Hiroshima is possibly best known for the awful and tragic events of 1945 – whilst never forgotten, there is much to enjoy today and we recommend a short visit to Hiroshima to add to your Japan itinerary! There are moving memorials and museums dedicated to the world’s first atomic bomb attack but Hiroshima is so […]
Author Archives: planmyjapan
09
Jan
Jan
A charming canalside city dating back to the Edo period, Kurashiki 倉敷 is home to historic streets, hillside temples and many museums. An easy day trip from Osaka, we visited Kurashiki a couple of times whilst staying in nearby Okayama and found it very busy at weekends but more calm along the canal during the […]
29
Dec
Dec
No trip to Japan is complete without some form of Japanese souvenirs to take home, from tasty treats like Pocky or sake to more lasting treasures like gachapon toys or Studio Ghibli gifts. Be it ‘cutting’-edge Japanese knives, gorgeous glasses, cool Kirby Cafe merchandise or customizable gifts there are super Japanese souvenirs for you to […]
29
Dec
Dec
Visiting Tokyo in March? Lucky you! From spring festivals to the height of cherry blossom season, there are many wonderful Tokyo March events and festivals. Some of the March Tokyo religious festivals include the Hina Matsuri Doll Festival, the Golden Dragon Dance ( Kinryu-no-Mai) and Jindaiji Temple Daruma Doll Fair – or cheer on the Tokyo […]
28
Dec
Dec
Visiting Tokyo in February? Lucky you! From spring festivals Setsubun 節分 to the start of plum blossom season, there are many wonderful Tokyo February events and festivals. Show some ‘love’ for Tokyo Valentine’s Day 2026, take part in the Shimokitazawa Tengu Festival or wander through a wide array of winter illuminations like the Marunouchi Winter […]
04
Dec
Dec
Have you ‘bean’ to Komeda’s Coffee コメダ珈琲店,? One of our favourite Japanese coffee shop chains, there are almost 1,100 Komeda’s Coffee shops across Japan. Started in 1968 in Nagoya, Komeda’s coffee shop is often like taking a step back in time with their brown wooden furniture and bare red brick walls. Famous for their affordable […]
27
Nov
Nov
Also known as the neko or lucky cat temple in Tokyo, we were ‘cat-atonic’ to visit the Gotokuji Cat Temple 大谿山 豪徳寺 one fine afternoon sunlight when the red autumn leaves were out. This is said to be the birthplace of the good luck charm that is ‘Maneki-neko’ or beckoning cats. Located on the outskirts […]
26
Nov
Nov
Kanpai to Asakusa’s Hoppy Street ホッピー通り, packed full of izakayas, outdoor bars and a generally very merry place to be in Tokyo! One our favourite things to do in Asakusa, Hoppy Street is a fun Tokyo at night activity where locals hang out for drinks and foods (it is open in the day too but […]
26
Nov
Nov
Osaka’s kitchen street Sennichimae Doguyasuji 千日前道具屋筋商店街 is a curious culinary destination near Dotonbori and Namba station. A huge covered shopping street in Osaka, Sennichimae Street is full of arcades, stores and restaurants open all hours, plus on the lower part of the street (Sennichimae Doguyasuji) there are many kitchenware stores. Obviously if you are travelling […]
23
Nov
Nov
Possibly Japan’s most famous canine statue, Shibuya’s Hachikō Statue 忠犬ハチ公像 is one of the most photographed sites in the whole of Tokyo, up there with the Nara deer and Mount Fuji. One of the most popular things to do in Shibuya and located right next to the famous scramble crossing, thousands congregate around the Tokyo […]