Nara: Once a Capital City, Now an Unfrequented Tourist Spot

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Most people planning their holiday trip to Japan tend to include the big and famous cities like Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka on their itinerary. They assume these places to cover their fascination of experiencing old and modern culture and lifestyle in Japan. However, majority of the visitors overlook the charm and beauty of old cities like forgotten capital of Japan, Nara.

Tokyo is indeed a fascination of youths who visit Japan to experience the modern-age technologies and view a number of skyscrapers. There are several little shops sprawling in and out the narrow lanes. Tech savvies can find all sorts of hi-tech toys, manga and anime characters at the Akihabara. On the other hand, Kyoto is very much considered the remnant of old days. With several magnificent temples, cosy restaurants and kimono shops, Kyoto also attracts a large number of visitors.

Historical Importance of Nara

In contrast, Nara is an old city and was the capital of Japan between 710 and 784. This city was the first permanent capital of Japan and famous as the centre of Buddhist activities with several monasteries and Chinese-influenced architecture. Nara has lent its name from Nara period. With lots of historical and cultural attractions, Nara is one of the must visit places in Japan.

Narrow and Stretched Out Streets Selling Sweets and Traditional Artefacts

Outside the Nara train station, there are many old-style sweet shops tempting you with varieties of sweets made of rice flour and filled with sweet red bean and tea leaves. Although younger generation has started to eat out more Western-style sweets like cakes and pastries, traditional sweets are still the hot favourite of people in Nara prefecture.

The narrow streets in Nara offer varieties of objects to traditional art-loving visitors. One can find hand-crafted objects, kimonos, attractive hair pins, traditional Momiji dolls, colourful umbrellas fabricated with special kind of paper and several other artefacts at the shops in Nara. These are ideal gifts and souvenirs to bring home or present to the friends in Japan.

Deer Park in Nara

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Away from the narrow and stretched out streets, Nara is full of greeneries and deer. There is a deer park in Nara where you can get to see different breed of deer roaming all across the park. Vendors outside the park sell deer-biscuits and shika senbei to feed the deer. According to the legend, the god Takemikazuchi entered the Nara on a white deer that started being recognised as “heavenly” animal since that day.

Todai-ji Temple

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Visitors can take a walk through the park to reach to the world’s largest wooden building, Todai-ji Temple, which is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Japan. This temple houses the world’s largest Buddha statue.

Restaurants in Nara

The streets lit up during the evening time. The classic-style restaurants and eateries open for the business after the sunset. These restaurants serve healthy and delicious traditional Japanese dishes. You can take a walk through the quaint wooden houses after the meal.

So, if you are planning an itinerary to the Japan, do not forget to experience the old world charm of Nara.

Cherry Blossom Season in Japan is a True Wonder! by Pretzel William

Witness the True Beauty of Rural Japan

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If you want to experience something unique on your trip to Japan, then try and take some time off and escape to a few rural areas in the country. The rural parts of Japan are extremely beautiful and there is a lot you can see in these places that you can never even think of experiencing in the urban parts. If you are looking for a place to go, then consider Miyama.

Miyama is a far-flung rural place in the mountains, about 30kms in the northern direction of central Kyoto. Miyama is well known for its farm houses with thatched roofs (kayabuki). Around 200 such farmhouses dot the countryside of Miyama. In Miyama, people work and live in such farmhouses. Visitors get an authentic yet rural essence of Japan from these farmhouses. The look is incredibly traditional and that’s what people love.

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This area is made up of hamlets and small villages that are scattered along a winding valley. Kayabuki no Sato or the northern village is the main attraction of Miyama. This village has 40 farmhouses with thatched roofs but as most of them are residential, visitors can’t enter them. The Kayabuki no Sato Folk Museum, is a building that is open to the public. Daily household items and traditional tools from the past are exhibited in this museum.

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You can stay a night at a few of the farmhouses that are open to public and allow lodging. Three such farmhouses exist in Kayabuki no Sato. The farmhouses have tatami floors and you can sleep on futon beds. You can also go hiking and sweetfish fishing along the river Yura. Shizen Bunkamura Kajikaso, an accommodation and nature centre is at some distance.

This is one of the best ways you can experience the rural Japan. So, if you are planning your trip to rural Japan, keep Miyama in mind.

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Visit Unusual Places in Japan to Capture the True Essence

Japan is full of exquisite tourist spots and wonderful sights. The country is extremely picturesque and loaded with culture. Thousands of tourists throng the country every year mostly during spring and summer and sometimes in winter. Travellers who like to visit countries that are historically rich will definitely not miss out on Japan. Japan maybe the technological capital of the world but its old world charm has and continues to captivate tourists all around the world.

There are many places you can visit in Japan. For example, The Great Buddha of Kamakura, Mt. Fuji, Himeji Castle, etc. are visited by hundreds of tourists every year but there are many other places in Japan, that are not very famous but definitely worth a visit.

If you are planning to go to Japan on your next vacation, it is important to gather information about Japan to make your trip easier. If you search for unusual places to visit in the Land of the Rising Sun, you will find plenty. Here are a few places you can go to.

Temples and Shrines in Kyoto

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Kyoto is a lovely city as you will find the flavour of every season in this place. Every single season in this city is celebrated with festivals, different sorts of food that suit each season and rituals. If you want to go on a spiritual trip in this city, there are two temples you must visit. The Kinkakuji temple which is also known as the ‘Golden Pavilion’ and the Ryoanji temple that is famous for its zen rock gardens.

Gion District in Kyoto

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The Gion district is very famous for its shrines, temples and geisha. Also, if you want to witness the famous Japanese tea ceremony, this is the place.

To capture the true essence of Japan, it necessary to go to the less famous places of the country as these places are less affected by Western culture.

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Tourist Destinations in and Around Tokyo

Many people live with a preconceived notion that Japan is ridiculously expensive. In fact, the whole world knows Japan as one of the most expensive places for foreign travellers. In spite of this, Japan sees record number of tourists every year.

It’s true that Japan is expensive but if you spend the money wisely, you can enjoy the whole trip without falling short of money. Use Japan Rail Network for transportation and try not to splurge on buying expensive items. In fact, you could get lots of ‘affordable yet fashionable’ items at street shops and local market.

So, plan out your vacation and make the list of places to visit in Japan. Here are a fee must-visit places in Japan, take a look:

Tokyo’s Tropical Islands

Izu islands, a group of volcanic islands in the Pacific Ocean, belong to Tokyo and counted among the must visit places. There are some of the striking volcanic islands, Hachijo and Miyake being the two most prominent islands. You can catch a ferry from Takeshiba sanbashi terminal in Tokyo, or a plane from Haneda airport to get to these islands.

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As these islands are volcanic, most beaches are rocky and Hachijo is the home to many hot spring (onsen) spots. You can also enjoy some adventurous activities at Hachijo and Miyake islands.

Onsen Ryokan in Kinugawa, Tochigi

If you are looking to spend your weekend in relaxing way, go to an onsen ryokan in Kinugawa in Tochigi prefecture. This place is home of many ryokans offering hot spring bath facilities. You can really enjoy your stay and get various spa therapies.

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KITTE

If you are in Tokyo at present, do not forget to visit this landmark. The Old Tokyo Post Office has been recently renovated and came up with new functionality and concept. There are many shopping places, restaurants and bars and lounges inside this seven stories building. Moreover, you will be amazed by the design of building.

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Similarly, there are many other places to visit in Japan. Each place has to say something different to you.

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Why you Must Go Through Blog About Japan Before Visiting the Country?

If you are going on a trip to Japan, learning about the customs of the Japanese society guarantees you of an entertaining trip. While you are in Japan, just do not only look at the surroundings and click photos but also take out some time to know about the customs of the place.

Japan is a place where you can learn a lot about history and culture. There are still many historical monuments, religious temples and shrines to collect enough information about the history of Japan.

So, if you are visiting Japan, you can get help from blog about Japan and know a lot about customs, places to visit and other aspects of Japan.

Crowded and Noisy City of Tokyo

For most tourists, Tokyo charts high on their wish-list of places to visit in Japan. You can call Tokyo anything but a quiet city. As soon as you steps outside fro Shinjuku international airport, roaring sounds and various noises will welcome you to the land of rising sun. Whether its day or night time, streets alongside high rise buildings are chock-a-block with people.

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You will see sales persons with megaphones covering their ears trying to sell their products by screaming about the latest products out in the market, a common sight to see in front of almost every electronic shop in Tokyo. While roaming on the streets, you will come across huge collection of video games scattered around the shops.

However, as soon as you step into the trains, complete and utter silence will welcome you. Most of the people around you in trains or tubes will have their eyes closed or will be seen busy playing games on their mobile phones. Tokyo’s trains are so peaceful that people can sometime fall asleep while commuting and may even miss their stop.

Top Class Services at Japanese Hotels

If you are staying in a hotel in Japan, you will be amazed to see the top class services being offered to you. Employees at the hotels are taught to behave kindly and politely with their customers. You will be given everything in the hotels until you are not asking for any unrealistic service.

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With the kind of services provided to you in the hotels, you will feel like in authoritative position. Similar kinds of services are offered to you at restaurants, hotels and almost everywhere in the Japanese society.

You can know a lot about other interesting aspects of Japan on blogs from Japan.

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Best Shopping Destinations in Japan Metropolises

When it comes to shopping, Japan is an ultimate destination for the shopaholics. With plenty of shopping places around the big cities, you will never feel short of options. In Japan, you can literally buy anything and everything from different marketplaces. Whether you are looking for designer products or funky ones, you will be spoilt for choices in the Japanese market.

The metropolises like Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto have several markets to buy a discerning range of products from. Here are a few ideal places to do shopping in Japan, take a look:

Shopping Places in Japan

Tokyo:

The capital city of Japan has as many as 50 world famous shopping places, where you can find varied range of products. Ginza is an affluent shopping district with exclusive stores of many top brands. With lots of shopping options, Ginza is Asia’s biggest upscale shopping centre. Shibuya is another busy shopping neighbourhood in Tokyo. There are many department stores flooded with shoppers during the seasonal sales and weekends. The shopping stores in here target young crowd. Tokyo’s high school students prefer to shop around Harajaku. Most shops focus on the inexpensive youth subcultures like hip hop and decora. Harajaku is the ideal place to understand the Gen Y Japanese consumers. There are many other shopping districts in the Tokyo city.

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Osaka:

With several top notch shopping districts, shopping malls, arcades and streets, Osaka is one of the busiest shopping hubs in Japan. The two largest shopping districts in Osaka are Umeda in the north and Namba in the south. Both the districts are connected with Japanese Rail Network and have railway stations on their own names. There are several departmental stores, shopping arcades and extensive shopping malls spread around both districts. You can also go to Shinsaibashi Suji, which is city’s oldest and busiest shopping centre. This place falls in between Umeda and Namba. With many brand stores, chain stores, boutiques and restaurants, this place is often thronged by the shopper.

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Kyoto:

You can find high end fashion shops existing alongside old stores selling traditional crafts and foods, in Kyoto. The main shopping area is spread around Shijo and Kawaramachi streets’ intersection and houses Marui department stores as well as affluent fashion brands. JR Kyoto Station is the second largest shopping area in the city and houses Porta underground shopping mall, a big Aeon shopping mall and some large electronic retailers.

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Other large cities of Japan also sport some sprawling shopping centres. You can find a varied range of products from traditional gifts and souvenirs, latest gadgets, local foods to trendy clothes at these marketplaces.

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Read up on Japan to Travel well

Japan is a beautiful country to travel to as it is beautiful and interesting. The marvellous and picturesque landscapes and cityscapes make the country beautiful while its history and culture makes it interesting. The country is well known mainly for its culture, heritage, history and tradition. If you want you visit a country that is a wonderful blend of the two worlds, the ancient and the modern, then Japan is the right choice.

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The sights and sounds of Japan are not only captivating but extremely engaging. If you want to visit the country on a holiday, you should first have your trip all planned out. There are many references that will help you plan your trip to this wonderful country. You can read up on Japan from travel guides and books and mark out the places that interest you most. Then sit down with a map of Japan and try to chalk out the best ways of visiting all the sights you want to see. However, all this is a lot easier said than done.

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Making an itinerary for a trip to Japan requires in depth study of the country. Travel guides and books on Japan do not offer that amount of knowledge about Japan. To plan out a proper itinerary for your trip to Japan you need to know about the people and culture of Japan so that your trip to the country is fulfilling and smooth. This kind of information is not available in guide books; you need ‘first hand’ information about such things. Get ideas on from Japanese blogs. These blogs are written either by tourists who have visited Japan in the recent past or by the citizen of Japan. The information you will get on these blogs will be authentic and 100 percent genuine.

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You can read about the lifestyle of Japanese people in these blogs, get to know their world a little better so that you do not have trouble blending in when you visit Japan. You get information about their culture and history, so you know what to expect when you visit the country. These blogs will also inform you about places that are worth visiting in Japan, Japanese food and cuisine, places to shop in Japan, etc.

With all this information your trip to Japan will become a lot easier to plan out and you will also get a lot of insight into the country.