Travelettes

What I wish I had known before traveling to Japan

January 9, 2020

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I consider myself to be a seasoned traveler whom, apart from Antartica, has been to all continents numerous times and who doesn't usually shy away from a new country, even when it seems a bit daunting from the outside. Daunting is however a pretty good word to describe the way I've been feeling about Japan these 37 years and even though a part of me was eage[...]

36 hours of Japan - 10 things I clicked with right away

November 2, 2017

Tabea

Japan, Personal Stories, Places

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Hereâ€™s the thing: I have never been to Japan before. I've got a vague memory of one of my university professors, talking about great cultural differences, about how difficult it can be to master a perfectly executed Japanese bow, about misconceptions and the challenges of intercultural communication. Iâ€™ve listened to friends who have been there, and vivi[...]

5 Amazing Off the Beaten Path Escapes from Tokyo

August 18, 2017

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Off the beaten track, Tokyo

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The sprawling metropolis of Tokyo seems to offer little refuge from its concrete skyscrapers, fluorescent billboards, and crammed commuter trains. Most visitors, if feeling overwhelmed, escape to the serene havens of Nikko or Takao-san, day trips from the city resplendent with natural beauty and onsen (hot springs). While these are amazing options, thereâ€™s[...]

Skylines and Apps: Lost and found in Tokyo

January 8, 2017

Caroline

Photography, Tokyo, Travel Tips

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My first time in Asia (as a travel blogger? Scandalous, I know) went by in no time. I had three days to stuff my face with food, get a feel for the worldâ€™s largest city, Tokyo, and to try and keep calm during my very first earthquake. Needless to say, just about all my senses were constantly overwhelmed and loved every second! Tokyo feels like the future. [...]

10 Unique Things to do in Hokuriku, Japan

December 18, 2016

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Hokuriku, Off the beaten track, Top 10

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I recently had the opportunityÂ to visit the Hokuriku region of Japan, an underrated and relatively unknown area of the country which is rich in sites, culture and spirituality. If you missed my last blog post on the region, I wanted to champion the area a little more, with 10 unique things to do in the area if you should ever visit! Visit a Sake Brewer[...]

A Layover in Japan: How to Spend 8h in Tokyo

November 5, 2016

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Cities, Tokyo

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So, you're transiting through Narita International Airport in Japan and have a long layover; this makes you instantly roll your eyes, let out a hefty sigh and start to wonder what to do with all that time deemed wasted. But fret not, Tokyo is one of the best cities to spend a layover in. Most nationalities do not require a transit visa when visiting Japan[...]

The Travelettes Guide to Tokyo

October 31, 2016

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Cities, Tokyo, Travelettes Guide

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Nothing quite prepares you for Tokyo. Not for the neon lights or the back-alleys buzzing with Yakitori grills, not for the city-sized fish markets or the ancient temples, the anime crazes or the constant smell of sushi. You can compare it to other cities, yet none are really quite like it. Tokyo is one of a kind, a blizzard of sights, smells and sounds. A th[...]

Off the Beaten Track in Japan: Aomori Prefectureâ€™s Natural Beauty

October 27, 2016

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Countryside, Japan, Off the beaten track

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The name Japan brings images of cherry blossoms, ancient and intricate temples, samurai warriors, and Tokyo to mind forÂ most travelers. While those certainly are elements of Japan, they are not the only things that make Japan such an amazing place to visit. Everything from peaceful coastal fishing villages to beautiful temples set into mountain hillsides aw[...]

5 Weird and Wonderful Things About Japan

October 23, 2016

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Cities, Japan, Wanderlust, Wanderlust F

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Japan is one of the world's most interesting destinations. While it is a developed country, it has developed in often a very different way to the West, creating its own culture, crazes and atmosphere. Whilst exploring I found a lot of things a little strange, but once you become accustomed to them- you realise just how great they are! Here are 5 of those thi[...]

A Quick Guide to Nikko, Japan

October 20, 2016

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Cities, Nikko, Off the beaten track

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Nikko is usually proffered as a weekend or daytrip from Tokyo, but you could easily spend weeks exploring this place.Â Prepare to happen upon shrines and statues galore, monkeys, waterfalls, lakes, hot springs - the list goes on and on. This beautiful and eerie place will stay with you long after you leave. Between UNESCO world heritage shrines and temple[...]