Category "japan"

Guided tours of Japanese nuclear power plants

Do any Japanese nuclear power plants offer guided tours of their facilities? I'm aware that most nuclear plants in Japan are currently not producing electricity

Presents for Japanese CouchSurfing hosts

I was evaluating doing CouchSurfing during my next trip in Japan and this question: What does a CouchSurfing host expect from their guests? makes me want to ask

How do you know if a Japanese person means no when they say yes?

I have come across a few situations when a Japanese person will extend themselves beyond what they probably should to help people. I am often worried when askin

Japan's crumbling temples and shrines -- How can I find them?

I will be staying in Japan for a few weeks late this summer, and would like to find a bunch of back-woods, off-the-beaten-path temples and shrines, especially i

Attend Sumo match in Nagoya

I'm planning to buy tickets for a sumo match in Nagoya in July. As A tall European guy who never visited a sumo match before I'm struggling to decide which tic

Do I need a Japanese transit visa when arriving at Narita and departing from Haneda?

I'm arriving from New Delhi, India (Indian passport) with JAL at Narita on 11th July at 07:30 and departing for San Francisco with JAL at 00:05 on 12th July fro

How should I wash clothes in Japan?

I'm going backpacking for a month in Japan and I plan to pack lightly. So I have couple of questions about how I can wash my clothes in Japan. I expect laundr

Can you still buy used panties in vending machines as a souvenir from Japan?

In 1999 I came across a vending machine of used panties while hiking through Japan. Apparently it was made illegal in 1993, but still in 1999 they seem to be wi

Alternative to trains in Japan

So we all know about these pretty amazing trains they have in the "Land of the Rising Sun". They are always on time, clean, comfortable. But they are somewhat e

Cat Tourist Attractions In Japan [closed]

For some reason, the Japanese are really fond of cats. For example, recently I found out that a station master in Japan is a cat named Tama!

How to avoid the the multitudes during Obon week in Japan?

We're currently planning a trip to Japan. As we realize just now, it will cover the Obon week completely. To avoid getting stuck in the multitudes we try to shi

Dressing up as a Geisha/Maiko in Japan

While visiting Kyoto and Tokyo, I would like to dress up as a Geisha/Maiko and have professional photographs taken (I will be a solo traveler). So far I have

Where can I have a genuine Ainu cultural experience in Hokkaido?

During my next trip to Japan I may end up in Hokkaido. I've read something about this mysterious indigenous group called Ainu/Aynu/Aino/Ezo, but I must admit my

Celebrating birthdays without family in Japan [closed]

I'll be celebrating my birthday during my trip (solo) to Japan. Apart from special year birthdays (eg 3, 5, 7 years of age), is there anythin

Zen meditation in Kyoto, Japan

A while ago I've read that in the Engaku-ji or in the Kencho-ji in Kamakura everyone is welcome to try zazen (seated zen meditation) and that the zazen session

Talking to Tohoku earthquake survivors as volunteering

When I was in Fukushima prefecture, a Japanese person I was talking to said I should volunteer to speak with people affected by 3/11, as I'm not a local, and so

Should I make reservations at a bar in Japan?

In Chapter 93 (part 3 of "Class Reunion") of the manga, Bartender, a customer who walks into Eden Hall informs Sasakura that he doesn't have a reservation. IIRC

Is it possible to rent camping tent in the Iya Valley or Yagen Valley, Japan?

I'm thinking about spending couple of days hiking in Iya Valley, Shikoku or Yagen Valley, Honshu. I've read that there are awesome places for camping in whic

Where can I socialize with young Japanese people?

One of the things I like about travelling to Japan is that it's possible, if you know some Japanese, to travel to destinations where your fellow travellers are

How can I book the plane schedule I want from the USA to Japan?

I want to buy a plane ticket from Portland, Oregon (PDX) to Fukuoka, JAPAN (FUK). The most obvious schedule is to take the direct flight from Portland to Tokyo