Planning a vacation to Japan can be a challenge. One would think that Japan which is rich in both traditional culture and technical innovation, as well as plenty of weird and wacky things you’ll never see elsewhere, would be a huge hit with tourists. But as it turns out, Japan is actually not such a popular destination for people traveling abroad.
There are a few reasons for this:
a) Publicity problems - Firstly, Japan does not promote itself well. With the world now connected by the internet you can easily communicate with people half-way around the globe as though they’re right there with you in your room, and people are becoming more interested in other cultures. Japan needs to be able to self-promote, and articulate to the wider world exactly why people should come and visit.
b) High costs - The top reasons people from Europe and the USA don’t come to Japan is that it’s both too far and too expensive. Accommodation and transport are very expensive and on top of that are the costs of food, souvenirs and so on, so with a high-valued yen people are bound to look to cheaper options such as Asia, where even the poorest of student travelers can survive. However, the recent weakening of the yen brought about by Abenomics, making things cheaper for Americans and Europeans, and department stores are publicizing the fact that duty-free shopping is available for foreign visitors.
c) Japanese-only convenience. Most Japanese do not speak English or another international language. This means that it may be difficult to find someone whom you can ask if you are not sure of the way, the kind of food to order, and simple conversations to know the Japanese people.
In spite of the above, Japan is still great place to visit. It is a world apart where a unique civilisation blossomed, and today thrives in contrasts of traditional and modern. The Japanese spirit is strong, warm and incredibly welcoming.
Then, Food .... Savouring the delights of Japanese cuisine on its home turf is half the reason to come to Japan and you can easily build an itinerary around regional specialities and sublime restaurants.
Next is the Outdoors ... The wonders of Japan’s natural world are a well-kept secret. And you never have to travel far in Japan to get out into nature: in major hubs like Kyoto, just a short trip from the city will get you into forested mountains.
And Japanese culture ... Japan has spent millennia taking in and refining the cultural bounties of Asia to produce something distinctly Japanese. From the splendour of a Kyoto geisha dance to the spare beauty of a Zen rock garden, you will be mesmerized.
Last but not least ... Staying in a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) is utterly different from staying in a hotel. Sitting in a robe on tatami (woven floor matting) eating raw fish and mountain vegetables is probably not how you dine back home. Getting naked with a bunch of strangers to soak in an onsen (hot spring) might seem strange at first, but try it and you'll find it's relaxing. And with helpful locals, spotless facilities and excellent public transport, you can experience this exoticism with ease.
For a start, see Japan’s 30 best travel destinations, as chosen by overseas visitors at travel website Trip Advisor’s list of the best places in Japan. Check it out here.
My 10 Day itinerary to Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto:
4 nights in Osaka and 5 nights in Kyoto
Day 1
- arrive at Kansai International Airport, Osaka at 4.30pm by Scoot
Use Haruka/ICOCA round trip ticket to hotel. We stayed in Carpe Diem, Osaka
Day 2
- Kuromon Ichiba Market ( Website and Map )
- area around Osaka station (Pokemon Centre)
- Shinkesai
Day 4
- Day trip to Kobe
Day 5
- check out of ryokun and take JR to Kyoto
- check into hotel
- Ponchoto
Day 6
- Arashiyama (Bamboo Forest)
- Manga Museum
- Kyoto station area
Day 7
- Kiyomizudera temple
- Higashiyama district
- Yasuka Shrine
- Gion
Day 8
- Nishiki Market
- Kinkakuji temple
Day 9
- Uji tea town
- Fushimi Inari Shrine
Day 10
Depart for Singapore
How I plan the Osaka Kyoto Kobe vacation - check here please.
There are a few reasons for this:
a) Publicity problems - Firstly, Japan does not promote itself well. With the world now connected by the internet you can easily communicate with people half-way around the globe as though they’re right there with you in your room, and people are becoming more interested in other cultures. Japan needs to be able to self-promote, and articulate to the wider world exactly why people should come and visit.
b) High costs - The top reasons people from Europe and the USA don’t come to Japan is that it’s both too far and too expensive. Accommodation and transport are very expensive and on top of that are the costs of food, souvenirs and so on, so with a high-valued yen people are bound to look to cheaper options such as Asia, where even the poorest of student travelers can survive. However, the recent weakening of the yen brought about by Abenomics, making things cheaper for Americans and Europeans, and department stores are publicizing the fact that duty-free shopping is available for foreign visitors.
c) Japanese-only convenience. Most Japanese do not speak English or another international language. This means that it may be difficult to find someone whom you can ask if you are not sure of the way, the kind of food to order, and simple conversations to know the Japanese people.
In spite of the above, Japan is still great place to visit. It is a world apart where a unique civilisation blossomed, and today thrives in contrasts of traditional and modern. The Japanese spirit is strong, warm and incredibly welcoming.
Then, Food .... Savouring the delights of Japanese cuisine on its home turf is half the reason to come to Japan and you can easily build an itinerary around regional specialities and sublime restaurants.
Next is the Outdoors ... The wonders of Japan’s natural world are a well-kept secret. And you never have to travel far in Japan to get out into nature: in major hubs like Kyoto, just a short trip from the city will get you into forested mountains.
And Japanese culture ... Japan has spent millennia taking in and refining the cultural bounties of Asia to produce something distinctly Japanese. From the splendour of a Kyoto geisha dance to the spare beauty of a Zen rock garden, you will be mesmerized.
Last but not least ... Staying in a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) is utterly different from staying in a hotel. Sitting in a robe on tatami (woven floor matting) eating raw fish and mountain vegetables is probably not how you dine back home. Getting naked with a bunch of strangers to soak in an onsen (hot spring) might seem strange at first, but try it and you'll find it's relaxing. And with helpful locals, spotless facilities and excellent public transport, you can experience this exoticism with ease.
For a start, see Japan’s 30 best travel destinations, as chosen by overseas visitors at travel website Trip Advisor’s list of the best places in Japan. Check it out here.
My 10 Day itinerary to Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto:
4 nights in Osaka and 5 nights in Kyoto
Day 1
- arrive at Kansai International Airport, Osaka at 4.30pm by Scoot
Use Haruka/ICOCA round trip ticket to hotel. We stayed in Carpe Diem, Osaka
Day 2
- Kuromon Ichiba Market ( Website and Map )
- Dotonbori (Osaka’s foremost shopping and entertainment district)
- Namba
Day 3
- Osaka CastleDay 3
- Shinkesai
Day 4
- Day trip to Kobe
Day 5
- check out of ryokun and take JR to Kyoto
- check into hotel
- Ponchoto
Day 6
- Arashiyama (Bamboo Forest)
- Manga Museum
- Kyoto station area
Day 7
- Kiyomizudera temple
- Higashiyama district
- Yasuka Shrine
- Gion
Day 8
- Nishiki Market
- Kinkakuji temple
Day 9
- Uji tea town
- Fushimi Inari Shrine
Day 10
Depart for Singapore
How I plan the Osaka Kyoto Kobe vacation - check here please.
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