June 2005:
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Districts of Kyoto: Arashiyama
Arashiyama is a pleasant, touristy district at the outskirts of Kyoto, where the busy city meets calm residential districts, wooded mountains and a picturesque canyon.
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May 2005:
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Himeji beyond the castle
While most famous for its magnificent castle, Himeji has more to offer, most notably the atmospheric temple mountain of Mount Shosha, a film location of "The Last Samurai".
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Improved section on Highway Buses
Highway buses often cost only half as much as express trains or even less! For example, it is possible to get from Tokyo to Kyoto for only 4300 Yen and to Nagoya for only 3500 Yen!
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April 2005:
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Expo 2005: How to make the most out of your visit
A careful preparation is crucial for the full enjoyment of the expo. Our expo guide helps you maximize your expo experience with important advice on planning your visit.
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Side trip from the Expo: Shirakawa-go
A rewarding side trip from the Expo, Shirakawa-go is a remote, mountainous region in northern Gifu Prefecture, famous for its old farmhouses, which are listed as UNESCO world heritage sites.
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Golden Week
Stretching from April 29 to May 8, this year's Golden Week is particularly long. Travel activity is anticipated to peak on April 29 (out of the big cities) and May 5 (back into the big cities).
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March 2005:
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Kyoto's Kitchen
Nishiki Market is a fresh food market in the center of Kyoto, which has been nicknamed "Kyoto's Kitchen" for centuries. More than 100 food stores line the narrow shopping street.
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Countdown to Expo 2005: Toyota Related Attractions
Based just outside of Nagoya, Toyota is a major force behind the Expo 2005 Aichi. The leading car manufacturer offers factory tours and various car related attractions in and around Nagoya.
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Cherry Blossom Season 2005
This year's blossoms seem to be a few days behind the average year's schedule. In Tokyo and Kyoto the trees are expected to reach full bloom during the first half of April.
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February 2005:
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Countdown to Expo 2005: Central Japan Airport
The Expo 2005, to be held near Nagoya from March 25 to September 25, bestows the region with a lot of new infrastructure, most notably, a brand new international airport.
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Plum Blossom Festivals
Opening one to two months before the cherry blossoms, plum blossoms are a first of spring, celebrated with festivals (ume matsuri) across the country.
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Tokyo Dome City
The Tokyo Dome baseball stadium, a spa with real hot spring water and an amusement park are the main attractions of Tokyo Dome City, a leisure complex in central Tokyo.
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January 2005:
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Japan's best historic towns and districts
While Japanese cities have dramatically changed their appearance over the past 150 years, some of them managed to preserve a street block or whole district of traditional buildings.
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Countdown to Expo 2005: Introducing Nagoya
The city of Nagoya will move into global spotlight, when the Expo 2005 Aichi, the first world exhibition since the year 2000, will be held in its vicinity from March 25 to September 25, 2005.
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Tokyo Districts: Ikebukuro
Ikebukuro is one of Tokyo's multiple city centers. With the second busiest railway station of Japan at its center, the district offers lots of entertainment, shopping and dining opportunities.
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December 2004:
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Discover Gunma (2): Takasaki Daruma Market
Takasaki is the birthplace of the daruma doll, a well known good luck charm. A popular daruma market is held annually on January 6 and 7 at Takasaki's Shorinzan Daruma Temple.
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Visiting Japan during New Year
Visiting Japan over New Year can be rewarding, as you have the opportunity to experience the country's most important holiday. However, beware of a few issues, which can affect your travels.
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November 2004:
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Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park: Shosenkyo Gorge
Known as Japan's most beautiful gorge, the Shosenkyo Gorge near Kofu in Yamanashi Prefecture, can be easily visited in a day trip from Tokyo.
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Discover Gunma (1): Kusatsu Onsen
Unjustifiably, Gunma Prefecture gets often ignored by foreign travel books. Among the prefecture's many attractions are several of Japan's best hot springs with Kusatsu Onsen topping the list.
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Fuji Five Lakes in Autumn
Until around mid to late November, you will be able to enjoy Mount Fuji in combination with autumn leaves from the Fuji Five Lakes at the foot of the dormant volcano.
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October 2004:
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Guide to Japanese Hot Springs (Onsen)
A hot spring experience, preferably in combination with an overnight stay at a Japanese inn with hot spring baths, is a highly recommended item for any Japan travel itinerary.
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Nikko in Autumn Colors
The spectacular Toshogu Shrine makes Nikko one of Japan's most popular tourist spots. A visit in autumn, when the national park's forests are turning colors, can be particularly rewarding.
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Yaeyama Islands
The southernmost islands of Okinawa Prefecture, the Yaeyama Islands attract visitors with their white beaches, coral reefs, jungles and Ryukyu culture.
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JR Shonan Shinjuku Line
The autumn timetable revision of October 16 transforms the previously infrequent railway line into one of Tokyo's full-fledged lines and improves access from Shinjuku to Yokohama.
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Okinawa, Japan's southernmost prefecture
Subtropical Okinawa attracts travelers with double digit temperatures around the year, some of the world's most beautiful seas and a culture distinctly different from the rest of Japan.
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September 2004:
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A new shopping complex for Marunouchi
With Marunouchi Oazo, a new shopping complex, opening just next to Tokyo Station, the business district of Marunouchi is becoming increasingly interesting to business unrelated visitors.
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Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park: Nishizawa Valley
This valley, easily reached from Tokyo in a one day trip, is known for its picturesque five tired waterfall. It is particularly nice in late October and early November when the trees turn colors.
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August 2004:
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Cities within the city: Odaiba
The futuristic city district of Odaiba on a man made island in Tokyo Bay, has become one of Tokyo most interesting tourist attractions. It is an excellent place to experience modern Japan.
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Hagi and its nicely preserved samurai district
Hagi is a former castle town, off the major transport ways and the beaten path of foreign tourists. Among various attractions, Hagi offers a nicely preserved samurai district.
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Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park: Mount Mitake
Less than two hours from central Tokyo, the Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park is a paradise for hikers and nature lovers. Mount Mitake is one of the park's many highlights.
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Hikone
Famous for its relatively small, but beautiful, original castle, Hikone at the shores of Lake Biwa, makes an easy and pleasant stop-over on a trip between Tokyo and Kyoto.
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July 2004:
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Food Theme Parks
A popular new theme park concept, food theme parks give you the opportunity to taste various regions' or restaurants' versions of one theme dish or food type in one place.
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Climbing Mount Fuji
Climbing Mount Fuji, Japan's highest and most prominent mountain, can make for lifelong memories. The official season for climbing the dormant volcano is July and August.
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Hokkaido in Summer
June to September is the best time to explore the spectacular national parks, rural landscapes, harbor towns and the exciting capital of Japan's northernmost island of Hokkaido.
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June 2004:
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Car Rental in Japan
Rental cars are the best option for exploring rural Japan, where public transportation is often inconvenient. They can also be an economical alternative, if you are traveling in a group.
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Green Space in Tokyo
Tokyo may not be known as a city with much greenery, but it has several nice parks and gardens, which offer an opportunity to get a break from the concrete. We introduce some of the best.
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Eiheiji Temple, the Zen headquarters
The lay practice program of Eiheiji will appeal to those looking for more than just an overnight stay at a temple lodging. But Eiheiji is also well worth a regular day trip visit.
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Guide to Japanese Train Tickets and Rail Passes
Countless discount offers exist for nationwide, regional and urban train travel in Japan. Check them out in our new Guide to Japanese Train Tickets!
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May 2004:
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Kawagoe, the Little Edo
If you have been to Nikko and Kamakura and are looking for another worthwile daytrip from Tokyo, the former castle town of Kawagoe, 30 minutes from Tokyo, should be your next destination!
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Japanese Ferries
Consisting of over 6000 islands, Japan is naturally home to an extensive ferry network. On some routes, ferries can be a slow, but economical alternative to trains, buses and planes.
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Excursion from Narita Airport: Naritasan
If you have three to four hours extra time at Tokyo's Narita Airport, a visit to Naritasan, a large and popular temple complex not far from the airport, is highly recommended.
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Japanese night trains
Night trains are currently operating nightly on 27 routes across the country. Japan Rail Pass holders can ride for free on more than half of them, and enjoy discounts on the others.
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Nihonbashi, the center of Japan
Nihonbashi ("Japan Bridge") has been Japan's mile zero marker for four centuries. The surrounding district is also the site of Tokyo's newest shopping complex, Coredo Nihonbashi.
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April 2004:
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Open Air Museums
Japan has a variety of excellent open air museums, preserving and exhibiting regional architecture styles of various historical periods. We have compiled a list of some of the best ones.
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Izu Peninsula: Shimoda
Shimoda is a nice fishing town on the Izu Peninsula, where US-Japanese diplomatic relations were started 150 years ago. It is also a good base for exploring Izu's spectacular southern coast.
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The temple mountain of Koya
Koyasan, anticipated to be added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites later this year, is a great place to experience a night at a Buddhist temple.
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March 2004:
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Expo 2005 Aichi
In one year, the Expo 2005 will be opened in Aichi. Countries, companies and organizations will be presenting their ideas and latest technologies concerning the theme "Nature's Wisdom".
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Highway Buses
Much slower, but also much cheaper than bullet trains, highway buses are an alternative to the Japan Rail Pass, well worth considering by budget travelers.
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Kyushu Shinkansen - Opening of a new bullet train line
On March 13, the Kyushu Shinkansen will start operation, cutting travel time by over 90 minutes and moving Kagoshima with its imposing volcano closer to the rest of the country.
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February 2004:
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Kairakuen, the ultimate plum blossom experience
Kairakuen is ranked as one of Japan's three best landscape gardens. It is most famous for its over 3000 plum trees and the plum festival, currently being held until March 31.
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Minato Mirai Line improves access to Yokohama
Thanks to the new Minato Mirai Line, it is now possible to reach Yokohama Chinatown from Tokyo's Shibuya Station in as few as 35 minutes and 460 Yen - without changing trains.
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