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.

Photo Credit - clio1789 — Photo Credit - clio1789

Big wheel keep on turning - Ferris wheels in Japan

February 22, 2014

by Bryce Marley

Ferris wheels, big wheels, or observation wheels, they are found all over the world, and tourists flock to them. Japan happens to have a love for the big wheel, and you will find them all over the country thanks to a surge in building the tallest wheel and consistently beating the record throughout the 90's. Today Japlanning have the definitive guide to where you will find Japan's best ferris wheels, to give you a birds eye view of the land of the rising sun.

Japan wants you to see it all. Most major cities have observation towers, Tokyo even has the tallest tower in the world, but it doesn't stop there. You'll find a plethora of ferris wheels all over the country, every one of them dazzling you with their spinners.

Takayama - Takaya me away in history.

February 2, 2014

by Bryce Marley

Today Japlanning is showing you the rural city of Takayama. Situated in the heart of the Japanese alps, this historic area is loved by many and popular with tourists. It's a city that has embraced the past, and is filled with traditional architecture and areas, especially its famous old town precinct. Come take a look at why Takayama is definitely worth a visit if your looking for a more rural stop on your journeys through Japan.

Takayama is located in Gifu prefecture of Japan, which is right in central Japan, to get to Takayama, you're looking at a 5 hour train journey from Tokyo, thanks to a direct route being thwarted by the Japanese alps being between the two. However if you're in the Kansai region, it is a far more tolerable 3 hour train from Kyoto. Takayama was settled back in the Jōmon period (300BC-538AD), and was famous for it's citizens expertise in carpentry, and were key in working on the Imperial Palace in Kyoto, as well as many temples in the Kansai region.

The best things in life are free - 10 free things to do in Osaka

January 7, 2014

by Bryce Marley

You loved Japlanning's 30 Free in Tokyo (link to post), so now we're moving on down into the Kansai region. Today we're looking at what the budget conscious traveller can experience in the bayside metropolis of Osaka for free. As long as you have the means to travel by train, you can experience everything we have here, all while saving your precious Yen!

Japlanning 101 - Tokyo Tower

December 31, 2013

by Devon Sponheimer

The newly opened Tokyo Skytree has gotten a lot of press, but the original “sky tree” of Tokyo, the Tokyo Tower isn’t something to be missed, especially if you’re traveling on a budget. Offering great views and complimentary entertainment, check out this observation tower on your next trip!

The Tokyo Tower opened in 1958, serving as both a telecommunications tower and a tourist attraction. With it’s striking red and white design, it quickly became an icon in the Tokyo skyline. Although not as tall as the Skytree, the Tower features two observation decks and a shopping center. The main observation deck at 150 meters and the special observation deck at 250 meters. Let’s start by first exploring the tower itself.

Japlanning 101 - Holidays in Japan

December 25, 2013

When Japlanning your trip to the land of the rising sun, one thing many people do not look into is when Japan observes public holidays -- and the other big one: school holidays. Read our guide for the full list of 2014 public and school holidays in Japan!

As for many of us in the world, while we are in festive season, it inevitably means shops closed, as well as many people on holidays, and tourist attractions see increased visits, and sky-high flight prices.