Plaza Homes offers various information about living in Tokyo and is especially
useful for newcomers.
Travel in Japan
December 03, 2008
Ski season has arrived!!
There are many good skiing destinations in Japan such as Hokkaido,
Nagano, Niigata, Yamagata, etc.....
OUTDOOR JAPAN is a very beneficial travel
information magazine issued every 2 months with
various topics and news about Outdoor Sports
and events in Japan.
You will find valuable information not only about skiing, but also fishing,
cycling, camping, golf, scuba diving, surfing, even Onsen (hot spring)
spot and much much more.
'Places to Stay' information on their website, you can easily search
'foreigners welcome' accommodation, English speaking staff resides
at most of the listed accommodation.
You can find this useful magazine from the selected bookstores
listed on their website.
Or you can simply subscribe to OUTDOOR JAPAN MAGAZINE online.
Enjoy your holiday in Japan!! 
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October 12, 2007
In spring we have 'Hanami', and the fall equivalent is
'Momijigari'.
It doesn't involve any special ritual, we just enjoy
the red and yellow maple leaves, have something good
to eat and drink, and wish that autumn didn't have to end.
It's said that even hundreds of years ago, Japanese played
music and danced beneath the crimson trees.
It is not as boisterous as Hanami. It's rather elegant occasion
for quiet enjoyment of the beautiful colors.
Many of the trees in Japan turn color in the fall,
and each district has famous spots for viewing the foliage.
At this season, places such as Nikko (Tochigi Prefecture),
Hakone (Kanagawa Prefecture), and Arashiyama (Kyoto)
are thronged with tourists.
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April 19, 2007
NEW TRAVEL INFORMATION SITE
Japan's largest travel agency JTB (Japan Travel Bureau)
has opened their new web-site JAPANiCAN.com
on the 18th, April 2007.
This site contains 1,000 hotels selected for
foreign tourists out of the 8,000 facilities with which
JTB has contracts, as well as 100 tour courses
the firm conducts for non-Japanese visitors.
(from Nikkei Net)
Just click the name of city you are interested,
you can check the weather, detailed information
about the area, and a map all in English.
March 16, 2007
New ticketing system for public transport in Tokyo
will start from the 18th of March, 2007.
PASMO
PASMO is a rechargeable contactleess smart card
ticketing system for public transport to be introduced inTokyo
from March 18, 2007.
Pasmo is a development of the Passnet system used by
many NOT JR railway lines in the Tokyo region.
The system will offer interoperability with the JR SUICA system,
as well as integrate private bus companies into the existing
Passnet network. (from Wikipedia)
For more information about Pasmo, please click here.
SUICA
SUICA is a rechargeable contactless smart card and
it was introduced in 2001.
The card is usable currently in the Kanto region at
JR East stations near Sendai and Niigata, and in the Kinki
region on JR West.
The card can also be used interchangeably with
JR West's ICOCA card in the Kansai region.
The card is also increasingly being accepted as a form
of electronic money for purchases at stores and kiosks
within train stations.
Suica stands for 'Super Urban Intelligent CArd'.
An additional meaning comes from the expression
'sui sui', meaning 'smooth' and an abbreviation for 'card',
'ka' intended to highlight the smooth simplicity of using the
card compared with traditional train tickets. (from Wikipedia)
So from the 18th of March 2007, you can use either
PASMO or SUICA card for most of the transportation
in Tokyo.
However, many people already have Suica card which's
been around for over 6 years. It might be easier just charge
Suica card and use it for JR or Subways or buses.
It is totally up to you which card you choose to use, but
just remember that you cannot use both cards at the same time.
When you use 1 card, the other card shouldn't be in a same
pass case otherwise the automatic ticket wicket system
can't pick which card to read!!
For more information about Suica, please click here.
Now, there is a tip for TOEI BUS.
You can use Pasmo or Suica for Toei Bus, if you purchase
Common Bus Card, you get a credit.
For 1,000 yen card, you pay 1,000 yen but get
extra 100 yen credit. If you purchase 3,000 yen card,
you get extra 360 yen, and if you purchase 5,000 yen card,
you get 850 yen extra!
There are individual rules and conditions with each card,
so please read them carefully and choose your favorite card!
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January 17, 2007
KYOTO PREFECTURE, KYOTO-FU
KYOTO is located in the central part of the
Kinki district, facing the Japan Sea on the north.
The capital is Kyoto City.
Kyoto prospered as the capital of Japan for over 1,000 years,
from its founding as Heiankyo in 794 until Tokyo became
the capital in 1869. It has many famous places and historical sites.
It also has a long history as the cultural center of Japan.
Such arts as tea ceremony, flower arrangement, Noh, Kyogen,
Kabuki, classical Japanese dance (Nihon Buyo),and
many others originated in Kyoto. The headquaters of
many schools for these arts are still located in Kyoto.
Industry and business are developing in the southern part of
Kyoto, centering around Kyoto City.
Many traditional industries with long histories continue to prosper.
Tourism
Kiyomizu Temple:
A buddhist temple of the Hosso sect located in
Higashiyama Ward of the city of Kyoto.
The Main Hall is famous 'Kiyomizu no butai (Kiyomizu Stage)'
a raised platform jutting from the hill side, offers a broad
view of the city.
The expression 'Kiyomizu no butai kara tobi oriru'
(to jump off the stage at Kiyomizu) is the Japanese equivalent
of the English expression 'to take the plunge'.
Sanjusangendo:
The main hall of the Rengeo Temple, located in
Higashiyama Ward of Kyoto City. There is an annual
exhibition of long-distance archery (Toshi-ya) in January,
on Coming-of Age Day.
Ryoanji:
In Ukyo Ward in Kyoto City. A zen temple of the Rinzai
sect of Buddhism, famous for its stone garden (sekitei).
Byodoin Houou do (Phoenix Hall):
A temple in Uji City. The Phoenix Hall is stamped on
the back of 10 yen coin.
Nijo castle:
In Nakagyo Ward of Kyoto City, it was constructed by
Tokugawa Ieyasu early in the Edo period.
Sanzen-in:
In Sakyo Ward of Kyoto City, a Tendai sect temple.
It is a famous place for viewing autumn foliage.
Kyoto Gosho - Kyoto Imperial Palace:
In Kamigyo Ward in Kyoto City, this was the Imperial Palace.
Prior booking is a must for visiting the Imperial Palace,
they do have a tour with English speaking guide.
Booking and information:
http://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/english/index.html
Katsura Rikyu (Detached Palace):
Lovely buildings and gardens in Saikyo Ward in Kyoto City.
November 29, 2006
ONSEN - HOT SPRINGS
Japan, a volcanic country has over 2,000 hot-spring
areas which are popular among the elderly,
of course, and also among young people for
short trips.
Hot springs are the most frequent destination for
company recreational outings and trips made by
local groups.
When most of the Japanese think about going to
Onsen, RYOKAN,
- a traditional Japanese style accommodation -
comes with Onsen as a package.
ONSEN SEARCH (DATA BASE)
Visit Japan Ryokan Association web-site
for more information about Ryokans.
Please note:
-Many Onsens & other public places may refuse people with Tatoos.
-Some people may be allergic to the components of Onsen.
