Shopping in Japan - Big Brand Stores

January 23, 2014

by Bryce Marley

Today Japlanning are looking at two must stop stores in Japan, Muji and Uniqlo. Both these stores are uniquely Japanese, and have become so successful they have expanded to have stores all over the world, with Muji recently opening their first Australian store, and Uniqlo opening theirs in Melbourne within the next few months. Let's take a look at what these brands offer you, and why they are a must stop shop while visiting Japan.

Both stores started small in Japan and quickly expanded. They both offer quality products that have what you would expect from a Japanese company: great design and quality craftsmanship. But the best part is both also provide great value!

Culture Review - Ikebana, Tea Ceremony and Kimono experience, Tokyo

January 17, 2014

by Bryce Marley

On Japlanning's latest trip to Japan we decided to partake in an afternoon of traditional wears, flower arranging and a Japanese tea ceremony. Read ahead to find out how we found out this unique cultural experience, and how you can experience it yourself.

One of the team here at Japlanning is a florist back home, and naturally had the urge to learn and try her hand at the traditional Japanese art of flower arranging, Ikebana. Oddly enough the other two "must experiences" of this past trip were a traditional tea ceremony and a fitting of a kimono. Well, thanks be to google, we quickly found japanese-culture.jp, a fantastic group who offer amazing traditional, cultural experiences to small groups, across Japan.

Photo Credit - tkysocialevents — Photo Credit - tkysocialevents

Furisodeshon: Coming of Age in Japan

January 13, 2014

by Sam Jarrett

Traveling to Japan over the holiday and new year period can be a very popular time for tourists, especially those looking for a snow adventure. Usually by the start of January, probably due to people's leave limits, people start to leave, but if you stay just a week or so longer, you will get to see something spectacularly beautiful and so uniquely Japanese. Seijin no Hi (or, Coming of Age day, a national holiday) is a special day for young Japanese adults who have recently turned twenty to celebrate reaching maturity.

Each year on the holiday, which is held on the second Monday of January, newly 20-year-olds gather in the early hours of the morning at local council offices to attend a Seijin-shiki, or coming of age ceremony. All Japanese young-adults who are residents in the local area are invited to attend the ceremony, where government officials give speeches on adulthood, and the new responsibilities that their newest adults will now have, before gifts are given as a kind of welcome present.

The best things in life are free - 10 free things to do in Osaka

January 7, 2014

by Bryce Marley

You loved Japlanning's 30 Free in Tokyo (link to post), so now we're moving on down into the Kansai region. Today we're looking at what the budget conscious traveller can experience in the bayside metropolis of Osaka for free. As long as you have the means to travel by train, you can experience everything we have here, all while saving your precious Yen!

Japlanning 101 - Tokyo Tower

December 31, 2013

by Devon Sponheimer

The newly opened Tokyo Skytree has gotten a lot of press, but the original “sky tree” of Tokyo, the Tokyo Tower isn’t something to be missed, especially if you’re traveling on a budget. Offering great views and complimentary entertainment, check out this observation tower on your next trip!

The Tokyo Tower opened in 1958, serving as both a telecommunications tower and a tourist attraction. With it’s striking red and white design, it quickly became an icon in the Tokyo skyline. Although not as tall as the Skytree, the Tower features two observation decks and a shopping center. The main observation deck at 150 meters and the special observation deck at 250 meters. Let’s start by first exploring the tower itself.

Japlanning 101 - Holidays in Japan

December 25, 2013

When Japlanning your trip to the land of the rising sun, one thing many people do not look into is when Japan observes public holidays -- and the other big one: school holidays. Read our guide for the full list of 2014 public and school holidays in Japan!

As for many of us in the world, while we are in festive season, it inevitably means shops closed, as well as many people on holidays, and tourist attractions see increased visits, and sky-high flight prices.