Search Results for: shopping

Apartment hunting in Tokyo can be an overwhelming ordeal. Regardless of the season, rooms are taken off the market quickly, sometimes even before you decide to apply for them. Whether you base your apartment hunt on the neighborhood, commuting time or pricing, the Best Train Lines for Living in Tokyo guide is here help you make the best decision.

Today let’s take a look at perhaps the most popular train line in Tokyo: the Yamanote line.

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

Overview
Photo: WikiCommons/MaedaAkihikoOperational since 1885, the Yamanote line is best identified for its light green color.
The Yamanote line (山手線, Yamanote-sen) was opened in 1885 and is perhaps one of the most famous train lines that circles Tokyo. The train line spans over 30 kilometers and covers the city’s main transportation hubs and business and entertainment districts all over Tokyo. In total, there are 30 local stops on the line and it takes ..

Lots of new tourist attractions have appeared throughout Japan in 2022, with plenty more planned for the near future. From Ghibli Park, to a theme park based on Harry Potter, to new shopping centers, you can expect lots of new landmarks to appear around Tokyo and beyond. Despite the unfortunate closings of several other locations, these new attractions give much to look forward to!
Here we introduce the latest on upcoming tourist attractions that are set to open, close, or renew in 2022 and beyond.
Main image: ©Studio Ghibli
Newly Opened Attractions in 2022: Tokyo Area
NAKED FLOWERS FOR YOU: An Evolutionary Flower Art Exhibit (Opened March 19, 2022)
NAKED FLOWERS is an experiential art exhibition. With all kinds of flowers on display, this event has made a name for itself both in Japan and overseas, including Kyoto's World Heritage Site Nijo Castle, Tokyo's Nihonbashi, Hong Kong, and South Korea. This new location, opening in Yurakucho, marks the first permanent facility in T..

The New Chitose Airport is the aerial gateway to Hokkaido and is the largest airport in Hokkaido, welcoming countless tourists annually.
This airport is so well-equipped with dining facilities, gift shops, entertainment, and relaxation facilities that it is hard to believe it is an airport! Here are some especially recommended spots in New Chitose Airport for your next visit.
Check Out Part 1: (Shopping & Gourmet) A Close Look at the New Chitose Airport Terminal Building
A complete entertainment facility! Smile Road on the 3rd-floor connection area
Smile Road is the corridor that runs between the Gourmet World on the third floor of the New Chitose Airport Domestic Terminal with the International Terminal.
Along this long corridor, several facilities offer a wide range of entertainment for all age groups, such as Doraemon Wakuwaku Sky Park and Hello Kitty Happy Flight. Royce’ Chocolate World is very popular with children and tourists and a place we recommend you visit.
Smile Road (3F ..

An Odaiba view we’ll never be able to see again.
It’s not unusual to feel a little melancholy at this time of year, when summer is winding down and we’re about to head into the shorter, colder days of autumn. Today, though, we’re in an especially bittersweet mood, because Tokyo’s biggest Ferris wheel is about to close down for food, marking the end of an era for the Odaiba district.
The Palette Town entertainment complex opened in 1999, when Odaiba, a man-made island in Tokyo Bay, was Tokyo’s newest trendy spot for dining, shopping, and musical events. The complex’s Giant Sky Wheel (also known as the Daikanransha) quickly became a symbol of the neighborhood, with its 115-meter (377-foot) height making it the tallest Ferris wheel in the world at the time.
Unfortunately, Odaiba has been through some ups and downs in the years since. Sure, its status as a newly created landmass means it actually has empty space, which can be hard to find in Tokyo, and its coastline offers beautiful views ..

When booking a Hakodate hotel, be sure to stay at one with a private onsen! Take advantage of Hakodate's famous hot springs by staying in the Yunokawa Onsen area.
The following are popular, conveniently-located Hakodate onsen hotels with large bath areas, and which have amazingly luxurious breakfasts!
1. La Vista Hakodate Bay: Ranked #1 in Hokkaido for “Hotel with Delicious Breakfast”
La Vista Hakodate Bay is located in the Bay Area, where the famous sightseeing spot, the Red Brick Warehouse, is located. This area is a convenient location with great shopping and dining options.
Also, it is within walking distance of the Motomachi area, another popular sightseeing spot for its churches and Western-style buildings.
Since there aren’t many particularly tall buildings in the area, this Hakodate hotel provides a spectacular view of Hakodate Bay and the city.
Especially the natural onsen hot spring located on the top floor, “Kaikyo no Yu,” has a great view of Mount Hakodate and Hakoda..

As we’re about halfway through the sweltering summer season, it’s not surprising that most people in Japan have sought to flee the intense heat of the big cities. In my beloved Kansai, I have plenty of plans to escape the heat, such as Shin-Kobe’s Nunobiki Waterfall and the Akame Falls.

Everyone should have a plan to beat the heat and have fun in summer, especially with recent temperatures reaching into the high 30s in many parts of the country.

To help you make your plans, Gaijinpot goes on a quest for some of the coolest and most accessible places in Japan to visit in summer.

1. Karuizawa (Nagano)
Photo: iStock/ NorimotoKaruizawa’s Shiraito Falls in summer.
Nagano in Japan’s Chubu region is well-known for its cool temperatures, which is hardly surprising for a prefecture known as a destination for winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding.

But, in summer, a popular destination to visit is Karuizawa. A resort town home to art galleries, top-notch restaurants, shopping streets ..

Where are the top tourist spots near Tokyo? There are many bucket list-worthy tourist spots and attractions just around 1-2 hours outside Tokyo that are perfect for a day trip! Here we’ll introduce the TOP 10 tourist spots near Tokyo with historical architecture and the unique natural beauty of rolling mountains and gorgeous waterfalls.
First, we’ll start with Nikko, which houses an elaborate temple dedicated to Tokugawa’s first shogun, then Kawagoe which charmingly preserves old Tokyo. Plus, you can enjoy activities like skiing in Karuizawa, historical walks in Kamakura, Onsen hot springs in Hakone, and breathtaking displays of nature in Hitachi-naka. Finally, sightseeing aside, Yokohama, Makuhari, and Narita are prime dining and shopping opportunities.
Main image: PIXTA
1. Nikko: Toshogu Shrine, Beautiful World Heritage Site
©JNTO
Nikko, home to the world-renowned Nikko Toshogu Shrine, is located just north of Tokyo in Tochigi Prefecture. It is an area full of beautiful natural scen..

Iwate Prefecture sits in the northern region of Tohoku and is the second largest prefecture in Japan behind Hokkaido. Each city, town, and village has its own unique charm and character, making it well worth setting aside a few days to explore fully.
The inland areas, including Morioka and Hiraizumi, brim with historical townscapes and stunning wilderness from the Kitakami Mountains and beyond.
The Iwate coastline faces the Pacific Ocean and is dotted by ports and restaurants offering a wealth of gourmet seafood dishes. This article will show you some must-visit sightseeing, shopping, and foodie spots to inspire your Iwate trip!
What Kind of Place Is Iwate?
Iwate Prefecture is full of stunning scenery, such as Jodogahama Beach and Geibikei Gorge, along with a wealth of historical and cultural sights including Chuson-ji and Motsuji Temple. There are also plenty of hot spring resort towns to wash away fatigue, each boasting a diverse array of gorgeous accommodations. Iwate is also famo..

The Tsutenkaku observation tower is the symbol of Osaka's iconic Shinsekai district. Right next door is the coiled snake-like TOWER SLIDER, which just opened in May 2022.
The 60-meter slide runs from 22 meters above ground into a basement, and takes just 10 seconds to descend! We visited the TOWER SLIDER to discover just how thrilling it really is!
What Is Tsutenkaku?
A 3-minute walk from Ebisucho Station on the Osaka Metro.
Shinsekai is one of the most popular sightseeing destinations in Osaka. In 1912, a steel tower was erected in the style of the Eiffel Tower over an imitation of the Arc de Triomphe. Being 64 meters tall, it was the largest of its kind in Asia, and was thus named “Tsutenkaku,” meaning “connecting to the heavens.”
It was unfortunately destroyed in fire but was rebuilt after much demand from locals in 1956. To this day, it stands as a beloved symbol of Osaka. The second-generation Tsutenkaku is 103 meters, making it 39 meters taller than the original.
Tsutenka..

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..