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Japan

Introduction

Once you’ve decided to visit Japan, the hardest thing to decide is what time of year to visit. Spring (March to May) is when you can participate in Ume Matsuri (Plum Blossom Festivals) and see the cherry blossoms. The summer (June to August) is the rainy season and most local people use this time to take vacations to their home towns. In the Fall (September to November) the leaves turn beautiful, vibrant colors of reds and oranges. The fall foliage usually begins in October and lasts until Early December. There are also many autumn festivals to give thanks for the harvest. In the winter (December to February) you’ll see colorful holiday illuminations across the entire country. While Christmas isn’t a national holiday, it is still celebrated … Japanese style.

Beaches

Japan is entirely surrounded by oceans, so it stands to reason that there are beaches everywhere. Okinawa (in the southern most prefecture of Japan) consists of about 160 islands scattered over about 350 miles and is known for beautiful beaches. Kume Island is home to many resorts in Japan and has many luxury hotels. If you are looking for a beach getaway, look for an all-inclusive Japan resort in Okinawa – you won’t regret it. The beaches in this area are beautiful. The water is beautiful and blue and there are many fun water activities for people of all ages.

Things to Do

If you are planning on visiting Japan in the spring, you’ll be there just in time for the cherry blossom season. Japan is filled with beautiful cherry blossoms in the spring and it’s a very memorable experience to see them. Usually the cherry blossoms start blooming in January in Okinawa and peak in late March to April; but it’s really hard to predict the blossom open dates in advance and planning a trip at the right time is tough. If you can time it right, this is a sight you won’t want to miss.

During the summer it gets hot and humid, but this is the best time to see Mt. Fuji – the highest mountain in Japan. Mount Fiji’s official climbing season begins on July 1 and ends at the end of August. During the summer you can also attend many music festivals and fun water parks.

Shopping

In Tokyo, you can find many 100yen shops and discount shops. At these shops you can find both traditional items and modern-day goods as well. Japanese department stores are a fun place to shop because you can find traditional Japanese clothing as well as the latest and greatest fashion. You should know that you have to pay a 5% consumption tax on top of the original price when you shop in Japan. Here’s a little guide to help you know where you should go shop in Tokyo:

  • Ginza Area is a high-scale shopping district with a lot of big-name department stores.
  • Shinjuku Area has a lot of discount electronic shops, department stores and shopping malls.
  • Harajuku/Aoyama Area is very popular for younger people because they sell inexpensive fashion items and accessories.
  • Shibuya Area is a busy shopping area, but is great for entertainment.
  • Akihabara is Japan’s electric town – so this is the place to go for your electronics. The prices are pretty low here and you can barter!
  • Ueno Ameyoko has lots of little shops that sell fish, veggies, bags, shoes, clothes and lots more. If you shop in this area you’ll save a lot of money.

Eating and Drinking

During the summertime there are a lot of open-air beer restaurants on the rooftops of stores, hotels, etc. – it’s a symbol of summertime in Japan. People love to drink beer with their meals after a long, hot and exhausting day. So, if you are a beer fan, try stopping by a beer garden – you won’t be disappointed. Beer gardens are a fun place to go after you’ve spent the day sightseeing (and shopping) in Japan.

If you are looking for actual food, not just beer, you’ll have to try some sushi while you are in town. Contrary to popular belief, sushi isn’t actually raw fish. Raw fish is called sashimi and is very different than sushi. Sushi uses rice seasoned with rice vinegar – with raw fish – but the main element of sushi is the rice. And, if the thought of eating raw fish makes you gag, there are many types of sushi that use vegetables, cooked seafood and other ingredients.