日本NipponPlan

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Travel notes for Japan
Guides5 min readHakone from Tokyo: onsen, ropeway and lakeA day or two in Hakone from Tokyo: the train, the ropeway, the lake and the onsen. Tips on tattoos, the volcano and the order of the day.Guides5 min readHimeji Castle: a day trip from Osaka or KyotoHow to spend a day at Himeji Castle from Osaka or Kyoto: the castle, the garden next door, the route and what to check first.Guides5 min readHiroshima from Fukuoka: Peace Park and MiyajimaA day from Fukuoka to Hiroshima: the Peace Memorial Park and museum, a ferry to Miyajima and the tide check for the floating torii.Guides4 min readHonmachi and the Osaka history trailHonmachi is a calm business district beside Osaka Castle. Here is a half-day history walk past the castle moats, a city museum and a quiet garden.Practical5 min readSuica or ICOCA: which IC card to get on arrivalAn IC card lets you tap onto trains, subways and buses. Learn how Suica and ICOCA differ, where to buy one, and how to avoid gate problems.Guides5 min readIkebukuro as a base: shops, anime and trains northIkebukuro is a busy station hub with big stores and many train lines. Here is how to decide if it is a good base, and how to pick the right exit.Guides5 min readIkebukuro for fans: shops, cafes and fan cultureIkebukuro has anime store floors, a street of romance-story shops and character cafes. Here is how to plan a fan visit and shop with good manners.Practical5 min readA break-even test for the JR PassMost first-time visitors need a clear test before they buy a Japan Rail Pass. Use this method to compare the pass with single tickets for your own route.Guides5 min readKamakura from Tokyo: temples, Great Buddha and coastA calm day trip from Tokyo to Kamakura: how to get there, which temples to pick, and what to check before you go.Festivals5 min readKanda Matsuri: a festival near AkihabaraKanda Matsuri is one of Tokyo's big shrine festivals, a short walk from Akihabara. Learn what happens, where to stand and what to check first.Guides5 min readKawaramachi and Pontocho: a shopping and evening walkA walk from the afternoon arcades to the Kamo riverbank and the lanes of Pontocho at dusk, with dinner, respect for the district and a plan for late nights.Practical5 min readGetting to Kinkaku-ji without a taxi: buses and walkingKinkaku-ji is best reached by city bus, not by taxi. Here is how to plan the bus, board and pay, and when a walk makes sense.