Review - Tokyo Nihonbashi Sumisho Hotel

November 12, 2013

When traveling to Japan, many people want to stay in a ryokan and experience a traditional Japanese inn, but are traveling in large cities where they can be difficult to find. In the June trip Japlanning made to Tokyo, we managed to find one in the heart of the city.

The Tokyo Nihonbashi Sumisho Hotel is located in the Ginza district, by the Tokyo Stock exchange, and surrounded by many great restaurants. It’s just a short walk from two different Tokyo Metro lines, Nigyocho Station on the Hibiya Line or Toe Asakusa Line or the Mitsukoshimae Station on the Hanzomon or Ginza lines. The hotel itself is down an alley and can be a bit tricky to find, but the hotel provides maps and directions on its’ English site. Reservations can be made via the phone or on email. Email responses are prompt and thorough. When emailing regarding reservations, we received directions from the airports as well!

Japlanning the Menu - Tokyo Disney Resort, POPCORN

November 9, 2013

Today on the menu we’re looking at one of the most happiest places on earth, and one specific food they have in wide variety: It's the popcorn at Tokyo Disney Resort! Now, this isn't your ordinary movie popcorn, read on to find out why Tokyo Disney Resort has the best (and craziest) popcorn around!

When visiting Disneyland parks across the world, it's all about the attractions, fireworks, parades, characters, and also, the food! These magical places are everyone’s "day off" from diets, and your chance to try some amazing and unique food, that we’ll all pretend is healthy. Well today we are showing you the food that the two Japanese Disney Parks, Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, are filled with, in many varieties and that Japanese visitors are crazy in love with, popcorn.

Japlanning 101 - Geishas and Gion

November 6, 2013

They are an iconic image of Japan, beautifully dressed women in intricate makeup, adorned with a parasol. The modern Geisha of today are artists and entertainers. Today Japlanning will show you where to see them, and how to get to the most famous location for Geisha's in Kyoto.

Geisha’s have a long history in Japan, however today we are going to let you know about the modern Geisha. Today they are professional entertainers who usually are entertainment during banquets, meals and various other occasions. Geisha's live in Okiya, special houses, usually as a group where they are trained in many traditional arts, like Ikebana, Japanese flower arranging, dance and playing of various traditional instruments.

Hotel Review - Park Hyatt Tokyo

October 31, 2013

On our latest journey to Japan, we stayed at one of Japan’s grandest hotels, the Park Hyatt Tokyo, which is located in Shinjuku, towering above the city with breathtaking views. Today Japlanning will take you through the hotel and how we found our stay.

The Park Hyatt Tokyo is considered by many to be Tokyo’s premier hotel experience, perched on Shinjuku's business district, just a few blocks from Shinjuku station and sitting opposite Shinjuku Central Park. The hotel sits atop the three towers of Shinjuku Park Tower.

Japlanning Tips - Getting connected in Japan

October 28, 2013

It's time to start helping you with the questions that usually don't come up till it's too late. You land in Japan, and want to post it on Facebook. Perhaps you need directions? Japan is the most technological place on earth, however as an outsider, getting online can be challenging. Don’t stress, Japlanning has all the tips on how to make your vacation an e-cation, and get you back on your tweeting way.

Now, to get online in Japan, you could just activate global roaming on your phone, but be careful as this could result in you racking up thousands of dollars of phone bills for data, when you’re just looking up a map to get to the Imperial Palace.

Japlanning the Menu - Yakitori

October 25, 2013

Hungry? Well here's one from Japlanning that probably won't help! Today on the menu, we are delving into one of the most famous izakaya (bar) snacks in Japan, yakitori!

We all know that food is always better when it can be eaten on a stick (fact). Well, the Japanese took this onboard, and created have one of the best stick-based foods, yakitori.