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Seeking Tranquility: A Guide to Kyoto’s Best Temples & Shrines
Kyoto is a city that is synonymous with ancient history, deep culture, tranquil temples, and perfectly preserved pagodas. The old imperial capital is home to over 1,600 shrines, temples, and gardens...
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Is Japan Expensive?
One of the most common myths about Japan is that it’s incredibly pricey — but is Japan expensive in reality? The truth is, Japan is probably not as expensive as you think! While it may be pricier than...
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Places We Love: Kamakura
Kamakura is a small city about an hour south of Tokyo. Nestled between the mountains and the sea, this charming coastal town has long been a popular choice for relaxing day trips and weekend getaways....
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Japan’s Best Gardens: Tokyo, Kyoto & Beyond
Brilliant maple leaves on a blanket of moss, the murmur of a babbling brook, the moon and mountains as seen in an exactingly raked bed of white gravel. At their best, Japanese gardens are places of...
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When Is The Best Time Of Year To Visit Japan?
Travelers often ask us — When is the best time of year to visit Japan? — and our simple answer is that the best time to visit Japan is whenever you have the chance! Japan is truly a year-round...
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Autumn Colors: A Guide to Visiting Japan in Fall
Autumn is a wonderful time to be in Japan. In my book, fall in Japan outshines spring (and cherry blossom season) for its many delights. For one, the falling temperatures signal the return of...
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Cherry Blossom Season: Our Guide to Spring Travel in Japan
If you’ve ever thought about visiting Japan, you’re probably familiar with the advice that you should “go for cherry blossom season.” The annual blooming of sakura (cherry tree flowers) and...
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Shochu 101: An Introduction To Shochu
In today’s Japan Travel Q&A we answer a question about shochu from Annika in Sweden: “Is shochu Japanese vodka?” Don’t feel like watching a video? Read below for today’s answer! Great question,...
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Getting Around Japan: A Complete Guide to Train Travel
Japan’s railway system, including its world-renowned shinkansen (bullet train), is famously clean, safe, modern, and efficient. But to a first-time visitor, getting around Japan can also seem a bit...
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Whisky in Japan: A Comprehensive Guide
Japanese whisky (it’s spelled whisky, not whiskey, in Japan) no longer needs an introduction. While Japan was traditionally best known for its sake and shochu, in the present day it also has a killer...
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15 Things to Do in Tokyo: A Curated List for 2019
You could spend a lifetime getting to know a megalopolis like Tokyo, and there are so many things you could do when you’re on holiday here. But you might like to try starting with this list. A pastry...
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We’re Hiring an Operations Ninja
Do you love travel and spreadsheets? Boutique Japan is hiring a brilliant, experienced, and incredibly organized Operations Ninja. If you’re ridiculously detail-oriented (some might say a perfectionist...
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25 Amazing Tokyo Sushi Restaurants
For most travelers visiting Japan, a high-end sushi meal is on their culinary bucket list. It’s no surprise—eating sushi in Japan is on an entirely different level from anywhere else! The cult...
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Tokyo 2020: Why We Don’t Recommend Visiting Japan for the 2020 Summer Olympics
Since Japan’s successful bid in 2013 to host the 2020 Summer Olympics, travel to Japan has ramped up — big time. Even before that, however, Japan was fast becoming an attractive travel destination....
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After the Cherry Blossom: Flower-Viewing in Japan
Cherry blossom season is a huge draw for tourists in Japan every year, but their sheer popularity and the resulting crowds can be off-putting. There are so many beautiful flowers, blooms, and iconic...
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Japan Itinerary: The Perfect Two Weeks in Japan
If you’re planning to visit Japan for two weeks, you’re in the right place! Our sample two-week Japan itinerary below includes a unique mix of Japan’s best destinations, from Tokyo to Kyoto and beyond....
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Okinawa Food: 10 Unique Foods You Don’t Want to Miss
It’s often said that Okinawan culture can be summed up by the word chanpuru. In the Okinawan language, it means “something mixed.” Chanpuru is an etymologically interesting word, deriving from the...
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Sumo in Japan: When, Where & How To See Sumo
Sumo is one of Japan’s most well-known sports, and a highly authentic Japanese cultural experience in and of itself. But few would-be travelers to Japan know much about the ancient sport of sumo, so...
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Nara, Japan: A Comprehensive Guide for 2019
Nara is a peaceful and welcoming city that boasts an impressive number of historically and culturally significant sites within its picturesque borders, on top of which it is the proud home of over...
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Japan Packing List: 8 Easy Tips for an Unforgettable Trip
As you prepare for your trip to Japan, you’ve finally turned your attention to your packing list. Fortunately, preparing for Japan can be surprisingly easy, but before you travel make sure to keep...
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