Travel Tips

What is it about the harvest season that is so horrifying? Perhaps it is the importance that the season used to have or how it heralds the end of the productive season and the beginning of the barren season. Still, harvest is associated with some of the most terrifying monsters ever. Think of the terrors of Children of the Corn or Blair Witch Project in America.

Harvest horrors in Japan tend to be very different from other countries. Gaijinpot goes in search of the horrors of the harvest featuring some yokai (creatures from Japanese folklore) you probably haven’t heard of.

1. Amabie
Photo: WikiCommons/ MagicgardenCute? Creepy? You decide.
Nowadays when walking around the streets of Japan, you may see a small, mermaid-looking creature on public health and safety campaigns and charms. This creature has three legs, a beak and fish-like scales, far removed from Hollywood’s beautiful Ariel or Madison.

This mermaid is important because it predicts either an abundant harvest or disease. Ba..

Travel to Kyoto's Muromachi neighborhood, and you'll find Kyokoyado Muromachi Yutone: a peaceful ryokan inn with only seven rooms. Here, we will take you inside this charming hotel, with its elegantly designed rooms and interior, and delicious, delicately flavored seasonal dishes.
If you are seeking lodging for your next trip to Kyoto, then this place is a must-see.
In a quiet town where both new and old meet, sits Kyokoyado Muromachi Yutone
From Karasumadori, a street that runs north to south along central Kyoto, to Muromachidori, which runs west. The area surrounding these streets prospered as a political and cultural center during the Muromachi Period and as a bustling shopping street lined with clothing shops during the Edo Period.
It is in this Muromachi area that Kyokoyado Muromachi Yutone lives. It is an area lined with old buildings and houses, mixing the quiet lifestyles of old with the lively bustling of the city.
The entrance to the hotel. At first glance, it loo..

Some of the best spots for autumn leaves in Hokkaido can be found in its southern area, known as donan. This region is gorgeous, with its abundance of natural scenic locations like Hakodate’s famed Goryōkaku Park as well as the Onuma Quasi-National Park.
From accessible towns to breathtaking cliffs that you can only reach by boat, there are many places where you can enjoy the picturesque fall scenery. According to the Japan Meteorological Corporation's foliage forecast released on October 3, 2022, autumn colors are expected in Hokkaido around November 6.
The scenery is even more beautiful when the autumn leaves in Hokkaido begin changing color from mid-October to early November. Read on to find out more about the best fall foliage spots in the area of southern Hokkaido.
1. Goryōkaku Park: One of the Best Tourist Attractions for Autumn Leaves in Hokkaido
Goryōkaku Park is located just around the center of Hakodate City. The park is well-known as a viewing spot for sakura (cherry b..

Chiba is Tokyo’s neighbor to the east, and it includes the popular resort area of Boso Peninsula, which is one of its largest areas within the prefecture.
While many may associate Chiba Prefecture with Narita Airport, Japan’s largest airport, and it being home to Tokyo Disney Resort, the prefecture offers so much more.
The beaches are popular for surfing, which brings a lot of surfers from neighboring areas for day trips or weekends. The mountains are ideal for hiking, and the mild climate and seas allow the production of many foods. Chiba produces many vegetables and fruits distributed all around the Kanto region and beyond; it also boasts of peanut production and soy sauce, as well as marine products such as sardines, among other products.
Here are some of the best things to do in Chiba!
Main image: PIXTA
1. Kamogawa Sea World
Image: KLOOK
Located about two hours from Tokyo in Kamogawa, Chiba, Kamogawa Sea World is the largest and most popular aquarium in Chiba. Kamogawa Sea World ..

Hokkaido is one of the best places to try out an auberge with a Japanese twist. An auberge is a French-style inn and restaurant focused on great food, usually found in the countryside. The ones we'll look at here pride themselves in the finest ingredients and their beautiful locations surrounded by nature.
The chefs use their impressive skills to make the most of local ingredients and produce delicious courses you won't soon forget. We've picked out five popular, highly-rated auberges in Hokkaido that you'll be itching to visit! So let's look at what awaits you in Japan's north!
1. Hidaka: French and Italian fusion at Hidaka Auberge Natural Resort Hygeia
Illustration of the Summer Dinner Course (Photo: Hidaka Auberge Natural Resort Hygeia)
Nestled in the greenery of Shinhidaka, Hidaka Auberge Natural Resort Hygeia is an auberge based around the concept of “Nouvelle Hidaka Cuisine.” “Nouvelle cuisine” generally refers to modern or creative cuisine that foc..

Osaka is Japan’s premier gourmet capital – with hundreds of renowned restaurants offering unique takes on local cuisine. But with so much variety, it’s easy to become overwhelmed.
In times like these, we suggest following the recommendations in the MICHELIN Guide Kyoto Osaka 2022, which lists a multitude of “Bib Gourmand” restaurants selected for their reasonable prices and quality meals.
One of these is Kansaidaki Honke Joyato, an acclaimed oden joint near Nakatsu Station, the next stop after Umeda on the Osaka Metro. With two appearances in the legendary manga Oishinbo, you know it’s worth checking out!
Oden like you’ve never seen before
Find the restaurant by looking for the 'noren' curtain.
Kansaidaki Honke Joyato is a 5-minute walk from Nakatsu Station on the Osaka Metro. It can also be reached after a 15-minute walk from the Chayamachiguchi Exit of Osaka-Umeda Station on the Hankyu Railway. It sits on a quiet street a short distance from Osaka’s Midosuji Avenue, and c..

Nikko, located in northwestern Tochigi Prefecture, is an idyllic, picturesque town teeming with historical sites, breathtaking wilderness, and delectable delicacies. The town flourished as a gateway to the Tosho-gu Shrine, cultivating a unique culture as sightseers flocked to witness these magnificent structures.
While a well-known destination for international travelers to Japan, off the beaten path, lies a wealth of hidden gems, and the full breadth of Nikko remains largely unknown.
In this article, we’ll introduce 20 Nikko recommendations, including sightseeing, experiences, food, and shopping, separated by the four seasons. Read on to discover how to make the most of this one-of-a-kind destination!
Main photo: PIXTA
Things to Do in Nikko All Year
Sightseeing: Explore the Wonders of Nikko Tosho-gu Shrine
Nikko Tosho-gu Shrine is one of Japan’s most prestigious spiritual structures and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site registered as part of the “Shrines and Temples of Nikko.” The shri..

Where are the best shopping districts in Tokyo? Whether you hit up every duty-free shop you see or you just want to pick up omiyage (souvenirs), you are going to shop at some point during your trip.
Should you go shopping in Ginza or Harajuku, buy Anime goods in Akihabara or the big malls of Makuhari, and can you really buy authentic souvenirs in Asakusa?
With the right guide, shopping in Tokyo can be really enjoyable. That's why we've rounded up the top 10 shopping districts in Tokyo for an unbeatable time! Language barriers, cash-only shops, these things cannot stop you from enjoying one of Tokyo's most exciting attractions, shopping!
Main image credit: beersonic / Shutterstock.com
1. Ginza (For Fashion and Luxury)
image:PIXTA
If you enjoy the finer things in life—lovely bags, fancy cars, shiny accessories—Ginza is for you. Being Tokyo's high-end fashion district, Ginza is a popular destination for luxury shoppers, and many tour groups have buses that take visito..

Halloween in Tokyo has always been a big deal, and after a hiatus over the past two years, many of the events have come back with a vengeance. Undeniably fun and a bit controversial, it’s that time of year when people from all over Japan hit the streets donning their craziest costumes.

From the notorious Shibuya Scramble Halloween to nightclubs and rock and roll, here are some of the unmissable Tokyo Halloween events for 2022.

Shibuya Scramble Halloween
Photo: iStock/ aluxumSpot as many group costumes as you can.
Halloween at Shibuya Scramble is an unofficial event, but the energetic crowds of cosplayers don’t need an event schedule to know where to go. Despite previous years’ crackdowns on drinking and misbehavior, the Halloween lovers still turned up by the truckload.

Grab your spookiest costume and head to Shibuya Scramble Crossing after sundown to go costume spotting, or watch a live stream and avoid the crowd crush.

2-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya City, Tokyo – Map

Oct. 29 – 31, 2022
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Tokyo is a huge city, so for many tourists, it might be a little bit hard to take it all in! When visiting Tokyo, the best way to think about it is as if several different cities had been brought together. That way, you can plan your trip around Tokyo as if each area was a city in itself which needed exploring, as most tourists don’t know that Tokyo is comprised of so many neighborhoods, each of which has their own character.
Some of these Tokyo neighborhoods represent youth culture; others hark back to history, while a few bigger areas are just giant melting pots of culture and people. If you spend a week in Tokyo, then imagine as if each day you are visiting a different city, and then Tokyo will begin to make sense. Of course, there are a lot more than 12 ‘cities’ in Tokyo, but here we will introduce ones that simply can’t be missed!
1. Akihabara – Tokyo's Anime & Gadget Town
As soon as you step off the train you can feel the vibrancy of this famous of Tokyo neighborhoods in th..