Japan Tourism To Experience A Boost

Japan lovers, here is some good news for you: the government is planning on focusing more attention on its tourism sector! It is no secret that Japan has not been exempt from the economic crisis that has been affecting even the richest countries in the world. As such, the government has decided that they will step up their efforts to boost their economy, and their plans give a major role to tourism.

This is really a no brainer as we all know that Japan is a major tourist destination for many people. Aside from the ever popular Japanese food (sushi!), the country has so much to offer in terms of culture and art. More so, Japan is quite modern, assuring visitors of the utmost comfort and convenience during their visit. It is a matter of fact thing to find an excellent Japan restaurant or a Japan hotel around the corner, especially in the major cities.

Part of the plan to boost the country’s tourism sector is the creation of the Japan Tourism Agency, which was established in October of last year. Headed by Yoshiaki Hompo, this agency is tasked with organizing the different sectors to contribute to the development of the tourism sector. While they are quick to acknowledge that the going won’t be as easy as one would like it to be, they are quite optimistic about their efforts.

For travelers, this means one thing: you are going to be in for a lot of wonderful experiences, great deals, and perhaps the best vacation of your life.

The Kyoto Winter Special Is Back!

For those of you who experienced the Kyoto Winter Special last year, you can do so again this year. After a successful run, the organizers have decided to have a go at it once again but this time, they are offering more and better deals for their visitors. For those who are not aware, the Kyoto Winter Special is akin to a festival – 3 months’ worth of cultural activities. This year’s Winter Special runs from 1 December 2008 to 31 March 2009. Easier.com has this feature:

In addition, special admission will be granted to normally restricted heritage sites, and there will be unique winter events and chances to receive special offers from world-famous hotels. With Kyoto Winter Special, the breathtaking beauty of winter in Kyoto awaits you!

Special Events Kyoto’s cherry blossoms and fall leaves are a sight to see, but Kyoto’s magical winter is something special. There will be various events showcasing winter.

Information on events from December to March are listed by month on the Kyoto Winter Special website. The main event during the Kyoto Winter Special is called “Hanatoro”. This event beautifies Kyoto’s nights, with elegant lanterns lighting up Kyoto’s famous spots. Adding a winter event into a visit to Kyoto is a great way to make your trip that extra bit memorable.

Ask anyone who has been to Kyoto and other Japanese cities and they will probably tell you the same thing – there is nothing like Kyoto if you really want to get a hands on experience of what the Japanese culture is like.

Experience Japan With Your Senses

What do you do when you visit a foreign country? Do you merely drink in the sights and sounds or do you prefer to be a hands on traveler? I would like to categorize myself under the latter group. Seeing and hearing is most definitely part of any travel experience of mine but actually tasting, touching, and living the local culture raises the experience to a whole new level.

Japan is definitely on the top of the list of worldwide tourist destinations and what better place to experience its culture than Kyoto? This city is arguably the best place to experience the “real” Japan. Jane Singer actually wrote a very inspiring article about this. She shares:

For these travelers, visiting Kyoto, the 1,200-year-old cultural heart of Japan, without experiencing the culture is too much of a virtual experience. Why restrict yourself to the sights alone when you can feel the smooth embrace of silk kimono, taste the bitter froth after whisking up a cup of powdered green tea, or hear the reverberation when you pound on a taiko drum?

For these experiential travelers, Kyoto offers a growing menu of taiken hands-on tours in English, and I recently sampled a few. The first was at Shunkoin temple, one of 48 sub-temples in the sprawling Myoshinji Buddhist temple complex in western Kyoto, where the affable young English-speaking vice abbot, Takafumi Kawakami, leads a tour of the temple and gardens and two 15-minute sessions of Rinzai Zen meditation.

The next time you plan on going to this part of the world, you should try what she tried. Even if it is not your first visit, you just might return home with something new.

More Potential World Heritage Sites For Japan

To have a place designated as a World Heritage Site is not a minor thing. And before a place can have that honor, a lot of steps have to be followed. It is common knowledge that Japan already has a lot of locations which are considered as World Heritage Sites but as a testament to the richness of their culture, the government has proposed another 5 sites.

MCOT has this report:

The Japanese government has picked five more places as candidates for cultural heritage sites to be registered on the World Heritage list by UNESCO, bringing the number of such candidates to 13, the Cultural Affairs Agency said Friday.

The five candidates were picked out of the 32 places recommended by local governments across the country, agency officials said.

Can you imagine that? Thirty two more sites! It is no wonder that Japan is such a popular tourist destination.

Hakone Kowakien Yunessun Spa

Do you love wine and other similar drinks that contain alcohol? Do you like relaxing in the great outdoors? Do you like hot springs? Do you like being pampered? If you answered yes to these questions, then I suggest trying out the Hakone Kowakien Yunessun Spa . This place is one of a kind. Located at the foot of Mt. Fuji, the spa offers a wonderful experience to suit all sorts of tastes.

They have over 25 water attractions which will definitely give visitors what they want. The main attraction is called The God’s Aegean Sea and it is “composed of three islands with relaxing spa waters. The God’s Aegean Sea also includes a variety of water massaging devices. Also, experience the wonder and drama of dynamic special effects by a fully illuminated water screen high above on the ceiling.”

What appeals more to me, though, is the Wine Spa. The Spa’s web site describes it as:

A unique spa containing real red wine. The huge wine bottle is 3.6m tall and is very remarkable. Bathing in wine is a rejuvenation treatment for the body, and it has been said that the Queen of Egypt, Cleopatra loved to bath in wine. There are regular performances of pouring real wine into the spa a few times a day.

Ok, I thought Cleopatra bathed in milk but oh well, a bath in wine is something that any wine-loving person should experience, don’t you think?

Another interesting feature is the Coffee Spa. Caffeine junkies should not miss out on this. Naturally, the bath is made of coffee in hot spring water. I think I shall spend some time dipping in wine and then wake myself up with a dip at the Coffee Spa.

Take your pick!

Japanese schoolchildren go on countryside trips

I recently read that most Japanese city schools are now making their students do home stays in the agricultural, fishing and mountain villages as part of immersion programs into their country. The practice is actually increasing and I think this is a positive development and a better option than sending children to tourist spots.

According to reports, a lot of educational benefits are being seen from students who actually experience nature first hand. The villages and towns, on the other hand, see a business opportunity in the said tours. This is something that they also need because of the dwindling population in these areas.

The practice of making nature excursions has increased over the last five years and this has spread mainly by just word of mouth. I am just hoping that these immersion programs also bring to light the plight of less fortunate people in Japanese society and not just focus on nature.

Kapuseru Hoteru (Capsule Hotels)

A capsule hotel is a type of hotel accommodation popular mostly among travelers stranded for the night and those who are on a tight budget. Capsules are usually about 2m by 1m by 1.5m in dimension and so is unsuitable for those above six feet tall and, of course, for a claustrophobic. Despite the very limited space you will be surprised at how well equipped these hotels are. Each capsule usually comes with a built in mini TV, radio, and alarm clock, plus fresh bedding of course. You can also use the hotel’s lockers, shower rooms, laundry facilities, restaurants, vending machines, and clothes shop. An overnight stay costs Â¥2000-4000 while an afternoon nap is usually even cheaper.

Capsule hotels have been around since 1979 and is pretty common in Japan. However the concept still hasn’t spread to other countries despite the convenience they bring.

Scuba Diving in Japan

This popular leisure activity is not normally associated with Japan yet if you just take a deeper look, there are in fact wonderful places wherein you can scuba dive. From the last count, there are over 2,000 diving spots all over the country, many of them world class. Here are a few spots which you should consider.

Izu Peninsula
This is the most popular dive spot in the mainland. Only a train ride away from Tokyo, the Izu Peninsula is home to many different kinds of diving activities as well as the onsen. In fact, it is more popular for the latter.

Ogasawara Islands
Also part of Tokyo, these islands have a warmer temperature and thus warmer waters. It is quite far though – at 1,850 km to the south. It is perfect for those who are looking for a longer diving trip.

Okinawa
A familiar name to many, Okinawa is actually the Japanese tropical paradise. Located in the southernmost part of the country, Okinawa offers the best scuba diving in all of Japan.
[tags]Japan, scuba diving, onsen, Okinawa, Izu Peninsula, Ogasawara Islands, Tokyo[/tags]

Minamata

Minamata in southern Kumamoto once hit the international headlines when a local factory disposed of its wastes into Minamata Bay. As a result of this reckless act, thousands of its inhabitants fell prey to mercury poisoning. The disease which resulted from mercury poisoning has since then been termed as Minamata Disease. This occurred way back in the 1950s and 1960s.

Today, however, Minamata has overcome the catastrophe that has destroyed the lives of many. Perhaps it is the challenge that gave its citizens the drive. Yet whatever their inspiration is, the local inhabitants of Minamata have created an environmental model city – a far cry from the situation about half a century ago!

Today, Minamata welcomes tourists of all sorts – but only if they are friends of the environment. Major attractions include hot spring resorts, farms, and the eco city itself. Indeed, the locals here have shown how a community can rise above a disaster and turn it into something good.

[tags]Japan, Minamata, Minamata Disease, eco city, environment, hot springs, tourist attraction[/tags]

Kouyou Destinations

In Japan, the Koyou season is a time where the locals take the time out to enjoy the beauty of the autumn by going on nature hikes with friends and family, spending time at parks and eating at restaurants and cafes with good views of the colourful foliage.

Unlike the spring season’s Cherry Blossoms, which bring about festivals and celebration, the low key-Kouyou is a time for quiet appreciation. Aside from the activities listed above, the Japanese also have traditional snacks which only appear during this time of year. The goheimochi is one such treat, which are bunches of sticky rice broiled on sticks – sort of like a sweet yakitori.

Yes, the Kouyou season in Japan is a wonderful time. Here are some of the best places around the country to enjoy the stunning landscapes:

1. Hakone (best in November)

2. Nikko (best at the end of October)

3. Kyoto (best in November)

4. Kamakura (best at the end of November)

[tags]Kouyou, Hakone, Nikko, Kyoto[/tags]