Discount for transport in Japan

One of the best transportation deals available to travelers to Japan is the JR Rail Pass which gives you unlimited train rides on almost all JR Trains including the Shinkansen Bullet Trains. This one pass can save you hundreds of dollars and pays for itself with just a round trip between Tokyo and Kyoto. This pass is only available outside Japan so you will need to purchase it before you arrive. For more information please see http://www.japanrailpass.net/ and when you are ready to purchase your JR Rail Pass please visit ACP Rail.

Many airlines are also offering discounts,

For not resident in Japan;
JAL and ANA offer several passes that have to be purchased in your country. For more information please see below:
The "One World Yokoso-Welcome to Japan Fare"
http://www.jal.co.jp/yokosojapan/

The "Star Alliance Japan Air pass"
http://www.ana.co.jp/wws/us/e/wws_common/fare/special/airpass.html

Finally but not last; the Low-coast Airlines offer very attractive prices. Here are the most popular low-cost airlines in Japan:

Peach Aviation
http://www.flypeach.com/home.aspx

Air Asia Japan
http://www.airasia.com/jp/en/home.page

Jetstar Japan
http://www.jetstar.com/jp/en/home

Sapporo Snow Festival

After a long and hot summer, let's think about a nice plan for this winter. The Sapporo Snow Festival (Sapporo Yuki Matsuri) is the most popular winter festival in Japan. Every year about 2 millions visitors join this event. Hundreds snow statues are built every year in February. In 2013, the festival will be held from February 5 through February 11.

Snow Festival in Sapporo

Hotels will quickly become fully booked, so you better arrange your itinerary soon. At Japanese Guest Houses, we will do our best to find an accommodation for you: http://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/db/sapporo/index.htm
The festival is main organized in the Odori park This is where you will find the most popular snow sculptures. While some statues are human size; other ones are huge !

Light up in Sapporo

The Susukino Site, in this "bubbling neighborhood" (especially at night), ice statues are exhibited. We recommend you to visit it at night; there is a light up until midnight, every day.

Finally the Tsu Dome Site; this one entertains families. There are several snow slides around the dome. Inside the dome; like in every Japanese festival you will find numerous food stands. The Tsu Dome Site opens daily from 9:00 to 17:00.
Interesting numbers;

• Number of Snow or Ice Sculptures in 2012: 228
• The amount of snow transported for the festival is around 32,500 tons
• 2.416.000 visitors for the 62nd Snow Festival (2011).

Snow slides in Sapporo

Kodaiji temple in Kyoto,

The Kaisan-do hall view from the main hall at Kodaiji temple

Kodaiji, one of the greatest temple in Kyoto. It's located up on the hill above the Gion district. It's very quiet and always get some wind that you really enjoy during hot summer days! It was established in 1605 by the noblewoman "Nene" (Kita-no-Mandokoro) in memory of her husband Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536-1598).
Kodaiji gives a very good representation of Japanese architecture and Zen Buddhism with exquisite craftsmanship and Japanese gardens.

Zen garden at Kodaiji

The garden was redesigned by the well known architect Kobori Ensyu (1579-1647). The garden is particularly famous for its stone layout. It is said that the in the south section a group of stones represents a crane and in the north section, in the pond an island has the shape of a turtle; however I guess this depends on everyone’s imagination. Personally I couldn't see the crane or the turtle !

The Iho-an tea ceremony house

 The Iho-an is a tea ceremony room. This house and the Onigawara-seki (two other tea houses located on the top of the hill) are good examples of the design of the Kodaiji.

Bamboo grove at Kodaiji

Down from the hill, visitors pass throw a bamboo grove, another typical element of Japanese gardens.

Looking for a good place to stay near the Kodaiji:
Ryokan Motonago: www.JapaneseGuestHouses.com/db/kyoto/motonago.htm
Tamahan: www.JapaneseGuestHouses.com/db/kyoto/tamahan.htm
Rikiya: www.JapaneseGuestHouses.com/db/kyoto/rikiya.htm

Hot Spring in Takedao Onsen

Looking for a hot spring in Kansai, near Osaka?
Arima Onsen is the most popular hot spring in the area, however it is not convenient to access and it can be really crowded. How about Takedao Onsen?

Outdoor bath at Takedao Onsen

The Koyokan Bettei Azale offers premium quality hot spring baths. This is a off the beaten tracks spot; most Japanese people living in Osaka don’t even know about it. Takedao Onsen is located 40 minutes away from Osaka, on the Western side of the agglomeration.
From Osaka station you will have to take the Fukuchiyama line. If you take an express train don’t forget to change to a local train in Nishinomiyanajio (express trains do not stop at the Takedao Onsen station).

Indoor bath at Takedao Onsen

Takedao Onsen is hidden between Takarazuka and Sanda, in the Muko valley. This valley is so small that the train station was built inside a tunnel. Once you will get off the train, you will find yourself surrounded by nature. You will also notice that it’s a very quiet place; the only sound is coming from the river.From the exit of the train station, go on your right and walk 5 minutes. You will have to cross a dark tunnel, luckily it is only 50 meters long (about 160 ft); and on the right you will find the entrance of the Koyokan Bettei Azale.

The Koyokan Bettei Azale is a luxurious ryokan (Japanese Traditional Inn), renovated 3 years ago. It offers all the modern comfort, though it didn’t lose its Japanese charms. The Ryokan has 12 Japanese combined Western Hanare (Private Guest Residence) with private bathroom and views of the river or mountains.

Takedao Onsen

As a Hot Spring Ryokan, what I really appreciate about the Koyokan Bettei Azale is its baths. The baths are clean, quiet (few people know about this place) and though you go there on Saturdays you might be the only person using the baths. I went there last Saturday and I could enjoy the baths all for myself. It was great!!

I first took a quick shower beside the indoor bath. Then I could relax in the outdoor bath, listen to birds…what a relief when you come from the city center of Osaka.
For information the water temperature was 39 C degrees (Around 100 F), which is quiet mild.

After the bath I would suggest you to have a drink on the terrace, and just enjoy your time.

Kurashiki

Before or after Naoshima, “The Modern Art Island”, let’s step back in time and experience old Japan in Kurashiki !

Kurashiki is located in Okayama Prefecture, on the coast of the Seto Inland Sea. The town was an important river port. As a result, a number of elegant warehouse-style buildings were built to store rice, which was a valuable commodity during the Edo Period (1600-1868). Most of those typical warehouses have been preserved in the “Bikan district”. A walk along the quiet willow-lined canal will give a good image of traditional Japanese architecture. Often there are artists sitting by the canal making and selling trinkets.

The "Bikan district" in Kurashiki

Getting to the Bikan District is not hard just follow the signs from Kurashiki station. It takes about 10 minutes on foot from the JR Kurashiki station to the “Bikan district”. For a true Japanese experience, the Tsurugata Ryokan will welcome you; located in the heart of the "Bikan district" this traditional ryokan will serve you traditional Kaiseki dinner and breakfast (From 18,900 yen per guest per night).

The Ohara museum in Kurashiki

Magosaburo Ohara was a textile tycoon (1880 – 1943). Ohara financed trips to Europe for his friend, painter Kojima Torajiro, to study art.  Torajiro brought back artwork of El Greco, Gauguin, Monet, Matisse, and others. These pieces composed the museum’s initial collection when it opened in 1930. Later on, the museum also added artwork from Japanese and Chinese artists to its collection.

The Kurabo Museum

The Ivy Square was originally the first spinning mill in the region and the layout was based on mills in Manchester, England. Now the Ivy Square sometimes has live concerts or beer gardens.

Often called "The small Kyoto", Kurashiki is a beautiful town, very quiet and with a fantastic atmosphere; so if you are looking for a traditional stay or a romantic visit, Kurashiki is a great place to go.

Naoshima

Looking for a unique spot ?
Naoshima Island is waiting for you. Naoshima is a small island in the Seto Inland Sea. From Osaka, it takes about 4 hours by express train (no reservations needed); or less than 2 hours by Shinkansen (bullet train).
The first thing I would like to say is that even during the Golden Week, Naoshima is a peaceful and quiet island. Naoshima is off the beaten path, and I really enjoyed it.

"Pumpkin" A work of art by Yayoi Kusama

Naoshima became popular when the Benesse House and Chichu Museum were constructed. Now the island is considered a must see for art lovers. Anywhere you go on this island, you will find interesting, curious, funny or strange pieces of modern art.

The Benesse House Museum

This was designed by Tadao Ando and is a combination of 3 hotels (Oval, Park and Beach) and a museum. Each hotel has a unique feeling and style. Just exploring these hotels will make your trip worthwhile. Guests at Benesse House are allowed to view the museum until 22:00 PM. I didn't stay there, but I sincerely think that it's a great experience; a night in a museum !

On Naoshima, most buildings are hidden, here it's The Benesse House Museum. In addtion to artistic exhibitions, Naoshima focuses on environmental activities.

The Chichu Museum

Though I am usually not a big fan of Modern Art, I would recommend the visit. Actually Naoshima is a beautiful island, very clean and if you’re lucky to have a nice weather, for sure you will enjoy your day.

By Vincent Penez

2 days in Tokyo,

I just spent my last weekend in Tokyo, let me share my opinion about some of the Tokyo’s landmarks. Living in Osaka for more than 3 years, I reached the Japanese capital by Shinkansen (bullet train) in less than 3 hours.

Tokyo Sky Tree

A Shinkansen ride is not cheap (About 14,000 yen for a single way) but trains bound for Tokyo leave Shin-Osaka station every 7 minutes!! It’s really the most convenient way to go there. The ride is very comfortable, even the economic seats are wide.
I didn’t expect it, but Japanese people enjoy the Shinkansen in many different ways. Salarymans were drinking beers and sake, maybe celebrating the end of a busy week.

Some other businessmen (less lucky) were still working with their computers. Other people like me, were listen to music, reading… in a very friendly atmosphere. I thought Japanese would have a very formal behavior like most of the time. But I was happily surprised to see all those people enjoying their time on the way to Tokyo.
Once I arrived in Tokyo, I went to Asakusa. It’s the most famous temple in Tokyo. People usually pray and guide the smoke that is at the entrance of the temple on the part of the body they want to heal. This temple is a must in Tokyo, though I was actually more interested about another landmark, located near Asakusa; The Tokyo Sky Tree. This is a 634 meters tall (about 2,080 feet) antenna developed for Digital Terrestrial Broadcasting.The Tokyo Sky Tree will open on May 22nd.

Sushi in Tsukiji Market

Later I visited is the Tsukiji Fish Market. The biggest fish market in the world. As I am now use to the Japanese society where everything is clean and in order, I thought “What a crazy place!!” In the professional side of the market I felt a little awkward. People are running everywhere, in very narrow streets; with fishes all around…I guess this is the real attraction of the Tsukiji.
The other part of the market, people are looking for the finest sushi or sashimi restaurants. The one I could find were excellent!

Vincent Penez

Snow Monkeys in Jigokudani,

You might think that hot springs are reserved for humans; but if you visit the Jigokudani Park you will probably be sharing your bath with Japanese Snow Monkeys.

The Jigokudani is located in the Japanese Alps, outside of Nagano. Jigokudani (meaning “hell’s valley”) took its name from the steam and boiling water of the hot spring. Because it is located in the mountains, about 850 meters (2,800 feet) the heavy snowfalls cover the area for at least 4 months a year.

During the cold winter, the hot spring of the Jigokudani is a real Eden for the monkeys living in the valley. Hot baths are a necessity for the monkeys to keep themselves warm; but it is also interesting to see that their behavior is very similar to human.

The Jigokudani Monkey Park is open all year long, however the best season to go would be winter. When the valley is all white and monkeys are all playing around the hot spring bath.

How to go there ?

From the JR Nagano station; take the Nagano Dentetsu Rail Line bound for Yudanaka train station. From Yudanaka train station, take a bus to Kanbayashi Onsen bus stop. Then you must walk 2 kms (30-40 minutes) to the ryokan. It gets dark quickly and there are no lights along the road leading to the ryokan, so its better to arrive early. Also, a backpack would be more convenient that a large suitcase.
It is a good idea to leave most of your luggage at JR Nagano train station.


Where to stay ?

The Korakukan Jigokudani; is a rustic mountain minshuku; it is the only ryokan (only 100 meters) in the Jigokudani Yaen National Park. Korakukan Jigokudani has 12 traditional Japanese-style rooms. There are indoor and outdoor hot spring baths for both women and men at Korakukan Jigokudani (and monkeys frequently visit the outdoor hot spring baths). There are also two "family baths" which can be reserved for private use. From the outdoor hot spring baths at Korakukan Jigokudani, the nearby hot spring geyser can be seen.

For a live camera view of the snow monkeys at Yudanaka Onsen, Jigokudani Yaen Koen please click here: Snow Monkey Live Camera