Discover the best things to do in Kochi, Japan, with kids. This incredible and relatively unknown paradise in Japan is a perfect destination for families!
One of my favourite destinations in Japan is Yufuin (湯布院), in Oita Prefecture, Kyushu. This charming country town should be on any itinerary if you decide to explore Kyushu, Japan's third largest island. This onsen town has an enchanting landscape with Mount Yufu in the background, peaceful rice fie
Spring is here and it's the perfect time to go for a riverside walk along Sumida River and take some time away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
See the best of Japan's beautiful nature! Japan is so much more than just Mt. Fuji!…
This 10 days itinerary will guide you through the best things to do in Japan. Make your first time in this country an unforgettable journey!
The ultimate train experience awaits you! Sit back and enjoy the amazing views and journeys that Japan and the world's fastest bullet trains have to offer.
Today we are learning all about Japan with our Japan facts printable pages! Simply download and print the fun facts about Japan and have some fun while
Updated October 2023 When going to Japan, Kyoto is at the top of the list of places to visit for good reason. A culturally rich city set along the river,
Matsumoto is the second largest city in Nagano prefecture in Japan's north-central island of Honshu. As the largest city in central Nagano, Matsumoto is a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful scenery, architecture, and cultural attractions.
Surfing in Japan can be epic, with certain river mouths and beach breaks really shining. Check this guide to learn more...
They believe this treasure belonged to a 15th century samurai trying to hide his riches.
This 10 days itinerary will guide you through the best things to do in Japan. Make your first time in this country an unforgettable journey!
Not sure what you should pack for autumn in Japan? This fall packing guide will give you advice on what to wear for the climate and destinations you’re visiting.
A stop by Hozukyo Torokkyo station can make for some quiet time away from crowds near Arashiyama! Backpacking Kyoto JAPAN
Read this ultimate guide on the top things to see, eat and do in Dotonbori. Read the best restaurants, street food & get ideas on places to stay
The post towns of the Kiso Valley are some of the most amazing parts of central Japan. If you’re looking to experience what life here would have been like centuries ago, swing by the likes of Magome-juku, Tsumago-juku and Narai-juku!
The news of Japan's reopening is a relief to most travel enthusiasts and just in time for the country's hot and humid summers. While most people worry about the soaring temperatures, there are a lot of amazing reasons why we need to enjoy summer in Japan to the fullest. Wondering what things to do while in Japan? We've rounded up ten unique and fun summer activities for everyone to enjoy. 1. Explore a Japanese beach. Japan is an island nation filled with beautiful beaches everywhere. If you happen to stay in Tokyo and don't have time to travel far away, the beaches in Kanagawa prefecture are the favorite spots among city dwellers. Zushi Beach is Tokyo's closest natural beach perfect for watersports, watching sunsets, and viewing the majestic Mt. Fuji! For foodies, you can explore the nearby cafes and restaurants for a great meal. Meanwhile, the beaches in Okinawa prefecture are famous for their clear turquoise waters and white sand beaches. Because of its tropical climate, the area offers the longest beach season in Japan. 2. Try your hand at Yana fishing Explore the rivers of rural Japan and catch an ayu (sweetfish) literally with your bare hands! Yes, not kidding here but the yana fishing method is an ancient and unique way of catching a fish. Yana acts like a fish trap made of bamboo reeds that are thatched together to create a platform stretched across the river. For those who love to participate in this activity, visitors are guided to stand on the yana platform while the river rushes through it. Ayu is released upstream with the water and they swim downwards where they become caught in the bamboo thatching. Visitors then rush to catch the ayu with their bare hands. Most yana fishing sites have restaurants that offer to grill the caught ayu. Customers have the option to dine in or just catch and release the ayu for a fun experience. Tochigi, Gunma, Gifu, and Aichi prefectures have dozens of locations to try yana fishing amidst beautiful natural surroundings. 3. Marvel at the fireworks display Japan's cities and towns host an annual fireworks festival in summer, around the month of July to August. This magical event is much-awaited by both locals and foreign tourists alike. A spectacular display of fireworks will light up the summer sky for about two hours. In addition to fireworks, yaitai food stalls are also lined up in the city selling mouth-watering Japanese street foods, toy stalls, and even kingyo (goldfish) scooping games enjoyed by children. Most attendants at the festival will be wearing a yukata and jinbei, traditional Japanese clothing for summer. If you haven't worn any of these clothing, you have to give it a try for a fun and festive summer experience! 4. See a Japanese summer festival Japanese festivals vary in every region and they are spectacular, extravagant, and lively, making you get into the festive mood. These festivals are based around a specific shrine that pays tribute to a different deity, however, they have many similarities that include large processions where people wear traditional clothes, chant, and dance to the beat of the taiko drums. The main attraction of the procession is the colorful and breathtaking floats called mikoshi. It serves as a vehicle to transport a deity while moving between the main shrine and the temporary shrine. Bearers usually carry them through shouldering method and at the same time chant wasshoi! Summer festivals are a great way to learn more about Japanese culture and religion. 5. Attend a Bon Odori dance Bon Odori (Bon dance) is a folk dance with a history of nearly 600 years to welcome the spirits of the dead. Performed during Obon, the celebration and dance styles vary from every region with different dance steps and music. The main characteristic of this dance involves people lining up in a circle around a high wooden scaffold made especially for festivals that are called yagura. The yagura serves as a stage for the musicians and singers of Obon music. The whole dance area is illuminated with beautiful paper lanterns during the evenings. The dance steps include mainly clapping and some arm and foot movements that synchronize with the music. The dance steps tell a story and vary from every place. There are numerous Bon Odori celebrations in Tokyo held at different parks and districts so check it out and don't forget to get your yukatas ready for the celebration! 6. Play a Japanese summer game called suika wari Watermelon is a refreshing summer fruit and it is often associated with a game called suika wari or watermelon splitting. Often seen at the beaches or barbecue parties, this traditional game lets a player split the watermelon blindfolded. First, a watermelon is laid out on a clean sheet, and participants take turns attempting to smash it open. Each person is blindfolded and spun three times before striking the fruit with a wooden stick. The first to crack the watermelon open is declared the winner. After that, the whole team feast on the chunks of watermelon. 7. Have a dip in the pools Japan is never short of waterparks and outdoor pools on a hot sunny day. Ranging from affordable public pools to luxurious water theme parks, there is always an option for your budget and time. Japan's waterparks mostly feature water play areas such as swimming pools of various depths, water slides, wave pools, splash pads, lazy rivers, water playgrounds, and other barefoot areas for strolling. Some attractions include hot springs and a night pool for adults. They are a family-friendly environment perfect for people of all ages. One of the famous water theme parks in the country is the Spa Resort Hawaiians in Fukushima, where visitors can experience a taste of Hawaii. The indoor resort takes you to another world of fun because of its diverse facilities and Polynesian shows featuring beautiful hula dancers. 8. Cool down with Japanese cold desserts Frozen treats offer quick relief from the sweltering heat. In Japan, you will find a wide variety of cold desserts such as ice creams, parfaits, sherbets, popsicles, slushies, and traditional desserts like kakigori (shaved ice) and anmitsu (agar with red bean paste, sliced fruits, topped with black syrup and ice cream). Kakigori remains a popular summer refreshment enjoyed by both children and adults. The shaved ice is placed on a cup or bowl flavored with assorted syrup of your choice. In yatai food stalls at the festivals, customers choose their own syrup flavoring and they can even mix three flavors. In cafes, kakigori is often flavored with condensed milk and fruit toppings in addition to syrup. 9. Have a stroll in the sunflower fields Japan is filled with vast flower parks everywhere! There are always different kinds of flowers to view in each season and in summer, the sunflower is the main attraction. Mostly planted in large hectares of land, it displays amazing scenery. Sunflower festivals are usually held from July to August with additional activities on-site like flea markets and bazaars. The best places to view gorgeous sunflower fields are Hokkaido, Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa, and Yamanashi, especially Yamanakako Hanano Miyako Park where you can see the scenic views of Mt. Fuji in the background. Please also take note that the best time to view sunflowers in some places in Hokkaido is around late September to mid-October. 10. Jam at the Fuji Rock Festival If you are obsessed with music, then this summer activity is made for you! Fuji Rock Festival is an annual three-day rock event showcasing local and international artists. Held in the cooler Naeba Ski Resort in Niigata, it is considered the largest outdoor music event in Japan. The event draws a large number of spectators and the festival grounds are scattered throughout the spacious site. Just in case it rains, be prepared and make sure you bring a raincoat and umbrella. There are many things to look forward to when visiting Japan no matter the season. Whether it's the food or culture, these experiences are fun and at the same time educational. I hope you enjoy discovering what things to do during the hot summer months. Featured Photo by kazrubi from Pixabay Join us on our Summer Celebrations online experience to learn more about traditions and seasonal foods! 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This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info. So many people skip over Osaka. They plan a day or two in the city, using Osaka as a base for flights and day trips. Maybe they stop by Dontonburi or take a quick river cruise. But Osaka is so much more than a big city with an airport. If you really want to enjoy Osaka, you'll need to get off the beaten path and explore everything this incredible city has to offer. Many of my absolute favorite experiences from my two trips to Japan have been in Osaka.
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