4 Must-Visit Spots in Railway Town Omiya as Recommended by JR East Staff
Our friends from JR Omiya Station would like to recommend four of their must-visit local spots in Omiya, which is just 30 minutes away by local train from Central Tokyo.
Maker’s Story: Handcrafted Rice Crackers by Fujimido
Founded in 1950 in Katsushika Ward in Tokyo, Maker Fujimido (富士見堂) has been in the business of rice crackers for more than 70 years. Learn more about this local brand and its humble beginnings.
穿越時光之旅:探索五個日本歷史悠久的江戶古城
在這篇文章中,我們將回到過去,造訪五個保留了江戶時代風貌的歷史古城,一起來體驗這個繁榮而和平的黃金時代。
體驗東京的古今風貌:穿著浴衣遊東京!
你好!我是Elisa,是一名來自東京的大學二年級學生。 提到東京,你可能會想到古老與現代之間的鮮明對比。然而,我深信這些元素的和諧共存,讓這個城市更有其獨特的魅力。 在這篇文章中,我將介紹哪些地方可以體驗這個城市的古今對比,並告訴大家如何能更深一層去獲得這樣的特別感受。 徒步探索東京 徒步探索東京。 | ©Pixabay 體驗東京的最佳方式之一,就是徒步旅行。雖然東京因其便捷的公共交通系統,例如電車、地鐵和公車而聞名,但如果要充分體驗這個城市在傳統與現代之間的獨特風情,最好的方式便是漫步其中。 這種體驗更講究的方式則是可以穿上和服/浴衣在城市中漫步。相信穿著傳統服飾,在感受歷史的同時,也欣賞這座現代化的城市,應該是體驗東京最好的方式了。 浴衣與和服的差異 浴衣與和服的差異。| ©Pakutaso / ©Pixabay 和服與浴衣的區別不僅僅在於外觀,還關係著穿著的時間和場合。 一般來說,和服是一年四季都可以穿的,通常會是在正式場合。然而,因為和服的布料比較厚,所以夏天比較少人穿和服。如果在夏天穿的話,則通常會選擇布料較薄的和服。和服的精緻層次和古典設計,使其成為日本優雅與傳統的象徵。 另一方面,浴衣則僅在夏季穿著,是比較輕便且休閒的服裝。人們在傳統的日本節日或「祭典」上,會穿上浴衣。因此,如果你在夏天來日本旅遊,我建議可以租一套浴衣,因為在夏季炎熱的天氣,穿和服會讓你感到過於悶熱不舒服。 穿著浴衣去散步吧! 穿著浴衣去散步吧!| ©Elisa 東京是個古老與現代和諧共存的城市,非常值得讓你穿上日本的傳統服飾來走訪大街小巷並細細品味。以下是我特別推薦的一些景點:曾經是江戶時代中心城市的日本橋;擁有眾多特色咖啡廳的表參道;以及保留著傳統氛圍的淺草。 日本橋:東京都心 日本橋。 | ©Elisa 日本橋是個商業區,街道上可以見到高聳的摩天大樓和建築。然而,即使在如此現代的城市風貌中,你仍然可以發現隱藏有古老的建築手法。 例如,這座日本橋已有100多年歷史,至今仍在使用。最初的木製橋梁建於1603年,後來於1911年用石材重建,也就是現在我們所見的橋樑,這讓我們見證了這裡古老與現代建築的和諧共存。 在購物中心COREDO中,有一條掛滿燈籠的可愛街道,走在這裡,讓你仿佛回到了江戶時代。 日本橋 地址:東京中央區日本橋室町1-8 交通:從日本橋車站 步行3分鐘 表參道:原宿周邊的時尚街道 表參道。| ©Pixabay 接下來,我推薦可以到表參道探索一些有著現代化風格,卻可以品嚐傳統日式“和菓子”的咖啡廳。表參道被視為一個既擁有摩登時尚又有優雅風格的地方。 穿著和服/浴衣來體驗品嚐和菓子更是一種浪漫的體驗。我首先會推薦的店是茶洒 金田中。在這家咖啡廳內有一個小巧精緻的日式花園,你可以在享用甜點的同時欣賞外面的景色。他們也提供日式的午間套餐。 另一家我推薦的是船橋屋。這裡菜單上有“葛餅”,這是一種傳統的日本甜點。穿著浴衣或和服享用這些美味甜點,會為你的體驗添加更豐富的文化氣息。 茶洒金田中 地址:東京港區北青山3-6-1 Oak Omotesando 2樓,107-0061 交通:從表参道車站 步行1分鐘 船橋屋 地址:東京渋谷區神宮前3-14-6,150-0001 […]
Kanto’s Coastal Charms: 3 Beaches to Visit Near Tokyo!
Whether you’re looking to relax on soft sands, enjoy water sports like surfing, or explore scenic coastal landscapes, these beaches in the Kanto Region nearby Tokyo provide the perfect escape during the blazing summer months.
Time Travel Through Japan: Exploring 5 Historic Edo Towns
An era of peace and prosperity, the Edo Period saw the emergence of post towns, towns that are located along major routes connecting Edo (modern day Tokyo) and key cities. Let’s travel back in time and visit five historic towns that have retained the vestiges of the Edo Period.
Experience Tokyo Old and New: 3 Spots to Visit While Wearing a Yukata!
Hello! I am Elisa, a second year university student from Tokyo. When thinking of Tokyo, you might think that there is a stark contrast between the old and new. However, I believe these elements coexist harmoniously, enhancing the city’s unique character. In this article I will talk about where to go to experience this contrast […]
Day Trips from Tokyo: Exploring Temples and Local Cuisine of Monzen Nakacho
More ideas for day trip in Tokyo? Check out Monzen Nakacho! The perfect hidden gem for delicious local cuisine and hidden temples.
Day Trips from Tokyo: Discovering Chofu’s Temples and the World of Kitaro
Want a new place to check out in Tokyo? Consider Chofu! Know as the hometown of famous manga writer Shigeru Mizuki, it is also home to Jindaiji, one of Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temples
Down Memory Lane: Diary of a Packaging Collector’s Travels Across Japan
Do you like collecting items from Japan? They include station stamps, train tickets, and even milk cartons, and each bring an invaluable sentimental value for the collector while travelling around Japan.
Minazuki: 8 Scenic Lakes to Visit in Eastern Japan
Explore 8 scenic lakes in Eastern Japan! From volcanic crater lakes to lakes that reflect their surroundings like a mirror, these lakes offer gorgeous scenery that is sure to be unforgettable.
JR News: Welcome Suica Upcoming Features For A Greater Rail Travel Experience
With tourism to Japan back in full swing, there is never a better time to plan your first or a repeat trip to Japan. JR East has recently announced a road map of news and updated services for tourists visiting Tokyo and getting around by train. These services will be of great help in planning […]
The Timeless Art of “Wa” (和): 4 Must-Visit Pottery Towns in Japan
There are as many as 50 pottery towns in Japan boasting unique styles and techniques, distinguishing them from one another and contributing to Japan’s diverse pottery heritage. Let’s explore some of the top pottery towns renowned for producing some of Japan’s esteemed cultural treasures!
Sakura Special: 5 Must-See Types of Cherry Blossom Trees in Japan
Our latest intern from Rikkyo University, Asuka, is here to help you on your next step to sakura mastery by learning about the different varieties of popular cherry blossom trees in Japan!
Step into the World of the Ninja with the TokudAw Ninja Experience!
Ever wonder what it’s like to be a ninja? Join TokudAw’s ninja tour to find out! Learn about breathing techniques, meditation, movements, and more.
Beyond Blossoms: 9 Spring Festivals in Japan to Leap into This 2024
If you’re planning to visit Japan in spring time between March, April, and May, here are nine spring festivals to check out in every region!
JR News: Price Revision of Hokuriku Arch Pass, Your Rail Pass for Hokuriku
The Hokuriku Arch Pass, which enables pass holders to enjoy unlimited train rides on the Hokuriku Arch Pass between Tokyo and Tsuruga in Fukui Prefecture, will have a price revision from March 2024 onwards. Learn more about the revised prices and how you can make full use of the rail pass!
Freshness Explosion! The Best Places to get Japanese Seafood Ocean-to-table
If you’re keen on making the jump from sushi fan to aficionado, and want to travel the land in search of Japanese seafood so fresh it might as well have leaped from the ocean right onto your plate—then this article is for you!
Welcome to Omiya Station, the Gateway to Saitama!
Have you visited Omiya Station and the areas around it? The train station is where all JR East’s Shinkansen trains will pass through, but few would get off and explore it, where many pleasant surprises await!
Day Trips from Tokyo: Exploring Shibamata, Home to the Iconic Tora-San
Want to include a serene day trip in Tokyo? Check out the cultural Shibamata, home to the iconic Tora-san!
Kanpai Kawasaki! Exploring Craft Beer and Night Travel
Discover the charms of Kawasaki City with 3 keywords: Kawasaki-shuku, Tokaido GLASS, and Factory Night View Cruise.
New Year Special: Exploring the Charms of Kawasaki Daishi
Planning to visit a temple outside of Tokyo over the New Year celebrations? Kawasaki Daishi (川崎大師) could be your top pick. Perfectly located, easily accessible, brimming with local charm, and boasting an awe-inspiring presence, this temple is a combination of grandeur and beauty. It’s huge, stunning, and truly majestic – a must-visit!
5 Ways to Enjoy Winter Trips from Tokyo with a JR EAST PASS
Winter is a beautiful time to visit Eastern Japan! Here are 4 ways to enjoy winter trips from Tokyo with the JR EAST PASS!
5 Must-visit Autumn Spots from Tochigi
Are you planning to visit Tochigi Prefecture (栃木県 Tochigi-ken) in Autumn, and looking for spots to fill in your itinerary? Travel Communicator Jason has five recommendations for you!
Incredible Ibaraki #2: Anime Tourism In Oarai Via Mito And Enjoy A Local Festival!
Nestled in the heart of Ibaraki Prefecture, Mito is a city that boasts a rich cultural heritage and natural beauty that will captivate any traveller. With its stunning parks, historic sites, and vibrant local culture, Mito is a must-visit destination for those looking to explore the hidden gems of Japan. If you are also a […]
Day Trips from Tokyo: How to Spend a Day at the World Heritage Site of Nikko
Looking for a day trip destination from Tokyo? Located just about 2 hours away by train, with UNESCO World Heritage Sites-recognised shrines and temples, untouched nature, and rich culture, Nikko checks all the right boxes.
Your Travel Guide To The Revised JR East Rail Passes
With the revision of JR EAST PASS prices in October 2023, find out how you can extract value from the passes with suggestions of a few places to visit in the respective areas coverd.
Incredible Ibaraki #1: Exciting Railway Updates & Cycling Around Ibaraki!
Get to know more about Ibaraki, a prefecture north of Tokyo, through cycling. Find out new changes to train stations within Ibaraki as well.
Aki-citing Autumn Train Rides: 4 Magical Train Rides with Autumn Views in Japan
Trains can take you to amazing places, so here are four railway lines and train rides to enjoy fantastic fall foliage and awesome autumn colours!
Maker’s Story: Rabbit Motif Snacks from Hamausagi in Yokohama
Have you heard of Otsukimi (お月見)? A variation to the popular Mid-Autumn Festival, Otsukimi is a Japanese tradition celebrated during the full harvest moon in autumn in September.
5 Exciting Fireworks Festivals in East Japan to Catch This Summer
East Japan, where major cities like Tokyo, Sendai, Nagano, and Yokohama are located, is home to many exciting displays of fireworks, many of which have been held and celebrated for decades (if not, centuries!).
JR News: Price Revision of JR East Rail Passes for Foreign Visitors (2023)
With effect from 1 October 2023, JR East will revise the prices of various rail passes for foreign visitors to Japan in accordance with the increasing inbound travel needs.
Onward To Western Tokyo On The Tokyo Adventure Line!
See a different side of Tokyo that most travellers usually don’t get to see. Check out the various natural scenery in Western Tokyo and get some information for your next trip.
Celebrate Marine Day at Odaiba Lantern Festival (16-17 July 2023)
The Odaiba Sea Day Lantern Festival is just one of the many activities in store in Japan on Marine Day.
Shinkansense 101: Updates to the luggage rules onboard Japan’s bullet trains (May 2023)
Riding the shinkansen between Japan’s major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka with luggages? There’s a new luggage reservation service in town.
Sakura Forecast 2024: 7 Recommended Spots for Cherry Blossoms in Central & East Japan
Here are 7 of our recommended spots to view sakura trees in East Japan for 2024!
Let’s Go to Kawagoe, the “Little Edo” near Tokyo
Make a day trip to Kawagoe, the “Little Kawagoe” located near Tokyo! The city still retains the olden charms of the Edo Era, with many preserved historical buildings and quaint structures that people today can appreciate.
Back to Classics: Exploring the Art of Kabuki with Shochiku
Learn more about Kabuki, an art form unique to Japan, and how Shochiku helped shaped Kabuki as to what we know today.
5 Amazing Ume Spots to View Plum Blossoms!
Ume (梅) blossoms, or plum blossoms, may not have the same international reputation as their sakura counterparts, but are certainly no less romanticised and prevalent in Japanese art and culture. If you’ll be in Japan a smidge too early to join the cherry blossom crowds then never fear, for here are five recommended places you can visit to drown in clouds of pink plum flowers instead!
A Valentine’s Trip: 5 Romantic Spots to Visit with the 3-Day JR TOKYO Wide Pass
If you’re heading to Tokyo during the season of love, why not take your partner out to view some of Japan’s earliest blooms of sakura, or on a shopping spree in a premium outlet mall? With the JR TOKYO Wide Pass, here is a 3-day sample itinerary for a romantic getaway with your loved one!
Only in Ibaraki: Japan’s Highest Bungee Jump & Longest Slide
Take the longest way down in Ibaraki at Japan’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge, highest bungee jump, and longest slide.
Autumn Views from the Bottom of Doai to the Top of Tanigawa
In this 2022 Autumn Report, follow our writer Afiq as he travels from one of the lowest points of Gunma Prefecture, to one of its highest in the span of half a day!
A Culinary Seafood Adventure in Nakaminato Fish Market
Taste Ibaraki’s freshest seafood like oysters and monkfish at Nakaminato Fish Market in Hitachinaka City. Any fresher, you’d have to catch it yourself!”
Follow Me to Mito and Oarai: A Daytrip to Ibaraki
Follow me on a day trip to Ibaraki Prefecture, as I attempt to see why it’s known as Japan’s so-called “Least Attractive Prefecture”, with the help of the 3-day JR TOKYO Wide Pass.
Beyond the Brochure: JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area)
Thanks to the extensive train and shinkansen coverage of Nagano and Niigata Prefectures, it is entirely possible for you to experience much of what they have to offer in the form of day trips from your Tokyo hotel. So, for this edition of “Beyond the Brochure”, I will cover five different locations you can access via train—one trip for each day of the 5-day pass!
A Guide to Surviving Narita Airport after Japan’s Re-opening
After having their borders closed to international travel for over two years, travelling to Japan has become a very different experience. This article will guide you through the steps needed to navigate this strange new world!
So Sen-station-al: 7 Striking Stations in Japan
Japanese train stations exist in so many different shapes and forms, some of them can even be considered attractions in themselves. Here are seven unique stations across the whole of Japan, from Hokkaido to Kyushu!
A “Rail-ly” Nostalgic Trip to The Railway Museum in Saitama Prefecture
Welcome to The Railway Museum in Saitama Prefecture! Take a trip down memory lane and learn more about the history of trains and railways in Japan, and witness preserved train cars and life-sized replicas of trains from the yesteryears.
Hiking an Abandoned Railway: Abt Road and the Usui Pass
Follow us on a walk along the Abt Road, a 6km-long nature trail following the abandoned Abt-system railway of the Former Usui Line spanning from Yokokawa to Kumanotaira!
Railway 150th Anniversary: From Shimbashi to Yokohama, Japan’s First Railway
14 October 2022 is a special day that commemorates the 150th anniversary of the opening of Japan’s first railway line. Find out more about the historic sites at Shimbashi and Sakuragicho!