"Nihon sugoi desu! (Japan is wonderful!)" Top 5 Page for this destination Japan by Pixiekatten

Japan Travel Guide: 22,839 reviews and 48,879 photos

EXPERIENCES 2005-2007

My first visit to Japan was in early spring 2005. I kind of tagged along with a friend who went there to do some work for her University. She wanted company and I needed a vaccation. Japan amazed me from day one. I went there for only 2 weeks back then. But the splendor of the Kansai region captured me and I swore to come back to see more. My fascination grew stronger and stronger during the 2 weeks - Koyasan, Nara and Kyoto grew on me and I didnt want to leave! The huge differences is what got to me the most. How the neon-glowing, pulsating and ultramodern cities like Tokyo and Osaka were like other worlds compared to more traditional life in smaller towns where all one could see was ricefield after ricefield. I was amazed by how old and new met and shook hands in Kyoto. Expensive shopping malls and Starbucks on one side of the river, and teahouses and geisha on the other.

So in 2006 I returned to this country I had fallen in love with the year before. I arrived at Kansai International Airport the first week in May, in time to experience Golden Week. The buzz was amazing but after that weekend ended I got to see a side of the country I had never imagined. No crowds anywhere. Several hostels I arrived at were empty except for me. It was a strange feeling but of course I still had an amazing time. This time I was in Japan on my own and I got around by using Shinkansen. One thing is for sure, I cannot get enough of these superfast trains! And I just couldn't get enough of Japan...

In 2007 I was in South Korea and being so close to Japan I couldn't help myself but to jump on a ferry in Busan and head for Shimonoseki. And although I was a bit short on time I still think this trip was the best (sofar). First of all I had picked up a little Japanese over the time (been a good gal and studied at home) so I felt more confident. Also I had been to most of the cities before and didn't need a map anymore to find my way around. I felt comfortable enough just to head out and hit the streets with only my instinct to guide me. Biggest difference was of course that at every hostel I met tons of good people. It was peak season and this time I wasn't alone anywhere. I made a lot of new friends and experienced my first VT-meeting ever in Kyoto. Before I left I also got to be a part of the wonderful Gion Matsuri buzz. I cannot wait to one day (soon) return to Japan. It is bliss!

ITINERARIES

A-bomb dome - Hiroshima

2005

Kyoto
Nara
Koyasan
Tokyo
Back to Kyoto

2006

Osaka - incl daytrip to Himeji
Kyoto - incl daytrip to Kameoka & Arashiyama
Shimonoseki - incl daytrip to Hiroshima
Beppu - incl daytrip to Usuki
Hakata - incl daytrip to Nagasaki
Kamakura
Tokyo
Nikko
Takayama
Osaka - incl daytrip to Matsumoto
Kyoto - incl daytrip to Kobe

2007

Shimonoseki
Hiroshima - incl daytrip to Miyajima
Tokyo
Takayama
Kagoshima - incl daytrip to Sakurajima
Shikoku Island - Matsuyama
Osaka
Kyoto

2009

Yup, I'm heading to Japan once again this year! :) This time my route will take me to:
Tokyo
Kawaguchiko
Saga
Karatsu
Miyazaki
Aso
Shin-Kobe
Sendai
Hakodate
Akita
Kanazawa
Kyoto

Can't wait!!!! :))

SOLO FEMALE TRAVELLER

Lucky Cat & PixieCat - Takayama

I had my worries when I in 2006 decided I wanted to do Japan on my own. Having read and heard about chikan, men who feel up women and girls on packed trains, I had second thoughts on travelling the country by myself by train. But I had already paid and recieved my JR PASS vouchers so I had to trust my common sence and my ability to tell creeps to f**ck off! Still of course, I had some sleepless nights.
But that year all went well. Not one incidents during the whole trip. Both at that trip and during the one I did this summer in 2007 I met a lot of gals travelling on their own and none of us have had any bad experiences.
Japan is probably one of the safest countries in the world for solo female travellers. People are really helpful, friendly and treat you with respect. But this doesn't mean one can ignore the fact that things of course can happen. There is never room for being careless, not in Japan, not anywhere!

- A special thanks goes out to the young woman in Osaka who walked me all the way from the train station to my hotel back in 2005. The rain was pouring and she must have felt real sorry for me carrying my backpack and a rucksack in the heavy rain. She decided her umbrella was big enough for the two of us!
ARIGATO GOZAIMASU!!! That is how I would sum up people in Japan. They are just simply as amazing as their country!

Pros and Cons

In a nutshell:I just keep coming back!

Last visit to Japan: Jul 2007
Intro Updated Jul 6, 2009
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Reviews (103)

SHINKANSEN Transportation (7)

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Restaurants (6)
See All BENTO - boxed lunch
Warnings Or Dangers (7)
See All Threats from the sky
Shopping (2)
See All Toy Madness in Tokyo's Kiddy Land
What to Pack (2)
See All When visiting a mountain town
Nightlife (4)
See All KYOTO JAZZ

Travelogues (3)

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Comments (43)

xaver Oct 22, 2011 at 4:39 AM Report Abuse

Great trasportation tips, rail pass is definitly not the cheapest option
Marisola Jun 29, 2010 at 8:52 AM Report Abuse

Nihon sugoi desu!!! I will be going there again probably next year. I miss it! Go Japan!
GuthrieColin Dec 12, 2008 at 4:59 PM Report Abuse

Excellent work. I really love the Japanese temple architecture and you've displayed it quite well.
xPhilx Nov 7, 2008 at 6:22 AM Report Abuse

Very good photos and nice comments. The castle is very beautiful, and so are you. I got to Himeiji, but still not to Matsumoto. Hope to...some day.
tiffatron Jul 16, 2008 at 1:41 AM Report Abuse

very helpful for my trip this year, thankyou!
dlandt Apr 7, 2008 at 9:12 AM Report Abuse

Finally someone who likes the on-sens as much as I do! I should write a tip on the protocol and tell some funny stories about things that have happened there. Do you speak Japanese well?
starstudio Mar 21, 2008 at 12:27 PM Report Abuse

just excellent !!! you have now to paint something from Greece land.
Toshioohsako Mar 11, 2008 at 12:38 AM Report Abuse

Both Himeji and Matsumoto castles are my favorite ones. You captured those them from a good angle. I plan to go to some japan cities to take photos of autumn leaves. Perhaps I can capture castle and autumn leaves together somewhere. Have a good day.
volopolo Feb 1, 2008 at 7:16 AM Report Abuse

Great tips!
ITjetsetter Jan 30, 2008 at 2:04 AM Report Abuse

Really lovely artworks! woman in yukata is my fav!