Arrive in Japan and it’s likely your first port of call will be Tokyo. Days spent exploring Japan’s capital could turn into decades and you still couldn’t cover it all, so at some point, it’s time to move to your next destination.

For the vast majority of travelers, this means moving on to one (or all) of the three major cities that make up the Kansai prefecture: Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe.

It’s tempting to take a bullet train straight from Tokyo to Osaka, taking in a view of Mount Fuji as you pass by—sit on the right side of the train if this is your plan—but what if you have the luxury of a little more time to explore?

My purpose here is to try and convince you that a whole world of unique experiences awaits you from Tokyo to Kansai, and that it’s not as expensive to explore as you might think.

So embrace the art of slow travel, extend your budget as far as possible, and try to visit at least one of these 6 unique locations, none of which are among Japan’s top 10 visited places, but all of which have something unique to recommend them.

A couple of quick travel hacks to help extend your budget as you explore all that’s hidden between Tokyo to Kansai!

• Get a JR Rail Pass. Seriously, this is the best decision you’ll ever make if you’re taking more than a couple of train journeys. They allow access to all bullet train routes as well as other major train routes and some buses. Plus, once you’ve picked up the passes then you’ll never have to queue for tickets again and can breeze through even the busiest stations.

• Don’t be afraid to go super-budget on accommodation. Japan is an extremely clean, safe and respectful society and people tend to take a high level of satisfaction in providing excellent service, so you’ll be able to go dirt-cheap and still have a great experience.

1. Toyama

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Toyama is quite an industrial city and arguably lacks some of the charms of other locations in the area. However, its distinct coastal topography makes it the home to a unique natural phenomenon that is not to be missed.

Between March and June each year, thousands of bioluminescent squid are washed up in Toyama Bay, turning the shoreline a vivid electric-blue. Timing this can be tricky, so instead, fishermen will take you out on their boats where you can see the squid teeming below.

You’ll have to be up early to catch the boat, but as one of the only places on Earth you can see this phenomenon, it’ll be well worth seeing while exploring from Tokyo to Kansai.

2. Snow Monkey Park

The town of Yudanaka is built around volcanic springs whose waters the locals use as public baths called Onsen.

Stay in Yudanaka, or nearby Shibu-Onsen, as we did, and you’ll be able to get a taste of this local ceremony for yourself. Take a public bath with the residents—nudity often required, tattoos need to be covered—or hire a private bath for a more intimate experience.

About a 30 minute walk away lies some open-air Onsen that has been deserted by humans and has been taken over by the macaques that live on the mountain slopes.

Visit in Winter and you’ll be able to witness the unique animal behavior of monkeys bathing in the steaming waters. Visit in Spring or Summer and they’re likely to be playing than bathing; in Autumn they tend to retire back into the forest, so keep this in mind when planning your trip.

3. Takayama

Located in the Japanese Alps, Takayama is a medium-sized town noted for its skiing, cycling and excellent Hida Beef, a rival to the more famous Kobe Beef in taste and quality.

However, there’s one thing here that’s truly unique. Ever heard of a spiritual organization called Sukyo Mahikari? Nor had we, but it has centers all over the world and its heart is in Takayama, which hosts a huge golden temple known as the “World Shrine”.

Photography is not permitted inside but visitors are welcomed and the interior is unlike any building I’d ever been in before. Think being inside a huge tortoiseshell with an aquarium for an altar and you’re somewhere near it.

Sukyo Mahikari emphasizes using spiritual gifts to promote healing, and many adherents believe in being able to project healing rays from the palms of their hands. The building and their beliefs may be unfamiliar but I can say we were warmly welcomed despite being the only visitors, so why not go and see for yourself?

4. Shirakawago

Located in a harsh and remote mountainous terrain, this traditional village is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its fame is worldwide. This makes it perfect stop while slowly traveling from Tokyo to Kansai.

This rests upon the picturesque thatched houses with their steep roofs designed to combat the heavy snowfall. These houses are said to resemble two hands lifted in prayer by the roughly 1,500 villagers who still live in these stunning surroundings.

Shirakawago is also famed for its unusual saké making process. A fresh batch is brewed in the village almost daily and has a taste unlike any other in Japan. Top tip: if you take a short walk to the museum on the outskirts of the village they offer free bowls of fresh saké to visitors.

However, what makes this place truly unique is that when the tourists leave, you don’t have to. A few of the houses have been turned into small bed and breakfasts called “Ant Hills” and can be reserved on popular hotel booking sites.

What could be better than watching the tourists leave and settling in with the locals, enjoying the silence of the mountains and the perfectly clear night sky? The price is very affordable but space is obviously limited, so try to book early.

5. Gujo Hachiman

Gujo Hachiman is off the tourist trail but your journey to get there will be as memorable as the town itself.

Mino-Ota Station is your gateway to the scenic Nagara Railway, a single-carriage train that cuts through lush green mountains following the meandering of the eponymous river. Stop at the town of Seki to visit the home of Japan’s most famous swordsmiths—as well as centuries-old Katana they also exhibit a sword shaped like a lightsaber—or continue straight to Gujo.

Gujo is known as the water city and if you visit in summer you’ll be able to swim in its crystal-clear waters with the locals. Marvel as the local youth test their mettle by jumping off one of the town’s bridges, but don’t be tempted to join them—it’s not safe unless you know where the rocks are below.

What makes the town unique is the way the waters have been channeled through the streets, allowing colorful koi carp to swim alongside the pavements and through the gutters around your feet.

6. Nara

Your last stop during your exploration from Tokyo to Kansai, Nara is situated near Osaka and Kyoto and is a must-see.

Nara was the capital of Japan for around 80 years until it was moved to Kyoto in 794 AD. As a result, it plays host to some of the most spectacular ancient architecture in all of Japan, most notably the Tōdai-ji Temple, home of the world’s largest wooden Buddha.

Despite this, Nara remains relatively untouched compared to its more illustrious neighbors and so is a perfect destination for those seeking a little calm and charm.

What makes the city unique is the deer that wander through the streets. Vendors sell crackers to feed the deer and if you hold the crackers at shoulder height the deer have learned to bow in order to receive their treat.

Japan is a country where a great many people place emphasis on living harmoniously with nature. There is evidence of success all over the country, but when you see deer taking a pedestrian crossing like it’s the most normal thing in the world, it feels like something that could only happen in Japan and you have to stop and think what a truly wonderfully unique country this is.

Here is what our 6 recommendations from Tokyo to Kansai would look like as a road trip!

So why not take the scenic route by traveling slowly from Tokyo to Kansai? Or, alternatively, why not check out these 6 truly amazing temples & shrines in Kyoto?

The post 6 Unique, Once-In-A-Lifetime Experiences On The Road From Tokyo To Kansai appeared first on Modern Trekker.

More importantly, have you ever wished there was a place you could go and be accepted for the beautiful, strong and enigmatic geek that you are? Well, what if we told you that this place not only exists but is yours for the visiting. Welcome, friends, to the geeky glory that is Tokyo. Here begins a list of nerdy things to do in Tokyo, Japan’s amazing capital.

1. Robot Restaurant

Do we need to say anymore? Probably not, but we’re going to anyway, because a Robot Restaurant is definitely something worth talking about. Part cabaret, part techno music and all robot, this show is a highlight of anyone’s visit to Japan. Confusingly this experience is much more robot than restaurant with some deals offering the food section of the evening in a different venue altogether. We suspect they assume visitors are more excited about the robots than the dinner. And ticket sales suggest they might be right. It’s for this reason we recommend booking well ahead of time as these tickets sell out fast!

2. Real Life MarioKart

This activity has already been covered in depth elsewhere on our site but it’s just too awesome not to mention. Japan is an amazingly clean, courteous and careful country. Which makes it even more amazing that it’s also the only place where you can dress up as Mario, put on a themed onesie and drive a glorified Go-Kart around the streets of Tokyo.

As in real streets.

Where normal people are going about their daily lives.

And are possibly not expecting to see a life-size Bowser scoot past them in a tiny car.

If you’ve ever played Mario Kart, you’ll love this; if you’ve never played Mario Kart—well you’ll probably still love i, because it’s just really good fun to go whizzing by Tokyo tower in a Princess Peach costume.

3. Grab a snack at the Pokemon café

Phew, are you exhausted from all that scooting around? You deserve a sit down and some kind of delicious sustenance. But where could you go that satisfies both your hunger and unquenchable desire for character based snacks? Look no further than the recently opened Pokemon Café. Pikachu omelettes, Eevee burgers and Jigglypuff cheesecakes are all on offer. Too cute to eat!

…almost.

4. Visit an Arcade

Item 4 on our list of nerdy things to do in Tokyo won’t even require a special trip, as you can do this by popping into any of the plethoras of Arcades around Tokyo. The assault on your senses as you enter is both astounding and exhilarating. Lights, noise and color all compete for your attention as you can choose from a vast array of arcade games. Once you’ve had your fill of dancing games and train driver simulators, we recommend simply watching some of the hardcore gamers play their favorite machines. Nothing makes you feel amazed at other’s abilities and ashamed of your own more than watching a teenager on Guitar Hero.

No, I mean really seriously.

5. Get your food delivered by a tiny train

Niagara Curry restaurant in Tokyo is the result of one man’s love of trains. This Meguro based restaurant was created by an avid train fan and memorabilia collector. As a result, not only are the walls full of fascinating train trinkets but your food is delivered to you by a mini SL-train. If you want to ramp up the experience even more, try and time your visit to coincide with when the owner is around as he will hand out authentic train hats and pose for selfies with happy punters.

6. Visit the Ghibli Museum

If you’re at all interested in Japanese culture, chances are that you’ve watched a Ghibli flick or two. Whether it’s the breath-taking animation, deliciously depicted food or just the charming and captivating storylines, Studio Ghibli’s films have been delighting audiences for over 30 years. At the Ghibli Museum, you can see exhibits relating to the movies, watch clips and then relax in their rooftop garden. There’s also a play area for kids. Although when watching a Studio Ghibli film, aren’t we all kids really?

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7. Buy a hat for your cat

One of the most impressive things Japan has managed to achieve is creating photos of cats wearing hats, and not looking like they’re about to scratch the living daylights out of the photographer.

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I mean, just look at it. Do you know even one single cat that would let you put this hat on it? Let alone then pose for a photo.

However, if you do know of such a cat then you should definitely take all your change and head to the nearest Gachapon machine—a vending machine which dispenses capsule toys—and put all your money in it until you find the perfect cat banana hat.

If felines dressed as fruit isn’t your thing, that’s not a problem. How about as flowers? Or vegetables? Or bunnies? Or Christmas trees? Or bears? Or squirrels? Or…

And that’s our list of nerdy things to do in Tokyo! But Tokyo is a massive place—have we missed any out? Send us a Howler or reply in the comments to let us know.

Suggested next reading: Real Life Mario Kart In Tokyo: Everything You Need To Know

The post 7 Nerdy Things To Do In Tokyo That Are SO Much Fun appeared first on Modern Trekker.

So Many Rules!

I’ve remembered not to rest my chopsticks upright in my rice (it’s associated with funeral rites), not to eat and walk at the same time, and definitely to remove my shoes before entering people’s homes.

Japan is a land of many rules and complex social etiquette. Is this sometimes taken too far? Well, possibly.

One bottle of shampoo warned that if we wanted to use it to drink from then we should remove the contents first. Got it, thanks. Smokers are also reminded not to jab cigarette ends into children’s faces, which, if anything, just made me do it even more.

However, I’m not complaining. Most of these rules combine to create a highly ordered, efficient public life, and more importantly, help foster a healthy respect for others.

Sure, there can be a little anxiety involved in observing so many social mores, but once you’ve got your head around it all it can be quite nice to know exactly what’s expected of you and what you can expect of others. Still, it can feel like a lot to remember at times.

Wait…What?

 

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Which is why it’s especially surreal to be among traffic on a busy Tokyo highway, dressed as Bowser and sitting in a Mario Kart.

We’ll wind our way through the fashionable streets of Roppongi, bobbing and weaving between taxis, trucks and motorbikes, then around the breath-taking site of Tokyo Tower, before making our way through the bustling Shibuya district and its iconic crossing.

The sun is shining and everywhere we go people wave at us. Not just tourists and children, but adults too: salarymen in suits, construction workers, shopkeepers, everyone seems happy to see a group of Pokémon and Mario characters fly past on Go-Karts.

It genuinely seems to brighten their day, and we feel like minor celebrities too, waving back and posing for photos as if we actually were the cast of Mario Kart.

But one thought keeps going through my mind: “how can I be allowed to do this?”

Imagine trying the same idea in London or Rome; I wouldn’t even know where to start. I know where it would finish: sitting in a bar telling your friends about the ridiculous business idea you just had rejected by the council.

And even if you did get it to work, I’m not really sure how many tourists would want to risk their necks for a few hours’ fun. A Canadian chap we met said there was no way he would try this in Toronto and I think I’d feel the same way about doing it in my home city, too.

Rules Are Fun Now

Paradoxically though, it’s precisely the ordered efficiency of Japanese life that allows us to Mario Kart in Tokyo whilst feeling just as natural as surreal.

 

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On our trip, nobody switched lanes unexpectedly or cut us up; no-one honked or harassed us; nobody tried to run the lights and we didn’t hit any traffic jams, even at peak time.

Driving in Tokyo is so ordered that it makes an experience like this not only possible but pleasurable. I can’t think of any cities outside Japan where this would work so well. So, as much as Mario and Pokémon now belong to a modern age with a shared iconography, there is something about this experience that remains uniquely and authentically Japanese.

Mario Kart In Tokyo Tips

In the spirit of “rules are fun now”, here are some things you will and won’t be able to do on your trip:

YES: Eat a banana

NO: Throw a banana at a family vehicle (sadly Tokyo is yet to install Item Boxes on its streets)

NO: Drift across lanes of traffic

YES: Drift off. There are plenty of traffic lights where you can take a break to daydream. Don’t worry about falling into a deep sleep, however. Other motorists will inform you if this happens.

YES: See Tokyo

NO: See all of Tokyo. The city is so huge that you can only cover a small part of it, so research first and choose your desired area carefully (more details below).

NO: Aggressively overtake other karters just like you do when playing the real Mario Kart (safety first)

YES: Allow them to pass you slowly, in a spirit of gentle camaraderie

How To Actually Do It

Hopefully, my guide has persuaded you to Mario Kart in Tokyo…if so then you’ve made the right decision, friend!

So, are you ready to live the dream and become Mario or Pikachu? Perhaps you’ll opt to disappoint your mother even more and become Luigi?

Whatever you decide, we’d strongly recommend booking with MariCAR. They were excellent throughout our trip and I was particularly impressed with our guide, Hiro, who wasn’t just friendly and funny but also gave clear instructions on how to stay safe and checked with us all regularly to make sure we were happy and keeping up.

Perhaps life as a Mario Kart guide has simply taught him to remain cautious when in 1^st place? No-one likes a blue shell, after all.

MariCAR operates different routes through Tokyo, starting at Shinagawa, Asakusa, Shibuya or the Tokyo Bay area. There are a variety of lengths, of course, open to suit different budgets but the average price is about 9,000 Yen per person.

More Info

You can choose to see the city in the daytime, as we did, or take the night course for added drama. As well as choosing your character costume—genuinely one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made—they also have a range of products you can choose to rent to enhance your experience.

A GoPro is always handy, there are music speakers for the terminally conspicuous, or a fake mustache for the…people who don’t have mustaches.

For travelers who aren’t able to Mario Kart in Tokyo, MariCAR also has branches in Osaka, Okinawa and Yokohama.

Let’s a-go!

 

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FULL DISCLOSURE: We have no financial incentive to promote MariCAR, and other similar tour operators exist. Our recommendation comes entirely from the writer’s personal experience.

Suggested next reading: 6 Temples & Shrines In Kyoto That Will Cure Your Wanderlust

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