日本NipponPlan

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Travel notes for Japan
Festivals6 min readGion Matsuri: a Kyoto July explainerGion Matsuri is Kyoto's major summer festival, held in July. Learn what the parades are, how the festival works and how to watch it without getting lost.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.Seasons6 min readHokkaido in winter: snow, ski and coldHokkaido is snowy and cold from January to March. Learn how to plan snow days in Sapporo and Otaru, what to pack and what to check before you travel.Seasons5 min readJuly heat and fireworks: a hot-season planJuly is hot and humid in most of Japan, with festivals and fireworks at night. Learn how to plan the heat, the evening events and the crowded trains.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.Seasons6 min readKyoto in November: leaves, lights and late crowdsNovember is a strong month for Kyoto's leaves and evening lights. Learn how to plan the busy days, the cold evenings and the crowds at the best spots.Festivals5 min readKyushu Grand Sumo in Fukuoka: a November visitThe Kyushu sumo tournament is held in Fukuoka in November. Learn how the day works, how tickets are sold and what to check first.Seasons5 min readMarch: early blossom in Tokyo and KyotoMarch can bring the first cherry blossom in Tokyo and Kyoto. Learn when to expect it, how to avoid the crowds and what to pack for cool evenings.Seasons5 min readMay: mild weather and the spring festival seasonMay brings mild weather, green parks and spring festivals to Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Learn what to expect and how to pick the right days for a relaxed trip.Seasons5 min readReading a sakura forecast before you bookCherry blossom forecasts change often. Learn the difference between first bloom and full bloom, when forecasts appear and how to book with flexible plans.Festivals5 min readSanja Matsuri in Asakusa: the spring paradeSanja Matsuri is a spring festival at Asakusa in Tokyo, held in May with portable shrines carried through the streets. Learn how to watch it and plan your day.Festivals5 min readSapporo Snow Festival: how it worksThe Sapporo Snow Festival is held in February with large snow sculptures. Learn how the festival is laid out, how to plan your visit and what to check before you go.