Let's travel around Japan!

Tokyo, Kyoto, Hokkaido,.. There are many nice spots in Japan.
Onsen, ryokan, sushi, kimono,..
You can experience Japanese culture and foods.
Please check this website as a travel guide and visit Japan!

• Tokyo
• Asakusa
• Tokyo Sky Tree
• Akihabara
• Tsukiji Market
• Ginza
• Shibuya
• Shinjuku
• Harajuku
• Tokyo Disneyland

• Yokohama
• Kamakura
• Hakone
• Mt.Fuji
• Fuji Five Lakes
• Nikko

• Kyoto
• Kinkakuji
• Ginkakuji
• Kiyomizudera
• Gion

• Osaka
• Dotonbori
• Nanba
• Universal Studio

• Nara
• Todaiji
• Horyuji
• Koyasan
• Kobe
• Himeji Castle

• Hokkaido
• Furano / Biei
• Sendai
• Takayama
• Shirakawa-go
• Nagoya
• Hiroshima
• Miyajima
• Fukuoka
• Nagasaki
• Beppu
• Yakushima
• Okinawa

Other tourist spots

Best season of cherry blossom

You can see cherry blossom (sakura) in all areas of Japan.
But it blooms for only 10-15 days.
So, to see sakura, you have to visit Japan at just the right time.

Every year, the best season is from the end of March to early April in the southern half of Japan, late April in Tohoku Region, and May in Hokkaido.
Below are the full blooming dates in 2012.

- Tokyo : April. 6
- Kyoto : April. 9
- Hiroshima : April. 9
- Sendai : April. 23
- Sapporo : May. 2

Areas where snow falls in winter

Snow mainly falls in the area along the Sea of Japan and Hokkaido, but there is almost no snow in the area along the Pacific Ocean.

In winter, very cold air blows from Siberia.
Before reaching Japan, the air crosses over the Japan Sea and absorbs much water vapor from the sea.
The wetted air attacks the high mountains on the Japanese islands.
The updraft makes wet clouds, then they snows on the area along the Sea of Japan.

After that, the air becomes dry, the downdraft courses the area along the Pacific Ocean.
In Tokyo, Kyoto, it is fine in most days in winter.

There are a few crowded periods in a year

A quarter of Japan's population concentlate around Tokyo area.
And one-sixth of Japan's population concentlate around Kansai area including Osaka, Kyoto.
Many of them came from the countryside for work or study.

They return their hometown during a certain time of year.

• Year-end & New Year (Dec.30 - Jan.3)
• Obon (Around Aug. 15)

Just before the period, the transportation such as train, domestic flight, expressway to countryside from big cities are very crowded.
And just after the period, the transportation to big cities are very crowded.

When you plan Japan travel, you should remember this.

Major festivals and events in Japan

Tokyo

• Sanja Festival (May, 3rd Fri to Sun)
• Kanda Festival (Around May 15 in odd year)
• Sanno Festival (June 15 in even year)

Kyoto

• Aoi Festival (May 15)
• Gion Festival (From early July to late July)
• Jidai Festival (October 22)

Tohoku Region

• Aomori Nebuta Festival (August 2-7)
• Akita Kanto Festival (August 3-6)
• Sendai Tanabata Festival (August 6-8)

Other festivals

• Sapporo Snow Festival (Early February)
• Takayama Festival (April 14,15 / October 9,10)