Tag:Culture / Japan Travel Videos
Aomori trip
Aomori is the northernmost prefecture on the main island of Honshu but it takes about only three hours from Tokyo to Aomori City. The northern towns inherit traditional local culture such as Nebuta summer festival. You can experience the vibrant atmosphere of the festival all thought the year at Nebuta Museum WA RASSE near Aomori Station. Aomori Museum of Art and the Sannai-Maruyama Ruins are located in the walkable distance. The archaeological site is one of the 17 components of the UNESCO’S World Heritage Site “Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan“ designated by UNESCO in 2021 as the sites contain ruins from the prehistoric Jomon Period (14,000 - 300 BCE).
Eat Market Culture Museum Ruins History Onsen
Journey through Japan
Not far from Tokyo, there are a lot of attractive destinations where you can feel unique atmosphere that you can't feel in other areas. One of the options is "Northward Golden Route" which includes Saitama, Gunma and Niigata Prefectures. There are both Shinkansen Line and expressways between these three prefectures from Tokyo and each prefecture. The video shows unique attractions in the three prefectures.
Shrine Outdoor Activity Onsen Culture History View
Journey through Niigata
Only 70 minutes from Tokyo, after passing through a long tunnel, you will find another side of Japan different from Tokyo and Kyoto. Niigata Prefecture used to be a wealthy region that boosted its population to the largest number in Japan about 150 years ago. Due to the development of the national transportation networks, the economic center of the country shifted to the Pacific Coast side, leaving the region on the Sea of Japan side behind. However, the original culture, traditions, and sceneries preserved in the opposite side of Japan can be found in Niigata.
Museum History Culture Onsen Ryokan Sushi Gorge Observatory
Nara Day Trip
Nara was Japan's first permanent capital in the 8th century before moving to Kyoto. Eight sites including Japan's oldest and largest temples in Nara such as Kofukuji Temple, Todaiji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine were designated as "Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara" by UNESCO. The location of the city is within one-hour train ride from Osaka and Kyoto and Nara attracts visitors with its full chest of historic treasures.
History Culture Temple Park Deer. garden Shrine
Must-visit destinations, Niigata
Niigata is one of the prefectures on Japan’s main island that are located along the Sea of Japan. Sado Island, off the coast of Niigata City, is known for its music festival and has a Taiko Centre where you can learn all about Japanese drumming. Explore Niigata’s coast or go hiking and skiing in the mountains - the region around Minamiuonuma is one of the world’s heaviest snowfall areas. And try the local cuisine. In Japan, Niigata Prefecture is known for its high-quality rice and sake. You can taste some of the leading local brands at the Ponshukan Sake Museum.
Niigata Sado island Taiko Japanese culture History Sake
Journey to Iwate
Iwate is the second-largest prefecture in Japan, located in the Tohoku region in the northeast of the country’s main island. Iwate is known for its stunning landscapes from mountains and valleys to a spectacular coastline. Take a masterclass in Japanese culture and folk tales in Tono Valley, explore the Ryusendo Cave and its underground lakes in Iwaizumi, or visit the seaside. The coast is part of the Sanriku Fukko National Park that stretches out along the Pacific Ocean. In Miyako City, a main fishing port, you can enjoy local seafood and scenic spots like Jodogahama Beach and the Blue Cave.
Nature Scenery History Coast Culture Eat
Kumamoto, rugby legend's visit
Kumamoto Prefecture is located in southern Japan, in the middle of Kyushu Island. At its center prefecture is Mount Aso, an active volcano. The Aso Unesco Global Geopark has an exceptional landscape with one of the largest calderas in the world. Explore the area cycling or go hiking on the peaks and plains here. Kumamoto also has a beautiful coast and onsen hot springs. Kumamoto City is the seat of the prefectual government. Its symbol is Kumamoto Castle, which sustained significant damage in the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquakes and is being restored. Another historic site in the city is the landscape garden Suizenji Park.
Nature View History Culture
Saitama, rugby legend's visit
Saitama Prefecture is located just north of Tokyo. Omiya in Saitama City is easily reached from major stations in the capital. Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine gives Omiya its name, literally meaning large shrine. The city is also known for bonsai. The Omiya Bonsai Art Museum showcases the Japanese art of cultivating small bonsai trees. Kawagoe is another popular day trip destination in Saitama. It is known as “Little Edo” because of its traditional architecture and old-fashioned streets and shops. Edo is the old name of Tokyo and here you experience a little bit of the Edo Period (1603-1867).
History Culture Bonsai Museum Shrine Eat
Fukuoka, rugby legend's visit
If you travel by Shinkansen train from Tokyo to Kyushu Island, you will first come to Fukuoka Prefecture. Its capital Fukuoka City is a former castle town and now the biggest city on Kyushu Island. Ohori Park is located on the old castle grounds. The Kyushu National Museum has an excellent collection showing Japanese art and history. It is located nearby in Dazaifu, the former governmental center of Kyushu. The Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is the national headquarter for all Tenmangu shrines. Also in the Fukuoka area is Munakata Taisha, UNESCO World Heritage and one of the oldest shrines in Japan.
Culture History Art Museum Shrine World heritage
Tokyo sumo experience by rugby legends
Sumo has a long tradition in Japan and is the country’s national sport. There are six professional sumo grand tournaments held each year, three of them in Tokyo (January, May, and September) at the Ryogoku Kokugikan. Some sumo stables allow visitors to watch their morning practice sessions. Usually, only sumo wrestlers are allowed to step into a dohyo (sumo ring). At Raien Sumo Tokyo, you can try sumo yourself and dress and train like a sumo wrestler, a rikishi. A sumo experience lesson with former sumo wrestlers teaches sumo basics, including how to put on a mawashi belt.
Sumo Sports Training Culture
Asakusa, rugby legends' visit
Tokyo’s famous Asakusa district is home to the city’s oldest temple, Senso-ji. Many small shops, restaurants, and bars are located in the area surrounding the temple. Kappabashi Street is lined with shops that sell everything you might need in a kitchen or restaurant, including food sample imitations many stores use to show their menu. You can make some food samples yourself or learn how to cook real Japanese dishes here. For a special experience, go on a dinner cruise on Sumida River, which runs past Asakusa. Cruises include traditional Japanese meals and are a fun way to see Tokyo.
Fun Food Eat Culture Cruise
Tokyo, rugby legends' visit
Tokyo is a huge metropolis where old and new co-exist. It has many different areas. Roppongi Hills for example is the modern Tokyo, which you can see from Tokyo City View observation deck. In contrast, the Yanesen area is an old district with a retro feel that has escaped development. Tokyo has thousands of good places for eating and shopping and also excellent museums. The Samurai Museum is all about history, while a visit to the Mori Building Digital Art Museum: teamLab Borderless is like taking a trip to the future. Explore both sides of this fascinating city
View Museum History Samurai Culture Art Sushi
Central Tokyo, rugby legends' visit
Japan’s capital Tokyo is a city of contrasts where the old and new live side by side. Tokyo Tower has a great view, overlooking temples, old buildings, and modern architecture. Meiji Jingu Shrine for example is one of the quiet spots in Tokyo, but next to it is the kawaii, pop, and futuristic Harajuku district. A visit to Kawaii Monster Cafe Harajuku and Tea Ceremony Room Toko-an are worlds apart, but at both places you can experience Tokyo’s culture. The city is also changing for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 and now has the new Japan Olympic Museum.
View Culture Shrine Tea Kawaii Museum
Kyoto travel guide
Kyoto, Japan’s imperial capital from the 8th century until 1868, stands for history and culture. It is famous for its architecture, temples, shrines, gardens, geisha district, and fine cuisine. Kyoto’s large collection of World Heritage sites include Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion. Also very famous are the bamboo grove of Arashiyama and the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine with its long rows of shrine gates. Throughout the year, various festivalsare held in Kyoto. The traditional that has maintained its place in modern city life here makes Kyoto one of the most popular destinations in Japan.
View Culture History World heritage Temple Shrine Architecture Bamboo Monkeys
Tokyo must see places
Japan’s capital Tokyo is a huge metropolis that is continuously reinventing itself. It is the main hub for Japan travel and offers seemingly endless options for eating out and shopping. Tokyo is also rich in culture, from traditional to kawaii, pop, and futuristic. The city combines new and old. From its iconic landmarks Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree you can see how modern architecture and historic structures sit next to each other in the sprawling cityscape. The forested grounds of Meiji Shrine for example are surrounded with some of the busiest districts.
View Culture Play View Shrine