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Travel To Japan

Every City in Japan is Unique

There are a great deal of things to do in Japan and each city is unique. You will find a wide variety of accommodation in Japan which includes luxury hotels, economical business hotels, Ryokans (Japanese style inns with futon, tatami mat, yukata), Minshuku (tourist accommodation) and Youth Hostels (YH) to suit every budget. There are also many resorts with spa, sauna and scenic views or superb locations. Needless to say, when you visit Japan, you have to try their food. Japanese cuisine offers a great variety and rice remains as the staple food, from sushi, donburi, onigiri rice balls, curry rice, fried rice, chazuke (rice with green tea) to kayu (porridge). Noodles are also one of the popular choice in Japan, from ramen, udon, soba, somen to yaki soba.

Japan Railway (JR) – Efficient Transportation in Japan

The best way to travel in Japan is by rail (also known as JR) as it is the most convenient and efficient transportation. The train makes up of different lines: Local trains that stop every stations. Rapid trains that skips some of the stations. Express trains that skips even more stations. Limited Express trains only stops a major stations, great in saving time but may cost more than the basic fare. Japan is known for its high-speed bullet trains (Shinkansen) which brings you to major cities. Only tourists can purchase the JR pass and it must be purchased outside of Japan, so remember to book yours early before you leave. The great thing about the train stations is that there are plenty of shops, cafes, eateries, retails within the station itself so that you can grab a quick meal at the udon kiosks before you head on to your next destination.

ABOUT TOKYO

TOKYO is Japan's capital and is one of the world's most populous cities. Living standards in Tokyo is known to be expensive however its unlimited choice of shopping, entertainment, dining, culture and cherry blossom scenes has attracted many travellers every year.

Famous tourists attractions in Tokyo includes: Mount Fuji, Tsukiji Fish Market, Akihabara, Tokyo Tower, Imperial Palace, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ginza, Harajuku, Meiji Shrine, Asakusa, Ueno Park, Sensoji Temple, Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo Disney Sea, Ghibli Museum, Tokyo Sanrio Land etc.

Many of the Tokyo hotels and accommodation are conveniently located for shopping and sightseeing. Try the famous capsule hotels and experience something different. These capsule hotel rooms however do not come cheap and may be more expensive than staying in other kinds of accommodation. There are also love hotels for couples. For those who like to experience the japanese lifestyle, Ryokans or Minshuku will be your best choice. Breakfast or meals are normally provided as part of the stay. Depending on location, some ryokans or minshuku have hot spring baths. However, you can also pop into some of the public baths or take the train further out to some of the onsen where you can spend the whole day relaxing and take in the beautiful sceneries. Compare Tokyo Hotel Deals

ABOUT OSAKA

OSAKA is the 2nd largest populous perfecture after Tokyo and its sightseeing spots include: famous landmark Osaka Castle, Umeda Sky Building with its Floating Garden Observatory, Tenjimbashi-Suji Shopping Street which is Japan's longest shopping street, Dotombori (Edo period), Universal Studios Japan, Shitennoji Buddhist Temple, Tsutenkaku observatory tower, Miyuki-dori Shopping Street (Korea town) etc. Besides shopping, Osaka is also known for its food such as Takoyaki, sushi, Okonomiyaki, Kitsune Udon, Tecchiri hot pot and Shokado Bento.

The yearly festivals include the Aizen Festival, Doya-Doya Festival held at Shitennoji temple, Sumiyoshi Festival, Tenjin Festival, Toka Ebisu Festival, Midosuji Kappo etc. KYOTO is known for its Shinto shrines which include Kamigamo-jinja, Shimogamo-jinja and Yasaka-jinja. You can enjoy the beautiful sceneries and stroll around the city in rented kimonos and immerse yourself in the Kyoto culture. There are also many Kabuki theatres around Kyoto for the cultural lovers and shopping centres for shopaholics.

There are religious Shinto rituals and festivals such as the Gion Matsuri. Other festivals include Aoi Matsuri, Daimonji Gozan Fire Festival, Jidai Matsuri, Katsuragawa Boat Festival, Kyoto Hanatouro and more. Regardless of where you decide to stay, Kyoto can be crowded during the blooming cherry blossoms and autumn seasons and there may be lesser hotels available if you leave your accommodation bookings till the last minute. However, that does not mean that you can't find last minute deals. Compare Osaka Hotel Deals

ABOUT HOKKAIDO

HOKKAIDO is in the north of Japan and offers a wide variety of outdoor activities which ranges from skiing, snow-mobiling, snow-boarding, hiking, camping, rafting, canoeing to fishing and even ice-hole fishing. Hokkaido has long winters and mild summers and it can get very cold in winter and is the best place to visit if you love to skii. The cities of Hokkaido include: Abashiri, Akanko Onsen, Asahikawa, Furano, Hakodate, Kawakami, Kitami, Kushiro, Niseko, Noboribetsu, Obihiro, Otaru, Sapporo, Susukino, Wakkanai. Furano is the favourite place for skiiers and snowboarders. Furano's winter can be as low as -30 degrees. Niseko is also famous for the ski resorts. Other places in Hokkaido includes Abashiri with the Old Abashiri Prison from the Meiji Period. Attractions in Chuo-ku include: Sapporo Clock Tower, Odori Park, Hokkaido Shrine and Susukino entertainment district. Hokkaido's capital - Sapporo is famous for its Sapporo Snow Festival and known worldwide for its Sapporo beer. Compare Hokkaido Hotel Deals

Regardless of which city you visit, Japan remains a great holiday destination with a wide variety of accommodation to fit your budget and travel lifestyle.