日本NipponPlan

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Travel notes for Japan
Guides5 min readUji and matcha, a day from KyotoA relaxed day from Kyoto to Uji: the Phoenix Hall, the river, the tea shops and how to choose a matcha stop.Guides5 min readUmeda and Kita: Osaka's hub for trains and big shopsUmeda and Kita form Osaka's northern hub, with many train lines, department stores and towers. Here is how to use it as a base and plan your trips.Guides5 min readUmeda and Kita at sunset: city views and a calm eveningWatch the sun set over Osaka from a rooftop in Umeda, then walk the calmer streets of Kita for a quiet evening meal and a slow end to the day.Guides6 min readWhere to base yourself in Kyoto: station, Gion or KawaramachiKyoto has five areas that suit visitors. Pick your base by how you travel, how you eat and how late you want to be out.Guides5 min readWhere to stay in Tokyo on a first tripTokyo has many districts for a first stay. Compare Shinjuku, Shibuya, Asakusa and Ginza by train access, late nights and quiet evenings.Guides5 min readYokohama Chinatown: how to eat well thereHow to eat well in Yokohama Chinatown: snacks or a full meal, how to read reviews on Tabelog, queues, and the best time to eat with children.Guides5 min readYokohama for a day from TokyoIs Yokohama worth a day from Tokyo? Yes, if you want a harbour walk, old brick warehouses and Chinatown. Here is how to plan a relaxed loop.Guides5 min readYokohama Minato Mirai: a harbour walkA waterfront walk in Minato Mirai from the late afternoon to dusk, with the architecture, the harbour views and an indoor plan for wind or rain.Seasons5 min readApril: peak blossom and busy streetsApril often brings peak cherry blossom to Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, and the streets are crowded. Learn how to plan around the crowds and still enjoy the flowers.Seasons5 min readArashiyama in autumn: how to beat the crowdsArashiyama is busy in autumn, from October to December. Here is how to plan an early visit, pick a quieter path and check the leaf forecast before you go.Seasons6 min readAutumn leaves: the timing, city by cityAutumn leaves change colour at different times in each place. Learn how to read the leaf forecast for Kyoto, Nikko and Tokyo and plan a trip with some room to spare.Seasons5 min readGolden Week: plan around the holiday runGolden Week is a run of national holidays in late April and early May. Learn how it affects trains, hotels and opening hours, and how to plan around it.