Travel Tips

Have you ever wanted to climb Mt. Fuji? If you have, then you should know to go when the weather is right. We interviewed Mr. Yasuhiko Ota, the representative director of the Mount Fuji Trail Club, about climbing Mt. Fuji.
Mr. Ota conducts guided tours around Mt. Fuji and the Fuji Five Lakes and has climbed Mt. Fuji over 500 times.
The Mount Fuji Trail Club is a group formed by Mount Fuji volunteer guides. In addition to guided climbs, they also manage environmental protection and safety measures.
When to Hike Mt. Fuji
(C) MFTC
The Mt. Fuji climbing season is usually limited from July 1 to September 10. During any other season, it tends to be snowy and dangerous.
Is there a particularly recommended time to climb within the climbing season?
“There are a couple of periods that are not as crowded when you can enjoy climbing more leisurely: from the day Mt. Fuji opens to climbing until Marine Day holiday (this year July 23), and from the end of August (when the Bon holidays are over) to t..

Wherever you go in Japan, you will rarely have trouble finding a restroom. They are often clean and comfortable. Not only in train stations and department stores, but recently, toilets in bullet trains and airplanes are also equipped with hot-water washing toilet seats.
Such high-spec toilets in Japan are not only clean and comfortable, but also have “surprise points” for foreigners.
In this issue, we would like to introduce some of the differences between Japanese and foreign toilets that surprised us, based on interviews with foreigners conducted by LIVE JAPAN in the past (the following are personal opinions and impressions based on the experiences of the interviewees).
top image: Shutterstock
I was surprised that public toilets in Japan are free!
Image: PIXTA
“I was surprised to learn that public toilets in Japan are free! Public toilets in Paris are basically something you pay for. But they don't have toilet seats and are very dirty, so I never use them. When I am out and abou..

If you haven't stayed at a villa, cottage, house, or condo while on vacation, this may be your chance! Kansai has many conveniently-located vacation rentals near Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture and Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture.
Here we will take a look at the kinds of accommodations, rooms, services, and tourist attractions near several beautiful beaches and lakefronts!
Save money on train fare! ▶ Browse Rail Passes & Discount Tickets
1. BEACH HOUSE WANI: Fantastic views from the shores of Lake Biwa (Shiga Prefecture)
Outside the inn
BEACH HOUSE WANI boasts one of the best locations, right on the shores of Lake Biwa's beach. Situated along the prefectural road, it's a 13-minute walk south of Horai Station on the JR Kosei Line and a 20-minute walk north of Wani Station. From JR Osaka Station, it's about an hour and a half away by train and on foot.
You'll find the BEACH HOUSE WANI vacation stay inside the WANI BASE complex, which also includes a cafe, an inn,..

Kichijoji is a scenic, atmospheric neighborhood in Tokyo’s west, a mere 25-minute train ride away from the large Shinjuku Station. It’s a wonderful fusion of urban culture and suburban relaxation, home to fashionable department stores and large electronic shops, but also a plethora of small boutiques, cafes, and amazingly delicious restaurants.On top of that, Inokashira Park is the figurative heart of Kichijoji and provides urbanites with plenty of lush nature and fresh air. Let’s talk a walk around the neighborhood and visit Kichijoji’s must-see spots!
Majerca: The Cutest Handmade Goods in all of Kichijoji
Majerca should be one of your first stops when visiting Kichijoji. The neighborhood follows a rather slow pace, so the best time to arrive at the station is around 11:00 a.m. That leaves you plenty of time to leisurely stroll through Kichijoji’s alleys, and you’ll happen upon Majerca almost naturally. The cozy shop will catch your eye with the many colorful goods in front of the sto..

Hokkaido is also a popular resort area during summer and local residents are busy with leisure activities especially suited to summer!
Here is how you can be fully prepared to enjoy the attractions of Hokkaido in summer.
Hokkaido Summers are Refreshingly Mild! The Most Comfortable Place to Spend Summer in Japan
Much of Japan cannot escape the rain in summer with the arrival of the rainy season, sudden downpours, and towering thunderclouds. However, on the other side of the Tsugaru Straits refreshing breezes blow under a broad, blue sky. Summer is the best season for sightseeing in Hokkaido because of the low, comfortable temperatures and excellent weather.
In addition, other regions in Japan continue to have a summer-like climate from June to September, but it really only feels like summer in Hokkaido from the end of June. From about the middle of August onwards the weather increasingly becomes fall-like. Summers are short in Hokkaido, but offer many different attractions, and how you..

Sendai Tanabata Festival is a beautiful summer tradition held every year between August 6 to 8 in Sendai, a central city in Japan's Tohoku region. The Tanabata Festival is known as one of the Tohoku region's three major festivals, alongside Aomori's Nebuta Festival and Akita's Kanto Festival.
Every year, local and international visitors from everywhere flock to Sendai for Tanabata and the impressive fireworks display.
What is the history behind Tanabata, and what are some things you can look forward to? We'll be giving you a closer look at Sendai's Tanabata Festival in this article so that you can maximize your fun during your visit!
The event will be held in 2022. However, due to health and safety measures some events, such as stage shows, may be canceled, and stalls may be limited. Decorations will be lifted high off the ground so they do not touch attendees. It is also requested that attendees stay to the right side of the streets, and adhere to health..

Shirahama is a resort town in Wakayama Prefecture, particularly famous for Shirahama Onsen. Summer here starts as early as May, with the earliest opening beaches in Japan's main island of Honshu. There's more to see here than beautiful beaches, though.
There are natural scenic spots like Keishochi, a designated National Scenic Spot with a fantastic view, the Memorial Hall, where you can learn all about the famous natural biologist, Minakata Kumagusu, and Adventure World, an amusement park that's also home to several giant pandas!
What kind of place is Shirahama, Wakayama?
Shirahama Town, Wakayama Prefecture, is located about 2 hours and 30 minutes south of Osaka City by train. With an ocean on the west side, it's one of the leading resort towns in the Kansai Region. There's also several natural scenic spots along the sea, and a memorial hall dedicated to the studies of famous ecologist, Minakata Kumagusu.
Hot springs are an indispensable part of Japanese resor..

Summer is here, and what better way to spend your day off than a day trip to the beach? While the closest beach to Tokyo is Odaiba Bay, it doesn’t exactly scream summer. However, in Kanagawa Prefecture, you’re practically spoiled for choice.

Moreover, there are a few train passes to popular beach destinations that can help you stay within budget. For beach lovers hoping to visit popular spots like Zushi Beach, Isshiki Beach or Miura Beach, these deals are perfect for a day trip.

Discounted beach day-trips
Photo: iStock/KoheiKawabataCan you really go wrong picking a beach?
The Hayama Excursion ticket covers transportation to Zushi Beach and the beaches around Hayama. The Misaki Maguro ticket gets you to the end of the Miura Peninsula, which includes Aburatsubo Bay and Jogashima Park. While the Hayama Excursion ticket is great for just a day at the beach, the Misaki Maguro ticket offers many other experiences like hiking and a dip in an onsen (hot spring).

Each ticket includes roundtr..

Edo kiriko (cut glass) is one of the most familiar of all Japan’s kogei (artisanal crafts). All over the world, its intricate designs and vibrant colors have become synonymous with Japanese artistic sensibility and craftmanship, but its origins might actually surprise you!
First brought to Japan in the late nineteenth century by early British and French traders, cut glass quickly found devotees throughout Japan. Two hubs developed: Kagoshima Prefecture, formerly Satsuma Province, as well as the capital city of Edo, now Tokyo. Accordingly, artisans of Japanese cut glass split into two schools: Satsuma kiriko and Edo kiriko, both of which continue to this day.
Whereas Satsuma kiriko is created using mainly the colors, motifs, and techniques introduced from Europe, Edo kiriko has been adapted to suit Japanese tastes more closely, which is why it is often perceived as quintessentially Japanese by people worldwide.
As one of the most prestigious names in Edo kiriko, Kagami Crystal is an exc..

Fushimi Inari Shrine is one of the most famous shrines visited by foreign and domestic tourists alike. But after checking out the famous torii gates, many people wonder what to do next: what other great places are there to visit near Fushimi Inari Taisha!
Fushimi Ward is famous for sake and there is a multitude of other things to see and do there. From temples to shopping streets, here are some of the best places to visit in the area. Information on coronavirus prevention measures is also provided.
1. Fushimi-Inari Shrine: Home of the Mysterious Senbon Torii
Tower Gate
Fushimi Inari Shrine is located about 5 minutes from JR Kyoto Station and about 5 minutes on foot from Keihan Fushimi Inari Station.
This shrine is the most important of nearly 30,000 shrines dedicated to Inari throughout Japan. Senbon Torii, a line made up of thousands of vermillion torii gates, is a super popular tourist attraction, as well!
Main Shrine
The deity, Inari Okami, was enshrined here during the Nara Period..