Travel Tips

Setouchi Triennale
Catch the last autumn session of this fascinating outdoor art event before it closes for another three years. Setouchi Triennale’s contemporary artwork is spread out among 12 islands in the Seto Inland Sea between Kagawa and Okayama prefectures. Themed “restoration of the sea,” the event aims to revitalize the local environment and community after severe depopulation. The autumn session features permanent, site-specific installations and single-season exhibitions. The event is also a unique opportunity to experience Japan’s traditional island culture.

When: Sept. 29 – Nov. 6Where: Seto Inland Sea IslandsWeb: setouchi-artfest.jp

Asagiri Jam
Nicknamed the “real Fuji Rock” for its idyllic location at the foot of Mt Fuji, this music festival is a laid-back two days of camping, rock, Indie and dance music by international and local artists. Workshops, morning yoga and activities for children are held around the two main stages.

When: Oct. 8-9Where: Asagiri Arena, Shizu..

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!

UX DesignerCompany: NianticSalary: Salary negotiableLocation: Tokyo, JapanEnglish: Business levelJapanese: Business levelApplication: Must currently reside in JapanNiantic is looking for a UX Designer to join its team in Tokyo.
Duties include handling UX flow wireframes and user interface designs.
You must have at least 3 years of experience in UX design with a proven portfolio of mobile or web app designs.
Share this Job Apply Here
Real-estate Translation Services Support StaffCompany: 大東建託リーシング株式会社Salary: ¥1,500 / HourLocation: Shin-Okubo, TokyoEnglish: Business levelJapanese: Business levelApplication: Must currently reside in JapanYour main duty will be performing translation tasks for different business sides.
Bene..

Niseko’s Twin Peaks Bike Park is an ambitions new project by the Niseko Area Mountain Bike Association (NAMTBA) to create a free-to-use mountain bike park open to the public. Located in the heart of the Niseko resort area, the new MTB park will feature beginner, intermediate and advanced riding across six trails, more than 21 kilometers of terrain and 200 meters of elevation differential. There will be a dedicated children’s balance bike area as well as a skills park for learning new techniques and building confidence.
Twin Peaks is the first project for NAMTBA, a registered non-profit organizations based in Niseko, and they see the park as a first step for creating new opportunities for riders as well as connecting future trails in and around Niseko. Their board is a diverse mix of nationalities, genders, ages and mountain bike riders, but they all share a vision of turning Niseko into a sustainable, world-class mountain bike destination.

Getting approval to use, and build on, public..

Sea to Summit
The last of Montbell’s popular outdoor series for the year concludes in Miyagi, Nagano and Mie prefectures. Take in the autumn landscape while canoeing, cycling, trekking and other means of human-powered movement. Participants can compete solo or as a team.

When and where:
Oct. 8-9: Kamimachi, Miyagi
Oct. 15-16: Chikuma River, Nagano
Nov. 12-13: Kihoku, MieWeb: seatosummit.jp

Altra Shinshu Tenku Trail Race
Head to northern Nagano for this 27-kilometer race that features trail and road courses. You’ll be running the Hijiriyama Trail with great views of the surrounding mountains, vineyards and koyo (autumn leaves). Celebrate after the race with a long soak in an onsen and delicious local cuisine.

When: Oct. 23Where: Omi, NaganoWeb: samuraisports.org

Kanazawa Marathon
Combine a trip to the scenic Kanazawa area with a marathon race. This course will pass Kanazawa’s iconic attractions such as Kenrokuen Garden, the Ishikawa Gate of Kanazawa Castle, Higashiyama and temple ..

Chichibu is a rural city in western Saitama Prefecture. This area is the perfect spot for a day trip as it is under two hours from Tokyo. Surrounded by mountains, Chichibu is a popular tourist destination famous for its rich nature, historic cityscape, and unique local culture.
Loved for its hot springs, delicious food, and power spots, Chichibu is even the stage for popular movies and anime. Let's look at Chichibu's latest recommended attractions, eateries, and fun activities!
Photo courtesy of Nagatoro Tourism Association
1. Features of Chichibu: What is Chichibu Like?
Chichibu is located in the western part of Saitama Prefecture in the Kanto region near Tokyo. It is the largest municipality in the prefecture and is mostly known for its nature and history. The basin is surrounded by mountains and an abundant natural landscape, with beautiful flowers and trees that change with the seasons.
There are also many fun outdoor activities and delicious local food you will enjoy. ..

There are plenty of beautiful Japanese gardens in Kyoto that are worth visiting. At a Strolling Pond Garden, you can stroll around a large pond or hop on a boat.
Karesansui, or dry landscape gardens, replicate magnificent scenery and the spirit of Zen using no water, just stones and sand. There's a mysterious charm to these Japanese gardens that has grown and captivated viewers' hearts throughout its history, and tempts one to gaze out at them forever.
Saki Yamada, director of the Heritage and Garden Artistry division of the long-established Kyoto landscaping firm Ueyakato Landscape, founded in 1848, lets us in on some secrets about Japanese gardens and shares tips on enjoying them.
Top photo: Murin-an (Photo: Ueyakato Landscape)
We speak with Ueyakato Landscape, a landscaping company that develops scenic gardens
Saki Yamada, Heritage and Garden Artistry Division Director, Ueyakato Landscape (Photo: Ueyakato Landscape)
We spoke with landscaping firm Ueyakato Landscape. Since ..

A stroll around Hakodate's Motomachi area is a sightseeing must when in Hokkaido!
Hakodate is a city overflowing with foreign atmosphere and many excellent photo spots, from the view of the harbor looking down from Hachimanzaka to its many other historical buildings and churches such as the Former British Consulate of Hakodate.
Hakodate has many attractions such as the night view from Mt. Hakodate and Goryokaku, but this time we will introduce recommended walking courses in the Motomachi area noted for its many scenic spots which can be walked in a couple of hours or so.
Where is Hakodate?
Hakodate is a port town facing the Tsugaru Strait in the southern part of Hokkaido. Along with Yokohama and Nagasaki it was one of the first Japanese ports to be opened to foreign trade in 1859. For that reason it was quick to acquire foreign culture and as a result there are many buildings of both Western style and a blend of Japanese and Western styles.
Most of these are in the western distr..

When apartment hunting in Tokyo, it’s easy to get caught up in wanting to live right in the city center and be next to the train station. Not only are you severely limiting your options, but you might also miss out on great (more affordable) deals. There are so many other parts of Tokyo with lesser-known train lines that are just as connected to downtown, offer a great local atmosphere and are much quieter.

So, where should you start? Our guide to Lines for Living in Tokyo is here to help. Today, let’s go through a train line that runs up and down Tokyo (quite literally) called the Namboku line.

Overview
The commute
Popular neighborhoods
Best three Namboku line stations for living in Tokyo

Overview
Photo: WikiCommons/ MaedaAkihikoDuring its planning stages, the Namboku line was called the number seven line.
The Namboku Line (南北線, namboku-sen) is a teal-colored subway line owned by Tokyo Metro. In Japanese, namboku translates south to north which fits the route of this line perfectl..

Stay at a traditional Nikko ryokan and get the full Japan experience! Just north of Tokyo, Nikko is a tourist haven with scenic sites. Since Nikko is also one of the best hot spring areas in Kanto, it would be a shame to simply stay the night without indulging in what the region has to offer!
Enjoy some quality time in an accommodation that comes with quality hot spring facilities, delicious cuisine, and majestic views at one of these luxurious Nikko ryokan!
1. Asaya: Nikko ryokan with romantic hanging gardens, open-air baths, and impressive vistas
Asaya is a large Nikko ryokan, or traditional Japanese inn, located in Nikko's Kinugawa hot spring town and has been in business since 1888!
The open design of the third to 12th stories of the building is absolutely worth a second look, especially when viewed along with the resplendently decorated lobby. You would be forgiven for thinking you've somehow wandered into a live-action setpiece for the fantastical Studio Ghibli film, ..

Aomori Prefecture, located in far north Japan, is renowned for its incredible collection of fabulous fall foliage sightseeing hotspots. Using a rental car, you can easily a road trip tour places filled with lush, seasonally changing nature like the World Heritage Site of Shirakami-Sanchi or the Hakkoda Mountains.
Given the distance between these beautiful locations, it is more convenient to drive than to take the train. With this in mind, we present a two-day Aomori fall road trip perfect for a weekend getaway!
Complete with access and parking information along with peak color dates, this is the ultimate way to experience the best of northern Japan’s incredible wealth of autumn colors.
Top image: PIXTA
Where to rent a rental car in Aomori
JR Shin-Aomori Station. Photo: PIXTA
As most people visit Aomori via airplane or shinkansen (bullet train), businesses offering rental cars are frequently found nearby or even inside many of Aomori’s major transport hubs.
This includes the car rent..