Travel Tips

If you're sightseeing in Tokyo, there's a high chance Shinjuku is somewhere on your itinerary, since it has a great number of tourist hotspots and hotels. But be sure to add depachika to your bucket list as well. A portmanteau for the Japanese words of “department store” and “underground,” depachika offer an incredible variety of tasty takeout options at bargain prices.
Takeout isn't just about convenience store food, either. We're going to introduce you to a few depachika deli dishes that can be bought from department stores directly connected to Shinjuku Station, each with a budget of about 1,000 yen or less. Our list includes a wide variety of dishes for all occasions, such as food that will go well with alcoholic beverages or rice bowls that are perfect for when you're feeling peckish. Let’s take a look!
1. Keio Department Store Shinjuku Depachika: Azabu Asahi's Yakitori (Chicken Skewers)
We'll start with the underground section of Keio Department..

Walking around Makomanai Takino Cemetery, located in Hokkaido Prefecture’s Sapporo City, you will see just the head of a large buddha statue from afar. Many tourists are surprised at the Atama Daibutsu statue's entirety once they get a closer look.
Huge, historical buddha statues can be found throughout Japan. Some examples include the Great Buddha in Nara and the Great Buddha of Kamakura. Even from a distance, most of these statues can be seen standing majestically.
Also popular among foreign tourists, here we will introduce this large and unique monument known as the Hill of the Buddha!
Tanasut Chindasuthi / Shutterstock.com
The Mysterious Hill of the Buddha: Find a Monument Designed by Tadao Ando in a Cemetery
The head of the Atama Daibutsu peeks out over fields of lavender.
Daibutsu, or Great Buddha, is the name for large statues of buddha made to honor the Buddhist religion and its traditions.
The first Great Buddha is said to be built by Emperor Shomu in Todai-ji Temple ..

Una-don is a popular dish in Japan, made of grilled eel glazed in a sweet, spicy teriyaki-like sauce served on a bed of rice.
At Izumo, an eel and skewer restaurant in the basement of Umeda, Osaka’s LUCUA mall, the “Don! Towering Eel & Egg Bowl ‘Unatama-don'” is very popular. With a serving of rice four times the usual size, it’s not only a topic of conversation but also a real challenge just to carry!
I ordered it to see how it tasted and wondered, “It is actually possible to finish an oversized 1kg eel rice bowl?”
Izumo – casual eel dining
Directly connected to JR Osaka Station and located in the basement to the left of the central ticket gates, the restaurants in the B2F of LUCUA embody Osaka and Umeda.
The area is divided into Barchika, where you can enjoy food and alcohol, and Food Hall, which combines a market and restaurants, each offering a wide variety of delicious Osaka cuisine. Izumo is situated between the two and boasts excellent eel and skewer dishes.
Eel is closel..

If you’re looking to work in Japan, check back here each week as we look through our database of top jobs in Japan posted to GaijinPot and showcase some of the most interesting ones.

You can apply directly to these companies by creating a profile on GaijinPot Jobs!

Chief BartenderCompany: MMM Holdings K.K.Salary: ¥250,000 ~ ¥300,000 / MonthLocation: Tokyo, JapanEnglish: Business levelJapanese: ConversationalApplication: Overseas applications OKAn experienced bartender is wanted for a new and exciting bar located in Akasaka.
You must have at least three years of experience in a similar role. Basic knowledge of standard and classic cocktails is required, but on-the-job training will be provided.
You will be expected to work during the evenings. Benefits include a competitive salary.
Share this Job Apply Here
Manga/Gaming TranslationCompany: Medibang Inc.Salary: ¥1,500 / HourLocation: Tokyo, JapanEnglish: Native levelJapanese: Business levelApplication: Must currently reside in Japan..

If any one city epitomizes the culture of Japan, then it has to be Kyoto, the old capital of Japan. This city, located in central Japan, offers plenty of diversions for culture and nature buffs alike. Kyoto is a lovely place to visit in any season, home to the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Nijo Castle, the Kyoto Imperial Palace, and literally hundreds of beautiful shrines and temples. This city of beauty retains the soul of Japan, so it’s no wonder that Kyoto is one of the leading destinations for visitors to Japan. And with a population of around 1.45 million, it’s also far larger than many might realize.
This guide provides an overview of the best places to stay in Kyoto while exploring its heritage and culture. It also shares some of the best hotels, ryokans, and other accommodations in Kyoto that will be perfect for your next trip. Pick your favorite and book with LIVE JAPAN!
Main image: PIXTA
1. How to select where to stay in Kyoto City
Kyoto is a city of around 1.46 million (2020 cen..

Spend long enough in Japan — whether on vacation or a more extended stay — and you’ll encounter phrases in Japanese that just become part of your daily life. But step back and think about them a little longer, and (especially) try to translate them to English. The sentence you end up with probably sounds clunky and downright strange.
Some Japanese phrases simply can’t be translated smoothly into English, requiring more context or a really nimble translator to get the meaning across succinctly. For most folks, the following phrases offer a particular linguistical challenge, and boast far trickier meanings than they initially lead on.
“Otsukare sama desu” (お疲れ様です)
When and how to use: when leaving work: when seeing someone off: when asking how someone is doing: in an email.
You’ll hear this phrase constantly during the day, albeit in various situations. Sometimes you’ll overhear friends saying this to when meeting up for the first time, but then you will also hear co-workers say this to ..

Hakodate is a port town located in Japan's northern island of Hokkaido. Hakodate is famous for the night view from Mt. Hakodate, ramen, and a uniquely eclectic Japanese-Western culture.
Here are our recommendations for first-time Hakodate sightseers, as well as info on hotels and transportation in Hakodate.
1. Quick facts about Hakodate
Image: PIXTA
Hakodate is a port town in southwestern Hokkaido and is the hub city of the region. In addition to flights from Tokyo, the Shinkansen from Tokyo also reaches the city via the world’s longest undersea tunnel.
Hakodate rests on a key-shaped peninsula, and the view of the harbor and the city from Mt. Hakodate at the end of the peninsula is superb! The night view in particular is said to be one of the three best in Japan, and attracts crowds of domestic and international tourists all year round.
Historically, Japan held a policy of isolation for many years limiting trade with other countries, but once the country opened in the mid-19th cen..

Summers in Japan always feel overbearing, and it feels like every year is hotter than the last. But that feeling is probably correct this time. This past June saw the country’s highest temperatures on record for the month in an intense heatwave.

What also broke June records was the number of heat stroke victims, with a total of 15,969 people being admitted to hospital for it that month, over three times more than June 2021.

The heat is no joke! We want everyone safe out there, so to help you stay cool, here are some ways to beat the heat in Japan, and what to do if you or someone you know falls victim to heat stroke.

Useful Japanese vocabulary for heat stroke
Photo: iStock/ YamasanWhat about Cool Biz?!
If you or someone around you appears to be suffering from heat stroke, here are some useful words and phrases for explaining heat stroke in Japanese in case of an emergency.

English
Japanese
Romaji
Heat stroke
熱（ねっ）中（ちゅう）症（しょ）
Necchusho
Is there a water fountain here?
ここに水（みず）飲（の）み場（..

The old cobblestone streets of Ichinenzaka, Ninenzaka, and Sannenzaka have prospered since ancient times. These sloping streets are lined with historic Japanese-style buildings that typify Kyoto, even including many souvenir shops. Nearby Kodaiji Temple and Yasaka Shrine also make these narrow streets part of a popular sightseeing route centering on Kiyomizu Temple.
Here you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Kyoto, with Kiyomizu’s three-tiered pagoda overlooking private houses and scattered temples as you ascend the gentle incline.
Main image: 7maru / Shutterstock.com
How to get to Ichinenzaka, Ninenzaka, and Sannenzaka
●From JR Kyoto Station: Near the central exit, take the No. 206 bus from city bus stop D2 to Higashiyama Yasui.
● From Hankyu Kyoto Kawaramachi Station or Keihan Gion-Shijo Station: From Shijo Dori, take the 207 bus eastward to Shimizu.
●On foot: Around 18 minutes from Hankyu Kawaramachi Station or Keihan Gion5-Shijo Station.
Brief history of Ichinenzaka, Ninen..

Yes, you heard it right. Japan has a chocolate theme park! Shiroi Koibito is a famous chocolate representative of the country's Hokkaido region.
Since its launch in 1976, these unique white chocolate sweets have grown in popularity. There have even been theme park attractions dedicated to these sweets that have opened in, where you can you the factory, learn about the sweets, and know the history of the chocolate.
This theme park is called Shiroi Koibito Park and has gained popularity not only amongst Japanese citizens but people from overseas. And following its recent renovation, it now features even more advanced, new ways to enjoy and experience this delicious white chocolate treat!
Time Traveling with the Professor of Chocolate
The Professor's Assistant navigates the journey!
There are three types of tours available at Shiroi Koibito Park: the Tasting Course, Premium Factory Course, and Factory Course. Your experience will vary depending on which tour you choose, so you..