcome spring is mild and brings out Japan’s famous cherry blossoms. The summer starts with the rainy season in late June or early July, followed by…
The Japanese Language
Japanese (Nihongo 日本語), spoken by around 128 million native speakers, is the national language of Japan, though not officially designated as such. The literacy rate in Japan is said to be close to 100% of the population, and the country…
The Japanese Calendar & National Holidays
Japan Standard Time The standard time zone in Japan is Japan Standard Time (JST), which is 9 hours ahead of UTC (UTC+09:00). The 24-hour clock is widely used. Currently, daylight savings time (DST, summer time) is not observed in Japan.…
Japanese Customs & Practices
Japanese Manners Having cut itself from the rest of the world until the late 19th century, Japan has preserved many of its traditional customs, though western influences continue to grow. Many of these customs are closely linked with the changing…
Money in Japan
The Yen (¥ / 円 / JPY) is the official currency in Japan. Banknotes and coins The Bank of Japan issues four types of Japanese paper banknotes, and 6 different coins. The banknotes, with value denominations of ¥1,000, ¥2,000, ¥5,000,…
Measurements
Traditional Japanese Units Although the metric system is used in Japan, some traditional units of measurement are still in wide use as well. A common unit of area used when describing room size is , which is the size of…
Power Supply
The power supply is 100V/50Hz in Eastern Japan and 100V/60Hz in Western Japan, but most electrical items can be used in both areas. Electric outlets are identical to 2-pin North American outlets, and many portable electrical devices from the U.S.…
Trains in Japan
An overview of Japan’s rail network, and general information on train fares, tickets and prepaid IC cards.
Inter-city Travel by Rail
Express and bullet trains (shinkansen) allow you to travel long distances in a short time period. Unlike ordinary cars, they charge a fee in addition to the base fare. These trains may carry first class (“Green”) cars with more spacious…
Rail Travel in Tokyo & Yokohama
Information and train line maps for rail services in Tokyo and Yokohama, with additional guides to delay certificates and women-only carriages.
Rail Tickets & Prepaid IC Cards
Information on ticket machines and IC charge cards for trains and buses, and a guide to commuter passes.
Tourist Passes & Day Tickets
Convenient discount tickets for train and bus services in the Tokyo area, and tourist passes including airport access combination tickets.
Buses in Japan
How to pay fares on the two main kinds of local bus in Japan, and information on discounted transfers on Tokyo buses.
Taxis in Japan
What to expect from taxis in Japan, and phone numbers for taxi companies in Tokyo and Yokohama.
Asakusa
As one of the most popular sightseeing spots, Asakusa offers a taste of historic and religious Japan. A number of festivals are held here throughout the year. The surrounding area also offers a unique feel of an older Tokyo that you do not find elsewhere in the city, so it is worth exploring.
TOKYO SKYTREE & TOKYO Solamachi & TOKYO mizumachi
At 634m in height, Tokyo Skytree is the tallest architecture in Japan and the world’s tallest free-standing broadcasting tower.
Tokyo Tower
This 333-meter-tall tower offers unbeatable panoramic views of Tokyo from the observatory at 150m and 250m.…
Imperial Palace
The Imperial Palace is the residence of the Emperor and Empress of Japan. Inside you will find the East Gardens (closed Mon & Fri every week and 12/28-1/3 every year) which are the former site of Edo Castle’s innermost circles of defense. Guided tours are available with advanced booking. The moat surrounding the palace is a popular jogging course.
Meiji Jingu
In contrast to the lively Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, Meiji Jingu (明治神宮) has an air of tranquility. Once you have passed through the large wooden Torii (鳥居, gate) and are inside the grounds, it is easy to forget about the…
Ueno
Ueno Park is famous for its cherry blossoms. In addition to many great museums, such as the Tokyo National Museum and the National Museum for Western Art, you can also enjoy the oldest zoo in Japan with your family. There…
Jindaiji
Built in 733, Jindaji, one of Tokyo’s oldest temples, is known for numerous soba shops in front of its temple gate, and 5,200 rosebushes in bloom in mid-May and mid-October in its botanical garden.
Tsukiji Shijo (Fish Market)
At one time one of the world’s busiest fish markets, most of Tsukiji’s operations were moved to Toyosu in late 2018. Visitors can no longer go inside the Tsukiji market, but there are still many restaurants and shops just outside.…
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings
The Metropolitan Government Buildings are 243m in height. From the observation decks on top of both the North and South towers (which are free of charge), you have an unrestricted view of the sprawling metropolis, and on clear days, you…
Odaiba
This waterfront area on the other side of Rainbow Bridge from Shimbashi has many modern architectural sights including the FUJI Television Building, hotels and shopping malls. It is also beautiful at night.…
Mount Takao
This 599m high sacred mountain is a popular day hiking spot for Tokyo residents. From the peak, on a clear day, you can see central Tokyo and Mount Fuji. The colorful, wooded hills create a stunning background in autumn. The…
Yokohama
Just a short train ride from Tokyo, Japan’s 2nd largest city is well-known for the sea breezes and newly renovated bay area. It also has a wealth of other attractions.…
Kamakura
The many shrines and temples set amid the wooded hills bring to mind a poetic, oriental image of Japan. At Kamakura station’s east exit, there is a red Torii (gate) which is the side entrance to Kamakura’s symbolic shopping street.…
Hakone
From Tokyo, Hakone is the closest Onsen (hot spring) resort, but this scenic area also has museums and art galleries. A ropeway trip to the top of Mount Hakone will give you spectacular views of the surrounding countryside as well…
Nikko
Nikko, famed for being a World Heritage site, is situated northwest of Tochigi prefecture in the northern Kanto Region. Nikko Toshogu, the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu and an impressively decorated shrine, the fascinating 97m high Kegon-No-Taki waterfall and finally Lake…
Mt. Fuji
It is not only the highest mountain in Japan, but is also a famous symbol of Japan. Many people like the thought of climbing Mount Fuji, although it is not easy and can only be climbed during July and August.…
Sightseeing References & Tour Agencies
With so many options to choose from, it may be difficult to know where to begin planning your trip to Japan. Here are some sightseeing references and tour agencies that can help and arrange the right travel experience for you.…
