Top Things To Do In Tokyo

Above, finding food at a bargain is easy in Tokyo like this restaurant in Asakusa. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When one is going to Japan on a vacation trip, there are many places to see and things to do around the country.

However, if one is short on time or on a limited budget, just staying in Tokyo is an option. There plenty there to fill the times.

National Geographic posted a list of top 7 things to do in Tokyo or nearby (such as Kamakura).

Above, the Great Buddha of Kamakura. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

They begin it with:

Forget the notion that Tokyo is nothing but a concrete sprawl, neon and crowds—that tells only a small part of the city’s story. From centuries-old festivals and calming gardens to cutting-edge galleries and culture classes, these seven experiences will help you discover the many other sides of Japan’s capital. 

To read more, go here. 

Japan Braces For New Surge In Overtourism

Above, the Great Buddha of Kamakura. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

With the weak yen making Japan travel more attractive, the country is bracing itself for a new surge of overtourism.

It is interesting that ten or more years ago, Japan was trying to get more foreign tourists to visit. Now that they are flocking in, Japan has opened a Pandora's Box. They are having a difficult time in coping with the influx.

This is happening from Kamakura to Kyoto. 

Nikkei Asia posted:

TOKYO -- Major tourist destinations in Japan have been scrambling to prepare for the strain that visitors will put on public transit systems during the upcoming Golden Week holidays, the first since major pandemic restrictions were lifted.

Packed city buses have become a constant in Kyoto. So from April 27 to May 6, the city is calling on riders to make free transfers from the buses to the city-run subway system via special tickets. A rider will need only pay the 230 yen ($1.46) bus fare to take advantage of the service.

In particular, the free subway program aims to decrease the crowding on buses connecting the Kinkakuji temple to Kyoto Station. The route runs through the center of town, and ridership is high even among Kyoto residents alone.

The addition of tourists -- many with bulky luggage in tow -- has led to a critical overcrowding of buses.

For Golden Week, Kyoto is also increasing the frequency of buses connecting Kyoto Station to the Kiyomizudera temple. Buses will make arrivals every three to four minutes. Direct-service buses will launch in June.

To further ease crowding, there will be higher frequencies of buses serving other tourist destinations in Kyoto, such as the Heian-jingu Shrine.

Kamakura, another temple city, has been experiencing a large influx of tourists because it is easily accessible from Tokyo. Crowds of international visitors have milled in front of stations, obstructing foot traffic.

To read more, go here. 

G-TOUR 4 Cancelled

Above, the Great Buddha of Kamakura visited by the first G-TOUR. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

With Japan's restrictions/rules on foreign tourists, it is no surprise that G-TOUR 4 to Japan set for this autumn has been cancelled. 

According to the official G-TOUR website:

We are very sad to announce that this fall’s G-TOUR 4 has been cancelled. Japan’s anti-COVID restrictions on foreign tourists simply won’t allow all the fun, experiences, and opportunities we intended to provide. Thanks to all who signed up, and very sorry for your disappointment.

I have to wonder if Japan enjoys shooting itself in the foot. Despite past and current actions by the Japanese government in combating COVID-19, citizens are still getting infected, although by less lethal variants. The exchange rate of the yen against the dollar and other currencies would be a boon to their economy and foreigners would benefit in getting more yen for their buck. But, they are still being rigid in their approach.

Maybe G-TOUR 4 can be re-scheduled for next year. Only time will tell.

When Will Japan Open To Tourists?

Above, G-TOUR in Kamakura in 2004. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The pressure is mounting on the Japanese government to reopen its borders to foreign tourists. Japan has been closed off to foreign tourism for over two years due to the pandemic.

Now the Japan Times is asking when will Japan reopen its borders to foreign tourists.

They begin with:

More than two years since Japan closed its borders to tourists due to the pandemic, the country is counting the cost. One Kansai University professor puts the loss stemming from the lack of foreign visitors at ¥10.96 trillion in 2020 alone, suggesting that over two years it could be at least ¥22 trillion.

With that in mind, many are asking when Japan will reopen its borders to tourists.

There is growing momentum toward taking that step, with private-sector advisers to a government council urging Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s administration on April 27 to gradually reopen Japan’s borders to international tourists.

“To recover from the substantial decline in foreign tourists, (the government) should resume tourism entries in phases,” said the proposal from business representatives, including the chairman of Japan’s top business lobby, that was submitted to the Council of Economic and Fiscal Policy.

Adding to the sense of loss is the fact that traveling to Japan has become more affordable due to the weakening yen, but the country isn’t able to cash in due to the closed borders.

To read more, go here. 

Travel Insurance For Trips To Japan

Above, yours truly at the Great Buddha of Kamakura during G-TOUR in 2004.

Taking a vacation trip to Japan is down the road, just how far down the road is anyone's guess. Right now, Japan is not allowing any tourism in the country thanks to the pandemic. 

However, when it does reopen to vacation travelers, there's one thing vacationers should consider: travel insurance.

Forbes.com has posted an article on travel insurance for trips to Japan.

I purchased travel insurance for Japan only once, and that was for the 2004 G-TOUR. I've been to Japan eight times total.

When I go again, I will probably purchase travel insurance, given my, um, "advanced age".

Forbes begins their article with:

With so much to see and do, planning a trip to Japan can involve as much research, organization and attention to detail as preparing a chanoyu orchado, the country’s traditional tea ceremony. You likely will include stays in Tokyo and Kyoto to eat world-class cuisine and visit centuries-old temples and perhaps plan to experience the hot springs in Hakone and go white-water rafting on the Oboke Gorge on Shikoku Island.

Make sure to check the current visitor entry requirements for Japan so that you’re prepared for the necessary Covid testing and quarantine requirements.  Also know that buying a travel insurance plan to protect your trip investment is a smart move.

“For virtually any international destination, I would recommend purchasing a travel insurance product that includes coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, trip delay, medical expense, medical evacuation and baggage,” says Scott Adamski, spokesperson with AIG, which offers Travel Guard policies.

While you can buy travel insurance up to 24 hours before you leave, waiting until the last minute means you forgo important benefits.To get the most protection from a travel insurance policy, Adamski recommends you buy coverage within 15 days of the initial deposit date for the trip. That way you can get features that depend on an early purchase date. These include pre-existing medical condition waiver exclusion and “cancel for any reason” coverage.

Here’s what you should consider when buying a travel insurance policy for a trip to Japan.

To read more, go here. 

Kamakura To Tourists: "Stay Away!"

Above, the Great Buddha of Kamakura. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I see stories like the one that follows, it doesn't surprise me that there has been a recent resurgence in coronavirus cases in Japan. Some people are ignoring the declared state of emergency and are visiting tourist spots.

Japan Today reported:

TOKYO - A popular tourist city in Japan urged sightseers on Thursday to refrain from visiting for the time being, due to growing concerns from residents over the potential spread of the coronavirus. 

Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, southwest of Tokyo, has continued to see tourists, despite a state of emergency declared by the Japanese government on April 7 for areas including Kanagawa. 

Under the monthlong state of emergency that covers Kanagawa and five other prefectures including Tokyo and Osaka, residents have been asked to stay home and nonessential businesses to temporarily close. 

In urging tourists not to visit, Mayor Takashi Matsuo told a press conference, "As a tourist spot, it breaks my heart to say this but it's important to prevent the further spread of the virus."

To read more, go here. 

Escape From Tokyo: Day Trip Ideas

Above, the Great Buddha of Kamakura. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those who are visiting Tokyo, Japan and who want to take a day trip or two outside of the city, the Japan Times has some very good suggestions for places to visit that are relatively easy to get to.

They begin with:

In his 1921 book “A Diplomat In Japan,” written during the 1880s, British diplomat Ernest Satow (1843-1929) wrote widely about travel in Japan: How Japanese people traveled, where they stayed, what they ate and what happened during his own travels on the Tokaido (“Eastern Sea Road”) from Tokyo to Kyoto. 

Declaring Japanese people to be “great travellers,” Satow explains: “The booksellers’ shops abound in printed itineraries which furnish the minutest possible information about inns, roads, distances … and other particulars which the tourist requires.” 

To this day travel remains easy, or and fairly well documented. And, with increasing English signage and English-language proficiency of people positioned at traveler hotspots throughout the land, the country has never been more accessible. 

Just as it was in the days of the Gokaido (Five Highways), if Tokyo is where you choose to base yourself for your vacation, or if it is where you live, sightseeing certainly does not have to be limited to the confines of the capital. Ease of travel makes the humble higaeri-ryokō (day trip) from Tokyo definitively doable.

To read more, go here. 

The Best Day Trips From Tokyo

Above, the Great Buddha of Kamakura is only an hour away from Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A visitor to Tokyo, Japan can spend weeks in the city and still not see every tourist attractions and other places. But after a while, a person can tire of roaming the city and needs to get out of the city to see other places.

LearnJapanese123.com has posted an article on the best day trips from Tokyo. Some of places suggested I have been to and agree with their suggestions.

They begin with:

Are you coming to Japan and staying in Tokyo? Thanks to Japan’s convenient public transportation, you can easily make a number of great side trips if you’re using Tokyo as your home base. Get out of the city for a bit and get lost in the beauty of rural Japan – just for a day or two. Here are the best day trips from Tokyo!

To read more, go here. 

Japan's Travel Insurance "Peace of Mind" Campaign

Above, the Great Buddha and travel insurance helped on tour member. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Fifteen years ago (incredible as that may seem) we had a group of 60 travel to Japan with G-TOUR.

Prior to our departure, part of the package offerings included travel insurance. I elected to take out travel insurance coverage, which includes medical emergency coverage. Fortunately, I didn't need it, but still had the "peace of mind" of having it just in case.

One member of our tour group did actually get seriously ill during the trip (during our stop at the Great Buddha of Kamakura) and ended up in a Yokohama hospital for about a month after we returned home. Fortunately for him, he also took out travel insurance coverage. So everything was covered.

Currently, Japan has a campaign to get visitors to get travel insurance for that "peace of mind".

According to an article in Insurance Business ASIA:

As the number of tourists in Japan continues to rise, various government agencies have launched campaigns to promote buying travel insurance, appealing to the tourists’ peace of mind. 

In recent years, there has been a surge in travellers leaving Japanese hospitals with unpaid medical bills, putting pressure on their budgets, Kyodo News reported. A government survey also revealed that close to 30% of inbound tourists did not have any overseas travel insurance.                  

And with the 2020 Tokyo Olympics approaching, the number of travellers to the country is expected to rise even further. 

In response to this, government agencies are taking various actions to encourage foreign travellers to buy insurance. These include placing flyers at tourist information centres in airports and hotels, as well as relying on the scare factor by distributing cards that show the price of the most expensive hospital treatments.

The campaign is more likely to give "peace of mind" to Japanese hospitals, knowing that the visitor has insurance coverage to pay for their services, rather than for the visitor. Still, it is a good idea to get travel insurance. Because, you never know!

To read more, go here.

Savvy Japan: Guide To Kamakura

Above, a visit to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu in Kamakura. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in 2004, the first place G-TOUR visited in Japan after leaving Tokyo by bus was the ancient Japanese capital of Kamakura.

There, we visited the Daibutsu and the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu temple.

Savvy Tokyo has posted a guide to Kamakua with lots of useful information.

They begin it with:

Some of the most breath-taking architecture, art, and ancient culture exists only a short train ride away from the bustling metropolis of Tokyo. What was once Japan's ancient capital has in many ways been frozen in time, waiting to be discovered. 

Head south out of Tokyo on the train and you’ll find yourself in Japan’s second largest by population city, Yokohama, within minutes. Head further south again and suddenly you’ll emerge into an ancient town of Buddhist temples, bronze statues, gardens, and ocean views. A trip to Kamakura is one of the best ways to spend a weekend away from the deafening roar of Tokyo life. Home to its very own bamboo groves and historic shrines, Kamakura is very much the Kyoto of the East, with as much charm and beauty as can be found in its more famous counterpart.

To read more, go here.

Japan Surveying "Overtourism"

Above, Kyoto's Kinkaku-ji "Golden Pavilion". Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan's campaign to boost tourism numbers is working. The numbers of foreign tourists have doubled over the past few years.

But this has caused some problems with local citizenry in such places as Kyoto and Kamakura with tourist overcrowding.

The Japanese government is conducting a survey on "tourist pollution".

The Japan Times reported:

Japan is launching its first survey on “overtourism,” or the phenomenon of a popular destination becoming overrun with tourists in an unsustainable way, to counter nuisances such as noise and congestion that disrupt local residents’ lives, according to officials. 

The Japan Tourism Agency aims to compile a report by the end of March based on a survey of municipalities with major tourists spots, and to explore ways to foster environments where tourism can coexist with residents’ lives amid a surge in foreign visitors to the country. 

The agency has already sent questionnaires to around 50 local governments and will start a further survey of another 150 or so before the end of October. 

Tourism-related problems occur during peak seasons at popular sites such as the ancient cities of Kyoto and Kamakura, with commuter traffic affected by severe congestion on trains and buses.

To read more, go here. 

Condé Nast: 5 Best Day Trips From Tokyo

Above, the Great Buddha of Kamakura. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those who are vacationing in Tokyo, but may want to take a day trip or two out of the city, Condé Nast Traveler has five suggestions on where to go in their article, "5 Best Day Trips From Tokyo".

They begin with:

Chill out and catch some surf in Kamakura; bathe in the mountainside hot springs of Hakone; visit the shrines and temples of Nikko (almost as impressive as the old-growth trees around them); pick up some pottery in the low-key artist town of Mashiko; or check out how American and Chinese influences have been absorbed into Japanese culture in the port town of Yokohama. Thanks to Japan’s fantastic infrastructure, all of th​ese day trips can be reached by train​.​ ​B​ut if you’re ambitious, a rental ​car ​​is the best way to see Mashiko's hidden cafes and Nikko​'s scenic lakes ​(pick it up at Utsunomiya station and eat some gyoza while you’re there). Ready to plan it? Read on for our guide on where to go, where to stay, what to see and what to do five of our favorite day trips from Japan.​

To read more, go here.

Japanese Rail At Tourists' Bad Manners

Above, the Great Buddah of Kamakura. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whether one is visiting someone's home or visiting another country, it is always desirable to be on one's best behavior and remember their manners. After all, they are guests.

The influx of foreign tourists to Japan has caused fiction for the local residents. This is being called "tourism pollution". Many of these visitors are clueless on local customs and etiquette and have displayed bad manners.

The National Post reported:

Japan’s traditional sense of “omotenashi”, meaning wholeheartedly looking after guests, is wearing thin. 

Residents of many of the nation’s must-see tourist spots are increasingly expressing their frustration at loud and disrespectful foreigners, crowded public transport and poor etiquette among visitors. 

Tourism has surged, and ahead of the Rugby World Cup next year, followed by the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, there is a growing worry that the pretty cobbled streets and ornate temples tourists flock to — as well as the train and bus networks — will be unable to take the numbers.

The problem has become so bad in some cities, such as the ancient capitals of Kyoto and Kamakura, that local people are complaining to the authorities about “tourism pollution”.

To read more, go here. 

News From JAPANiCAN

Above, the Great Buddha of Kamakura. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Due to a technical glitch, the latest from JAPANiCAN cannot be correctly displayed.

The latest are deals on daytrips from Tokyo to such places as Mt. Fuji, Kamakura, Hakone, Nikko and others.

To view their offerings, go here.

Use A Smartphone For Free In Kanagawa

Above, the Great Buddha of Kamakura. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan has always manages to come up with ideas that will attract tourists and they've done it again.

Japan Today reported:

Tokyo - While Tokyo undoubtedly deserves a spot on any Japanese travel itinerary, you’re really doing yourself a disservice if you skip Kanagawa Prefecture, the capital’s neighbor to the south. Within Kanagawa you’ll find the temples and Great Buddha statue of the coastal town of Kamakura, plus the stunning Mt. Fuji views and hot springs of onsen resort Hakone. There’s also Yokohama, Japan’s second-largest city, which boasts not one but two ramen museums, a gorgeous harbor district, and annual Pikachu parades. 

And as of February, there’s yet another reason to include Kanagawa in your Japan travel plans. If you’re a visitor from overseas, the prefecture will give you a smartphone to use, free of charge, to help you better enjoy your time there.

To read more, go here. 

Tokyo Cheapo's Kamakura Mega Guide

Above, the Great Buddha of Kamakura. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Visitors to Japan, and Tokyo in particular, who have limited amounts of time but would also like to venture out of the metropolis, then a day trip to Kamakura is something to consider.

I visited Kamakura during the first G-TOUR in 2004. Two of the places we stopped at were the Great Daibutsu and the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine.

Tokyo Cheapo has posted their "mega guide" on Kamakura that focuses on 7 historical sites.

They start with:

Whether you want a day of hiking from shrine to temple through beautiful mountains and valleys, a day at the beach or a stroll around a bustling town with its fair share of culture, Kamakura (just south of Tokyo) is perfect. A long-ago political capital alongside Nara and Kyoto, Kamakura shares many of the traditional features and is a great place to get your taste of ancient Japan if you can’t reach Kansai. 

Once a great fortress town thanks to the surrounding mountains and open sea, it is now  thriving city filled with quaint shopping streets, stunning temples and peaceful shrines, along with the famous Buddha of course. With a history of inhabitants stretching back 10,000 years, Kamakura developed into the political capital of medieval Japan and was the site of numerous battles, mainly during the Kamakura period, which ended in 1333 with a brutal siege. The city originally had 7 entrances, also known as the seven mouths of Kamakura, but has since been opened up with roads and tunnels for a more city-like feel, and less of a battlefield stronghold. These days there is plenty to explore for everyone, but we have listed a few ideas for a great day in one of our favorite cities!

Another nice thing about Kamakura, it is not too far from Yokosuka, where the Godzilla slide is located at the Kurihama Flower World.

The article also has information on getting to Kamakura from Tokyo.

To read more, go here.

Unknown Tourist Destinations In Japan

Above, the Great Buddha of Kamakura. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Many, if not most, kaiju fans are very familiar with the attractions Japan has to offer, even ones that have not been featured in a monster movie.

A survey of Western tourists found that there are quite a number of attractions, man-made and natural, are relatively unknown to them.

According to Travel + Leisure:

According to a recent report by the global consulting firm McKinsey and Company, some of Japan's most stunning destinations remain relatively unknown to Western tourists. 

The firm recently published an assessment that included results from a survey conducted this April, which asked 3,077 Western tourists whether they knew of 36 attractions in Japan. 

Sights included a mix of natural and cultural attractions, beaches, entertainment spaces, and shopping venues often cited in guidebooks and considered "major destinations" by residents. 

The places mentioned in the Travel + Leisure article I am personally familiar with. Some of which I have been to already.

To read more, go here.

Explore Japan's History In Kamakura

Above, the Great Buddha of Kamakura. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in 2004, the first G-TOUR headed out of Tokyo and made a stop in Kamakura. While in Kamakura, the tour group visited Tsurugaoka Hachimangū and the Great Buddha.

Malay Mail Online has an article on things to see and do in Kamakura.

They start it with:

TOKYO, Aug 11 ― Vibrant, fast-paced Tokyo is renowned the world over, but visitors in Japan looking for a more laid-back destination can head to the seaside town of Kamakura. 

Just a 45-minute train ride from Tokyo via the JR Yokosuka line, Kamakura was recommended by my Japan-based relatives. It was a good way to gain a perspective of Japan’s samurai-steeped history, they said. 

Kamakura was the political centre of Japan some 800 years ago, hence the many shrines dedicated to Japanese deities.

To read more, go here.

New Shiba Park Hotel To Open August 1

Above, the Shiba Park Hotel in 2004. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in 2004, G-FAN magazine organized the first G-TOUR.

The tour visited Tokyo, Koriyama, Kamakura, Hiroshima, Atami, Hakone, Kyoto and Osaka. During its Tokyo portion, the tour was housed in the Shiba Park Hotel, which is within walking distance of Tokyo Tower.

The Shiba Park Hotel is no more and a new facility constructed on the site is set to open August 1.

Japan Today reported:

TOKYO —Shiba Park Hotel will be opening Shiba Park Hotel 151, its new facility, currently under construction on the hotel’s original site, on Aug 1, 2016. 

Shiba Park Hotel is easily accessible from Haneda and Narita airports and is located near Zojoji and Tokyo Tower, symbolic of Tokyo. The hotel consequently has a high proportion of foreign guests, with the average accommodation rate rising to 71% in 2015. 

In order to create a hotel mainly targeting international tourists whose numbers are expected to increase further, the main building of the Shiba Park Hotel which had hosted many guests since 1960 is now under construction. It is due to re-open as the Shiba Park Hotel 151. 

Based on the concept “Hospitality from the moment you book”, Shiba Park Hotel 151 151 offers services to provide Japanese inn-style hospitality.

To read more, go here.

To see what the new facility will look like, go here.

5 Places To Visit In Kamakura

Above, the Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu Shrine. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in 2004, the first G-TOUR visited Kamakura and the group visited the Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu Shrine and the Great Buddha.

Inside Japan Tours Blog has posted tips on five places to visit in Kamakura.

They begin with:

Inside Japan tour leader Brian is based in Tokyo, but finds time as often as possible to visit one of his favourite places in Japan – the coastal town of Kamakura. Kamakura is an easy day trip from Tokyo and offers a winning combination of historical sites, pretty hiking trails and a very pleasant beach – which is why it’s often included in our best-selling itineraries! Here, Brian gives his top five tips on what to do in the city. 

To see the top five places in Kamakura, go here.