Here are some important tips:

Japan is a cash-based society. Many places that usually take credit cards do not. When you happen to stop by an ATM, grab the opportunity, for you’ll find it hard to find another ATM on the trip. Another, we highly recommend you to take a card without foreign transaction. Also, bring a coin purse, because, everything from 1 yen to 500 yen (about $5) are coins.

Western style toilets in Japan have more electronic options than you ever thought possible– heated seat, bidet, deodorizer, noisemaker. And that’s just to name a few! At some shrines, temples, and older buildings, you may encounter a traditional Asian style squat toilet which is built into the floor. Squatting over it can be a physical challenge for some foreigners to use, but many public restrooms will have both options available.

Public trash cans are very few in Japan. It is HIGHLY recommended to bring a plastic bag with you, especially when you plan to eat street foods and stroll around.

You don’t need to tip taxi drivers, waiters, or bartenders. There’s no tipping in Japan. In fact, they may even be insulted if you try to leave extra money. Avoid the confusion by just paying the price as is.

Though we strongly recommend that you learn Japanese before visiting Japan, you should at least know just this one phrase. Don’t be fooled by Japanese modesty either—as long as somebody doesn’t say “iie” AKA “no,” they speak well enough. There are places where people are more likely to be good English speakers—train stations, airports, and major tourist attractions especially. Try to save your questions for those places.

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First Time in Japan?

Here are the MOST recommended places to visit

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#1 Chureito Pagoda at Mount Fuji

One of the most beautiful places in Japan is definitely Mount Fuji. Mount Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan and one of the country’s iconic landmarks. One of the most beautiful spots to admire Mount Fuji is definitely at the Chureito Pagoda. There is a big chance that you’ve seen this exact location pop up on Instagram multiple times before. But it’s definitely well worth your time, as it’s even more breathtaking in real life… This pagoda overlooks Fujiyoshida City and has Mount Fuji as the perfect backdrop.

Especially in the cherry blossom season in mid April it’s an incredible sight to see.

#2 Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto

#3 Oirase Gorge in Aomori

We’ve travelled extensively around Japan and found many unique and stunning locations but the Oirase Gorge in the northern Honshu prefecture of Aomori stands out to me for its natural beauty.  The best way to experience the area is the 14 km walking trail that runs through the gorge with 14 waterfalls and rapids along it. When we were there in late September it was still very green, just a few leaves showing the first touches of gold but a few weeks later the colour hits and this becomes one of the best places to experience the autumn leaves.

#4 Okunoshima Island

Okunoshima is a tiny island in the Inland Sea of Japan also known as Rabbit Island, because of the thousands of cute and furry residents that call it home. In fact, Okunoshima is not just a super kawaii place, it also has a dark past that makes this island even more interesting.

Okunoshima was the site of a poison gas factory, where mustard gas was produced from 1929 until the end of the war. There’s still a small museum where you can learn about the island’s past and see some of the horrific effects caused by the gas. When the factory was open, rabbits were used to test the gas effects. Nowadays, the rabbits living on the island are not the offspring of those ‘test rabbits’, instead they were introduced in the seventies in an attempt to exorcise the island’s dark past.

Tip: There’s only one hotel in Okunoshima, but the place is easy to visit as a day trip from Hiroshima!

#5 Kanazawa: Marsh of Gold

Kanazawa, meaning ‘Marsh of Gold’, is a hidden jewel in Japan. As one of the best preserved Edo period city in Japan it has many historical sites to offer its visitors. For instance, start your day by exploring the Kanazawa castle and the nearby Kenrokuen garden. After you can take a walk along side the Asano River and pass by the Geisha teahouse district Higashi Chaya Gai.

Kanazawa also offers typical Japanese wooden houses where you can try out one of their specialties: soft ice cream topped with golden leaves. Definitely don’t skip the Nagamachi samurai district with many samurai houses. Kanazawa even has a special ninja temple: The Ninjadera Myoryuji looks plain and normal from the outside… but the inside is full of hidden passages, rooms, doors, floors and booby-traps. Just book a free tour at the tourist office in Kanazawa station, as entrance is limited.

End your day with a walk at the riverbank under the pink bridge Sakurabashi, especially gorgeous during the cherry blossom period.

Tip: Kanazawa is perfect for a one-day visit. There is a great hop on hop off system loop bus that stops at or near every touristic attraction listed above and costs 500 yen.

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   wow nice blog! Keep it up

Japan is known for their Ramen.

SAPPORO RAMEN REPUBLIC

We went to the famous Sapporo Ramen Republic located at the 10th floor of the ESTA complex in Sapporo, Hokkaido. The most recommended flavors there are the Sapporo (Miso), Asahikawa (Shoyu) and Hakodate (Shio) style broth with various ingredients. At this floor are the 8 different kinds of restaurants. These were the Shirakaba Sansou, Misono, Ajisai, Yoshiyama Shouten, Shodai, Sora, Jirochou, and Baikouken. These restaurants each specialize in different kinds of ramen that it was hard to choose where we would eat! It was a very enjoyable experience because of the interior design.

Japan is known for their Hotpot!

KUMAGERA

We also visited Kumagera located in in Furano, Hokkaido. It is a dining place known for its hotpot, sukiyaki, shabu shabu, and wagyu beef bowl. We really enjoyed this place because we ourselves were the ones who cooked our meal! Our stay here was very comfortable as the workers there were very welcoming.

Japan is known for their Sushi!

HANAMARU SUSHI

Hanamaru Sushi is the place where you can find good quality sushi found in Sapporo, Hokkaido. We forgot to make a reservation so we waited outside for 45 minutes! But, the wait was worth it. Here, we really enjoyed the different kinds of sushi they had to offer.

Out of all the things that weve tried, these three are the best for us and for those who’ll be having their first stay in Japan. But there are also outstanding food other than the three.

• Their street foods are also very yummy. Just like the dango, takoyaki, kare pan, crepes, gyoza, korokke, and so much more!
• They also have many kinds of noodles other than ramen such as udon, soba, shirataki, harusame, and somen. These are worth trying!
• Other food that are also delicious are yakitori, tempura, okonomiyaki, onigiri, and gyudon.

We recommend that you take your time explore the deliciousness of JAPAN!!!

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1. 

   wow nice blog! Keep it up