Attraction Review - Tokyo Trick Art Museum

July 13, 2014

by Bryce Marley-Jarrett

During Japlanning's most recent trip through Japan, while enjoying Tokyo's Odaiba island we hit up the Tokyo Trick Art Museum, located in the Decks shopping complex. Keep reading to see what this unique museum has to offer, and whether we recommend you take a trip out to experience it yourself.

Odaiba is a wondrous place in Tokyo Bay. Made up of man made islands, it's a futuristic playground filled with tourist attractions, modern buildings with quirky designs and is one of Tokyo's areas with tourist attractions nestled around every corner. One could easily spend a day or more exploring all the museums, amusement parks, company showcases, and elaborate shopping malls.

Japlanning 101 - Game Arcades

June 7, 2014

by Bryce Marley

It's a business that has faded away in many parts of the world, however in Japan the arcade is thriving. You will find them in most towns, and they aren't anything like the ones from your childhood. Today we're showing you the world of the Japanese arcade, and where to find some of the best around Japan.

If you're from Australia you may remember a place from your childhood called "Timezone", which, although mostly extinct now, was this amazing place filled with arcade games, and more. You were the cool kid if your parents let you have your party there, however the fad of game arcades faded in Australia, and the USA, UK and more, with the onslaught of consoles that connected straight to your TV.

Japlanning 101 - Nagasaki

May 3, 2014

by Bryce Marley

Today Japlanning are heading down south to Kyushu, Japan's third largest island, and the southern most of the four main islands. On Kyushu lies the city of Nagasaki, with a rich history and important place in Asia’s shipping industry. Today, Nagasaki is more than just a shipping port, with rich culture, a sad history in war, and many amazing sights, it's a must visit when making it down to the island of Kyushu.

Nagasaki was founded by the Portuguese in the later half of the 16th century, when it was just a small fishing village. The influences of the Portuguese and other European countries can still be seen in Nagasaki, particularly in European influenced churches, and other christian spiritual sites around the city.

Tokyo in a day - Presidential Style

April 25, 2014

by Bryce Marley

This week the President of the United States of America visited Tokyo for talks with the Prime Minister of Japan. With the President's visit to Tokyo now over, it's time to look back on exactly what a high profile diplomat is taken to, in order to experience one of the greatest cities in the world, and our guide below will help you experience a one-day highlight reel of Tokyo, as planned by the government of Japan.

Lets get our day started. Below is a map of Tokyo showing all the places the President visited on his full day in Tokyo-

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.

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 -