It’s the land of the rising solar. And in addition the place the place the solar rises in my coronary heart. As a result of the folks, environment, meals, the tradition and structure have one thing about them that makes you are feeling fully relaxed.

Each step I soak up Japan makes me really feel protected. Each place is clear, the folks you meet are well mannered and respectful and the structure radiates calm and power. For me, it’s a particular place within the midst of a wild and more and more careless world.

I used to be there 22 years in the past and now I wish to present this place, which I then selected as one of the lovely on the earth, to my household.

From my expertise, listed here are my journey suggestions for Tokyo and Kyoto.

Right here is an outline:

Language in Japan

The Japanese language is sophisticated and takes a very long time to study fully, particularly due to the characters, that are a combination of Japanese and Chinese language characters.

However figuring out a number of phrases will assist you to talk to folks within the nation in a respectful means. That is extremely really useful.

These embody:

‘Kon’nichiwa’ – this implies ‘howdy’ and is the Japanese greeting.

It is usually essential to say thanks. The Japanese say thanks over and over. In Japanese, you do that with the phrase ‘Arigato’. ‘Arigatogozaimasu’ is a stronger means of claiming ‘thanks’.

If you wish to draw consideration to your self within the sense of claiming ‘excuse me’ since you wish to make a request, for instance in a restaurant, you employ ‘sumimasen’.

You must also know the phrase for goodbye – ‘sayonara’.

Now you will have all of the well mannered types of tackle at your disposal that can assist you to maneuver round Japan respectfully.

Journey Suggestions for Tokyo

Our journey begins in Tokyo. There are many direct flights to a number of airports round Tokyo.

Haneda Airport is somewhat nearer to the town and Narita somewhat additional away. Each are splendidly linked to the centre of Tokyo by public transport.

A really particular tip for anybody travelling to Japan: Purchase a ‘Pasmo’ or ‘Suica’ move on the airport or at one of many main subway stations. This move means that you can journey freely on all subway or bus traces by way of most cities in Japan. There are merchandising machines the place you may prime up your move and at each subway exit you may see the present steadiness of your credit score whenever you try. You may as well use these passes to pay in some outlets or merchandising machines.

Associated learn: The Complete Guide to Experiencing the Shinkansen High-Speed Trains in Japan

Whereas we’re with regards to ‘paying’: you may pay with a bank card wherever within the vacationer areas. Nevertheless, this isn’t at all times the case in additional unique locations or smaller eating places. Due to this fact, you should definitely journey with some money and examine along with your bank card firm to just be sure you can withdraw cash from ATMs in Japan along with your bank card.

Ueno

Ueno is a really unique, enjoyable and colourful district with loads of life and exercise always of the day and evening, and a spacious park that gives temples, a lotus flower lake and house for festivals and culinary discoveries.

Reverse the Ueno practice station you will discover the pedestrian space of Ameyokocho. Right here you may instantly immerse your self in Japanese tradition. The colourful sea of night, the scrumptious smells and the number of Japanese specialties within the numerous eating places are an actual El Dorado for all explorers.

The particular spotlight when touring is when you realize individuals who reside within the nation and you may see the nation from their perspective.

So we had the chance to rejoice at an actual Mikoshi competition in one among Tokyo’s suburbs. The big shrine is carried by way of your entire city by many women and men all through the day.

Within the night, the Mikoshi carriers arrive on the competition’s giant shrine and celebration website. They’re accompanied by conventional Japanese music and the good pleasure of all individuals.

Shibuya

If you consider Tokyo, you routinely consider the well-known Shibuya Scramble Crossing. Crossing it’s a actual spotlight. So is watching others cross it.

You get a very good view from the Starbucks proper on the intersection. From right here, you may movie, {photograph} or simply watch the hustle and bustle on the road under.

Associated learn: A Guide to Nightlife in Shibuya and Shinjuku, Tokyo

Hachiko

Right here additionally, you will discover the well-known statue of Hachiko, in all probability essentially the most loyal canine on the earth. He accompanied his grasp to the practice station each morning and picked him up once more within the night.

Even when his proprietor instantly died, he continued to attend for him each night – for nearly ten years. He was given this monument in reminiscence of this. It’s a touching story that has even been made right into a film. These days, the monument of Hachiko is a good assembly place.

Omotesando

The Omotesando within the Harajuku/Jingumae district is an excellent place for procuring and strolling.

Simply comply with your instincts and discover the small alleys to the left and proper of the primary avenue. You should definitely plan a cease at Takeshita-dori on this route, with its many outlets full of colourful, loopy garments and equipment.

Asakusa

Asakusa is a usually Japanese and genuine district, centered round Senso-ji, one of many oldest temples within the nation.

It extends over a big space and is bordered by quite a few conventional outlets and eating places on the favored Nakamise-dori procuring avenue.

Asakusa is situated on the Sumida River and might be simply explored on foot or by rickshaw, passing fantastic bridges and colourful lanterns. Not removed from there, additionally, you will discover the Tokyo Tree, a lookout tower from which you’ll be able to see your entire metropolis.

Right here in Asakusa, you’ll find conventional arts and crafts, comparable to selfmade knives or Japanese paper, alongside typical sweets or scrumptious snacks such because the tasty rice crackers, the well-known dorayaki, stuffed egg pancakes, fried manju rolls or motchi skewers.

The energetic streets of Denpoin-dori, Kannon-dori and Asakusa Chuo-dori are significantly charming and stuffed with the environment of previous Asakusa.

Sensoji

The Sensoji might be essentially the most well-known and most photographed temple in Tokyo. It was in-built 628 and is due to this fact additionally one of many oldest Buddhist temples within the capital.

The historical past of the temple can be very thrilling. Legend has it that two fishermen within the close by Sumida River caught a golden statue of Kannon – the goddess of kindness and mercy – of their nets. They tried a number of instances to return the determine to the river, however it saved coming again to them. Lastly, they determined to construct a temple for the statue. This was named Senso-ji.

The trail to the temple is lined with white lanterns bearing Japanese characters.

Would you will have thought that? The crimson lantern within the middle weighs over 400 kg, the opposite two copper lanterns every weigh about 1000 kg.

Conventional pagodas at all times have an uneven variety of flooring. Do you know that the 5 ranges of Buddhist pagodas characterize the 5 parts? Earth, water, fireplace, air and vacancy.

Kokeshi Dolls

These Kokeshi dolls are given as a fortunate appeal for the delivery of a woman, a marriage, a enterprise opening or as a memento from Japan. They’re made by hand to a excessive commonplace and principally from fruitwood.

However in addition they have a tragic historical past. In Japanese custom, youngsters as much as the age of about 9 years belonged to God; this view got here from the time of excessive toddler mortality. When a baby died, the household took consolation in the truth that God had taken the kid again. These dolls had been thought-about to be reminders of the kid who had been taken again “by God”.

Shintoism

Shintoism is an interesting and really open faith and, together with Buddhism, an important faith in Japan. The Japanese don’t find out about their religion at college, as is the case with many different religions. Usually, the religion is handed down from dad and mom to youngsters.

Shinto means “means of the gods”. Greater than 100 million folks, or 80% of the Japanese inhabitants, are Shintoists.

The shrines are devoted to numerous deities. Everyone seems to be allowed to hope at a Shinto shrine, no matter their faith. I like the openness of this faith, which exhibits nice knowledge and power.

Ritual cleaning

You’ll be able to usually see water basins, temizuya with ladles, close to the shrines, that are known as hishaku. Right here, earlier than approaching the deity on the shrine, folks carry out the ritual of misogi, a purification of physique and thoughts.

First, you pour somewhat water over your left hand after which over your proper hand with the ladle. Subsequent, you rinse your mouth with water, however don’t swallow it. Lastly, empty the water from the ladle over your left hand and the deal with.

Praying in Japan

If you end up standing in entrance of the shrine, first throw some cash into the slot. 5-yen cash are very appropriate for this as a result of they sound like “go-en”, which implies luck. Then pull on the thick rope to ring the bell. The sound of the bell retains evil spirits away.

If you arrive, you greet the god by bowing twice, then clap your fingers twice. After that, you pray in silence, specific your want and maintain your fingers in entrance of your chest in prayer pose. On the finish, thanks with a deep bow.

The respect that may be felt in all places in Japan can be evident in its faith.

There are lots of actions devoted to luck on the shrine grounds. Omikuji are small Japanese paper strips that predict the long run.

The great factor is, if you happen to draw a paper strip that predicts unhealthy luck, you may tie the strip to a small rope or, as right here, to a tree and thus do away with the unhealthy luck instantly.

For prayers and desires, there are picket plaques often called ema that may be held on the shrine. That is how the gods are stated to obtain the prayers and fulfill the desires.

When leaving Japanese temples and shrines, the identical guidelines apply as when coming into. This ensures that the go to is a closed circle, which can be stated to deliver good luck.

Colourful and Numerous Neighborhoods in Tokyo

Tokyo is a large metropolis with 9.6 million inhabitants. It consists of many very totally different neighborhoods, so it doesn’t appear that massive.

Above all, it appears relaxed and calm to me as a result of the Japanese mentality may be very elegant and reserved on the surface. To ease the site visitors scenario, there are sometimes footpaths constructed over the roads or, conversely, giant roads and even railroad traces on stilts one degree greater by way of the town. And in case you are standing at a site visitors mild in Shinjuku, for instance, one of many busiest practice stations on the earth, the twittering of birds or the smooth music from the loudspeakers is extremely enjoyable.

I counsel anybody who’s afraid of crowds to make a journey to Tokyo, as a result of there isn’t a place the place crowds of persons are extra enjoyable than there. No one is loud, no person jostles, no person pushes, all the things is mild, orderly and stuffed with mindfulness, even at rush hour. That is an artwork that I discover admirable.

What I’m describing is just one aspect of the coin, as a result of no tradition has just one dimension. As protected, as well mannered, and as orderly as all the things seems, I’ve by no means seen a extra vibrant flip aspect wherever on the earth. The other pole of this construction is the colourful, the wild, the loopy, which is obvious within the bars and playing halls within the neighborhoods of Tokyo that come to life at evening.

Associated learn: Tokyo: A City of Ordered Chaos

The outfits of many Japanese ladies particularly are something however reserved or boring; they’re a firework of prospects and a substantial amount of braveness is required to put on many outfits.

The exhibits that you just see whenever you zap by way of the Japanese TV program in your lodge room additionally present the wild variety inside this strictly ordered world.

At evening, the Shinjuku district is dazzling. You should definitely go to the well-known Omoide Yokocho alley of bars. If you’re alone or in a pair, you might be able to get a desk within the quaint, tiny bars of this small alley.

In any other case, simply stroll on to Kabukicho Tower. You will discover a variety of specialties in a colourful setting, both on the way in which in Kabukicho-Ichiban-gai avenue or within the tower itself.

Culinary Japan

I discover it fascinating that whenever you consider Japanese food, you instantly consider sushi, however there are such a lot of totally different delicacies that haven’t but made their strategy to Europe.

Sukiyaki or Yakiniku, to call only a few.

It’s unbelievable how a lot meat, and never simply fish, dominates the menus. Wagyu beef is on the prime of the recognition scale right here.

I love the Japanese skill to rejoice all the things that has to do with consuming and having fun with meals. Within the varied eating places, you may put together your individual meal on a small built-in desk grill or you may get a pot of broth on a hob on the desk, just like a Chinese language fondue or sizzling pot, in which you’ll be able to put together all types of greens and meat specialties that you could get on the buffet.

Associated learn: Discover Unique Food Experiences in Tokyo

Shabu Sai Ueno is one among our favourite sizzling pot spots. And Tokori Japanese Yakiniku in Ueno serves up some improbable yakiniku.

Associated learn: Discover Unique Food Experiences in Tokyo

Yakiniku

At a yakiniku meal, there’s a small, high quality grill constructed into the tables on which you’ll be able to fry the assorted meat specialties which can be served in skinny slices. Rice and varied sauces are served as aspect dishes. It’s significantly cozy whenever you enter eating places and take off your footwear and garments on the door.

The Wagyu beef on the Narita Airport restaurant Yakisuki Yanma was an actual deal with. Uncooked meat that is dropped at the desk on sizzling stones, the place it’s poured with a scrumptious sauce accompanied by a wide range of elements in small bowls, creating an ideal hissing sound, is an actual deal with.

Sukiyaki

Sukiyaki was additionally new to me. It’s a one-pot dish through which the meat is cooked slowly on the desk, both earlier than or after the noodles and greens which can be additionally within the stew. Earlier than you benefit from the slowly roasted meat, you dip it in a uncooked egg. Scrumptious!

Onigiri

And to not overlook the favored Onigiri, rice balls with varied fillings, which schoolchildren and workplace staff pack as a sandwich. So scrumptious and various that I actually miss them right here in Germany.

The wax fashions of the dishes at a lot of the eating places are additionally significantly typical.

Lodges in Tokyo and Kyoto

A lodge on the Yamanote Spherical Line is value its weight in gold. It’s a fast and straightforward strategy to get to essentially the most well-known, genuine and fascinating locations in Tokyo.

I can extremely advocate the inns of the Nohga group. We stayed on the Nohga Hotel in Ueno, however they’re additionally accessible in different districts comparable to Akihabara or different cities comparable to Kyoto or Saporro.

This group additionally affords lodging in ryokans, the everyday Japanese inns.

The Mitsui Garden hotels are additionally really useful and a bit extra worldwide than the Nohga inns. We additionally stayed a number of nights on the Mitsui Garden Jingugajen Tokyo Premier, however there are 12 extra inns on this group even in Tokyo and so they additionally provide nice lodging in Hiroshima, Yokohama, Osaka and varied different cities.

On the “Prepare”

If you’re planning to journey round Japan, I like to recommend the Shinkansen, the quickest practice on the earth. It is going to take you from Tokyo Station to Kyoto in simply over 2 and a half hours.

There may be an extra travel tip with tips just for the Shinkansen. I additionally advocate booking a JR Pass, which works completely and permits limitless practice journey in Japan.

Be sure to don’t miss Mount Fuji in your means from Tokyo to Kyoto. The Shinkansen passes so near it that you could {photograph} and admire it by way of the practice home windows, surrounded by clouds of mist or, relying on the season, even with its peak lined in snow.

Kyoto Journey Suggestions

I like Kyoto. I can’t say it some other means.

Kyoto has turn out to be extraordinarily trendy within the 22 years since I final visited. However the unique corners, the geisha district and the enchanting temples nonetheless inform of the magic of instances passed by.

The Higashiyama district, with the very conventional lanes of Sannenzaka and Ninnenzaka, which lead off from the Kiyomizu-dera temple, continues to be so unspoilt that you just get the sensation that Kyoto shouldn’t be a metropolis however a small, touristy mountain village.

Associated learn: Complete Kyoto Travel Guide

Kimono

A particular expertise is to borrow a kimono for a day from one of many many kimono outlets. It’s a fantastic feeling to immerse your self within the historical past of this metropolis, the place the geishas had been at house.

Strolling round in a kimono on a temple tour could seem touristy, however as with all experiences, it will depend on your perspective. If you’re curious and have a want to immerse your self in a sure feeling, to know higher and expertise extra intensely, then it’s a profound expertise that you shouldn’t miss.

For the Kinomos, I can advocate the rental store proper on the bus cease on Higashioji Dori, throughout from the Seven Eleven. However you may as well discover different rental outlets to the left and proper of it, comparable to First or Kyokomachi. We didn’t have a reservation and simply walked in. For 4500 yen and 1600 yen for the coiffure, you may remodel your self into a beautiful geisha for a day.

Nittai-ji Tempel

The previous streets across the Kiyumizu-dera Temple are positively value exploring.

Sadly, over the previous 22 years, all the things right here has not solely turn out to be extra crowded but additionally extra tourist-oriented, and the previous originality is now not really easy to find.

Don’t miss out on following your nostril, trying into inviting archways, letting your self drift and following your eye. This fashion, you’ll uncover abandoned temples, small subtleties, deserted courtyards and particular locations past the tourist-lined alleys. Like this lovely Nittai-ji Temple, which is situated instantly on the way in which to the Kiyomizu-dera Temple and is totally ignored by most. It’s lovely and abandoned.

Kiyomizu-dera Tempel

The Kiyumizu-dera Temple is without doubt one of the really spectacular temples in Kyoto.

Good to find out about visiting Kyoto

Admission to the temples is normally free or, within the case of the well-known temples, prices a number of euros per individual.

Don’t guide a tour upfront through Viator or GetYourGuide simply since you are afraid of not having the ability to get tickets to the temples on the spot. You will get the doorway ticket spontaneously on the spot, which provides you way more freedom and suppleness.

When you completely wish to take a guided tour and be accompanied by a information, you might be after all welcome to guide such a tour by way of these platforms or domestically.

Fushimi Inari Schrein

The Fushimi Inara Shrine within the Fushimi district is without doubt one of the most magical locations in Japan for me.

In the course of the day, the decrease walkway is especially busy, however as quickly as darkness falls, it turns into somewhat quieter. There’s something magical about coming into this highly effective shrine within the moonlight.

Associated learn: Must Visit Sites in Kyoto

When approaching a shrine, the very first thing you see is the crimson torii, or gate. The crimson shade is alleged to keep off evil spirits and hazard.

To indicate respect, it is best to bow earlier than the gate and solely then enter the shrine.

Fushimi Inari Taisha is a Shintō shrine. It’s thought-about the primary shrine of about one third of all Inari shrines in Japan and is essentially the most well-known Shintō shrine in Kyōto.

You probably have seen the film “The Geisha”, you will notice little Chio strolling to this very shrine to hope for her best want. It got here true, and guess what? So did the want I expressed there. For me, this shrine is without doubt one of the strongest locations I’ve ever visited.

An exquisite Japanese lady, whose mom is from Kyoto and really spiritual, explains the facility of this place to me as follows: These shrines are the gateway to the world of the gods, of which there are greater than 800 in Shintoism, every assigned to a subject and due to this fact all needs are in good fingers there.

The avenues of torii, the gates made from wooden or stone and normally painted crimson, are significantly attribute of this shrine. They symbolize the transition between the world of people and the world of the gods.

The Fushima Inari Shrine consists of a mess of those torii, all of that are donations from people, households or corporations. She tells me that it can be crucial to not stroll close to the posts or within the center, as these are reserved for the gods.

Greater than 1000 of those crimson gates might be discovered at this spectacular shrine.

There’s a small half-hour path and a big round route up the greater than 230-meter-high Inari Mountain, which takes 2-3 hours and lots of stamina.

Attribute of all Inari shrines are the fox statues, the messengers of the goddess of fertility Inari, who normally put on crimson bibs round their necks.

Ginkaku-ji

Ginkaku-ji is one among my private favourite temples in Kyoto. For one factor, it isn’t as overcrowded as different temples and since it incorporates a wide range of magnificence in a small space.

There may be an space with Zen sand artwork, a lake with a typical Japanese picket pavilion within the background and a phenomenal backyard.

Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion Temple) is a Zen temple and in addition a UNESCO World Heritage Website.

Nobody actually is aware of why the pavilion in the midst of the property is named “Silver Pavilion”, though it’s made from wooden. Legend has it that the pavilion’s jet-black wooden shined silver within the moonlight, therefore the title.

Perhaps there’s a much less magical clarification. The Pavilion by the Lake, the Kannon-den, was constructed within the fifteenth century by the Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa as a retirement house and was purported to appear to be a smaller model of the well-known Golden Pavilion, Kinkanku-ji, which his grandfather had constructed on the time. As an alternative of gold, it was purported to be silver, however it by no means occurred.

Earlier than the shogun’s villa grew to become a temple, it was the middle of Higashiyama tradition, house to tea ceremonies, flower arranging, poetry and No theater. These days, Ginkakuji is without doubt one of the most well-known temples in Kyoto and much much less touristy than its “golden” brother, Kinkaku-ji, particularly simply after opening or simply earlier than closing time.

Ginshadan

Proper in the midst of the advanced is the sand backyard and an roughly 2-meter-high sand sculpture.

The sand backyard is named Ginshadan, which interprets as ‘sea of silver sand’. In Buddhism, a sand backyard is a part of meditation. The waves within the sand characterize water and the sand cone known as Kogetsudai symbolizes Mount Fuji.

You’ll be able to stroll alongside small paths by way of the moss-covered and hilly backyard panorama, previous a splashing waterfall that flows right into a stream, and as much as a lookout level the place you may catch a glimpse of Kyoto. The association of the totally different shades of inexperienced, the interaction of sand and stones towards the backdrop of the picket temple is a feast for the eyes.

You must plan about an hour on your go to to the temple. From there, you may attain many different well-known temples and shrines alongside the Thinker’s Stroll, a small path that runs alongside a stream. These embody the Chion-in Temple and the Nanzen-ji Temple.

Arashiyama

The Arashiyama district is value visiting, as it’s house to the well-known Arashiyama bamboo forest, the Arashiyama Monkey Park and the Tenru-ji Temple, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Website. The complete district may be very common with guests.

Arashiyama – Bamboo forest

When you don’t wish to share the bamboo forest with so many individuals, you may guide a rickshaw tour in a separate space. It’s greatest to guide nicely upfront, as these are sometimes booked out days upfront.

The bamboo forest is gorgeous and the environment is spectacular.

Tenryu-ji Temple

The doorway to the Tenryu-ji Temple is true subsequent to the doorway to the bamboo forest. It is without doubt one of the 5 most well-known Zen temples in Kyoto and has been a World Heritage Website since 1994.

The Sogenji Backyard behind the primary corridor, laid out by Muso Soseki within the 14th century, is especially lovely. Muso was a grasp of backyard design and a Zen grasp who developed the Japanese tea ceremony.

The backyard, with its watercourses, moss and mild hills, has been preserved on this strategy to this present day and frames a lake that may be seen from the steps of the primary home.

Arashiyama – Primate park

The Arashiyama Monkey Park is a specific spotlight for youngsters, the place they’ll watch child monkeys swing by way of the bushes from the branches or teams of monkeys chilling within the meadow.

In Kyoto, as in Tokyo, it’s straightforward to get round from place to position by subway or bus. If you should get someplace sooner, most of the temples shut as early as 5 p.m. within the fall, so taxis or Uber are additionally accessible.

Culinary Kyoto

The place to eat in Kyoto is the well-known Pontocho alley. Right here, one restaurant follows the opposite.

The alley is car-free and only some meters extensive. One aspect of the eating places faces the river that flows by way of Kyoto, the Kamo. In summer season, it’s fantastic to take a seat and eat on the spacious terraces by the river. In winter, the motion strikes indoors.

If you’re curious, you may attempt typical Kyoto dishes in one of many eating places, together with eel, snails, radish and fish.

Within the aspect avenue of Pontocho Alley, which can be crossed by a small river, there may be one other row of eating places across the bridges and alleys.

Moreover all of the temples and the geisha district with its alleys, Kyoto additionally has different sides. Trendy skyscrapers, procuring streets and the big Nikishi Market.

Karaoke

What is certainly worthwhile is a go to to a karaoke bar. We went to Manekineko on Karamachi-dori and actually had lots of enjoyable singing in our sales space.

There may be nonetheless a lot to find in fantastic Japan. You probably have somewhat extra time, you may actually go to different cities there or loosen up on the gorgeous Okinawa archipelago.

Okinawa is without doubt one of the 5 Blue Zones on earth. Individuals right here reside longer than elsewhere on earth.

My private insider tip!

Right here: Okinawa – Japan’s oasis

For me, it was positively not the final journey to this glorious nation. “Matane”, which implies “see you quickly”!