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Travel Agency in Tokyo/Japan & in Hiroo
Buying Tickets and Booking of Accommodations
For both international and domestic travel, tickets can be bought at railway
stations/airline offices.
Booking of accommodation can be made by calling hotels/inns.
The most convenient method is to use travel agencies.
There are a lot of offices of travel agencies in the town and they also have
web sites for searching and booking ticket and accommodation.
Package tours are offered by travel agencies, railway companies, bus
companies and airline companies.
Package tours which combine the transportation( for instance,
Shinkansen or airplane ) and hotel accommodation provide economy travel.
Travel Agencies in Tokyo/Japan
 JTB SUNRISE TOURS/Package Tours with English
Speaking Guide/Web site in English
JTB Travel
Package tours for travelers, events & exhibisions,
conferences, Japan guide, etc.
Nippon Travel Agency
Individual tours, group tours, events & exhibisions,
online hotel/Ryokan/rail booking, etc.
Kintetsu International
Online booking, tour packages, hotels, discount tickest, etc.
Kinki Nippon Tourist
Online booking, package tour, special tour, news around Japan, etc.
H.I.S.
Package tours, group tours, air tickets, discount tickets,etc./discount tickets
Prices for Discount Tour & Ticket/ H.I.S.
Seoul, three days with hotel room for two: 19.800 yen per person
Hawaii, five days with hotel room: 39,800yen per person
Rome, London or Paris, five days with hotel room: 59,800yen per person
New York: round trip air ticket, effective for 10 days: 39,000yen
 Travel Agency
Travel Agencies in Tokyo with English Speaking Staff
No.1 Travel : Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Shibuya and Yokohama offices
Tel: Shinjuku: 03-3200-8871, Shibuya: 03-3770-1381
Discount air tickets available
Air 1 Travel: 2-8, Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo(Yotsuya)
Tel: 03-5919-0199
Discount air tickets available
A'cross Travellers Bureau:
Shinjuku Head Office: 03-3340-6745
Shibuya Branch: 03-5467-0077
Hiroo Branch: 03-5795-4711
Open: 10:00-19:00
Discount air tickets available
Travel Agency in Hiroo/Azabu
JTB Travel:Tel. 3449-4891, Fax 3449-4899,
Open 10:30am-7:00pm
Open on Sundays and holidays
Located on 2nd floor of the Hiroo Plaza
Discount air tickets: call 5922-1027
Air ticket, train ticket, group tour, package tour, hotel and
Japanese inn booking, Tokyo sightseeing tour, etc.
A'cross Travellers Bureau: Minami-Azabu, near New Sanno Hotel
Hiroo Office: 03-5795-4711, open 10:00-19:00
Discount air tickets available
Tokyo Sightseeing Tour Service
Hato Bus
Tel.: 3435-6081
Open: 9:00-19:00
Providing English-speaking half day tour, full day tour and
night tour(4500yen-14000yen)
You can make booking for the tour at travel agencies, like JTB Travel.
Tourist Information Center(TIC)
Tokyo Office: 03-3201-3331
Narita Office: 0476-34-6251
Kyoto Office: 075-371-5649
Internet Sites on Japan/Travel Booking on the Internet
Internet Sites on Travel in Japan
Travel Information & Booking Sites in Japan
Travel Information/Japan Guide
Travel Guide to Japan/Japan National Tourist Organization
Japan-Guide.com/Travel guide, hotel search & booking,etc.
Japan for Visitors/tips,maps,top picks,foods,regions,cities
Japan Travel and Living Guide/Travel guide, Living guide,
Japan A-Z, Forum, Hotel booking, etc.
Travel Japan for Kids/Etiquette,Foods & Drinks,News & Weather, Packing Lists,
Travel Advice,etc.
Japan Reference:Japan Directory by categories
Japan Zone/culture,etc.
Favorite Gateways in Rural Japan
JATA-NET: travel information
Regions & Cities in Japan/links
Tokyo Narita International Airport/Narita-Tokyo
Kansai International Airport/Osaka
Chubu International Airport/Nagoya
Fukuoka International Airport/Fukuoka
Japan FAQ: A complete guide on working,visiting,
living in Japan
Tokyo Disneyland/Disneysea
KABUKI for EVERYONE
Japanese Travel Agencies
JTB Travel
JTB Japan, Travel and Hotel Information
Nippon Travel Agency
Kintetsu International
Kinki Nippon Tourist
Hotel Search and Booking/ Air Tickets Booking
Japan Hotel Association Homepage/Search & Booking, Guidance
Japan Hotel Network: hotel search & booking, airport
access, hot springs info.
Rakuten Travel/ Hotel Search & Booking, Hotel Search for Business Travel
Japan Hotel Online/Search and booking of hotels and Ryokan
Hotel Online Reservation Online booking
The Japan Times Travel Service/Hotel & Ryokan Booking
About Ryokan/Information on Ryokan Japanese inn
The Travel Mall/Hotel and Accommodation Search
Japan Air Lines Ticket Reservation
All Nippon Airways
TravelWeb: Hotel Room Booking
Youth Hostels In Japan
Kyoto
Kyoto City Web
Welcome to Kyoto
Other Travel Information Sites
Tokyo Travel Guide/ guide to spots in Tokyo
Travel/The Photo Archives: Japan
Outdoor Japan
Tokyo Weekender Online: living in JPN, eating &
One day Trip to Kamakura/Capital at Kamakura era
Transportation to Kamakura
From central part of Tokyo, you take JR's Yokosuka Line which connects
between Tokyo and Yokosuka City in Kanagawa Prefecture.
The trains on the Line leave every 15 minutes from the platforms No.1-3
on the basement of Tokyo Station.
Kamakura is situated south of Tokyo.
It takes 1 hour from Tokyo to Kamakura by express train.
In Kamakura, there are over 60 temples and 20 shrines.
Kamakura's important sights to be visietd can be covered on one day trip
from Tokyo.Visitors who wish to see temples in Kita-Kamakura area
may get off at Kita-kamakura Station.
(For your information, Kita means "north.") Tokeiji temple, Engakuji Temple
and Jochiji Temple are valuable to visit and they are in Kita-Kamakura area,
so you may get off here.
Yokosuka Line has been operated as the line providing commutation services,
so there is no seat for booking.
It is wise to avoid rush hours in the morning and evening.
Kamakura-Enoshima Free Ticket:
This ticket allows you take any trains in Kamakura-Enoshima area at charge of
1970yen for two days. The ticket covers trains of JR line, Enoshima-Dentetus
Railway and Shyonan Monorail.
If you are planning to visit many places in this area, get this free- ticket at
the time of buying ticket from Tokyo to Kamakura
Information on Kamakura : on the Web Sites
Kamakura City Office: KamakuraGreenNet in English
Kamakura tour courses, Temples and flowers, Kamakura access guide,
Cultural tresures of Kamakura
Area Highlights/ Kamakura/Sightseeing spots in Kamakura
with pictures/in English
Kamakura Burabura: in Japanese
Topics, Historical figures, Walking around historical spots,
Map of Kamakura, Sightseeing spots, Events schedule,
Flowers and hiking, Souvenirs , Shops & restaurants
Kamakura photographs by season
Temples and Flowers
Many temples in Kamakura are very famous for the particular flowers and
people visit the temples at the high time for the specific flowers.
For instance, Meigetsuin Temple has hydrangea flowers in full bloom in June.
Temples in Kamakura and High Time for the Flowers
Engakuji Temple: Kita-Kamakura,
One minutes walk from Kita-Kamakura Station
Cherry: beginning of April
Peony: May
Maple: November
Meigetsuin Temple: Kita-Kamakura,
Ten minutes walk from Kita-kamakura Station
Hydrangea: June
Tokeiji Temple: Kita-Kamakura,
Three minutes walk from Kita-Kamakura Station
Camellia: January-March
Plum: February-March
Hydrangea: June
Bushclover: September
Sasanqua: November-December
Hasedera Temple: Hase,
Five minutes walk from Hase Station, Enoshima Dentetsu Line
Camellia: January-March
Plum: February-March
Zuisenji Temple: Daitougu,
30 minutes walk from Kamakura Station, or 10 minutes walk from
Daitougu Bus Stop
Camellia: January-March
Hydrangea: June
Bushclover: September
Sasanqua: November-December
Kaizoji Temple: Kamakura,/Site
20 minutes walk from Kamakura Station
Camellia: January-March
Narcissus: January-February
Hydrangea: June
Bushclover: September
Sasanqua: November-December
Temples and Flowers Web Site-Kamakura Burabura(in Japanese)
Historical Sightseeing Spots and Events
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
This shrine was founded by Yoritomo Minamoto who became the
first Shogun for the Samurai controlled Kamakura Administration
(Kamakura Bakufu, founded in 1192).It is possible o observe a
traditional shrine building with this shrine and can be reached
in five minutes walk from Kamakura Station.
Daibutsu (Big Bronze Buddha)
The big bronze buddha, Daibutsu, was founded in 1243. Originally,
the Daibutsu was made of wood and was destroyed four years
later by a heavy storm. In 1252, the big bronze Buddha was rebuilt.
Weight of the Daibutsu is 121 ton and its height is 12.38m.
Daibutsu is located near Hase Station of Enoshima Dentetsu Line,
seven minutes walk.
Yabusame: Horseback Archery !!!
This traditional divine work has been done over 800 years since
the Kamakura era. The site for this divine work is Tsurugaoka
Hachimangu Shrine. Horse riders who wear Samurai clothes
shoot the wood made targets by arrows and the horse is running
at high speed.
There are two styles or sects of Yabusame, namely, Ogasawara-Ryu
(Style ) and Takeda-Ryu (Style). Ogasawara-Ryu conducts their
Yabusame in 16th September. Also, on the final day of Kamakura
Matsuri Festival in April, Yabusame is carried out at the same
ground of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.
You can see the pictures/movie of Yabusame by accessing
the following sites.
Yabusame's photograph/Ogasawara Style
http://kamakura.cool.ne.jp/tera_k1/kamakura/yabusame2001_51.htm
Yabusame's photograph/ Takeda Style
Movie on Yabusame
Kamakura Noh Play
As you know, Noh is one of the traditional plays in Japan and Kamakura has
regular programs(seven times in a year) for the performances of Noh.
The Noh play can be seen at the Kamakura Noh Butai (Noh Stage) at Hase
(6-7 minutes walk from Hase Station of the Enoshima Dentetsu Line).
Admission charge is 4700yen per person. Usually, the Noh will be played
two times on a specific scheduled date. As for the ticket, ask your travel
agency.
Kamakura Noh Butai's Web Site
Summer Fireworks : 13th August
The Kamakura Fireworks take place on 13th August every year,
during 7:15pm-8:15pm, along the Yuigahama Beach.
Museum in Kamakura
Kanagawa Prefctural Museum of Modern Arts
Tel.: 0467-22-5000
Open: 9:30-17:00, Closed on Mon.
Located at: 2-1-53, Yukinoshita, Kamakura City,
Ten minutes walk from Kamakura Station,
near Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
Admission fee: 250yen for adults
Kamakura National Treasure Museum
Tel.: 0467-22-0753
Open: 9:00-16:00, Closed on Mon.
Located at: 1-1-20, Sasuke, Kamakura City,
13 minutes walk from Kamakura Station,
near Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
Collection of sculptures, old documents and Buddhist pictures
at Kamakura-Muromachi era
Admission fee: 300yen for adults
Kamakura Ohtani Memorial Art Museum
Tel.: 0467-22-3801
Open: 10:00-16:00, Closed on Sun.,Mon.
Located at: 2-1-53, Yukinoshita, Kamakura City,
Ten minutes walk from Kamakura Station,
near Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
Western paintings, Japanese paintings and crafts
Admission fee: 700yen for adults
Kaburagi Kiyotaka Memorial Museum
Tel.: 0467-23-6405
Open: 9:00-17:00, Closed on Mon.
Located at: 1-5-25, Yukinoshita, Kamakura City,
Seven minutes walk from Kamakura Station,
along Komachi-Dori street
Japanese paintings by Kaburagi Kiyotaka
Admission fee: 200yen
Kamakura Old Pottery Museum
Tel.: 0467-25-5641
Open: 10:00-17:00, Closed on Mon.
Located at: 392-1, Yamanouchi, Kamakura City,
Three minute walk from Kita-Kamakura Station,
along the way to Engakuji Temple
Admission fee: 500yen
Restaurants in Kamakura
Western dish
Kiyoraian: Beef stew, Kita-Kamakura
Tel.: 0467-24-9835
Open: 11:00-15:00 (on Sat. Sun:11:00-17:00 ), Closed on Fri.
Located at: 157, Yamanouchi, Kamakura City
Ten minutes walk from Kita-Kamakura Station
Beef stew set: 2500yen
Cake & tea: 800yen
Kamakura Maruyama-Tei: French dish, Kamakura
Tel.: 0467-24-2452
Open: 11:30-14:30, 17:00-20:30, Closed on Mon.
Located at: 14-1, Onari-machi, Kamakura City
Three minutes walk from Kamakura Station
Lunch: 2800yen-
Dinner: 5000yen-
Restrante Kano Kamakura: Italian dish, Komachi Street,
Kamakura
Tel.: 0467-60-1320
Open: 11:30-16:00, 17:00-20:30
Located at: 1-5-2, Komachi, Kamakura City
Four minutes walk from Kamakura Station
Spaghetti, pizza and other Italian dishes
Japanese dish
Rai Tei: Soba noodle & Japanese formal dish course
Tel.: 0467-32-5656, or 0120-183-256
Open: 11:00-sunset
Located at: Takasago, Kamakura-yama, Kamakura City
15 minutes by bus from Kamakura Station
Soba noodle: 700yen-
Soba noodle and dish course: 2500yen
Japanese dish course: 6000yen-
Hachinoki: Maigre dish course, Kita-Kamakura
Tel.: 0467-23-3722, New building 23-3723
Open: 11:00-19:00
Located at: 350, Yamanouchi, Kamakura City,
near Kenchoji Temple, five minutes walk from Kita-Kamakura Station
Course: 3000-10000yen
Lunch: 2500yen-
Nakamura-an: Soba noodle, Kamakura
Tel.: 0467-25-3500
Open: 12:00-18:00, Closed on Thur.
Located at: 1-7-6, Komachi, Kamakura City
Three minutes walk from Kamakura Station
Soba noogle: 700-1100yen
Soba noodle with tenpra: 1350yen
Ozaki: Japanese dish (fish), Kamakura
Tel.: 0467-25-3500
Open: 11:30-14:00, 17:00-22:30, Closed on Thur.
Located at: 2-3-1, Komachi, Kamakura City
Three minutes walk from Kamakura Station
Lunch : 1000yen
Aoto: Japanese dish, Jiyoumyouji
Tel.: 0467-24-9001, Make booking
Open: 11:30-16:00, Closed on Wed.
Located at: 5-1-24, Jiyoumyouji, Kamakura City
Eight minutes by bus from Kamakura Station, takr bus
for Kanaza-Hakkei, get off at Jiyoumyouji bus stop
along the Kanazawa Kaido Avenue
Lunch box course: 2800yen
Coffee & cake
Komaki: Japanese sweets and tea house, Kita-Kamakura
Tel.: 0467-22-3316
Open: 10:00-17:00, Closed on Tue.
Located at: 501, Yamanouchi, Kamakura City,
One minutes walk from Kita-Kamakura Station
Near Kita-Kamakura Station
Sweet and tea set: 750yen
Yoshino: Coffee shop, Kita-Kamakura
Tel.: 0467-24-9245
Open: 10:00-17:00, Closed on Thur.
Located at: Yamanouchi, Kamakura City
Three minutes walk from Kita-Kamakura Station,
near Tokeiji Temple
Coffee: 500yen
Cakes: 400yen-
Yamazato: Japanese sweets and tea house,
Kita-Kamakura
Tel.: 0467-24-9245
Open: 10:00-17:30
Located at: 321,Yamanouchi, Kamakura City
Five-six minutes walk from Kita-Kamakura Station,
along the way to Meigetsuin Temple
Japanese sweets 600-700yen
Paund House: Cakes
Tel.: 0467-24-2168
Open: 10:00-20:00
Located at: 4-2-23, Yukinoshita, Kamakura City
Ten minutes by bus from Kamakura Station
along the way to Sugimotodera Temple
Cakes: 350yen-
Le Zanjyu: Coffee and cake shop, Kamakura
Tel.: 0467-23-3636
Open: 10:00-18:30
Located at: 13-35, Onari-machi, Kamakura City
Three minutes walk from Kamakura Station,
along the Yokosuka Line, near Kamakura Station
Coffee: 600yen
Cakes: 400yen-
Gen: Coffee shop, Kamakura
Tel.: 0467-24-9429
Open: 10:00-19:00
Located at: 1-9-24, Yukinoshita, Kamakura City
Seven minutes walk from Kamakura Station,
along the Wakamiya-Ohji Street
Coffee: 700yen
Cakes: 400yen-
Crafts
Syatou: Japanese paper and paper crafts
Tel.: 0467-22-2601
Open: 10:00-18:00
Located at: 2-7-26, Komachi, Kamakura City
Five minutes walk from Kamakura Station,
along the Komachi Dori Street
Hotels
Kamakura Prince Hotel: 0467-32-1111
8 minutes walk from Hichirigahama Station, Enoshima Dentetsu Line
Charge: 12600yen-, twin-bed room with breakfast
Kamakura Park Hotel: 0467-25-5121
12 mimutes walk from Hase Station, Enoshima Dentetsu Line
Charge: 14000yen-, twin-bed room
Hotel Izumi: 0467-25-3300
Three minutes walk from Kamakura Station
Charge: 10000yen-, with breakfast
Enoshima Iwamotoro: 0466-26-4121
Japanese Inn, on Enoshima Island
18 minutes walk from Enoshima Station, Enoshima Dentetsu Line
Charge: 14000yen-, with dinner and breakfast
Kamakura Today/ Sightseeing Guide Site
Travel to Hakone
Hot Spring Experience Tour to Hakone
living in Tokyo and surrounding region. The resort is located
at the south east of Mt. Fuji and it is 90 km west of Tokyo.
It can be reached in one and half hours from the central part
of Tokyo. Therefore, it is the most attractive hot spring resort
where they can visit at any season of the year. The mountain
area provides cool temperature in Summer, red leaves in
autumn and hot spring in winter. At the end of year, workers
and families in Tokyo prefer to have the year end party
(" Bonenkai")at hot spring resorts and Hakone is the best choice
for Tokyo people for that purpose.
Transportation to get Hakone
Take Odakyu Railway's limited express train from Shinjuku Station.
It takes one and half hours from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto
which is the entrance/gateway to Hakone area.
Odakyu Railway
Hakone-Yumoto:
Terminal for the Odakyu Railway, gateway to the National park.
There are many hotels and Japanese inns with hot spring bath.
Along the narrow road beside the river, there are a lot of souvenir
shops selling folk crafts, dried fishes, Onsen-manjyu (Hot spring
bean-jum bun), pickles, processed fish products, etc.
Hotel Okada: Japanese inn, Hakone-Yumoto
Tel.: 0460-5-6000
Located at: 191, Yumoto-chaya, Hakone-machi
17 minutes walk from Hakone-Yumoto Station, Odakyu Line
Charge: 18000-20000yen per person for two for a room,
with dinner and breakfast
Pension Okada: Hotel, Hakone-Yumoto
Tel.: 0460-5-6711
Located at: 191, Yumoto-chaya, Hakone-machi
15 minutes walk from Hakone-Yumoto Station, Odakyu Line
Charge: 11000yen- per person for two for a room, with dinner
and breakfast
Hotel Senkei: Japanese inn, Hakone-Yumoto
Tel.: 0460-5-5500
Located at: 592, Yumoto, Hakone-machi
10 minutes walk from Hakone-Yumoto Station, Odakyu Line
Charge: 15000yen- per person
Ohann: Japanese inn, Hakone-Yumoto/Site2
Tel.: 0460-5-8305
Located at: 230, Yumoto-chaya, Hakone-machi
10 minutes walk from Hakone-Yumoto Station, Odakyu Line
Charge: 35000yen- per person, with dinner and breakfast
Well known with a good Japanese dinner course
Miyanoshita:
By taking the Hakone Tozan Railway from Hakone-Yumoto,
you can get Miyanoshita and you may drop here to visit the
Hakome Open-Air Museum which has sculptures including
Rodin's.
Tonosawa Ichinoyu Honkan: Japanese inn, Tonosawa
Tel.: 0460-5-5334
Located at: 90, Tonosawa, Hakone-machi
Three minutes walk from Tonosawa Station, Hakone Tozan Tetsudo
Line
Charge: 6800yen- per person, with dinner and breakfast
Yama-no-chaya: Japanese inn, Tonosawa
Tel.: 0460-5-5493
Located at: 171, Tonosawa, Hakone-machi
Tonosawa Station, Hakone Tozan Tetsudo Line
Charge: 16950yen- per person, with dinner and breakfast
Bath: Rotenburo
Miyanoshita
Fujiya Hotel: Hotel , Miyanoshita
Tel.: 0460-5-6531
Located at: 359, Miyanoshita, Hakone-machi
Seven minutes walk from Miyanoshita Station, Hakone Tozan
Tetsudo Line
Charge: 22000yen- per person, with dinner and breakfast
Taiseikan: Japanese inn, Miyanoshita
Tel.: 0460-2-2281
Located at: 72, Miyanoshita, Hakone-machi
Three minutes walk from Miyanoshita Station, Hakone Tozan
Tetsudo Line, and get private cable car
Charge: 17000yen- per person, with dinner and breakfast
Gohra:
At this station, there is the Hakone Museum of Art which has
a good collection of ancient ceramics. To get the Owakudani
that is the valley with volcanic bubbling and steaming, you
may go to Sounzan where you can take the cable car and its first
stop is the Owakudani valley.
Gohra Hotel : Hotel , Gohra
Tel.: 0460-2-2229
Located at: 1300, Gohra, Hakone-machi
Three minutes walk from Naka-gohra Station, Hakone Cable Car
Charge: 13000yen- per person, with dinner and breakfast
Ashinoko Lake/ Moto-hakone/Hakone-machi
This lake is almost top of the Hakone area and this place is one
of the best view points of Mount Fuji. Around the lake, there are
hotels and Japanese inns. Historic spot is the Hakone Sekisho
(Hakone Check Point) where during the era of Edo
(17-18th century ) travelers going to east and west were checked
to protect the Edo (now Tokyo) capital city at which the Tokugawa
Shogun administers the nation. At that time, all of the travelers
had to carry with them certificate for travel which was issued
by local administration office.
This check point was established in 1619.
Hakone Sekisho-Hakone Check Point/ Hakone
Sekisho Museum
Tel.: 0460-3-6635
Open: 9:00-16:30
Located at: Three minutes walk from Sekisyo-At Bus Stop
Hakone Ashino-ko Museum of Art
Tel.: 0460-3-1600
Open: 9:00-17:00
Located at: Three minutes walk from Narikawa-Bijyutsukan-Mae Bus
Stop
Western paintings: Monet, Picaso, etc.
Admission fee: 1100yen
Yama-no Hotel: Hotel, Ashinoko Lake
Tel.: 0460-3-6321
Located at: Hakone-machi,
Five minutes by bus from Moto-hakone,
One minutes walk from Yama-no Hotel Bus Stop
Charge: 18000yen- per person, with dinner and breakfast
National Park Hakone/Hakone Town Office
( Latest information, many attractions, a la cart, round trip course)
SUNRISE TOUR/ Mt. FUJI 1 day by Motorcoach
Hakone Free Pass/ Odakyu Line
Hakone Izumiya/ manufacturer of the traditional Japanese puzzle
boxes
Visit to Japanese Castles
 Himeji-jyo Castle in Hyogo Prefecture
If you wish to visit to Japanese Castle in Tokyo and surrounding
areas, Odawara-Jyo Castle is the best one which can be reached
in one hour and 20 minutes by Odakyu Line(Taking express train
from Shinjuku), or in 30 minutes with Shinkansen, getting off at
Odawara. From Odawara Station, it may take 10 minutes on foots.
You can go up to the castle tower. Admission charge is 400 yen.
The castles have the attached museum and it is worthy to visit,
as they have collections on Samurai armors and other historical
goods. Generally, it costs 300-500 yen for admission.
When you have plan to make trip to Nagoya, Kyoto or Osaka,
it is suggested to visit Nagoya-Jyo Castle in Nagoya, Nijyojo
Castle in Kyoto or Osaka-Jyo Castle in Osaka.
The most elegant and biggest castle in Japan is the Himeji-Jyo
Castle. It can be reached with Shikansen, getting off at Himeji
Station.
Guide to Japanese Castles/in English with pictures
Odawara Jyo Castle
Himeji Jyo Castle
Hot Spring/Onsen
How to enjoy hot spring
Onsen and Onsen Inn
Onsen is hot spring bath in Japanese.
In this country, there are many hot spring bath resorts.
Historically, people favoured Onsen as the place for vacation,
especially in winter. Onsen inns ( Onsen-Ryokan or
Onsen-yado)have also been used as the party place for year-end
and other occasions.
Large Onsen inns have party rooms with capacity of 50-100 guests.
At Onsen inns, room charges usually include dinner and
breakfast. The charges range 8000-50000yen for one night stay
per person.
People generally visit Onsen inns charging 10000-20000yen.
It is fun to have meals at Onsen inns offering their local dishes.
Hot spring resorts around Tokyo
Hakone-yumoto(Entrance town to Hakone, by limited express
train from Shinjuku)
Atami (on Izu Peninsula, Shinkansen stops there)
Ito (on Izu Peninsula, by express train from Tokyo)
Shuzenji-onsen (on Izu Peninsula, by way of Mishima )
Kinugawa/kawaji-onsen(northern part of Kanto Region, by limited
express train from Asakusa)
Well-known hot springs in Japan
Following are historically famous hot spring resorts in Japan.
If you can have occasion to visit there, you will be able to experience the
traditional impressions of the Japanese hot spring resorts, Onsen.
Yufuin-onsen (on Kyushu Island, near Oita City)
Beppu-onsen (on Kyushu Island, Oita City)
Dogo-onsen (on Shikoku Island, Matsuyama City)
Misasa-onsen (in Chukgoku Region, near Yonago City)
Arima-onsen (in Kinki Region, near Kobe City)
Shirahama-onsen (in Kinki Region, Wakayama Pref.)
Yamashiro-onsen (in Hokuriku Region, Ishikawa Pref.)
Kusatsu-onsen (in Kanto Region, Gunma Pref.)
Ikaho-onsen (in Kanto Region, Gunma Pref.)
Hakone-yumoto- onsen (in Kanto Region, Kanagawa Pref.)
Atami-onsen (in kanto Region, Shizuoka Pref.)
Ito-onsen (in Kanto Region, Shizuoka Pref.)
Shuzenji-onsen (in Kanto Region, Shizuoka Pref.)
Naruko-onsen (in Tohoku Region, Miyagi Pref.)
Sakunami-onsen (in Tohoku Region, Miuagi Pref.)
Noboribetsu-onsen (on Hokkaido Island)
Toyako-onsen (on Hokkaido Island)
Types of hot spring bathing facilities
Generally, there are some types of hot spring bathing facilities in hotels/
Japanese inns, Onsen inns. One is the large bath for guests where you take
bath with other guests of the Japanese inn.
Another populer one is open-air (outside)bath, Rotenburo, which is located
outside of Onsen inn building.
Rotenburo is sometimes available on a private basis.
Private open-air bath can be classified into two types.
One is a private open-air bath attached to guest's room.
Another type is not attached to guest rooms, it is situated independently
and will be used for particular guests who booked the open-air bath
for a specific period of time, for one or two hours. It is called as
" Kashikiri-Rotenburo."
This facility can be booked at the time of room booking Onsen inn.
In addition, guest rooms have a small bath which is supplied with
hot spring water. If you don't like to share the bathing facility with other
guests, you can use your room's bath.
It is common to use the large hot spring bath separately for men
and women.
There is indication on the sex of users, such as " Otoko-yu"
meaning the bath for men and "Onna-yu" showing the bath for
women.
It has to be noted that there are some open-air bathing facilities
where the mixed bathing by men and women are allowed.
These facilities are called as"Konyoku" meaning mixed bathing.
Is it lucky?! Historically speaking, hot springs have been used
to care diseases and physical problems. Today, there are many
hot springs to accept such visitors for health care purposes.
At such hot springs, accommodations with reasonable room
charges for long period stay are facilitated.
Those accommodations have kitchen facilities for cooking by guests
themselves.
We call this type of hot spring care as " Toji."
Tips: Onsen,
Pictures of Onsen Inn
Hakone Ginyou, at Hokone/
Hotel Okuyumote, at Hakone Yumoto
Pictures of Bath, Rotenburo
Hotel Hatsuhana, at Hakone Yumoto/
Hotel Okada, at Hakone Yumoto/
Shougetsu, at Hakone Yumoto/
Manner for taking hot spring bath
It is a fundamental manner of taking bath in Japanese inn and at
Japanese homes that you will first wash your body before taking
bath. Bath tub is used for soaking. This rule is applied to any
types of Japanese bath, including large bath and open-air bath
at hot spring. You may use soap outside bath tub.
In Japanese inns, they provide soap and shampoo in bathing
facilities. So you may carry with you a bathing towel which is
provided in your room.
Methods for enjoying hot spring
Stay at hot spring: With your family members, you can book
hotel/Japanese inn room at hot spring. With your office workers,
you can have party in hotel/Japanese inn at hot spring resort.
The hotels/Japanese inns offer party courses and it costs 6500-
16500yen per person for one night stay with dinner and breakfast.
The dinner is arranged as party in a party room with Karaoke.
No extra charges for the party (note: you have to pay for drinks.).
For example, JR Higashi Nippon has hot spring party plan which
called " Enkai-Syukuhaku Plan."
Day's trip to hot spring: Some hotels/Japanese inns at hot spring resorts
provide bathing services for day trip visitors.
For instance, at Hokone-Yumoto, Japanese inns " Seikoen"and "
Tenzan" make available hot spring bathing between 9:00-23:00 or
10:00-19:00 with charge of 900-1000yen per person. It is possible
to have lunch and/or dinner. Ask your travel agency for "Higaeri-
onsen" which means day trip to hot spring with bathing.
A web site for hot spring/Arima Onsen Hot Spring in Kinki
Region, with this site, available sample information on hot spring
in Japan
Arima Onsen Hot Spring/ Kinzan(Japanese inn)
Arima Onsen Hot Spring/ Kinzan(Japanese inn)
Onsen Inns with Rotenburo
When you wish to take private Rotenburo which is attached to your room,
you have to find such room by asking the availability of the bathing facility
to the travel agency. Rooms with private Rotenburo are expensive than
other rooms. If the Rotenburo is not private one, there are many Onsen
inns providing Rotenburo for their guests with no extra charges.
Yamatoya Hotel /Hakone Dogashima Onsen, Kanagawa Prefecture
Tel: 0460-2-2261
Charge: 10650yen- ,per person , with dinner and breakfast
Kameya Heike-no-sho/ Yunishigawa Onsen/ Tochigi Prefecture
Tel: 0288-98-0031
Charge: 15750yen- ,per person , with dinner and breakfast
Yusaka-so/ Hokone Yumoto, Kanagawa Prefecture
Tel: 0460-5-5755
Charge: 15750yen- ,per person , with dinner and breakfas
Rotenburo picture
Kaika-tei Izumi/ Toi Onsen, Izu, Shizuoka Prefecture
Tel: 0558-98-1313
Charge: 16800yen-, per person , with dinner and breakfast
Ayatumugi/ Shiobara Onsen, Tochigi Prefecture
Tel: 0287-31-1150
Charge: 24150yen per person, with dinner and breakfast
(Roenburo attached to room)
Yoshiike Ryokan/ Hakone-Yumoto, Kanagawa Prefecture
Tel: 0460-5-5711
Charge: 36750yen per person, with dinner and breakfast
(Roenburo attached to room)
Senoumi/Izu Inatori Onsen/Shizuoka Prefecture
Tel: 0557-95-2231
Charge: 27450yen-, per person, with Dinner and
Breakfast
Kadoya Ryokan/ Murasugi Onsen/ Niigata Prefecture
Tel: 0250-66-2221
Charge: 15900yen-, per person, with Dinner and
Breakfast
Room with Rotenburo
Yama-no-chaya/ Tonosawa Onsen, Hakone
Tel.: 0460-5-5493
Located at: 171, Tonosawa, Hakone-machi
Tonosawa Station, Hakone Tozan Tetsudo Line
Charge: 16950yen- per person, with dinner and breakfast
Bath: Rotenburo
Kaya-no-ie/Hotaka Onsen, Gunma Prefecture
Tel: 0278-52-2220
Located at: Kawaba-mura village, Tone-gun, Gunma Prefecture
15 minutes by bus from Numata JR Station, Jyoetsu Line
15000 yen per person with dinner and breakfast
You can enjoy a Japanese traditional house being used as inn.
Coloniale Mirador/Moto-hakone Onsen, Kanagawa Prefecture
Tel: 0460-5-2037
Located at: Kojiri, Hakone-machi, Ashigara-shimo-gun,
Kanagawa Prefecure
40 minutes by bus from Hokine-Yumoto Station, Odakyu Line
22000yen per person with french dinner and breakfast
Excellent french dish and Onsen
Hotel Shikisai/ Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture
Tel: 0288-55-1010
Located at: Nakaguji, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture
45 minutes by bus from Nikko Station, Tobu Line
18900yen per person with dinner and breakfast
Ueda/ Funabara Onsen, Shizuoka Prefecture
Tel: 0558-87-2020
Located at: Kamifunabara, Izu City, Shizuoka Prefecture
20 minutes by bus fron Shuzenji Station, Izu-Hakone Tetsudo Line
20940yen per person with dinner and breakfast
Hatago/ Yakushi Onsen, Gunma Prefecture
Tel: 0279-69-2422
Located at: Honjuku, Higashi-Agatsuma-cho,
Agatsuma-gun, Gunma Prefecture
Nakanojho Station, JR Agatsuma Line
18900yen per person with dinner and breakfast
Charges for Tours
Charges for Tours to Famous Sightseeing Spots/Hot spring Resorts
Tour to Hakone/Atami: hot spring experience
with English-speaking guide: one night, with dinner and
breakfast: 27000-30000yen
Tour to Hakone: Japanese inn(hotel) and limited
express train
with dinner and breakfast, one night, a room for two:
24000-28000yen per person
Tour to Izu(Atami): Japanese inn and expree train
with dinner and breakfast, a room for two:
25000-26000yen
Bus Tour to Nikko: one day tour
with English-speaking guide, with lunch: 14000-15000yen
with Japanese-speaking guide, with lunch: 9000-11000yen
Tour to Kyoto
Combination of Shikansen and hotel, with breakfast for two
: 33000yen per person
Combination of Shinkansen and Japanese inn, with dinner & breakfast
for two : 34000-45000yen per person
Taxi tour in Kyoto, for four hours:
16200yen (small car), 19800yen( medium sized car)
Famous Temples in Tokyo
03-3842-0181
2-3-1, Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Four minutes walk from Asakusa Station,
Ginza Subway Line
Zojo-ji Temple/ Shiba, Minato-ku
03-3432-1431
4-7-35 Shibakoen Minato-ku, Tokyo
Three minutes walk from Shiba-koen Station,
Toei-Mita Subway Line
Gokoku-ji Temple/Gokokuji
5-40-1, Ohtsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
03-3941-0764
Two minutes walk from Gokokuji Station, Yurakucho
Subway Line
Hiking to Takaosan(Mt. Takao)
Takaosan, Mt. Takao, is located at western part of Tokyo. This densly
wooded area is popular among Tokyo citizens for hiking.
Takaosan can be reached by taking the Keio Line and it takes 47 minutes
on express train from Shinjuku Station. There is no extra charges for express train.
/ Transportaion for Takaosan
It is possible to get cablecar/chair lift to climb to half of the top of
this mountain , 599 m high above sea level.
There is a temple,TakaosanYakuo-in, there.
At foot of Takaosan, there are a lot of Soba Noodle restaurants.
You can enjoy Soba Noodle for your lunch. Costing usually 600-1200
yen.
The most crowded period is during November, as this place is one of
the most popular autumn foliage spots in Tokyo.
Takaosan
Takaosan/grace's homepage
Takaosan Yakuo-in Temple
Keio Line
Old Japanese Farmer's Houses/Folk Houses
Minka: Traditional farmer's house
Tips: Minka/Types of Minka, Construction & Roofing, Interior
Shirakawa-go Village/Gasshio-Zukuri Houses Village/Homepage
Tel.:05769-6-1013/or 1751(Shirakawa-go Sightseeing Guide Office)
Shirakawa Village, Gifu Prefecture
By Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagoya(1 and half hour)
By train from Nagoya to Takayama, Takayama Line
Two hours from Takayama Station by bus(Serving 20 March-30 November)
Sightseeing spots in the Village
Tono Furusato-Mura/Homepage/ Collection of old farmer's houses
Tel.: 0198-64-2300
Open: 9:00-17:00
Admission charge: 520 yen
Tono City, Iwate Prefecture
By Tohoku Shinkansen, from Tokyo to Shin-Hanamaki(3:30 hours),
and train from Shin-Hanamaki to Tono (Kamaishi Line)
Pictures of Farmer's Houses in the Tono Furusato-Mura
NIHON MINKA-EN/Japan Open-Air Folk House Museum
This museum has 25 traditional folk houses, 200 or 300 years old.
The folk houses are designated as national and prefectural treasures.
Tel.: 044-922-2181
Located at: 7-1-1, Masugata, Tama-ku, Kawasaki City,
Kanagawa Prefecture
Open: 9:30-16:30, Close on Mon.
Admission charge: 500yen
Twelve minutes walk from Mukougaoka-yuen Station, Odakyu Line
(35 minutes by train from Shinjuku)
Residents or visitors who are living in Tokyo and its suburb
may visit here to see the traditional Minka.
(English homepage)
Ichinoe Nanushi Yashiki: A Village Official's House at
Ichinoe, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo
Tel.: 03-5662-7176(Edogawa-ku Ward Office)
Open: 10:00-16:00
Located at: 2-21-20, Harue-cho, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo
Ten minutes walk from Mizue Station, Toei Shinjuku Line
You can see the inside of village official's house at Edo period.
Museum Exhibiting Paintings of Japanese Farm Houses
Mukai Junkichi Annex/Setagaya Art Museum
(Tsurumaki, Setagaya-ku) Map & Other Information
Tel.: 03-5450-9581
Open: 10:00-18:00
Located at: 2-5-1, Tsurumaki, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
Ten minutes walk from Komazawa-Daigaku Station, Tokyu's
Denentoshi-sen Line (Ten minutes from Shibuya Station)
Well-preserved Old Post Town: Magome
Magome is the ancient post town of Nakasendo, a road connected
Kyoto and Edo(Tokyo).
At Magome, you can see the old Japanese houses on the both
sides of the road. The houses were shops and inns for travelers
at Edo period, 300-400 years ago.
The wooden private houses built in the Edo period remain here.
You can get Magome by taking train with Chuo Honsen Line,
getting off at Nakatsukawa Station.
Tips: Magome
Pictures of Magome
Pictures of Magome 2
Historical Town: Ouchi-Juku
Ouchi-Juku is located in Fekushima Prefecture.
This old town was a post town during Edo period.
There are 40 traditional Japanese houses.
To get this post town, you take the Aizu-Tetaudo Line and
get off at Yunokami-Onsen Station. From the Station, you get a
cab and it takes 15-20 minutes.
It takes 4 and half hours from Asakusa Station in Tokyo.
Tobu Line is connected with the Aizu-Tesudo Line.
At Ouchi-Juku, there are some Soba noodle restaurants
and it is good for your lunch.
You can find Japanese Inns(Minshuku)there and they cost 7350-9000 yen
per night with dinner and breakfast.
Ouchi-Juku/Visit Minami Aizu
Tourist Infromation of Fukushima
Ouchi-Juku/Pictures of the Ouchi-Juku
Ouchi-Juku/Pictures of the Ouchi-Juku
Ouchi-Juku/Pictures of the Ouchi-Juku in winter
Ouchi-Juku/Pictures of the Ouchi-Juku
Ouchi-Juku/Pictures of the Ouchi-Juku
Traditional Warehouse
Tea House at Rikugien Park in Tokyo
Stay at Riyokan, Japanese Inn, which was painted with Ukiyoe
There is a Japanese Inn in Aich Prefecture which serves since Edo period.
Ohashiya keeps the old Riyokan building that was built at Edo period,
over 300 yaers ago.
Ohashiya charges 10,500 yen per person per night with dinner and
breakfast.
You can experience the classic Japanese Inn services and its old building.
Hiroshige Ando, a famous Ukiyoe painter, painted this Japanese Inn.
Ukiyoe : Girls in the Inn by Hiroshige Ando
from the series titled" 53 Stages of Tokaido"
Ohashiya at Akasaka in Aichi Prefecture
Tel: 0533-87-2450
Address: Akasaka, Otowa-cho, Takarai-gun, Aichi Prefecture
Station: Akasaka Station on the Meitetsu Line
Viewing Cherry Blossoms
It is a traditional/seasonal custom in Spring in Japan to go to see
cherry blossoms. Japanese people prepare box lunch and go to
the cherry blossom sites. Families and corporate people have
outdoor party under cherry trees. They call this pleasant custom
as " Hanami."
In Tokyo, the high time for viewing cherry blossoms is between at
the end of March and first week of April. Don't miss Hanami.
In Tokyo
Ueno-Koen Park: near Ueno Station, JR Yamanote Loop Line,
Ginza Subway Line, Open 24 hours
Shinjuku-Gyoen Park: Ten minutes walk from Shinjuku Station,
JR Yamanote Loop Line, two minutes walk from Shinjuku-gyoen
Subway Station, Marunouchi Line, Open 9:00-16:00
Chidorigafuchi Park: Sanban-cho,Chiyoda-ku, Ten minutes
walk from Kudanshita Subway Station, Toei-Shinjuku Line,
Open 24 hours
Sumida-Koen Park: Mukou-jima, Sumida-ku, Ten minutes walk
from Asakusa Station, Ginza Subway Line, along the Sumida-Gawa
River, Open 24 hours
Outside Tokyo
Kakunodate, Akita Prefcture: Kakunodate Station, Akita
Shikansen, High time end of April-first week of May
Sakura-no-sato, Shizuoka Prefecture: Futo Station,
Izu-Kyuko Line, High time April
Maruyama-Koen Park, Kyoto: Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto,
Ten minutes walk from Shijyo-kawaramachi Station, High time
beginning -mid April
Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto: Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto,
High time beginning -mid April
Yoshinoyama, Nara Prefecture: Yoshino Station, Kintetsu
Yoshino Line, High time April
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