Trails by Japlanning - Shinjuku

April 15, 2014

by Bryce Marley

Today we're starting a new series at Japlanning that we hope will help you get the most out of your time in Japan: Japlanning Trails. We offer a plan that'll take the average adventurer between a few short hours, up to a half-a-day trek, where we'll guide you through hitting some great tourist spots, amazing food, spectacular shopping and some little-known gems. We're starting in one of Tokyo's biggest areas, Shinjuku.

One of Tokyo's major business centres, Shinjuku is one of the busiest cities in Tokyo. Thanks to it's convenient public transport, amazing sights and spectacular shopping, it's no wonder that it's considered one of the best places for tourists to stay in Tokyo. There is no better place in Tokyo for us to start our trails series, with a great trail that will give a best-of overview of what Shinjuku has to offer.

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Live! - Nanda Collection World Tour Review

April 6, 2014

by Devon Sponheimer

For those of us who are J-Pop fans, I don’t think that you have truly ever experienced ‘real’ J-Popdom until you’ve been to a concert. With the announcement that J-Pop Princess Kyary Pamyu Pamyu was doing a world wide tour and hitting up both North America and Australia, we jumped on the chance for tickets!

The venue was the Chicago House of Blues, a multi-storied club that holds at max 1,300 people. Doors were slated to open at 7pm and as we arrived around 6:30, the line was already nearly a 1/2 mile down the road. On a chilly Chicago evening in March, I can’t say we were thrilled about the long wait to get in, but checking out all the costumes in the crowd was enough to keep us entertained.

Your ULTIMATE Guide to Sakura Season 2014 - Part 2

March 22, 2014

by Bryce Marley

Today Japlanning have part 2 of their ultimate guide to Sakura season in Japan for 2014! Today we are letting you know the best places to experience the Sakura blossoms across Japan. The team have debated these and have come up with our favourite spots to take in Cherry blossom.

So now that you know the best weeks to see the sakura all across Japan, here are Japlanning's best spots to relax and take in the beauty of the season throughout major cities in Japan -

Photo Credit - noe** — Photo Credit - noe**

Your ULTIMATE guide to Sakura season 2014 - Part 1

March 16, 2014

by Bryce Marley

We are just coming into one of the most beautiful and popular seasons to visit Japan, Sakura season. Cherry blossoms across Japan bloom for a brief moment throughout late March and April to a spectacular sight of white and pink blooms, before they all disappear for another year. As part one on our series on the ultimate guide to Sakura Season, today we've got details on when to visit to get the best sakura experience.

Sakura season is a magical time in Japan, from the first bloom till the last petal falls, the country is blanketed in a palette of pink and white hues, showing the world Spring has most definitely sprung. Throughout this time, Japanese come together with friends and family to enjoy the natural beauty and flock to parks, and river banks that are filled with Sakura trees, and relax under the trees with picnics and drinks and embrace the beauty.

Japlanning the Menu - Kit Kats

March 7, 2014

by Bryce Marley

It's a candy bar known the world over for its delicious chocolate and wafer fingers, however you really don't know anything about the wonder that is the simple Kit Kat until you visit Japan. Today Japlanning is letting you in on the number one candy people bring home from Japan, the Kit Kat.

GIVEWAY TIME - Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Swag!

February 28, 2014

by Devon Sponheimer

Some of the Japlanning US team are off to Kyary Pamyu Pamyu's Chicago concert as part of her world tour!

To celebrate we are running a contest on our Facebook page and you can win some Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Swag from the show!

Simply like us on Facebook and leave a comment on the giveaway post telling us your favorite J Pop star and why, it's so easy!