Travel Tips

This article is dedicated to the most useful apps to check while traveling in Japan. If you are scared of the fact that you simply can’t cope with Japanese writing and will get lost either in translation or the extensive Tokyo Metro system – worry no more. Our app selection is here to save the day.

Below you’ll find a detailed list of the best apps for traveling in Japan, the type of service they provide, and how to use them when visiting the country with a Japan Rail Pass!

Navitime (Japan Travel by Navitime)
Navitime for Japan is a popular app that makes navigating around the Japanese capital and the rest of the country stress-free. Apart from providing detailed information about the world’s most complex metropolis (Tokyo), it also generates:

Door-to-door route search
Voice navigation
New offline search for free WiFi spots
A train stop list that will help you confirm you are headed in the correct direction
Train delay information
Platform details for each service
Recent routes save..

Glamping in Japan is the best of both worlds. You get to be close to nature and the starry skies but with all the comforts of a hotel. You don’t need to hunt for suitable camping grounds and rules or even break your back on the hard ground since you’ll probably have a nice comfy bed. Is it still camping? Yes, but with style!

Of course, glamping makes it easy to travel no matter the weather, but one of the best times to glamp in Japan is in autumn, as the temperatures have cooled down and the trees have their vibrant red and yellow coats on.

Don’t know where to start? Here we’ll look at five excellent glamping spots around Japan.

1. Glamping Resort Varie (Yamanashi)
Photo: prtimes.jpHave dinner under the pink glow of the Yamanashi sunset.
At the foot of Mt. Fuji, Glamping Resort Varie is a great place to stay to explore Kawaguchiko and the Fuji Five Lakes. The glamping resort features signature dome-shaped tents complete with beds, tables and chairs. Each dome is fitted with air cond..

Did you know that Japan has a unique way of enjoying the stunning autumn leaves at night? For decades, famous fall spots are beautifully lit up after sunset, allowing you to savor the seasonal spectacle even in the evening! This harmony of light and nature’s colors creates an almost enigmatic atmosphere.
To help you make the most out of this amazing season, we’ll share some of the most impactful lit-up fall leaf spots around Tokyo!
While many people might think of visiting Kyoto for fall colors, Tokyo does not fall behind in the least! Tour the metropolis with us and come experience Japan’s unique beauty and spectacular sceneries!
1. Rikugien (Komagome, Tokyo)
Rikugien might be the best place for autumn leaves at night in Tokyo. It’s also designated as one of the two great Edo gardens, built on the spacious grounds of a samurai lord as his private garden. From the first step inside, the atmosphere of Old Edo engulfs you.
During autumn, long queues form up at the garden’s entrance becau..

Akan Yuku no Sato Tsuruga is a secluded hotel near Lake Akan, a lake in the eastern part of Hokkaido. Surrounded by mountains and forests, this area for ages has been home to the indigenous Ainu people. And recently, it has become a popular sightseeing spot along with its hot springs.
With the theme of relaxing and enjoying deserved pampering at a local spa, we headed to Akan Yuku no Sato Tsuruga, a hotel renowned for the quality of its hospitality.
▲ Akan Yuku no Sato Tsuruga standing beside Lake Akan. It gives you the perfect time to relax with nature and the lake. (Photo provided from Akan Yuku-no-Sato Tsuruga)
Majestic natural scenery and Ainu culture: Attractions of Lake Akan Onsen
Lake Akan Onsen is an area located in the southern part of the Lake Akan lakeside, a 60-minute drive from Tancho Kushiro Airport, and a 90-minute drive from Kushiro City.
Cute algae balls (called “Marimo” in Japanese), which were designated as a National Treasure, are living in the lake. This area has ..

On the outskirts of Miyagi Prefecture's Sendai City looms the massive Sendai Daikannon (Huge Statue of the Goddess of Kannon), the main building of Daikanmitsuji Temple.
Standing at an impressive height of 100 meters (328 feet) and situated on top of a small hill, the statue can be easily seen from many places within Sendai City itself, including some residential estates!
Being greeted by this incredible sight immediately upon stepping out of home has led to a recent influx of excited discussions on social media, with input from residents ranging from “Totally unreal!” to “Like the final boss of a video game!”
While the giant statue is the most prominent landmark on temple grounds, there are other curious spots visitors may be interested in as well, such as areas that promote fulfillment in romantic relationships and more. Let's explore!
Main photo courtesy of Sendai Tourism, Convention and International Association
What sort of Kannon statue is the Sendai Daikannon?
Photo..

After learning how to choose your bike and exploring your local neighborhood, you’ll soon find that almost anywhere is within biking distance in Japan. With bike lanes aplenty, it’s no surprise that recreational biking is soon becoming a popular hobby among different age groups.

In the quest to promote cycling tourism within the country, the Japanese government has designated national cycling routes that allow cyclists to explore more of Japan’s countryside. Here’s our roundup of cycling routes that have earned the “blue-lined” national route distinction:

Shimanami kaido
Biwa-ichi
Ring Ring Road
Pacific Cycling Road
Toyama Bay Cycling Route

Thinking of conquering them all? We’re here to help point you where to start pedaling!

1. Shimanami-kaido
Photo: JNTOThe most challenging part of this route is the ascent up the bridges.
If there’s a route that every cyclist in Japan must do at least once, this is definitely at the top of the list. Shimanami-kaido is a 70 km route that starts fr..

Niigata City is the capital of Niigata Prefecture, the fifth largest prefecture in Japan. It is one of the few remaining hubs of geisha culture and a renowned gourmet paradise.
To help travelers find where to stay in Niigata City, we've created this comprehensive guide outlining accommodation, neighborhoods, transport, and more, ensuring you find the right match for your own travel style!
Main photo: PIXTA
1. Getting to and from Niigata City
Photo: PIXTA
Niigata is a mid-sized city of around 800,000 on the mouth of the Shinano River and the Sea of Japan coastline. The center is flashy and modern, while the outer suburbs are characterized by rural, tranquil farmland.
Being very spread out, public transport in Niigata City is limited. Fortunately, many of the central attractions are walkable, and Niigata Station, which is directly connected to Tokyo Station via bullet train, is smack-dab in the middle of the action.
a. Getting to Niigata City from Tokyo
Niigata City is a direct li..

In Japan, fall is also nicknamed the 'Autumn of Appetite,' which means you'll want to view these scenic foliage views while enjoying a delicious meal!
For this article, a writer from Sapporo has carefully selected three Sapporo restaurants with scenic views that will delight both your tastebuds and your eyes as you dine in an open space surrounded by the beauty of nature!
Autumn leaves start changing color in October in Hokkaido, located in the northernmost part of Japan where temperatures are relatively low. Roadside trees are dyed in reds and yellows, turning the whole area around Sapporo into a palette of autumn hues. It truly is the thing of dreams!
1. Hakkenzan Kitchen & Marche: A Chic Restaurant Surrounded by Nature
A winery nestled in a quiet place looking up at Mount Hakkenzan. Photo courtesy of Hakkenzan Kitchen & Marche
Hokkaido is currently one of Japan's leading wine-producing regions. Because grape crops prefer cooler climates, chilly Hokkaido is the pe..

With some looking for some less crowded, out-of-the-way places to visit during Covid-19, the Tohoku region has become the focus of attention.
Japan's Tohoku Region, with its hot springs, historical sights, and gorgeous natural scenery, is a superb place to visit, and you'll soon see why. Winter is an especially great time to relax and see Japan's famous snowy landscapes.
For this 3-day Aomori travel itinerary, our editors will introduce some of the prefecture's best out-of-the-way scenic spots, including the impressive Takayama Inari Shrine and its 200 torii gates.
Off to Takayama Inari Shrine – One of Aomori's breathtaking 'power spots'
After getting tickets at Tokyo Station, our editors set out for the beautiful Takayama Inari Shrine with its thousand torii gates in Tsugaru City, Aomori Prefecture.
Takayama Inari Shrine is a beloved local shrine located in Tsugaru City on the Sea of Japan side of Aomori Prefecture. Here, the deity Inari is enshrine..

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!

Restaurant Outlet Service AttendantCompany: Tokyo American Club　Salary: ¥180,000 / MonthLocation: Tokyo, JapanEnglish: Business levelJapanese: BasicApplication: Must currently reside in JapanThe Tokyo American Club is looking for full-time restaurant service staff to join its team in Azabu and Nihonbashi.
You must have at least one year of experience in a restaurant or similar.
No Japanese required.
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Kitchen StaffCompany: Tokyo American ClubSalary: ¥230,000 ~ ¥260,000 / MonthLocation: Tokyo, JapanEnglish: ConversationalJapanese: NoneApplication: Must currently reside in JapanTokyo American Club is looking to fill various positions related to kitchen duties.
You must know Japanese laws related to..