Japlanning Tips - To Rail Pass Or Not To Rail Pass

March 16, 2015

by Bryce Marley-Jarrett

One of the first things after booking a trip to Japan that you need to consider is whether a ‘Japan Rail Pass’ is necessary for your trip. Many travel agencies and websites will tell you to buy one without really saying if you will get your money’s worth. Today’s Japlanning Tips guide is all about the amazing Japan Rail Pass, and we’ll show what you need to travel at a minimum to get your money's worth out of each rail pass.

The Japan Rail pass, which is also known as the JR Pass, is a fantastic offer from the Japan Railways Group for International visitors to Japan. Before we get to the nitty gritty on what you need to travel to actually find a rail pass worthwhile lets take a brief look at the details.

Japlanning Attractions - The Railway Museum

February 15, 2015

by Bryce Marley-Jarrett

As soon as you enter Japan, you will notice one form of transport reigns over all: the train. Japan has the busiest train lines in the world, with over 22.24 billion passengers using it every year and growing. Japan has a long history with trains and have had amazing technological advancements with their systems, that is where today’s attraction comes in. Today we have a guide to one of the most fascinating museums in Japan, The Railway Museum, located just an hour outside Tokyo.

Since their beginnings in the late nineteenth century, railways have been the most important means of mass transport. Since the Meiji century, the government has promoted railways as the most efficient public transport option for Japan, as a country that severely lacks it’s own fossil fuel resources, being so reliant on imports, rail was a way to move the masses with the most minimal fuels imported needed.

Japlanning 101 - Christmas in Japan

January 1, 2015

by Devon Sponheimer

How do the Japanese celebrate Christmas? A very small majority of Japanese are Christian, so the religious aspects of the holiday are mostly removed. However this doesn't stop the Christmas spirit popping up at attractions and in homes. Looking for a great place to ring in Christmas in 2015? Read our guide below to find out how amazing the Christmas season is in Japan!

Christmas is commercial and the main celebration involves activities on Christmas Eve. It’s important to note though, that Christmas is not a national holiday in Japan. Although many Japanese families will have a small “Christmas Party”, Christmas Eve is a date holiday, the time to treat that special someone to a romantic dinner and enjoy Japan’s spectacular lighting displays.

Japlanning's Holiday Guide - 2015

December 18, 2014

by Bryce Marley-Jarrett

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 2015 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.

Japlanning Day Trips - Kawagoe

November 23, 2014

by Bryce Marley-Jarrett

Less than an hour from Tokyo is a whole other world in the township of Kawagoe in the Saitama prefecture. Known as Little Edo, it echoes back to a time in the past, with streets lined with historic buildings, and amazing events year round. Join us as we take a stroll around and step back into history.

Famous for its Edo period feel, that has lasted where many have disappeared, the town of Kawaoge was once home to Kawagoe Castle, which was the headquarters for the Kawagoe Domain and home for many close aids to the Tokugawa shogunate. Although the castle is now gone, like many buildings from that time, many were kept in tact, or moved around the city.

Why I love Japan - Bryce's Top 10

November 9, 2014

by Bryce Marley-Jarrett

Today on Japlanning we are getting personal, we have had Devon, one of our main reporters and editors, and also had our Techhead Sam give his favourites. Now it’s time for me, Bryce - the founder of Japlanning, to get down to it and reveal what, make my top-10 about Japan -- and what better time to post this than when I’ve just gotten home from Tokyo for a quick Japlanning research trip.

We love Japan. I’m sure that is obvious, however I have avoided writing this article since the start, not because I don’t love Japan, no, this article has just seemed so daunting! Where do I start, and how do I keep it down to just ten? (I’m sure there will be bonuses.) However, no more stalling; I give you my personal ten things I LOVE about Japan.