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Bassett's Bouken

Bassett's Bouken

Bassett's Bouken

About Me
Travel
Experiences
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A Ryokan With A Mt. Fuji View

Searching for a ryokan with that picture perfect Mt. Fuji view and your own private…

Nara Deer & Me

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My West Japan In A Week Itinerary

Hiroshima, Himeji, Kobe, Osaka & Nara – 5 cities, 4 prefectures, 1 week – a…

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Day trip from Tokyo to Nokogiriyama, Chiba’s hidden gem!

If you’ve not heard of Nokogiriyama also known as “Sawtooth Mountain” in Chiba yet, you…

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Emma Bassett

Japan adventurer

Hi there, I'm Emma & welcome to Bassett's Bouken! I started this blog as a way to show more of my adventures living in Japan. I hope to convince more of you to take a trip to the Land of the Rising Sun!

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An affordable family-run Osaka ryokan right in Dotonbori

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Unwind at a sento & teahouse in the heart of Tokyo

Unwind at a sento & teahouse in the heart of Tokyo✨

Did you know Omotesando has much more to offer than just shopping? 🛍️ It’s not often thought of as a place to unwind but I recently discovered Minato City has a couple of relaxing secret spots you’ll want to add to your Tokyo travel list! 📝

📍Matsubaya Saryo (@matsubayasaryo) - tea, bonsai, sweets and art all in one very stylish, tranquil space! 🍵
With the aim of being a centre for Japanese culture, Matsubaya Saryo offers a calming getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. I tried the refreshing ice brew cha sitting on the terrace (rare to find in Tokyo!) admiring bonsai that are hundreds of years old 🥹 The bonsai are changed weekly by the specialists Tradman’s Bonsai so it’s a place you’ll want to return to 🌳 I love that you can experience the art of tea ceremony in a much more relaxed, less intimidating setting - something I think foreign visitors to Japan will appreciate! You can also grab take-out too and the collection of pottery pieces for sale are made by modern craftsman using traditional arts 🍵

📍Minami-Aoyama Shimizuyu (@minamiaoyama_shimizuyu) - a sento with over a 100+ years of history ♨️
Experiencing a Japanese public bath is the ideal way to refresh yourself during a busy trip of sightseeing! Once you enter, place your shoes in a locker & purchase entrance & towel rental tickets from the vending machine! To avoid any embarrassing faux pas, make sure to remove *all* clothing & jewellery, tie long hair up & wash your body thoroughly before entering. This sento has a lot of choices with a jacuzzi, carbonated bath, silk bath, cold bath and a sauna! The silk bath is a must for softer skin. Once you’re done, dry yourself off and grab the traditional post-sento milk!
🎟️ ¥550 entrance (additional fees for towel rental & sauna) as of 17/10/2024
🚫 No tattoos allowed at Minami-Aoyama Shimizuyu but please check other sento in Minato that allow tattoos!
🩱Swimsuit worn with filming permission

#PR #minatocity #omotesando #japanesecafe #tokyocafe #sento #tokyotravel #tokyotrip #tokyotokyo #bonsai #matcha #japanesetea #tea

🎄Christmas around Tokyo guide🗼 One thing t

🎄Christmas around Tokyo guide🗼

One thing that I love about wintertime in Japan is all the light ups or illuminations as they’re called here! ✨ In most cases these last long after Christmas & well into February too so you can enjoy a brighter winter 💫

In order of appearance…

✨ Roppongi - there is so much more to visit than just the famous Tokyo Tower viewpoint in Roppongi Hills of Keyakizaka (which btw is absolutely heaving these days). Stopping by the Christmas market & walking along Keyakizaka is still lovely though especially for Christmas shopping! 🛍️

🌟 Marunouchi Bright Holiday, this year’s lightup is all about Super Mario! Take part in the stamp rally to make sure you don’t miss a mario spot! 🚗

❄️ Visit the Kitte building in Marunouchi for a snowy real tree, it’s huge!🎄

🫧 Tokyo Midtown in Roppongi is actually more enjoyable these days, with so many illuminations in the park including fake snow, an ice rink & autumn leaves too! 🍂

🎄 Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse - only 40 mins from Tokyo & it’s the best Christmas market imo! Plus there are SO many illuminations all in walking distance, search Yokohama Milight or Yorunoyo 2024 for more ✨

🏙️ Shinjuku Southern Terrace - the perfect place for Christmas shopping, train spotting & illuminations!

❄️ Hibiya Midtown - this time Moana 2 themed! 🌺 there’s also plenty of sparkling trees along these streets too!

⛄️ Tokyo Disney Resort - you can’t help but get in the Christmas spirit seeing all the decorations & parades! 🥰

#christmasinjapan #tokyochristmas #winterinjapan #tokyolife #illuminations #tokyotravel #tokyojapan #tokyotrip #christmaslights #tokyotower #クリスマス #イルミネーション

< 1 hour from Tokyo - Chiba’s Ginkgo ✨ Finall

< 1 hour from Tokyo - Chiba’s Ginkgo ✨

Finally, despite a very long wait, many ginkgo are finally golden in the greater Tokyo area! Adding on to my previous Beyond Tokyo photo post guide & Top 10 Tokyo Ginkgo spots, here is my reel for spots you can visit in Chiba, an easy day trip by public transport from Tokyo!

✨ Katsushika Hachimangu shrine. This shrine has many ginkgo lining the entrance which are golden already, along with the enchanting 1,200 Senbon Icho “Ginkgo of a Thousand Trunks” (this was still green in my visit - the reel has been edited). It’s a very charming shrine popular for shichi-go-san so you’ll see plenty of families wearing kimono 👘 The last clip of this place shows the gorgeous goshuincho (book of seals) which has ginkgo leaves & a snake for 2025! 🐍
🚃 Keisei-Yawata or JR Moto-Yawata

✨ Hokekyoji temple. This huge temple has so many beautiful parts to it including the giant ginkgo & the 5 story pagoda built in 1622. En route there are charming little shops so you can experience a slice of local life too!
🚃 Keisei-Nakayama or JR Shimōsa-Nakayama

✨ Due to the nature of the third location, please follow along & message if you wish to visit!

📸 these were all taken 23/11/2024, best to visit this week/end for the two large ginkgo at each place to turn golden ✨

#ginkgo #tokyodaytrip #tokyotravel #tokyotrip #japantravelguide #japaneseshrine #visitchiba #japantrip #exploringjapan

🍁 One of the most stunning scenic spots I’ve

🍁 One of the most stunning scenic spots I’ve visited in Japan 🇯🇵 No need to believe just me, it’s also designated as a National Special Place of Scenic Beauty & frequently makes it into the top 5 spots in national polls!

This place has so much to offer from:

🍁 out of this world nature scenery as you walk along the gorge, particularly famous in kōyō (changing leaves) season 🍂
💧 Sengataki a beautiful 30m high waterfall
🚡 a ropeway taking you up to see panoramic views of the surrounding mountains (& sometimes even Mt. Fuji! 🗻☀️).
🔮 Shogyokudo - make a wish in front of Japan’s largest crystal ball
💎 Admire & purchase so many different types of crystals, some of which have been transformed into incredible pieces of art!
🪨 the most unique geological formations I’ve seen so far in Japan!
⛩️ pray to find love & a happy marriage at Meotogi Shrine at the base of the ropeway (it’s where I purchased my momiji omamori from in photo )

See my previous post for more details of this wonderful place! 🏞️

📆 all photos (except 11-12) taken 16/11/2024, visit this weekend to still enjoy the gorgous autumn leaves!

📍昇仙峡、Shosenkyo gorge, Kofu, Yamanashi
🚗 We drove & there’s plenty of parking, but by train from Tokyo it takes about 90 minutes to Kofu station 🚉 then take a taxi or ~50 minute bus to Shosenkyo Taki Ue.

#shosenkyoropeway #shosenkyogorge #shosenkyo #yamanashi #autumninjapan #japaninautumn #japannature #tokyodaytrip #yamanashiprefecture #thisisjapan #offthebeatenpath #unknownjapan #amazingjapan #beautifuljapan #昇仙峡 #紅葉🍁 #紅葉 #山梨観光 #山梨県

Japan’s Golden Koi Pond ✨ Isn’t this the mo

Japan’s Golden Koi Pond ✨

Isn’t this the most beautiful little power spot?! During my recent autumn trip to Shosenkyo, I came across this little koi fish pond & was amazed at how many huge golden koi there were! It’s quite rare to spot even one yet this had approximately 20 of them! Surrounded by a torii gate and a statue of Japan’s 7 Lucky Gods, it has a very mystical atmosphere ⛩️

🎏 Whilst koi in general symbolise strength, perseverance and courage due to their ability to swim against the current, golden koi also are a symbol of prosperity, growth & wealth ✨

🚡 To access this spot, you need to buy a ticket for the ropeway (¥1500 🎟️ round trip) which is well worth it as the ropeway will take you up to the most beautiful autumn scenery! 🍁 (see my previous reel for that!)

📍黄金池 at Shosenkyo Ropeway, Yamanashi

#shosenkyo #yamanashi #yamanashiprefecture #beautifuljapan #japantravel #japantrip #tokyodaytrip #japan #japaneseshrine #koifish #koipond

Shosenkyo - an autumn dream 🚡🍁 Just a 5 min

Shosenkyo - an autumn dream 🚡🍁

Just a 5 minute ropeway up & you’ll be transported to these epic views of Japan’s autumn scenery 🍂 & if you’re lucky you can even catch see Mt. Fuji 🗻 but if not the panoramic views of the Minami-Alps will still impress you I guarantee it 🥰

⛩️ At the top of the hill lies Yakumo shrine, a place to pray for a happy marriage 💖 & right now the leaves are stunning - a traffic light momiji tree took my breath away! 🍁🚦 make sure to ring the bell for good luck & happiness 🔔

One more thing! Once you get the ropeway down, don’t forget to stop by the golden koi pond, they are mesmerising! ✨

See my previous post for what the gorge looks like! 🏞️

📆 taken 16/11/2024, visit next weekend to still enjoy the gorgous autumn leaves!

📍昇仙峡、Shosenkyo gorge, Kofu, Yamanashi
🚗 We drove & there’s plenty of parking, but by train from Tokyo it takes about 90 minutes to Kofu station 🚉 then take a taxi or ~50 minute bus to Shosenkyo Taki Ue.

#shosenkyoropeway #kofu #shosenkyogorge #shosenkyo #yamanashi #yamanashiprefecture #thisisjapan #offthebeatenpath #unknownjapan #beautifuljapan #昇仙峡 #紅葉🍁 #紅葉 #山梨観光

Yamanakako 🗻 the largest Mt. Fuji lake & a drea

Yamanakako 🗻 the largest Mt. Fuji lake & a dream to visit in autumn! 🍂

Who knew that the Yamanakako area had such vast fields of golden susuki?! 🌾 the landscape really felt like I’d been whisked away to Kansas 🤭 it’s a great alternative to Kawaguchiko, offering incredible views of Mt. Fuji with less visitors 🗻

🍜 Whilst lakeside, try houtou, a Yamanashi specialty of flat udon noodles and vegetables in a miso-based thick soup at Shoya, a lakeside restaurant with such high reviews. We both said it’s our favourite houtou as the noodles were so delightfully chewy! 🤤

The Panorama Dai where you can see the Mt. Fuji x Lake view is currently under renovation but hopefully it’ll reopen soon. It’s one of the places where you can even see Mt. Fuji’s sea of clouds ☁️

✨ Autumn leaves line so much of the lake & tomorrow’s the last night of the autumn light up but you can still enjoy the changing leaves for another week or so as they are around 70-80% now 🍁

📆 taken 09/11

🚍 take the highway bus from Tokyo to Lake Yamanakako or rent a car 🚗

#yamanakako #kawaguchiko #yamanashi #tokyodaytrip #mtfuji #fujisan #japan

Beyond Tokyo 🍁 Autumn Momiji Guide There are

Beyond Tokyo 🍁 Autumn Momiji Guide

There are so many incredible day trips to be had just outside of Tokyo that will enable you to experience Japan’s breathtaking autumn scenery but without the crowds! One of my previous posts focused on Japan’s early autumn scenery - the golden yellow ginkgo but this one is all about the oranges & reds of the momiji maple leaves! 🍁

In the order of appearance:

🍁 Oyamadera, Isehara, Kanagawa
🦢 Minami-inaga lake, Yamanashi 🚗
🗻 Arakurayama Sengen Park, Yamanashi
🌁 Saruhashi Bridge, Otsuki, Yamanashi
🏞️ Shosenkyo Gorge, Yamanashi 🚗 (photos 5-7)
🧡 Ikuta-Ryokuchi Park, Kanagawa (photos 8-10)
🙏 Hase-dera, Kamakura (photos 11-13)
⛩️ Aohani shrine, Izu, Shizuoka 🚗
🍁 Afuri shrine, Isehara, Kanagawa

🚗 indicates that it’s best/easiest to travel by car to reach that destination

📆 the red leaves are late this year, but if you visit during November-early December you should be able to see beautiful scenery of the changing colours.
✨ Pro tip! For precise updates on leaf colours, be like a local & use the website Koyo.WalkerPlus.com 🇯🇵

#oyamadera #tokyodaytrip #japanautumn #japaninautumn #japantravelguide #autumnleaves #momiji #momijigari #japantravel #japantrip #mapleleaves

🗻Kawaguchiko Autumn Festival🍁⬇️ Until N

🗻Kawaguchiko Autumn Festival🍁⬇️

Until November 20th, Kawaguchiko is holding their annual autumn leaves festival, but don’t worry you can still see the autumn leaves after that! 🍁 I visited this weekend & it’s the one place I love to return to every autumn in Japan 🇯🇵

In order of appearance…
⛩️ Chureito Pagoda - an icon of Japan 🇯🇵
🗻 Lakeside promenade (clips 2 and 4) - stroll around the lake for the perfect Mt. Fuji view
🍁 Momiji Corridor, the central part of the Autumn Leaves Festival. This weekend it was mostly still green (including the ginkgo 😭) so it’s certain to be much better next weekend & later. We could see red trees at the very top of the corridor (cross the road near the bridge & continue uphill, many visitors miss this half!). Make sure to visit the craft fair full of unique souvenirs at the base of the corridor too!
🙏 7 Lucky Gods Walk - enjoy finding Japan’s “Shichifukujin” along the lakeside, the Lucky God Shrine featured here is Fukurokuju - pray to him for happiness, wealth & to live a long life!
🔴 Oishi Park - to see those adorable little fluffballs - the red kochia plants & Mt. Fuji, these ones are turning brown now 🍂
🍁 Momiji Tunnel - Mt. Fuji framed with maple leaves, a photographer hotspot!
👘 Itchiku Kubota Art Museum - not as well known yet hugely impressive and a peaceful escape
✨ Light up takes place from sunset to 21:30

For more information on the condition of the leaves check out @fujikawaguchikotourism & the official website 🍂

🚌 Kawaguchiko is an easily accessible day trip from Tokyo by taking the express bus from Shinjuku (takes less than 2 hours)

#kawaguchiko #lakekawaguchiko #mtfuji #fujisan #autumnleaves #chureitopagoda#japantravelguide #momiji #japantrip #momijigari #yamanashi

Kyoto’s most beautiful autumn scenery is coming!

Kyoto’s most beautiful autumn scenery is coming! 🍁

Yusaitei is an absolute must-see for your Kyoto trip, this 150 year old traditional building has inspired novelists & artists alike due to the unforgettable breathtaking scenery surrounding it & mirrored within the villa itself. Beautiful in all seasons but is especially known for its vivid autumn colours 🍁

📍 Yusaitei, Arashiyama, Kyoto
📆 Best to visit mid-late November - early December
🎟️ ¥3000, advanced reservation required - purchase soon directly from their website (English available) as ticket numbers are already getting limited! When I visited, there was also a standby queue but no guarantee on wait time & admission
⚠️ A word of warning - it gets very packed in autumn, even with reservations. You have little time to enjoy the indoor rooms as you are in a line & have to move along like a conveyor belt. However, you can enjoy the outside area leisurely & it is still well worth it in my opinion as it’s a view you’ll never forget🍁

#kyoto #yusaitei #arashiyama #kyotojapan #autumnleaves #autumninjapan #japantrip #kyototrip #kyototravel

Beyond Tokyo - Autumn Ginkgo Guide 💛 If you w

Beyond Tokyo - Autumn Ginkgo Guide 💛

If you wish to escape the crowds of the city, why not take a day trip out to one of Tokyo’s nearby prefectures to see some of most beautiful autumn scenery! If you’re in Tokyo during November to early December, you absolutely must add seeing some ginkgo to your list! ✨

I’ve arranged them roughly in order of closest to Tokyo to farthest (by train from Shinjuku), and a few of the ones towards the end are definitely easier to visit if you have a car 🚗

💛 Yamate Italian Garden, Yokohama, Kanagawa (photo 3, taken 10th December)

✨ Yamashita Park, Yokohama, Kanagawa (photos 4-5, taken 16th November)

💛 Shōjōkōji temple (also known as Yugyōji temple), Fujisawa, Kanagawa (photos 6-7, taken 24th November)

✨ Chichibu Muse Park, Chichibu, Saitama (photos 8-10, visit within the next week as many leaves have fallen but there are still many green trees)

💛 Hodosan shrine, Chichibu, Saitama (photos 11-12, taken on 4th November 2023)

✨ Kunigami Ginkgo & Kunigami Princess Ginkgo, Chichibu, Saitama (photos 13-14, best time usually mid-late November)

💛 Honryuji, Izunokunoshi, Shizuoka (photos 15-17, taken 25th November)

✨ Jotakuji temple, Shimoyama, Yamanashi (photos 1-2)

#japanautumn #japaninautumn #japantravelguide #ginkgo #ginkgotree #autumnleaves #tokyodaytrip #autumnleaves #japantravels

🎃 Tokyo’s Yōkai Parade 👻 Have you heard

🎃 Tokyo’s Yōkai Parade 👻

Have you heard of yōkai? They’re supernatural creatures found in Japanese folklore and they range from being cute, friendly & mischievous to being quite scary & dangerous! 🫣

You can see a range of them parading around at Koenji’s festival 👹 The detail in these costumes was seriously next level and every time I thought I saw my favourite costume another would appear! There must’ve been around 100 or so people dressed up i think! 🤔

Which is your favourite? Mine is the pumpkin monster! 🤭 Happy Halloween! 🎃

🔖 Don’t forget to save for next year, I’ll 100% see you there!

📍 Koenji - this event is part of the Koenji Festival which also includes Japanese pro-wrestling (just as brilliantly bizarre to watch) and Awa-odori dances, something this neighbourhood is famous for too!
📆 Held at the weekend on the end of October (filmed Saturday 26th October 2024)

#yokai #yokaiparade #yokaifestival #tokyotrip #tokyofestival #tokyotravel #onlyinjapan #koenji

🗼 What not to miss in Tokyo - Minato city ✨

🗼 What not to miss in Tokyo - Minato city ✨

One of Tokyo’s 23 cities, Minato city offers so many charming spots that are often missed by many international visitors so let me share with you how to spend a day sightseeing for free in the heart of Tokyo’s trendiest yet traditional area!

🌳 Start your day around the Shiba Park area where you can see Zojoji temple & the most wonderful views of…

🗼 Tokyo Tower - marvel at the iconic symbol of Tokyo, built in 1958 before heading to…

🌃 Azabu-juban - stroll around this cosy neighbourhood to get a slice of Tokyo life or great pizza (some of Asia Pacific’s Top 50 pizza restaurants are here!) 🍕 It’s also the setting for…

🌙 Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon - hunt down the 5 cute manholes dotted around this part of the city! To make it easier for you though, I’ve added the postcode of each one in the reel so add that into Google Maps & voila! ✨

💄 Beni Museum - discover the fascinating history of Beni, a natural cosmetic made from handpicked safflower petals 🌼 Used as a lip rouge & loved by not only geisha but the everyday woman, it amazed me to find out that ~1000 flowers need to be picked to make one pot of beni. Amazing the effort put into the art of this cosmetic!
I love that you get to try it out at the Beni Beauty Salon too 💋 Literally couldn’t believe my eyes seeing it transform from this deep iridescent green colour to a deep red the second you add water, magic! 🪄 The friendly staff can help you apply it or you can try it yourself 💁🏻‍♀️

🛍️ As it’s run by the last remaining Beni shop in Japan, Isehan Honten (the oldest women’s cosmetic company in Japan celebrating their 200 anniversary next year), you can also buy some beni to take away! A truly unique souvenir you can’t buy abroad.

🎟️ What’s more is this museum is completely free to visit & has ipads with multiple languages so you can understand the exhibits with ease 🇬🇧🗣️

🔖 Save for your future Tokyo trip & share with a friend who plans to visit! 🏹

📷 Filmed with permission

#PR #minato #tokyotrip #tokyotokyo #tokyojapan #tokyotravel #tokyotower #prettyguardiansailormoon #japancosmetic

An Autumn Itinerary 🍂 Himeji 🍁 An easy add

An Autumn Itinerary 🍂 Himeji 🍁

An easy add on when travelling between Tokyo & Kyoto is the city of Himeji which becomes even more vibrant during autumn season! Whilst these three sights could be seen in one day, if you can stay overnight you can enjoy a bit more hiking & leisurely exploring of the hilltop temple!

🍁 Koko-en gardens - start off exploring the 9 beautiful gardens themed in the style of the Edo period (1603-1868), one of my all-time favourite Japanese gardens as it has so many koi fish & such unique scenery!

🏯 Himeji castle - Japan’s best preserved & most impressive castle with plenty of maple trees along the river

🍂 Minamiyashiro Park - a 15 minute walk from the castle for an idyllic view (see the cover photo!)

🍁 Shoshazan Engyoji temple - 1000+ years old & featured in the movie The Last Samurai so you might recognise it! ✨
🚃 From Himeji station take a 30 minute bus then the ropeway up to the top of the mountain ⛰️

📆 End of November, early December for 🍁

#engyojitemple #engyoji #shoshazan #himejicastle #himeji #hyogo #japantraveller #japanitinerary #japaninautumn #japanautumn #momiji

3 golden Kyoto spots not to miss this autumn ✨

3 golden Kyoto spots not to miss this autumn ✨

⛩️ Iwato-Ochiba shrine - the “fallen leaf shrine” it has to be the most incredible place to see a ginkgo carpet if you time your visit perfectly

✨ Nishi-Honganji temple - with a huge “upside-down” gingko more than 400 years old with a quirky legend attached to it; it apparently saved the temple from a fire by spraying water from its branches 💦

💛 Higashi-Honganji temple - admire the ginkgos & Kyoto tower from the Founder’s Hall, one of the largest wooden buildings in the world

Do you have any other ginkgo spots you’d add to this Kyoto list? ✨

🚃 Easy to visit all three of these on the same day by public transport! Honganji temples are walking distance from Kyoto station & Iwato Ochiba is a 1 hr 15 minute bus journey 🚌

📆 Kyoto’s ginkgo forecast is set for November 28th (the first day in which most of the tree’s leaves turn yellow)
📸 I took these photos on 20th November of a previous year

#kyoto #kyototravel #autumninjapan #japanautumn #ginkgo #japanesetorii #ginkgotree #イチョウ #iwatoochibashrine #岩戸落葉神社

Spirited Away to Jiufen 🏮 Despite Hayao Miyaz

Spirited Away to Jiufen 🏮

Despite Hayao Miyazaki denying that Jiufen is in the inspiration for the movie Spirited Away, its enchanting atmosphere & striking resemblance has still made it a destination for Ghibli lovers! ✨

Its history of becoming a busier town due the development of the gold mine under the Japanese occupation perhaps explains why the buildings are reminiscent of scenery seen within Ghibli movies 🏮

To be honest with you all though, I didn’t completely enjoy “the Ghibli view” part of Jiufen as it was so incredibly crowded at night to the point I felt quite scared (people complain about Tokyo & Kyoto but Jiufen crowds were something else 😅).

However the daytime view was more magical & I really loved wandering around the whole town, trying street food, shopping along lantern lined streets & having tea overlooking the incredible view so I still highly recommend visiting but perhaps go with more realistic expectations than i did 🤭

Tip! ✨ Visit earlier in the day for less crowds, we arrived at 13:30 & it was much emptier. If possible, stay overnight so you can enjoy the scenery without all the day trippers!

Would you like to visit this Ghibli town? 🏮

✈️ Only a 3.5 hour flight from Tokyo so easy to add on to a Japan trip!

#ghibli #ghiblivibes #spiritedaway #animeinreallife #ghiblifan #jiufen #taiwan #timefortaiwan #taipei #jiufenoldstreet #千と千尋の神隠し #千と千尋

The perfect cosy escape this autumn 🍂 A uniqu

The perfect cosy escape this autumn 🍂

A unique way to authentically experience rural Japan & only 3 hours from Tokyo, at @iizukatei_hotel you can stay in a 200 year old house which is actually designated a National Tangible Cultural Property of Japan! 🇯🇵

Staying there is so much more than just a hotel stay though as the staff go above & beyond helping guests experience local life & connecting with the community by arranging unforgettable experiences from…

🏺 ceramics workshop & factory tour of @koisagoyakifujita located in one of the 100 most beautiful villages in Japan 🇯🇵
🧘‍♀️ practising zazen meditation at Daioji, a local temple
🍶 a tour & tasting of Shiraso Shuzo, the local sake brewery
🥕 farm to table lunch with a local family - if you’re looking for a heartwarming experience with locals in Japan this is it 🥹

& so much more including transport & translating! If you want to stay in a stunning, historic place & experience sustainable tourism supporting a rural community then don’t forget to save for your future Japan trip & share with someone you’d love to visit with! 🔖

📍 Iizukatei, Nakagawa-machi, Tochigi

#iizukatei #iizukateihotel #ruraljapan #tochigi #visittochigi #japanesehotel #japanhotel #ryokan #japaneseculture #japanexperience #nakagawamachi #ryokan #japantrip #japantravel #offthebeatenpath

🍎 Aomori Autumn Guide 🍁 If you’re in Japan

🍎 Aomori Autumn Guide 🍁 If you’re in Japan early November & want to experience the famous kōyō (changing autumn leaves) you must head up to Aomori for some of the earliest autumn scenery! 🍂

🍁 Momijigari - take the @jreast_tohoku_official bus to Sukayu Onsen to enjoy autumn leaf hunting! I recommend giving Jigokunuma Pond a visit & then Manju Fukashi to warm up after. If you’re brave, visit…

♨️ Sukayu Onsen - famously known as the Bath of a Thousand Bathers 🤭 It’s a mixed public onsen but thankfully women can purchase a grey felt dress for ¥1000. I did this, but if I went again, I wouldn’t! It’s so steamy & the water’s cloudy so you’re well hidden! 🧖‍♀️

🏮 Nebuta Wa Rasse Museum @nebuta_warasse - to see the huge, vibrant nebuta (full-sized paper lantern floats that are paraded about in the August festival). You can also take part in haneto dancing & try out taiko drumming!

🍣 Aomori Gyosai Center - to enjoy the local seafood bowl specialty nokkedon 🐠 You purchase tickets at the entrance & then wander around the fish market, exchanging your tickets for fresh seafood to create your own nokkedon! 😋

🍎 A-Factory @afactory_abc - If you say ‘Aomori’ to anyone in Japan, the first thing they’ll think of is apples & this spot’s the place to pick up all your apple flavoured souvenirs, they even have an in-house cider factory for you to enjoy! 🍺 make sure to eat plenty of apple pie too! 🥧

🔖 Don’t forget to save & follow for more Japan travel guides!

🏨 We stayed two nights at JAL @hotel_jal_city_aomori - super convenient location!
📆 this was taken a previous year October 17th-19th, the peak for autumn leaves is said to be 7/11 for yellow leaves & 15/11 for red leaves 🍁
👍 Tip ✨ visit the @aomori_tourist_information center for the latest up to date info on peak autumn spots🍁

#aomori #japaninautumn #autumninjapan #japantravelguide #japanautumn #autumnjapan #aomoriprefecture #japantravel #japantraveller

Tokyo Halloween Guide 👻 😺 Attend one of th

Tokyo Halloween Guide 👻

😺 Attend one of the most unique events of the year in Tokyo, the Bakeneko Parade in Kagurazaka! The parades take place on Sunday October 13th every hour from 13:30-16:30 but there are also dances going on too! Check the official website for more English info! 🐈‍⬛

🎃 Experience Tokyo’s nightlife by dancing the night away at one of the many clubs in Shibuya, Shinjuku or Roppongi 💃 but beware rules are even stricter this year & there’s no drinking on the streets allowed in Shibuya or Shinjuku 🚫

👻 Enjoy Tokyo Disney Resort’s Halloween! The time of year when you can finally dress up as your favourite Disney character 🥰

🎃 Escape the city to a Halloween themed garden 🌳 @yokohama_eg_official is easy to get to from Tokyo & they do so well with their theming each year!

👻 Attend a Halloween themed Afternoon Tea (pictured is @mo_tokyo’s one from a previous year) this year @anaintercontinentaltokyo & grandhyatttokyo’s ones look delicious! 😋

Other ideas not featured in this reel include visiting Ikebukuro for the Cosplay Festival on the last weekend of October & Hello Kitty lovers should add Sanrio Puroland to their list too! ✨

How do you like to spend your Halloween? 👻

#bakeneko #halloweenparade #halloween #thisisjapan #tokyojapan #tokyotravel #tokyotrip #tokyojapan #tokyohalloween #shibuyahalloween

Tokyo’s Golden Autumn Guide ✨ The second aut

Tokyo’s Golden Autumn Guide ✨

The second autumn forecast has been released by the JMC & Tokyo’s golden ginkgo season (aka the best season imo 🤭) date is the 26th November!

I’ve put together some of the best spots in Tokyo for the most gorgeous golden ginkgo so you can easily add them on to your Tokyo travel itinerary! ✨ Don’t forget to save or send to your travel partner! 🏹

✨ Kotokuji Temple (Akiruno)
💛 Marunouchi (Tokyo station area)
✨ Ushijima Shrine
💛 Hibiya Park
✨ Zoshigaya Kishimojin Temple
✨ Zoshigaya Otori Shrine
💛 Roppongi Midtown Garden
💛 Meiji Jingu Gaien
✨ Honryuij Temple
✨ Zenpukuji Temple

💛 = much loved places (busy busy)
✨ = hidden gem

Cannot wait to discover more spots next month! Make sure to follow more Japan travel tips 🇯🇵

#tokyotravel #tokyojapan #tokyotrip #japaninautumn #autumninjapan #autumnintokyo #japantrip #japantravel #tokyotokyo #japanguide

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