Japlanning 101 - I forgot to pack...

October 26, 2014

by Bryce Marley-Jarrett

When packing for an overseas vacation, most people will always forget something! The biggest issue is finding a replacement for the forgotten items in your destination. In Japan, this can seem quite daunting with a foreign language barrier. Don’t stress about leaving something behind before heading to Japan, Japlanning has your back! Today we have a great guide to the most commonly forgotten items, and how you can replace them while traveling in Japan.

We have all been there, the last minute packing, and no matter how many lists we have for what to pack, we get on the plane, or get into our hotel rooms and realise we forgot; our toiletries, the camera, batteries, painkillers and more. Never fear, most things are replaceable, won’t take long to organise, and will not derail your trip! Today we're going through some of the most common items people forget, and how you can replace them while in Japan.

Japlanning 101 - Omiyage

October 19, 2014

by Devon Sponheimer

Omiyage (お土産, oh-me-ya-gay), or the art of Japanese gift giving, is an important aspect of Japanese culture. Roughly translated as a “souvenir”, omiyage has a distinct difference. If you’ve been to Japan, you’ll have seen the local sweet shops with pre-wrapped, lovely boxes of local treats and regional specialties piled high, these are omiyage!

When travelling around Japan, as a foreigner, you will find yourself noticing many stores selling beautifully packaged boxes of treats piled up ready to go. Most do not think much of this coming from outside Japan. However these are all for the tradition of Omiyage in Japan.

Japlanning 101 - Gion Corner

October 12, 2014

by Devon Sponheimer

Way back on my very first trip to Japan, I wanted to experience as much of the country and culture as possible (little realizing that I’d get to travel there AGAIN in the future). For many of our readers, however, a trip to Japan is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we always strive to help you make the most of your trip.

Gion Corner in Kyoto is a Japanese culture stage show dedicated to the arts and striving to provide the opportunity for tourists to experience as much Kyoto culture as possible during their stay. In one evening they offer seven different types of traditional arts, giving you the opportunity to check out these really cool (and often ancient!) art forms. Prices are reasonable and the site is tourist friendly.

Japlanning 101 - Baseball

September 28, 2014

by Bryce Marley-Jarrett

When people think of sports in Japan, typically Sumo instantly comes to mind, or perhaps one of the various martial arts like karate, or even soccer (football) comes to mind. What many outside Japan don't realise however is that the biggest sport in the country is an import; and it is huge. Welcome to the world of Nippon Professional Baseball, the most popular sport in Japan.

The “Great American Pastime” of baseball has a rich history in Japan, dating back to 1879. A young Japanese engineering student, Hiroshi Hiraoka introduced the sport to co-workers at Japan’s national railways after returning from studying in the USA. The first Japanese baseball team was created by Hiraoka and his co-workers, called the Shimbashi Athletic Club. The sport quickly gained massive popularity across Japan with teams popping up all over, however the Shimbashi Athletic Club reigned supreme for many years.

Hotel Review - Toyoko Inn Shinjuku Kabukicho

September 21, 2014

by Devon Sponheimer

Toyoko Inn is a well known hotel chain with over 200 hotels located throughout Japan with additional locations in Korea. It offers a consistent experience at each hotel, so it is their aim that at each hotel you will have a similar experience.

During our last trip, we stayed in the Toyoko Inn in Shinjuku. This hotel was conveniently located being about a 10 minute walk from JR Shinjuku Station. This convenient location is not unique to this hotel but is a hallmark of all Toyoko Inns. Getting a taxi there was quite a hassle due to its proximity to the train station, but we finally managed to convince one taxi driver to take us there (With sad eyes and pitifully gazing at my luggage).

Prefecture Guide - Hiroshima

September 14, 2014

by Bryce Marley-Jarrett

Just a couple of hours from Osaka, today's prefecture's natural beauty and it’s people are often overshadowed by its sad history; with it holding the unfortunate title of being the first city in the world hit by a nuclear weapon. Beyond its somber history lies a spectacular city, that has overcome its past, rebuilt stronger, and is home to some spectacular sights that can't be missed. Welcome to Hiroshima.

Hiroshima has a rich origin story, which sadly revolves around war. The city was founded back in 1589 by the warlord Mori Terumoto, who had Hiroshima Castle built for his residence, he soon lost the city and castle in the battle of Sekigahara. Following this, the city was industrialised throughout the early 1900’s and became a hub for Japan’s military supply manufacturing. The city played a key part in Japan’s war efforts in WWI, having a POW camp that held with over 500 German prisoners in Hiroshima Bay.