Destination Japan

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WELCOME TO JAPAN

A country at odds with itself, steeped in ancient Buddhist and Shinto traditions yet wildly modern, with Robot restaurants, ever on time bullet trains and modern skyscrapers.

While we have run tours to Japan we are also happy to help you facilitate your own amazing Japan art and cultural experience.

Our most recent travel to Japan took us to Tokyo in Fall to see the myriad colours, to walk Omotesando discovering ultra modern buildings and amazing leafy gardens. We also set foot on Mt Fuji’s “Fifth Station” and lunched at the Hakone Open Air Museum. Both were part of a long day trip from Tokyo but the fall colours were amazing, the Lake was beautiful, and the view atop Mt Fuji was fantastic.

: Hakone Open Air Museum

: Lake Aishi – Hakone

: Mt Fuji

Walking Omotesando and Harajuku

Tokyo is a great walking city, flat mostly, safe, and reasonably easy to navigate with with GPS and Metro map. The back streets are a must – but be prepared to get a bit lost along the way – you never know what you will discover. Check our suggested walking map to take in a full day and a good 13000 steps! It includes the old, the new, the downright outrageous, the most sylish design store, and some great coffee and doughnuts – what more could a day in Tokyo be missing. Oh – some lunch of course, and we have that covered too!

: Prada

: Sunny Hills

Walking Roppongi

Roppongi offers a lot of options from the contemporary dealer gallery scene to the huge National Art Center. This walking map will fill in a day for you starting at the Mori Museum and finishing at the National Art Center. You can do it in reverse to end up at the Mori Museum observation deck at sunset and watch the city transform from day to night. Try to get to the Axis Building – it contains the fantastic IMA Concept Store which comprises a gallery, bookstore, coffee shop and small café. The Axis building has a couple of small galleries including is a small craft store called Savoir Faire, which is well worth a visit for its ceramic and glassware.

Food

Food courts, Ramen Shops, Izakaya restaurants, Cafes, Sushi Shops, Markets – you will find it all at all price brackets!

: Craft Beer and Food in Omotesando

: Kyoto’s Nishiki Market

: Japanese Spaghetti

: Fish Market

: Sushi Set Lunch

: Soba Noodles

: Kyoto’s Nishiki Market

: Plastic Menu meals

: Doughnuts and Coffee

: Lunch Set – Shinagawa Station

: Takeshita Street

: Beer of Naoshima

Get a SUICA Card

Most people suggest getingt a Japan Rail Pass, which is great value for travelling around Japan – but not as great a value if you are mostly using the JR line around Tokyo. Get a JR SUICA or a PASMO card. Similar to a Oyster Card in London – easy to use, great value and can be used around Japan in many locations and convenience stores.

Shop in Shinjuku

Shinjuku station may be large – the largest number of commuters per day in fact, but it is navigable and there is a shopping for all nearby. Tokyu Hands is a great way to spend a few hours among between the homewares and crafts you can easily get lost over eight floors! Good coffee is also found here in a couple of locations.