A group of highly-trained and highly-cultured women called the geishas, are a representation of Japanese culture. Meeting one can be an once-in-a-lifetime event, even for many Japanese. Though you will see many geisha throughout Japan, Kyoto is known as the birthplace of the culture.
What started as a student-organized event has quickly morphed into the internationally recognized Sapporo Snow Festival. It is one of Japan's largest winter events and every year it attracts more visitors from Japan and an increasing number of visitors from abroad, too. Every winter, about two million people come to Sapporo to see a large number of splendid snow and ice sculptures lining Odori Park, the grounds at Community Dome Tsudome, and the sights and lights along the main street in Susukino. If you are planning to attend and want a little more information about the history of the festival, what you can do and other logistics, read Cover-More’s guide to the Sapporo Snow Festival in Japan.
Tokyo may be the modern day capital of Japan, but Kyoto will always hold a place in Japanese hearts. Standing as the capital of Japan for over a millennium, this city still holds on to the old world charm while embracing the modern-era. Though you may be fooled initially upon entering the city, where the steel and glass main gateway greets you, the hidden gems of this city, such as the parks and the temples, will take you back to bygone eras. This city may be small in size, but it is rich in cultural heritage.
When you try to conjure up images of Japanese culture, few pictures will rank as highly as Traditional Japanese Sumo Wrestling. The age-old wrestling match between scantily clad, heavyweight men is not only an icon of Japanese culture envisioned by foreigners, but it is also Japan’s national sport and it rightfully deserves its important status.
Did you know that sushi began as a quick street food in Tokyo? Back in the 18th Century when Tokyo was still called Edo, sushi was created as an optimal on-the-go meal. Since then sushi has taken off, and now there are as many poorly constructed sushi rolls as there are meticulously and traditionally prepared sushi rolls.
There are so many attractions in Tokyo, it can be hard to figure out which ones to visit, which to pass up and which aren’t worth the visit due to the hassle of dealing with the crowds. The main attractions like Kamakura, Mt. Takao, Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo Skytree and Yumenoshima are all great places to visit but should be saved for a weekday or for the “off season.” Instead, opt for attractions and sights that are off the beaten track for fun, fewer crowds and better experiences.
Step into a high-tech future with a keen appreciation of the old-world when you visit Japan's capital city. Tokyo's official metropolitan area is home to more than 12 million people and greater Tokyo has a population of 35 million. With so many people, Tokyo is a buzzing urban area with much to see and even more to experience.
From the familiar to the exotic, Japanese chefs have truly thought up some crazy concoctions. Take a gastronomically unique adventure when you indulge in these must-try Japanese favourites.
When you think about Japan, hiking probably isn’t the first activity to come to mind. With so many cultural experiences in the big cities and iconic spots to see, it’s hard to make time for hiking. But trust us, it’s actually really great. In fact, it’s more than great – it is one of the hiking world’s best-kept secrets.
If you take the time, you can master the basics of polite conversation in most languages. When you are learning Japanese it can be a little trickier because the alphabet is different from the English dictionary and many of the characters are unrecognizable. Therefore, it's in your best interest to learn a few useful travel-related words and phrases in Japanese before you take off. It will help you navigate the streets, reduce your confusion and save you time getting from Point A to Point B.