Japan DIY Travel Guide: A Comprehensive Guide to Transportation, Accommodation, Shopping, and Attractions
Why can a small island nation surrounded by sea rank 3rd in the world economy? Today, let’s learn about the specific overview of Japan. Japan is an arc-shaped island nation located on the western coast of the Pacific Ocean, extending from northeast to southwest. It includes four main islands: Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, and more than 6,800 small islands, so Japan is also known as the country of a thousand islands. Japan’s terrain is mainly mountainous and hilly, accounting for 75% of the total land area. Located at the junction of the American Plate, Eurasian Plate, and Pacific Plate, geological activities are frequent, leading to many volcanic eruptions and earthquakes in Japan.
Japan has a total area of 378,000 square kilometers and consists of one metropolis, one territory, two urban prefectures, and 43 prefectures. As of April 2023, the total population is approximately 124.43 million, making it the only developed country with a population exceeding 100 million besides the United States. The main ethnic group is the Yamato people, Japanese is the common language, and the main religions are Shintoism and Buddhism. Its overseas assets are twice its gross domestic product, making it the world’s largest creditor nation. It has obvious global competitive advantages in fields such as automobiles, steel, machine tools, shipbuilding, electronics, machinery, semiconductors, and robotics. Additionally, cultural industries led by animation, music, and gaming, as well as a developed tourism industry, are also important symbols of Japan.
Japan is a country adept at learning. Since ancient times, it has continuously absorbed culture from Asia through various countries on the Korean Peninsula, imitating the political system of China’s Tang Dynasty. During the imperial era, it began the Meiji Restoration. After being defeated in World War II, Japan’s economy suffered devastating blows, but it quickly recovered after the war. During the Cold War, Japan became the great rear base for U.S. material supplies. The demand for large quantities of military, economic, and daily supplies injected momentum into Japan’s economy. Japan has always attached great importance to education and technology. Coupled with American assistance and the diligence of the Japanese people, these factors accelerated Japan’s rise, eventually allowing it to join the ranks of developed countries and become the world’s third-largest economy.
Transportation Guide
• Trains: Trains are one of the easiest and most popular ways to travel around Japan. Japan’s railway services are fast, frequent, and comfortable.
• Buses: Taking buses is cheaper than trains and is a good way to reduce transportation costs during your vacation. It’s suitable for inner-city travel in large cities like Tokyo and inter-regional travel between towns.
• IC Cards: Japan’s IC cards (including Suica, Pasmo, and Icoca) are prepaid smart travel cards that allow you to ride most public transportation in Japan.
Shopping Guide
• Drugstores: At drugstores, you can purchase various daily essential medicines and specialty foods.
• Tax-Free Shopping: Japan has a low threshold for tax-free shopping with simple procedures. When shopping at stores with a “Japan Tax-Free Shop” sign, you can get an 8% tax refund if certain conditions are met.
Tokyo Accommodation Recommendations
• Shinjuku: Convenient transportation with many subway and bus routes, good living facilities, suitable for travelers who enjoy nightlife and shopping.
• Ueno: Many youth hostel options, relatively affordable prices, convenient access to Narita Airport, good living facilities, suitable for budget-conscious travelers.
• Asakusa: Many youth hostel options, reasonably priced, suitable for travelers who want to experience the traditional downtown atmosphere.
• Shinagawa: Extremely convenient access to Haneda Airport, with Shinkansen (bullet train) service, suitable for travelers who need frequent airport transfers.
• Ikebukuro: Many relatively inexpensive accommodation options, convenient transportation, suitable for Taiwanese travelers.
Osaka Accommodation Location Recommendations
• Shin-Imamiya & Zoo-mae: Direct access from Kansai Airport without transfers, suitable for travelers who need convenient airport access and want to visit Tennoji, the zoo, and Tsutenkaku Tower.
• Namba, (Kintetsu) Nipponbashi, Shinsaibashi areas: Suitable for travelers who enjoy nightlife and shopping. It’s also convenient to travel to Nara and then to Kyoto from here.
• Osaka & Umeda areas: Prices are higher, but the Umeda commercial district is bustling, suitable for travelers going to Himeji and Kobe.
Kyoto Accommodation Recommendations
• Near Kyoto Station: Convenient transportation, suitable for travelers coming directly from Kansai Airport to Kyoto Station and those planning to take the Sagano Scenic Railway in Arashiyama.
• Near Shijo-Kawaramachi: Rich nightlife, suitable for travelers who enjoy lively atmospheres. There are also subway stations nearby, making it convenient for travelers planning to visit Fushimi Inari and Uji.
Nara Accommodation Suggestions
If you’re not planning to visit the Asuka area, it’s recommended not to stay in Nara because accommodations near Kintetsu Nara are few and expensive. Consider a day trip back to Kyoto or Osaka for accommodation.
Must-Visit Attractions in Japan
• Mount Fuji: Japan’s highest peak and a symbol of the Japanese nation, revered by the Japanese people as the “Sacred Mountain.”
• Senso-ji Temple: The oldest temple in Tokyo and an existing place of public amusement with “Edo-style” architecture in Japan.
• Tokyo Tower: Built after the model of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, it is one of Tokyo’s tallest buildings and has become one of Tokyo’s landmarks.
• Kiyomizu-dera Temple: A historic temple and one of Kyoto’s iconic buildings.
• Meiji Jingu: Located in Shibuya Ward, it is one of Tokyo’s most important shrines.
• Himeji Castle: Known as the “White Heron Castle,” Himeji Castle is one of Japan’s national treasures.
• Gion: Kyoto’s traditional geisha district where you can experience Japan’s traditional geisha culture.
• Tokyo Skytree: Tokyo’s new landmark that offers a panoramic view of the entire Tokyo city area.
• Nijo Castle in Kyoto: A symbol of the Tokugawa Shogunate’s power and an important historical site in Kyoto.
• Shibuya Scramble Crossing: The iconic intersection in Shibuya district, a great place to experience the bustling urban life of Tokyo.
Seasonal Travel Recommendations in Japan
• Spring (March-May): Cherry blossoms gradually bloom from south to north. Recommended places for cherry blossom viewing include Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka.
• Summer (June-August): You can escape the heat in mountainous areas or coastal regions. In mid-July, the rainbow flower fields of Furano in Hokkaido are in full bloom.
• Autumn (September-November): Maple leaves gradually turn red from north to south. You can follow the “autumn foliage front” all the way to the Kyushu region, enjoying the colorful leaves along the way.
• Winter (December-February): You can visit places like Kobe and Kinosaki to enjoy enchanting snowy landscapes while soaking in world-class hot springs.
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