All posts tagged "Around Japan"

  • Going Sakura viewing? You’ll love these family friendly spots

    PLEASURE FOREST Pleasure Forest photo by Sagamiko Resort   Weekdays 9:30 am – 4:30 pm Sat/Sun/Hol 9am – 5pm Fees: Adults 1,700 yen Kids/Senior 1,000 yen Attraction: Giant amusement Park 1M Sakura trees 5M led lights for...

    • Posted March 11, 2015
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  • January in Japan

    While December 31st’s traditional bell ringing ritual (joyanokane) is believed to detox man of his 108 worldly desires, January is the opposite. January is the payday of Japanese children. It’s the time of the year when every...

    • Posted January 22, 2015
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  • November weekend getaway

    Late November is a good time to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and take the train to Mount Takao for some koyo (autumn foliage) viewing and hiking. Just one and a...

    • Posted November 10, 2014
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  • Harry Potter Park

    Wizarding Wonderland Harry Potter is Japan’s latest resident, having been giving the Abe endorsement, the third theme park to open based on JK Rowlings boy wizard will open this month in Osaka’s Universal studios Japan and promises...

    • Posted July 12, 2014
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  • The Children’s Nature Park (Asahi ku) and Yokohama Municipal Nogeyama Zoo (Nishi-ku)

    The Children’s Nature Park (Asahi Ku) and Yokohama Municipal Nogeyama Zoo (Nishi Ku) is a great weekend family escape. The petting zoo offers a place where children can interact with a breed of small animals such as...

    • Posted April 9, 2014
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  • Hamagin Children Space Science Center

    A 5-storey science center for children that resembles a giant spaceship, the Hamagin children Space Science Museum offers a wide range of hands-on activities including a Space theatre that makes your stargazing experience feel and look real....

    • Posted April 7, 2014
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  • Yokohama Yoshimoto Aquarium (Omoshirosuizokukan)

    Fun and educational, the Yoshimoto Aquarium is home to 10,00 fishes of 400 different aquatic species, divided into age-appropriate zones. 15 zones belong to the Omoshirosuizokukan  for elementary age children and 11 for babies and toddlers (Akachan...

    • Posted April 7, 2014
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  • Zoorasia

    It has been 15 years since Zoorasia started in Japan. This 50-hectare zoo houses more than 1,500 creatures of over 150 species. Spend a magical day full of sightings of tropical birds, rare animal species from Humboldt...

    • Posted April 1, 2014
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  • An Outdoor adventure in Tarzania

    Looking for family adventure?  Tarzania seems to top the adventure seeker’s  list of places to go to.  It is more than just child’s play. Over half of its visitors are adults only.  There are two main courses...

    • Posted March 5, 2014
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  • Hot Feat

    Fancy something different to the usual stroll in the park then head for Mt. Takao to the annual fire walking festival, Hiwatari-sai. Held at Yakuoin temple set on Mt.Takao, marvel at the Yamabushi monks as they walk...

    • Posted March 3, 2014
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  • Uma no Hakubutsukan (Equine Museum of Japan)

    What better way to prepare for the imminent arrival of the year of the horse than a visit to a horse museum. Located in the Negishi Racecourse’s former site, the Uma no Hakubutsukan is a fantastic place...

    • Posted January 1, 2014
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  • Snowpacked fun at Minakami kogen

    Gunma prefecture’s Minamikami Ski Resort  packs some serious fun activities for families with young kids this winter.  Whether you are a skater, snowboarder, skiier or simply a curious spectator, the resort has something for everyone to help...

    • Posted January 1, 2014
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  • Family Skiing in Nagano

    Looking for ski and snowboard day trips?  Click here. Nozawa Onsen Village   Located up north Nagano prefecture,  Nozawa is both a ski and onsen resort. It gets packed during the winter season with major skiing and snowboarding...

    • Posted December 16, 2013
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  • The Purr-fect solution

    Landlords commonly say no to tenants with pets.   That’s not to say that the Japanese are indifferent to animals.  After so many years of  renting apartments in Japan, I have come to understand that properties vacated by...

    • Posted November 7, 2013
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  • Meet Japan’s 2020 Olympics Venue

    The 49-year old National Stadium of Japan built for the 1964 Olympic Games is scheduled to undergo a total makeover under the skillful hands of London based firm, Zaha Hadid Architects.   The architectural firm beat out 10...

    • Posted September 21, 2013
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  • Tokyo German Village

    Tokyo German Village Sometimes, all you need to cool off in the summertime are wide-open spaces. And nestled in nearby Chiba, the Tokyo German Village offers just that. The spacious park and farm is a charming recreation...

    • Posted June 17, 2013
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  • Mother Farm

    Mother Farm A breath of fresh air awaits at Mother Farm, where animal lovers will feel just at home. Here, visitors get to interact with many of our four-legged friends: bunnies merrily hop and guinea pigs scurry...

    • Posted June 17, 2013
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  • Yokohama Zoorasia

    Yokohama Zoorasia The scorching sun can instill a desire to venture out into the Savannah and see the wildlife in their habitat. But seeing as packing up and flying to African jungles isn’t a possibility for many,...

    • Posted June 17, 2013
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  • Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise

        Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise If you prefer your aquatic ventures with interaction with nature, then Hakkeijima Sea Paradise is the heaven you’ve been waiting for. Penguins, dolphins, polar bears, turtles, and many other stars of...

    • Posted June 17, 2013
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  • Toshimaen Pool

    Toshimaen Pool Another water park that’s a hit with the locals is amusement park giant Toshimaen’s aquatic establishment – and it’s no question why! In addition to the seemingly endless array of pools ranging from kiddie and...

    • Posted June 17, 2013
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  • The sun is out and the outdoors beckon!

      Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise If you prefer your aquatic ventures with interaction with nature, then Hakkeijima Sea Paradise is the heaven you’ve been waiting for. Penguins, dolphins, polar bears, turtles, and many other stars of marine...

    • Posted June 17, 2013
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  • Monkey see, monkey do

      Since the advent of text messaging, I have had many conversations with my daughters while they were only half listening, half present. They could send and receive a text, check their e-mails, and scroll through Facebook,...

    • Posted December 1, 2011
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  • Let it snow!

    It's a week before the New Year's holiday at a ski resort in Japan's northernmost island of Hokkaido. The setting stirs my senses: soaring conifers, birches with pale trunks, cold odorless air, and popular music...

    • Posted December 1, 2011
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  • Day trippers to Mother Farm

    With warmer temperatures felt all over the country from the last week of February, there is no doubt that spring has arrived. My family’s first outdoor experience in Japan happened a month after arriving here last year....

    • Posted February 28, 2011
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  • Sento: the art of Japanese bathing

    Photo © Elena Derevtsova   Long before you could pop into a day spa for a little bit of respite from the daily grind, and way before Tokyo Gas was able to heat the water for your...

    • Posted October 24, 2010
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  • Suica or Pasmo: what’s the difference?

    How do more than 14 million people get around Tokyo each and every day? Well, most commute by bus, train, and subway, or some combination thereof.  But what are our payment options when using these methods of...

    • Posted August 30, 2010
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  • Shore ’nuff

    Photo © Elena Derevstova   There have been few places in Japan that could really satisfy my family’s often irreconcilable definitions of a “good vacation”. The mountainous Izu peninsula, a few hundred kilometers from Tokyo, did exactly...

    • Posted February 27, 2010
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  • Mystical Miyajima

    An hour south of the city of Hiroshima, the tiny island of Miyajima sits majestically in a curve of Japan’s Inland Sea. Easily accessible as a day trip from Hiroshima or on a weekend away from Tokyo’s...

    • Posted March 30, 2009
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  • Going Dutch

    A little piece of Europe on our doorstep!

    • Posted June 30, 2008
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  • Back to basics

    Getting your feet wet

    • Posted June 1, 2008
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