I recently had the pleasure of a relaxing one night retreat from my daily life and thanks to the generosity of The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo you too can relax your cares away while pondering the your own private view of Tokyo’s impressive nighttime skyline, but let me tell you more about the hotel first…

The lobby of The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo sits on the 45th floor and is a peaceful oasis unto itself – modern flower arrangements grace the large lobby tables and a pianist plays classical music for patrons partaking of afternoon tea.  For those looking to imbibe in something a little stronger the lobby bar is located beyond an infinity pool and fountain that will wash away any stress that you may be harboring.

Also off the lobby is French restaurant, Forty Five, and Hinokizaka, specializing in Japanese cuisine, both with lovely views of the city. I sipped champagne and dined on Le Menu at Forty Five while overlooking Tokyo Tower on a rare haze-free summer day in the city and enjoyed both the food and the view tremendously!

If you are looking for space, the rooms at The Ritz Carleton Tokyo have plenty to spare.  All the rooms in the hotel feature “standard” marble bathrooms that are the size of many Tokyo apartments, featuring two well appointed vanities, a luxurious tub, and even a television!

A small desk, two comfortable sitting chairs and another television grace the room where the star is the bed itself covered with luxurious Frette linens and pillows that beckon you to a relaxing nights sleep or simply a short nap.    Privacy shades and room darkening curtains ensure that the level of light is to your liking at all times and can be changed and the touch of a button from conveniently placed bedside controls.

I suggest that you borrow one of the great pillows from the well appointed bed and perch on the comfortably wide window ledge to watch the sun set over Tokyo.  As the city lights begin to twinkle and the sun sets behind Mount Fuji and Roppongi Hills, Shinjuku or the Imperial Palace, take it all in before heading down for dinner in the hotel or at one of the many great restaurants in Tokyo Midtown.

Upon your return, you will be greeted by a plush terry robe, bedside slippers, a chocolate on your pillow, some complimentary water and a perfectly turned down bed where you can dream the night away high above the city.

The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo

• Dining over Tokyo
• Spa Services
• Guest Rooms & Packages

You Can Win A Stay at The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo!

Staying at the Ritz is a treat reserved for very special occasions for most and my stay was no exception – I was honored to be a guest for one night and along with The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo want you to experience all that the Ritz has to offer.

To win a one night midweek stay (Sunday through Thursday) in a deluxe room at The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo here is what you need to do:

1. Peruse the The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo website to learn more about the services and amenities that are offered, and,
2. Pick just one (it will be hard) that defines luxury and relaxation to you,
3. Then, tweet it to your followers with a link back to this contest page with the RitzTokyo hashtag (e.g. “I want to win a night at the #RitzTokyo & get an essential body massage – you can enter too! http://su.pr/1Wrm1V .”

OR

1. If you have your own website but aren’t yet on Twitter,  write about the contest on your site, following the guidelines above, and,
2. Ensure that there is a track back to this post.

Terms & Conditions

1. Contest will run from Friday, September 4, 2009 through midnight on Sunday, September 6, 2009 (Japan Standard Time)
2. Contest winner must be of legal age in Japan to claim the prize (20 years old).
3. Only one (1) prize will be awarded.
4. Prize must be utilized within six months of being awarded, is non-transferable once issued, and can only be utilized at The Ritz-Carton Tokyo.
5. One entry per day per person for the term of the contest.
6. Contest winner will be drawn randomly via Random.org
7. If the winner is on Twitter, they will be notified by direct message on Friday, September 11, 2009 so be sure to follow @shanesakata on Twitter so that you receive the DM, or,
8. If the winner is the result of an article written on another website the winner will be contacted via that website’s published contact information.
9. In either case, if no reply is received within 24 hours of notification a new winner will be chosen.

Image Credit:  Images provide by and used with permission from The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo

Your hard earned money is one of those things that flows, usually away from you faster than towards you, and it is said that if you visit Zeniari Bentzaiten and wash your money there the flow will be reversed for the faithful and that it will come back to them many times over when spent.

Based on the tale of Minamoto Yoritomo who, in 1185 had a vision and received the following message “I am the god of Ugajin {woo-gah-gin}.  In a valley to the northwest, there is a miraculous spring that gushes out of  the rocks.  Go there and worship to the Gods of Shinto and peace will come to the people”.  Moniamoto followed the directions of the Gods and founded the Zeniarai Bentzaiten Ugafuku Jinji.

The shrine is small but located in a lovely glade that is accessed through a short tunnel borrowed into the hills of Kamakura whose entrance is marked by a large stone tablet and tori.  Stepping out of the dim tunnel you are surrounded by rocky slopes of emerald green trees and the peaceful sound of flowing water.

Take a wander about and explore the small altars inset into the hillside, the lovely ponds and the small waterfall that is said to flow with one of the five best spring waters in Kamakura.

Next, make a donation of Y100 to receive a bamboo basket, two small candles and a packet of incense .  Pause to light your candles and place them on the wrought iron stand to the left of the shrine entrance then light your incense bundle and place it in to koro before entering the cave where the main shrine is housed.

As you enter, the coolness of the cave envelops you and you can’t help but pause to take in the scene before you.  Origami cranes cranes and golden gourds hang from the ceiling and row upon row of tiny wooden tori rest upon a rocky ledge that is lit by a large paper lantern and natural rays coming though the rocks.

The gurgling and bubbling sound of the water will draw you towards the beautiful wooden altar where you will empty your wallet with hopes of future riches. Place your Yen into the bamboo basket, coins and all, scoop up some of the pure spring water and pour it over your money, and pray…

A couple we met at the shrine were pondering the idea of washing their credit cards, but alas, this is yet another place in Japan where credit cards are not accepted!

Not ones to tempt fate, my companions and I washed our money and prayed that it would be come back to us as we handed over the damp bills to the various shopkeepers along the Kamakura shopping street later in the day.

We haven’t yet reaped the benefits of newfound riches, but we had some clean money, if only for a short time, and hold on to a lingering hope that good things really do come to those who wait – after all there isn’t a time limit imposed on prayers…

Zeniarai Bentzaiten Ugafuku Jinja is located about 25 minutes on foot from Kamakura station (approximately one hour from Tokyo station by train) or take some time to explore Kamakura on a rental bike like we did.  Pick up a map of Kamakura at the tourist information office in the station before heading out on foot or on two wheels to make the most of your time in the area.

Image Credit:  Personal Collection

As Ms. Andoh conducts the “In a Pickle” culinary workshop she shares with the participants the wealth of food knowledge that she has gained living the majority of her life in Japan and from her years of study at the prestigious Yanagihara Kinsaryu School of Traditional Japanese Cuisine.   A native New Yorker, she also has a degree in anthropology and a keen interest in the science of food, its roots in necessity and how a culture is built around native foods.

Mt. Fuji is as much a symbol of Japan as its food and it seems only fitting that on a clear day it can be seen from the Tokyo kitchen where A Taste of Culture workshops are held.  Unlike the mountain that is shrouded in clouds more often than not, Ms. Andoh sheds light on the foods of Japan: how to prepare them, how to serve them and even how to enjoy them.  The participants on this day span the globe from Finland to India and from Canada to Germany and all want to learn more about pickles from the author of Washoku: Recipes from the Japanese Home Kitchen and a contributor to Gourmet magazine for over 30 years.

As we chop, simmer, boil and ultimately create two different types of Japanese pickles, sokuseki-zuke (impatient pickles) and amazu shoga (pink pickled ginger) Ms. Andoh talks about formulas more than recipes and along the way shares with us the nutritional value of the various ingredients and a variety of interesting information about the Japanese kitchen where a pickle pot commonly resides on the counter or in the fridge of most homes.

As we start Ms. Andoh is quick to point out that tsukemono are not pickles in the true sense of the word.  The name is derived to the the verb tsukaru which more closely resembles the English word “marinate” in meaning.  While pickles have a long shelf life, most tsukemono have a limited shelf life and are best consumed within a relatively short period of time.  The art of making tsukemono is in the relative proportion of ingredients and in the timing of the actual pickling, or brining, process itself.  The variety of vegetables that can be utilized in the pickle pot is immense – the colors intense and all from nature or enhanced by natural ingredients like aka jiso (red shiso) leaves for a vibrant red or kuchinashi no mi (dried gardenia pod) for an intense yellow color.

It is difficult to put into words the effect that attending a workshop at Ms. Andoh’s Taste of Culture kitchen has on its participants.  Part cooking school, part food lecture and part food history and science education – all very interesting and inspiring.   The discussion on this day ranged from foods mentioned in the Kojiki, the oldest surviving Japanese book dating back to 712, that are still being made today in much the same manner but with the assistance of modern kitchen gadgets like the hard plastic pickle pot and microwave, not to mention the convenience of refrigeration.

I left the “In a Pickle” culinary workshop with much more than the two small jars of pickles we created and the samples of ingredients that are often unknown to or difficult for non-native Japanese to find let alone procure without a firm grasp of both written and verbal Japanese.

Participants are provided extensive written information on the workshop topic prior and advanced reading of the material only enhances the experience.  Ms. Andoh also provides homework and requests that students email her with feedback on the results.  Andoh has earned her stripes in the world of Japanese food and cooking, she is the only non-Japanese member of the prestigious Japan Food Journalists Association (JFJ), but she remains very approachable and her passion for Japanese food is contagious.

A Taste of Culture programs are conducted in English and attract both foreign residents of Japan and independent tourist-visitors to Japan at kitchens in either Tokyo or Osaka as are seasonal and ingredient specific tasting programs.  Market tours and onsite workshops can also be arranged.

A three hour culinary class, like the “In a Pickle” culinary workshop I attended and have documented here in pictures, culminates with a shared meal where participants dine on dishes made during the class that are often supplemented from Ms. Andoh’s well stocked refrigerator.  If she speaks about a dish or ingredient during a workshop there is a good chance that you will get to touch, smell or taste it by the end of your time in her kitchen.

If you live in or are planning a visit to Tokyo or Osaka and love Japanese food, make an effort to include and Taste or Culture program on your itinerary at the outset.  Your experience of Japanese food culture will be enhanced immeasurably.

Visit the A Taste of Culture website for program schedule, registration information, location and additional information.

If you can’t get to Tokyo why not purchase your very own copy of Washoku: Recipes from the Japanese Home Kitchen and put Ms. Andoh’s Japanese food recipes and wisdom to work in your own kitchen?

For more on my pickle making adventures inspired by Ms. Andoh and my day in the Taste of Culture Tokyo kitchen please take a moment to read my guest post “Making Japanese Pickles the Washoku Way” on La Fuji Mama, where enthusiastic fans of Ms. Andoh’s Washoku: Recipes from the Japanese Home Kitchen have teamed up as the Washoku Warriors to work through the recipes in the cookbook.

“In a Pickle” Tsukemono Workshop in Pictures:

 

Image credit:  Personal Collection

Accompanied but the thundering sound of beating drums, the music of bamboo flutes and shouts of “rasseera” by Haneto dancers this is more than just a parade.  It is a dramatic six night festival that is considered one of the best in Japan as evidenced by the three million people that visit annually.  The Aomori Nebuta Festival culminates on the final evening when a large toro, lantern, is floated out to sea, symbolically taking evil spirits with it, as large and colorful display of fireworks light up the night sky.

Some historians believe that this event is a local variation of Tanabata celebrations, and others think it originated with a general who created large creatures to scare away rebels in the area sometime in the 800′s.

Japan in Motion offers a great video of the festival and says that “The Aomori Nebuta Festival is, unquestionably, one of the most visually dramatic, energetic, and well attended festivals in all Japan”.  More than thirty nebuta floats participate each year – each takes up to a year to construct and some tower five meters above the street and are spun about by their handlers as they move along the parade route.

Visitors are encourage to participate with area vendors renting Haneto costumes for around Y5,000 per person.

Hirosaki, also in Aomori prefecture, also hosts its won festival, the Neptuta Festival, where a much quieter, but no less impressive, version of the events in Aomori take place.

The Aomori Nebuta Festival takes place from August 2nd through the 7th and the Hirosaki Neputa Festival starts a day earlier, on the first, and also ends on the 7th.

Visit the Japan Nation Tourist Organization website for Nebuta Festival access information for both sites.

Image Credit:  Flickr, Aomori Nebuta festival, Japan [2008], 2006-0802 (191) & Hirosaki Neputa festival, Japan [2008]

Orihime, the daughter of Emperor Tentei, was a skilled weaver and made lovely clothes for her father.  On day as she sat alongside the the river of heaven ( amanogawa – the milky way) she was overcome with sadness as she had been so busy with her weaving that she hadn’t had time to fall in love.   Tentei, believed to be the ruler of the heavens, witness her woeful state and arranged a marriage for her with Hikoboshi who lived across the river.  The couple was very much in love and were very happy but Orihime was neglecting her weaving.  This angered Tentei so much that he decided to separate the couple putting them back on opposite sides of the river.

Tentei decreed that the couple would only be allowed to see each other on one night each year – on the seventh day of the seventh month.  On that evening a boatman (the moon) comes to ferry Orihime over the river to her beloved Hikoboshi.  But if Orihime has not given her best to her weaving Tentei may make it rain causing the river to flood so the boatman cannot make the trip.  In this case the kasasagi (a group of magpies) may still fly to the milky way to make a bridge for Orihime to cross.

The Tanabata festival (also know as the star festival) celebrates the reuniting of these lovers separated by the milky way and the word tanabata can be translated as “weaving with the loom (bata) placed on the shelf (tana)”.

During the Tanabata festival sprigs of bamboo, sometimes small and sometimes the size of a tree, are hung with tanzuku, papers upon people write their wishes.  Traditionally people wish for improved technical skills and abilities in homage to the legend of Hikoboshi and Orihime.

Celebrate Tanabata in Japan

Bright and cheerful Tanabata decorations like those pictured above can be found throughout out Japan during July.  Look for festivals and other events, large and small, celebrating tanabata in the area you are visiting.  Here are just two:

Tokyo Tower

From July 1st-12th if you wear a yukata to Tokyo Tower you will gain free admission to the main observatory where you will see an illumination of the Milky Way along with the great city views.  You may also write attach your own tanzuku to the tanabata bamboo.  If it isn’t raining, free rickshaw rides and a souvenir picture will also be offered on July 4th (2PM – 6PM) and July 5th (11AM – 4PM).  Tokyo Tower itself will be illuminated in five Olympic colors on July 4th.

Tanabata Matsuri

The Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival will take place in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture from July 2nd through the 5th.  Over 3,000 bamboo tanabata decorations will line the streets of the city and will be lit each night until 9:30PM.

Events during the festival period include a Kiyari-Matoi (firemen’s chant) parade on July2nd at Noon, a parade of Sennin Odori (a thousand of folk dancers) from 1PM – 3PM on July 3rd and a parade of “”Miss Orihime Tanabata”" (Beauty Queens) with brass bands marching from 10:30 am on July 4th.

Hiratsuka Station is located about 70 minutes outside of Tokyo on the JR Tokaido Line.

Legend Source: Orihime, Kengyuu, and Tanabata
Image Credit:  Flickr, センター街の七夕 by fumi & Wish

The decision on whether Tokyo will once again be honored as the host city of the Olympics is just a few months away.  On October 2nd, the Olympic bid committee will decide whether Tokyo will be chosen to host the Summer Olympics in 2016.

The Summer Olympics were hosted by Tokyo in 1964 and is still home to a number of the venues that played an integral part in the success of those games.  One of those venues is the National Stadium that now houses The Prince Chichibu Memorial Sports Museum that houses a large collection of Olympic memorabilia and displays that cover the history of the games starting with first Olympiad.

The National Stadium was built in 1958 for the 1964 Olympics and today serves as a venue for soccer and rugby matches.  The Prince Chichibu Memorial Sports Museum opened in 1959 and is dedicated to the memory of Prince Yashuhito Chichibu (1902-1953), commonly referred to as the “Sporting Prince” by the people of Japan, who was a lover of sport and an honorary head of many athletic organizations after WWII.

Exhibits at the museum include the winner’s podium from the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, torches, athletic uniforms, tickets, scale models and posters that in combination provide an impressive overview of the history of the Olympic Games.

Yoshinori Sakai was a key figure in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, he had the honor of being the final torch bearer and is pictured above lighting the Olympic cauldron.  Today he is active in supporting the Tokyo2106 bid committee.  A little older bit still very fit, he made an appearance at an event I had the pleasure of attending in Tokyo over the weekend.

This time his torch was made of origami flowers, his audience, the adorable students of Fukuda Kindergarten in Hatagaya, and his track much more low key – a small oval around the kindergarten playing field.

In the official interview after the events Sakai-san talked about his memories of the 1964 Games saying that all of Japan had come together to show the world how Japan had succeeded in its economic development, and to promote the message of peace.  He hopes for the same in 2016.  Shibuya246 has posted some more great pictures from this event and was kind enough to translate Sakai-san’s comments for me to use here.

Learn more about Japan’s Olympic history at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Sports Museum.  The museum is located five minutes on foot from Sendagaya Station or two minutes on foot from Kokuritsu-Kyogijo Station (Exit A2) in Meiji Jingu Park (access map).  Admission is Y300 and the museum is open daily from 9:30 to 4:30 (closed on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month).

Visit the Japan Olympic Committee website to learn more about Tokyo’s 2016 Olympic bid and join them in “Uniting our Worlds”.

Image Credit:  Wikipedia, Tokyo1964cauldron & personal collection

Fuji Rock Festival ’09

The 12th annual Fuji Rock Festival is Japan’s largest outdoor festival and will take place from July 24th through the 26th at Naeba Ski Resort in Niigata Prefecture, part of the Chubu region of Japan.  The original festival was held near Mt. Fuji in 1997 and retained the name despite moving to Naeba in 1999.

Over 100,000 people will attend the event to see headliners Franz Ferdinand, The Killers, and Weezer.  Other artists announced June 2nd include:

Altan Urag, THE BIRTHDAY, BOIKOT, CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH, CRAZE & KLEVER, Dachambo, DE DE MOUSE, DJ TASAKA, esne beltza, JET, nakamura mari, NEWDEAL X TAMAKI ROY, ROVO, YUKIHIRO TAKAHASHI, animanimus, bouzumans, THE CENTERHITS, THE DESCRIPTIONS, gekitetsu, Harp On Mouth Sextet, Jaribu Afrobeat Arkestra, KATE SIKORA, kowarekakeno tape recorders, mahiruno, nenem, reito, SuiseiNoboAz, taizan ni asobu and uchikubi gokumon doukoukai.

“High up in the mountains, far away from city life and daily grind, you’ll love this festival and it’s unique atmosphere.”

Various Fuji Rock Festival Tours including accommodations and transportation from 16 cities in Japan can be booked in advance.  Access to the Fuji Rock Festival site and accommodations in the area can also be arranged independently. Free shuttle buses will operate between Echigo-Yuzawa station (about 1.5 hours outside of Tokyo by train) and the festival site.

Fuji Rock Festival ’09 Event Details

Dates: July 24(Fri), 25(Sat), 26(Sun) 2009
Hours: Gate Open 9:00 / Stage starts 11:00 / Stage close 23:00
Tickets: 3-day tickets: ¥39,800; 1-day tickets:  ¥16,800 (limited to 10,000/day) Pre-booking for all ticket types closes June 5th and regular sales will start on Saturday June 6th.
Car park pass: ¥3,000/car/day for 2+ persons (Not sold separately from entrance tickets)
Campsite ticket: ¥3,000 valid for festival period (Not sold separately from entrance tickets)

Summer Sonic 2009

The 10th annual Summer Sonic is held in two different cities over the weekend of August 7-9, 2009.  The artists will perform in Osaka on Maishima Island and at Chiba Marine Stadium and Makuhari Messe, approximately 40 minutes outside of Tokyo.

Headlines include Beyonce, Linkin Park, My Chemical Romance, Nine Inch Nails, Limp Bizkit, Elvis Costello and The Imposters, Joan Jett and The Blackhearts and Lady Gaga/Klaxons among others.  The list of artists performing at Summer Sonic 2009 is impressive.

Tickets range in price from ¥13,000 for a one day ticket to ¥39,500 for a three day pass. Summer Sonic 2009 Tickets are currently on sale and can be purchased online.

Rising Sun Rock Festival 2009

Taking place in Ezo, Hokkaido on August 14th & 15th, the Rising Sun Rock Festival is an outdoor event featuring a line up of Japan’s contemporary artists covering a range of genres including rock, AOR, alternative, industrial, techno, jazz, ska and more.

Tickets range in price from ¥18,000 to ¥21,000 plus camping and parking if needed.  Tickets to the Rising Sun Rock Festival are currently on preorder.  Regular ticket sales start on June 27th.

Image Credit: Flickr, Fuji0037 & Chiba Marine Stadium: The Verve

My favorite place in Japan

This month we had some great participants from the JapanSoc Flickr Group that have been interspersed with links to articles on a number of great Japan blogs.  Enjoy!

Let’s start with an image of Tenshochi – Kitakami, Iwate, Japan by LostInInaka

CJW presents My Patagonia posted at i, cjw ~.::.~ hiking and climbing in japan.

Mike presents Yakushima – Japan Travel Photos posted at Gakuranman. (top right)

Harvey also presents A trip to Yakushima posted at Japannewbie.com.

Kanmuri presents Ueno Station: Hours of Pleasure. posted at Turning Iwatean.

Tokyofoodcast presents My Harbor: Kaminokae, Kochi posted at Tokyofoodcast, saying, “First time to join matsuri. Yoroshiku!”

C.K. Tse shares an image of Gassho-style (literally “praying hands”) thatched-roof houses in Shirakawa

Tony Alexander presents How I Would Entertain Guest in Japan posted at The Soul of Japan.

Honor presents Japanese Countryside -  My Favorite Place In Japan posted at TokyoTopia.

Supreme Nothing presents My Favorite Place in Japan, or Why Does Fuji-san Keep Talking To Me? posted at supreme nothing.

Shibuya246 presents Golf at Mt Fuji posted at Shibuya246.

Thomas Hammerlund presents Rhinos at Yagiyama Zoo in Sendai posted at sixmats.com.

Brett Fyfield presents Knowledge Bubbles up from Within posted at Rainbowhill Language Lab. (fountain image on right – see Rainbowhill’s Photo on Flickr)

Andrew Cowan presents The best place in Japan posted at ALT Susono, saying, “My favorite place in Japan is a local izakaya.”

Billy presents My Favorite Place in Japan posted at Tune In Tokyo – how appropriate that his favorite place is anyplace where he can Karaoke with his friends.

Muza-chan presents My favorite place in Japan, Meiji Jingu posted at Muza-chan’s Gate to Japan.

I agree with Muza-chan, the Meiji Jingu Iris Garden is in the precincts of the shrine and is an oasis of calm in the bustling metropolis of Tokyo.

Dave presents My favourite place in Japan, actually the whole Kansai region, posted at The Ramen Blues.

Janne presents Namba posted at Janne In Osaka. (Bar in Namba at Night pictured on the right – see Janne’s Flickr Photos)

Paul Walsh presents Our favorite place in Japan Hiroshima posted at Get Hiroshima Blog with photo courtesy of Rebecca Schmidt below.

iMorpheus presents My Favorite Place: Rotating Beneath my Feet, referring to the great trains of Japan and posted at Epimetheus. (Tickets Please by pictured on the right – see iMorpheus’s Flickr Photos)

Aimee Weinstein presents My Favorite Place in Japan, the Daibutsu Buddha in Kamakura,  posted at The Weekly Weinstein: Tales of Tokyo Life.

Cindy presents My favorite place in Japan, Mount Koya, or Koya-san,  posted at just a little ちょっと.

Our Man in Abiko presents 10 favourite places – in Abiko posted at our man in abiko.

Deas presents Fushimi Inari Taisha posted at Rocking in Hakata.

KenY-N presents The theatre – my favourite place in Japan posted at What Japan Thinks.

Sarah presents My Favourite Place, Nikko Toshogu, posted at A Canadian in Meiji Japan.

A image of a  Temple gate in Nikko is preseted by indy138.

This image of Tsurunoyu Onsen in Akita is presented by lazysupper.

Last but certainly not least we have an image of Mt. Iwate titled “One Cherry Tree” present by jasohill.

That concludes the May 2009 edition of the Japan Blog Matsuri.   Thanks to all who participated their words and images – it was pleasure to host and I encourage you all to submit entired to the June edition, hosted by Billy of Tune-in-Tokyo.

So, what’s your favorite place in Japan?  One included here or someplace different?  Do tell us all about it in the comments…

You’ve got your plane reservation and are on your way to Japan and now the question becomes how to get around once you are here.  Almost everyone has heard about the vast and efficient trains systems in Japan but there are other means of transportation that you should consider when traveling from place to place.

The country has come along way since the days of rickshaws, horse drawn carriages and samurai on horseback!  (Read more about the History of transportation in Japan)

From traveling cross country to moving about in the cities you will find getting around in Japan a lot easier once you understand your various options.

Shinkansen (Bullet Train)

Many private railways exist throughout Japan but the predominant company serving the country is Japan Railways Group, better know as JR.  From Hokkaido to Kyushu, JR offers service in all regions of Japan, with the exception of Okinawa.

If you are planning to move around the country when you visit consider a Japan Rail Pass which can only be purchased outside of Japan for seven, fourteen, or twenty-one day periods.  A Japan Rails Pass offers travel on most lines, JR busses and ferries throughout the country.   If you are already in Japan, consider one of the regional Japan Rail Passes that can be purchased within the country.

If you are only making a a return trip from one place to another the Japan Rail Pass may not be an economical option for you and you may want to consider booking a single trip on the shinkansen.  The JR East Shinkansen Reservation system can be used to make a reservation but you will need to register as a member (free of charge) during the reservation process. A credit card and e-mail address will be required for membership.  Review the map of the service areas and the timetable to plan your trip.  This reservation system is intended primary for people entering Japan via Narita Airport (just outside of Tokyo) as tickets can only be picked up at major JR East Stations in the Tokyo metropolitan area and the Kanto, Tohoku, and some parts of the Chubu region. Tickets cannot be picked up in Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, or Sapporo.

One of the best resources for train travel in Japan is Hyperdia.  This system allows users to search train timetables across Japan in English and includes approximately 10,000 stations.

Highway Buses

Japan also operates a network of highway busses that are a more economical travel solution that the shinkansen but will make your journey significantly longer, often overnight.

Information of Highway Busses in Japan can be bound at Japan Bus Web along with a searchable database providing pick-up and drop off points, travel time and fare information.

For travel on JR Busses be sure search their highway bus timetable for similar information.  Another company offering long haul bus transportation in Japan is 123bus.net.

Air Travel

Japan has a number of air carriers that offer travel within Japan.  Regular fares are often more expensive than those for train travel but discounts can be found.  Consider a Japan Airpass or consult with a travel agent to learn more about air travel options within Japan.

Public Transportation in Major Japanese Cities

The public transportation system in Japan includes a combination of subway systems, local train lines and busses.  This is often the most economical and convenient way to explore the major cities of Japan.

In most major cities the subway system or local train lines are easier to use than city buses for those with limited or no Japanese language ability.  English signage is often posted and bilingual announcements on major tourist routes are common in lager cities.

Taking the bus can be more challenging as it is often hard to find English information for bus routes and timetables.  However, since train lines criss-cross most major cities you may never have a need to take a city bus.  If you do, check for information or ask for guidance at a local tourism office or from your hotel concierge.

Use these links to assist you as you make your way around on public transportation:

How to Take the Train in Japan
Tokyo Metro – Download the Tokyo Subway Route Map (PDF) for reference and use Tokyo Transfer Guide to plan travel routes in the Tokyo Metropolitan area.
Public Transportation in Kyoto
Public Transportation in Sapporo
Nagoya Subway
Public Transportation in Osaka
Hiroshima Street Cars and Hiroshima Online Route Finder
Fukuoka City Subway
Sendai City Transportation Bureau

Keep in mind that public transportation in Japan does not not operate on a 24 hour schedule.  Most trains and busses stop running around midnight, or earlier in some cases, so be sure to ask about this if you are planning evening outings.

Taxis

While taxis are often the most expensive transportation option, that may not always be the case and taxis should be considered especially when traveling with a group, young children or older people who may have a hard time getting around.  Most taxis accommodate up to four passengers but larger taxis are available but not common.

Taxis are readily available at most train stations and can be easily hailed on busier streets in most Japanese cities.  The base fare for most taxis is Y710 (around USD 7) and that includes the first 2 kilometers.  After that time and distance charges apply at a rate of approximately Y100 for each half a kilometer.  Rates can increase late in the evening after the trains and busses have stopped running.

If you plan on taking a taxi, a red light indicates an available taxi while green indicates one that is taken.  Taxis in Japan have automatic doors that are operated by the driver and it is frowned upon to open or close the door as a passenger.

For short trips with 3-4 people, taking a taxi can actually be cheaper than a train or bus.

Bicycles

In every corner of Japan you will find people of bikes.  Second to walking, it is the most common form of transportation in Japan.  Bicycles can get you to your local market, the train station and beyond.  Most people in Japan own at least one bicycle and a row of parked bicycles is a common sight.

For those visiting some cities offer bicycle rentals and even tours for you to take advantage of – it’s a fun way to move around a city and offers more flexibility that other modes of transportation.

Check out Cycle Tokyo! for a list of bike rental locations in Tokyo or contact them about guided rides in the city.

Bicycle rentals in other areas of Japan:

Kyoto Cycling Tour Project
Mujirushi Ryohin Bicycle Rental (Kyoto)
Kamakura Bicycle Rental (scroll down the page)
Niigata Bicycle Rental
Suwa City (Nagano Prefecture) Rental Bicycle
Rental Bike Apro (Okinwawa)

This list is not all inclusive so be sure to check for with the local tourism office or your hotel concierge to find out if there is a bike rental shop near you in Japan.

On Foot

You will do a lot of walking in Japan and commuting from one place to another will almost certainly involve stretching your legs.  Your walk may be as short as a minute from the bus stop to the shopping mall or restaurant or it could be fifteen minutes or more from the train station to a temple or other sightseeing destination.

Comfortable footwear is essential when traveling around Japan so be sure to come prepared and consider leaving your high heels at home – your feet will thank you!

Getting Around in Japan

Getting around in Japan is fun and relatively easy even if you don’t speak the language – with good planning and knowledge of your transportation options, you will find that moving around the country is a lot less stressful than you may have thought.

Image Credit:  Personal Collection & Flickr, Bicycles, Bicycles, Everywhere!, Shinkansen, Tokyo, Dream Kobe (JR Highway Bus) @ Takarazuka Station & IMGP1500

UPDATE: May 20, 2009 – Domestic cases of H1N1 in Japan have increased to 193 primarily centered in Osaka & Hyogo Prefecture. However, “Quarantine inspections to identify people infected with swine flu aboard airplanes arriving from North America will be scaled down and terminated as early as the end of this week, health ministry officials said Tuesday….The quarantine checks have been conducted aboard planes from the U.S., Canada and Mexico that arrive at Narita, Kansai and Chubu airports.”

Once this is implemented travelers will no longer face delays at airports but should still take the precautions listed below when visiting Japan. (More information)

UPDATE: May 18, 2009 – Domestic cases of H1N1 in Japan have increased to 42 primarily centered in Osaka & Hyogo Prefecture. Officials say that the Universal Studios Japan theme park could be closed, and that baseball games and concerts in the city of Osaka could be canceled. (More information)

UPDATE: May 9, 2009 – Three Japanese males have been diagnosed with H1N1 after arriving back in Japan after an overseas trip but “were detected during the quarantine at the airport, we do not consider it as indicating the domestic emergence of the disease,” said Prime Minite Taro Aso. (More information)

If you suspect that you have come down with H1N1 while in Japan, you are requested to contact fever consultation center, that will then direct you to go to hospitals designated to handle infectious diseases.  You should also avoid taking public transport and wear a mask to avoid spreading the infection.

For information about the nearest fever consultation center in Tokyo in English, Chinese, Korean, Thai and Spanish, call Tokyo Metropolitan Medical Institution Information at (03) 5285-8181 between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily. Outside these hours, you can call Tokyo Fever Consultation Center at (03) 5320-4509, although they may not have foreign-language speaking staff.

For advice in Kyoto, call the consultation hotline at (075) 342-0088, where English-speaking staff are available daily between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and Chinese, Korean, Spanish and Portuguese speakers from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The preceding information is an except from The Japan Times article, Tips to prepare for influenza outbreak dated May 2, 2009 (Japan Standard Time).

If you are planning a trip to Japan in the near future I highly recommend that you read this article and follow guidance and updates posted on the World Health Organization Influenza A(H1N1) page.