After using the JR East Welcome Rail Pass 2020 for an autumn and winter trip last year, I was pleased to hear that they will release a new pass starting April 1, 2021, for foreign passport holders living in Japan (this pass was already available for foreign visitors on a tourist visa). One truth about…
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Today is an important day in Japan, the last day of the Heisei Imperial Era, the day of the abdication of Emperor Akihito. From tomorrow on, a new era starts, the Reiwa Era. All day today I’ve seen news about this event, about the ceremonies, about how Japanese people feel, what do they do on…
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It is that time of the year again, Japan’s most beautiful season, the sakura or cherry blossom season. First hanami spot of this year for me was Shinjuku Gyoen, one of my favorite places in Tokyo ð Not all the cherry blossoms were in full bloom on that day, but we managed to find a…
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Apparently, in Japanese, there is an expression for a trip that relieves heartbreak or a sentimental journey and that is å·å¿æ è¡ shÅshin ryokÅ. That is what I felt when I booked this trip on a whim last week, three days before the trip’s day. It was a non-romance related heartbreak for me, but still, it…
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Europe is covered in March snow but in Japan (or at least in Tokyo…) spring has sprung! Now, besides the early bloomers, the ume (plum) flowers, you can admire early sakura (cherry) blossoms in several places in Tokyo. One of those places is Shinjuku Gyoen, a beautiful park located in the busy Shinjuku, a perfect…
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After visiting Kyoto in autumn, I promised I will come back during spring as well and spend more than just three days. Maybe a dream that started from Yasunari Kawabataâs books or the many movies about Japan that I have seen, but seeing cherry blossoms (sakura) in the Old Imperial Capital (Kyoto) with my own…
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RomânÄ/æ¥æ¬èª Hanami or cherry blossom viewing is the most important spring event in Japan, cherry blossoms (sakura in Japanese) often being considered a symbol of spring in Japan and a symbol of Japan in general. Also known as the cherry blossom festival, during hanami people gather in groups and hold parties under the cherry blossom trees,…
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