Japan is a country that is unique and captivating, that must be experienced to be fully appreciated. From the vibrant energy of Shinjuku in Tokyo to the tranquil villages of the Nakasendo, Japan's allure is irresistible to anyone with a passion for food and design. Follow my journey to discover beautiful Japan. My 5 tips to getting the most out of your trip.
Catching the Sakura Season
We were fortunate to visit Japan during the Sakura Season. Spanning from early March to late April, the season marks the blooming of cherry blossoms across the country. Although our visit on April 12th, coinciding with the New Zealand school holidays, was atypical for the Sakura season, we were still able to see blooms in Tokyo. When we travelled to the Nakasendo, we were greeted by a diverse array of colours and sizes of stunning old cherry trees. Online calendars can predict the start of the Sakura season in major cities, and once the buds burst, they typically last around two weeks.
Naria is a Postal town in the Nakasendo - the unique architecture has been perfectly maintained. Our home stay was on the main street.
Visit smaller towns and villages
Make sure to explore both smaller towns and major tourist cities. Walking along the Nakasendo Samurai Trail and experiencing the historic Nakasendo Route and the quaint Edo period postal towns of the Kiso Valley will transport you back to the age of the samurai. Staying in the small villages in homestays offers a unique experience of living in a Japanese home, enjoying traditional meals and relaxing in onsen baths.
We had such an amazing time staying in the small villages in homestays. It was truly a unique experience living in a Japanese home, sleeping on futons on the floor, enjoying onsen (baths), and savouring traditional meals. The food was simply incredible, and the hosts were so kind and generous.
We also visited Nikko and Sendai.
Kougetsu Machiya House - Our home away from home in Kyoto
Rent a Japanese house in Kyoto.
Experience the charm of Kyoto by renting a traditional Japanese house. Kyoto exceeded my expectations with its bustling modern cityscape, delectable cuisine, and charming streets. We stayed to the North of the main train station, near Higashi Hongan-ji Temple, where there a lots of streets and terraced houses. We immersed ourselves in the local culture and savour the unique atmosphere. Although some parts of the city are overrun by crowds of tourists, we managed to explore serene areas and appreciated the beauty of just walking around the city.
The house's distinctive minimalist design style is very typical of Japan's aesthetic We loved the sunken kitchen was very cool. The kid’s room had futons and we had a more western-style room. The bathroom had a sauna, also very common in Japan and a free-standing bath like we would have in NZ
Explore Tokyo
When visiting Tokyo, you'll be amazed by the variety of things to see and do. We were told that you could easily spend 6 days in Tokyo alone, and it's true – there's so much to explore. Travelling with teens meant that we spent a lot of time shopping for shoes.
We stayed in two areas. Shinjuku was central and a really cool area, with smaller pedestrian areas. Akihabara was cheaper, and we were able to book a family room, but the area wasn't as nice due to the overground train track dominating it.
If you're familiar with the long travel times between destinations in London, you'll find Tokyo to be similar. It's easy to forget how much time it takes to get around in such huge cities.
We walked from Shibuya to Harajuku, which is the centre of teenage fashion and cosplay culture. We visited the amazing TeamLab Borderless, which is located in more high-end district and definitely worth checking out.
Team Lab Borderless
Embrace the food.
Don't forget to fully immerse yourself in Japan's diverse and affordable culinary scene. The small, charming restaurants may have limited seating, but each dining experience is uniquely memorable. From skilled sushi chefs expertly preparing raw salmon to grilling your own Wagyu or Kobe beef at the table, every meal in Japan is exceptional in its own way. Also, don't miss the delicious French bakeries and 7-Elevens are the best with kids. From raw horse meat at a homestay and salty fish, its amazing what kids will try in a totally different culture.
Sashimi
