Blog
The Japlanning Guide to Sakura Season 2017
by Bryce Marley-Jarrett
It’s coming up to the most beautiful time of the year in Japan; no it isn’t Christmas, it’s Sakura season! This is Japan’s busiest season for both domestic and international tourists. Everyone flocks to see the stunning blooms on the cherry trees all over Japan while enjoying time with friends and family under the blossoms. From late March through to early May the trees bloom from Southern Japan to the most Northmost tip. Without further ado here is the ultimate guide to Sakura Season in Japan for 2017.
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 that spring has most definitely sprung. Throughout this time, Japanese people come together with friends and family to enjoy the natural beauty and flock to parks, and river banks filled with sakura trees, and relax under the trees with picnics and drinks and embrace the beauty.
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Sapporo: To train or not to train?
by Sam Marley-Jarrett
Veterans of travelling across Japan by Shinkansen, a few weeks ago we thought it would be a good idea to jump on a couple of trains and spend some snow time up in Sapporo.
Travelling to Sapporo isn't as easy as getting somewhere like Kyoto or Osaka, as the Shinkansen line only reaches Hakodate, a city on the edge of the island of Hokkaido. Travellers by train must change to a regular intercity train to make the final leg of their journey to Sapporo.
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Yomiuriland - Jewellumination 2016 - Tokyo
Happy Holidays from the Japlanning Team!
Japlanning Journeys - 2016
by Bryce Marley-Jarrett
Today we have some of our favourite photos we have taken across Japan with some great information about their locations and tips for you to get the most out of your future trips to Japan. Some of Japlanning's favourites for 2016 are right here.
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Japlanning Guide - Gunkanjima Island
by Bryce Marley-Jarrett
Gunkanjima Island is located off the coast of Nagasaki on the southern island Kyushu. It was once a full working island city, with schools, movie theatres and more. It was once the most densely populated place on earth, and now you can tour and see the ghost town it has become. Today we are taking a look at it’s history and the easiest way for you to visit an island that few people have seen in the last 40 years.
It’s official name is Hashima Island but it is more commonly known as Gunkanjima (軍艦島 - Warship Island), due to its uncanny resemblance to a warship floating in the water. Gunkanjima’s history dates back to 1887, when coal was discovered on the island. By the end of the 1800’s, the island was populated and used as a seabed coal mining facility. In 1890 the Island was purchased by Mitsubishi (Yes, Mitsubishi) who further expanded the production and mining operation on the Island. Through land reclamation of the ocean, they were able to expand the very small space of the island to further increase their production ability.
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