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With the opening of the Hokkaido Shinkansen in 2016, it has been easy and convenient to access the city of Hakodate via train from Honshu. The fare from Shin Aomori to Shin Hakodate Hokuto Station will set you back 7,520 JPY at the time of writing, but there is a cheaper way to transit between the two cities if you're on a budget. The Tsugaru Kaikyu Ferry runs 8 times a day from Aomori to Hakodate and vice versa (the journey takes 3 hours and 40 minutes), and the standard fare is priced at 2,660 JPY to 3,650 JPY depending on the time of year.
My family opted to take the train one way and the ferry on the return leg several years ago, and I actually preferred the ferry. It's a great option if you have younger children traveling with you, as you can book suite rooms – this is at a higher fee than the standard fare, but we found it worth it for the opportunity to sprawl out and truly relax on the journey.
Other benefits of the ferry include the ability to bring your canine compa..

As we’re about halfway through the sweltering summer season, it’s not surprising that most people in Japan have sought to flee the intense heat of the big cities. In my beloved Kansai, I have plenty of plans to escape the heat, such as Shin-Kobe’s Nunobiki Waterfall and the Akame Falls.

Everyone should have a plan to beat the heat and have fun in summer, especially with recent temperatures reaching into the high 30s in many parts of the country.

To help you make your plans, Gaijinpot goes on a quest for some of the coolest and most accessible places in Japan to visit in summer.

1. Karuizawa (Nagano)
Photo: iStock/ NorimotoKaruizawa’s Shiraito Falls in summer.
Nagano in Japan’s Chubu region is well-known for its cool temperatures, which is hardly surprising for a prefecture known as a destination for winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding.

But, in summer, a popular destination to visit is Karuizawa. A resort town home to art galleries, top-notch restaurants, shopping streets ..

Located in Gifu Prefecture's Ono District is Shirakawa-go, a beautiful traditional Japanese village and tourist attraction. Its historical value was recognized in 1976 when it was classified as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings in Japan.
This recognition reached a global scale in 1995 when it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the area of Gokayama. Collectively, they are known as the Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama.
It therefore comes as no surprise that visitors from all over Japan and around the world travel to Shirakawa-go to enjoy the pure and beautiful landscape of Japan in its primitive days. What are some must-visit places of interest in and around Shirakawa-go, and how easy is it to actually get there? Let's find out!
Gassho-Zukuri: Shirakawa-Go's Most Distinct Architectural Features
Now, we can't talk about Shirakawa-go without first mentioning its iconic gassho-zukuri houses.
Gassh..

When traveling, most people select an inn based on their travel destination. However, like the growing trend of 'slow travel,' which reduces crowding while extending one's time of travel, many are making the facilities themselves the purpose of their trip!
Today we introduce several great inns that offer more than a place to sleep, including a “sushi shop you can stay at,” which serves Edomae sushi, courtesy of an experienced sushi chef, and an all-inclusive inn with activities, drinks, and evening meals available at no extra charge!
If you're planning a vacation this year, you may want to make these fabulous inns the main destination of your trip!
Toriizaki Club HOTEL & SEAFOODS: Opened in March 2022 – a fun 'Sushi Hotel'!
Toriizaki Club HOTEL & SEAFOODS is a hot spring facility recently opened in March 2022 and located in the Toriizaki Seaside Park Area in Kisarazu, Chiba Prefecture. What's interesting about this place is its concept: “a sushi resta..

Shiga Prefecture is located almost directly in the middle of Japan's chain of islands. With Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake, dominating around 1/6th of the prefecture, visitors can experience beautiful natural scenery in every season.
From castles to traditional villages, there are many unique Shiga tourist spots. Shiga also has long had a highly developed economy and culture, and to this day, many historic landmarks and city districts remain. This extends to its cuisine: Shiga is famous for carp and sweetfish, and its “freshwater fish cuisine” is unlike that of any other prefecture.
What Kind of Place is Shiga Prefecture?
beeboys / Shutterstock.com
Shiga Prefecture is home to Lake Biwa, a precious water resource to those living in the Kinki Region. Excluding Lake Biwa, half of the remaining land area is taken up by mountains, making Shiga a region of abundant nature, where you can enjoy seasonal recreational activities.
This includes picnics under the cherry blossom trees i..

You understand that relationships are essential if you’ve worked long enough: how we get along, what we do for others, introductions, etc. For many of us, that’s what keeps people fired up about doing any job.

This month, there are a good amount of assistant and career-track posts here on GaijinPot. They are all in industries where getting to know the right people can change everything. A job can take you in many, many different directions.

Each has something you can build upon, and there for the takin’. These jobs will go fast. So go get ’em, folks!

1. Recruit for the future
If you’re looking for an entry-level position in finance with an excellent trajectory into the world of consulting, Oaks International would like you to consider joining their team in Ginza as an assistant and researcher on their senior consultant team.

What do they do? Well, Oaks International is a boutique recruitment firm that finds talent for companies operating in asset management, banking and the insuran..

You understand that relationships are essential if you’ve worked long enough: how we get along, what we do for others, introductions, etc. For many of us, that’s what keeps people fired up about doing any job.

This month, there are a good amount of assistant and career-track posts here on GaijinPot. They are all in industries where getting to know the right people can change everything. A job can take you in many, many different directions.

Each has something you can build upon, and there for the takin’. These jobs will go fast. So go get ’em, folks!

1. Recruit for the future
If you’re looking for an entry-level position in finance with an excellent trajectory into the world of consulting, Oaks International would like you to consider joining their team in Ginza as an assistant and researcher on their senior consultant team.

What do they do? Well, Oaks International is a boutique recruitment firm that finds talent for companies operating in asset management, banking and the insuran..

The largest city north of Tokyo, Sapporo is a culturally-rich, bustling metropolis overflowing with gourmet culture and exhilarating sightseeing! While many skip over exploring the city in favor of ski resorts or Hokkaido wilderness, after reading our collection of deep-dive Sapporo guides, we’re sure it’ll be the highlight of your next Japan itinerary!
Top 20 Things to Do in Sapporo for Tourists – Recommended by Locals!
With iconic sites and action-packed events reeling in visitors from near and far, Sapporo is undoubtedly one of Japan's top tourist destinations. While the typical attractions listed in guidebooks are great, the lively city gushes with hidden gems offering an authentic escape from the beaten track.
With this in mind, here are our picks for 20 of the best things to do in Sapporo. No matter how many of these wonderful experiences you tick off, we guarantee you’ll leave with tonnes of life-long treasured memories!
Top 20 Things to Do in Sapporo for Tourists – Recomme..