Japan Travel Info

Japan has one of the world's most highly developed transportation systems. The rail service alone covers almost all possible destinations.

In addition, there is a national highway system, and a well developed domestic air service. Buses and taxis provide connections around the clock in the cities, while ferry
boats link Tokyo, Osaka and Kobe with the main ports on Hokkaido and Kyushu.

Japan also offers comprehensive international air service through its three major airlines, Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways and Japan Asia Airways, as well as a host of foreign-based carriers which fly to all corners of the globe.

In Japan there are many different types of Japanese restaurants and most of them specialize in their own types of food. For example, there are restaurants that specialize in serving only the finest Sushi to their customers, those that specialize in Ramen and other noodle dishes, and some that serve only Tonkatsu(deep-fried pork) dishes.

Whatever your taste might be, there is a restaurant in Japan to suit you. If Japanese speciality restaurants don't appeal to you, then visitors will be happy to know that there are places to have a wider menu. Izakaya restaurants focus on the beverage menu and serve small dishes as appetizers and lots of fried foods. Family restaurants are great and serve an assortment of dishes, including Chinese, Western, and Japanese.

Read More...

Matsuri is the Japanese word for a festival or holiday. In Japan, festivals are usually sponsored by a local shrine or temple, though they can be secular. Some festivals have their roots in Chinese festivals but have undergone dramatic changes as they mixed with local customs.

There is no specific matsuri days for all of Japan; dates vary from area to area, and even within a specific area, but festival days do tend to cluster around traditional holidays such as Setsubun or Obon. Almost every locale has at least one matsuri in late summer/early autumn, usually related to the rice harvest.

Japanese Festivals often feature processions which may include elaborate floats. Preparation for these processions is usually organized at the level of neighborhoods.

In the vicinity of a matsuri there are always booths selling souvenirs and food such as takoyaki, and games, such as Goldfish scooping. Karaoke contests, sumo matches, and other forms of entertainment are often organized in conjunction with matsuri.