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Traveling the Nakasendo Trail with Edo Samurai: A Stay in Naraijuku, Nagano PrefectureIf you've ever watched a Japanese historical drama, you might recognize the image of characters traveling the historic main roads of Japan, and stopping to rest each night at one of the "rest stations" along the way.
In reality too, during Japan's Edo Period (1603 – 1868), leaders and important personages often found themselves traveling around between their homes spread across Japan, the ancient capital of Kyoto, and the more recently established capital of Edo (current-day Tokyo). These people traversed Japan using the Edo Five Routes, the major highways of the time, which connected all the major regions to each other. And they needed somewhere to stay during those long journies, didn't they?
One of these paths was the Nakasendo, and along the Nakasendo formed Naraijuku. A rest stop for samurai and other important figures traveling around Nagano (perhaps from the nearby Matsumoto Castle) and around Japan. Recently, the JAPANKURU team stopped by modern-day Nagano Prefecture to take in some of that old-fashioned ambiance, so let us take you back in time with us!,Important Question:
Is Naraijuku (奈良井宿) related to Nara (奈良)? Look at how they're written in Japanese!
The Answer Is:
Nope.,The Edo Five Routes functioned as major travel hubs, but they were also utilized by merchants traveling the country, and were hugely important for Japan's economy. One of the Five Routes was the Nakasendo (中山道, literally the central mountain route). It was frequently used by travelers moving not just locally around Nagano Prefecture, but also between the Tokyo area and Japan's former capital, Kyoto. All the important travelers moving between these major cities gave the road the nickname "Samurai Street". An average journey along the 550 km (340 mile) route took about two weeks to accomplish. Clearly this was no quick excursion, so many "rest stations" (or "shukuba", 宿場) grew up around the Five Routes, becoming towns that catered to the traffic passing through.,Nagano's Naraijuku was one of the 69 stations formed along the Nakasendo route alone, and one of the more prosperous station towns. (If you have sharp eyes, you might have noticed that you can actually see the same Japanese word, meaning a place to stay, as the "juku" in Naraijuku (奈良井宿) and the "shuku" in "shukuba" (宿場). Naraijuku has always been associated with travelers staying the night!)
All the commerce of Edo travelers helped the town to grow, and the profits continued to go towards building new businesses, which eventually resulted in the town earning the nickname "Narai of 1,000 buildings" (Narai senken, or 奈良井千軒). Hotels, restaurants, and small shops are still maintained in some of the original structures from hundreds of years ago, so a walk around Naraijuku probably feels an awful lot like it did back in the Edo Era! It's a rest station through and through, but the tiled roofs and wooden facades that are still found along this chunk of the Nakasendo are enough to make any traditional Japanese architecture lover swoon.
We stayed the night in Ikariya Machida, a traditional guest house providing modern travelers with a place to rest their heads at night. With a dinner of simple, traditionally-prepared Japanese cuisine made by the owner, and a night spent in rooms that smelled pleasantly of tatami mats and wooden walls, we were transported back in time. When we woke up in Naraijuku the next morning, refreshed and free of the fatigue of the road, it wasn't hard to imagine Edo travelers feeling just the same.,Walking down the Nakasendo as it passes through Naraijuku, it's easy to pretend you're an Edo samurai... or maybe an actor playing one on TV. The scenery looks like a set made just for a movie, except all the buildings are real surviving structures! If you want to really get into the spirit, aside from just spending the night and eating a delicious dinner, there are some fun cultural activities you can check out as well.,Ikariya Machida Inn (いかりや町田民宿)
Address: 573-1 Narai, Shiojiri, Nagano
Official Website
Matsuyasabo Coffee Shop (松屋茶房)
Address: 583 Narai, Shiojiri, Nagano
Hours: 9:00 ~ 17:00
Official Website
Naraijuku (奈良井宿)
Address: Narai, Shiojiri, Nagano
Official Website
Parking: available around the area.
Parking Fee: both free and paid, see the official website for details.,So, do you feel the old streets and beautiful buildings calling you to Naraijuku yet? We certainly enjoyed our stay there, and thought our whole trip to Nagano was lots of fun. If you want to hear more about our road trip through the beautiful mountainous scenery of the area, check out the article on JAPANKURU's rent-a-car adventure.
Be sure to look out for more exciting articles every day at JAPANKURU!
Or add us on Instagram and Facebook to share your pictures of Japan. 🗾
⇩(And don't forget to check out our video from Naraijuku!)⇩#chubu#tour#naraijuku2019.06.21
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A Road Trip from Tokyo to Nagano with Nissan Rent-a-Car: Sakura, Wasabi, and the...Nissan Rent-a-Car x JAPANKURU
Nagano・Spring Tour
When you imagine Japan in the spring, what images pop into your mind? Budding flowers? Cherry blossoms coming into bloom, and then raining petals down in light pink showers?
This time, JAPANKURU hopped in a Nissan rent-a-car in Tokyo, and headed east towards Nagano.
On the way we saw the blush of sakura cherry blossoms, the blue of the warming sky, the snowy white of Mt. Fuji's peak, and the green of the lakes and mountains along the road.
Our trip was painted with all the colors of Japan's spring palette!,Since we were starting from Tokyo, this time JAPANKURU used the Nissan Rent-a-Car Tokyo Station Yaesuguchi Branch. It's just a 3 to 5 minute walk south of Tokyo Station's Yaesu Exit, making it an easy trip over. It's definitely a convenient location if you're dragging around luggage. Even if you're starting your road trip in another part of Japan, though, Nissan's website lists clear information about what services are offered at each Nissan Rent-a-Car branch. On the Tokyo Station Yaesuguchi Branch's page, you'll see that it has ETC card rental available.
Tokyo Station Yaesuguchi Branch
Address: 2-5-4 Yaesu, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 24/7
Phone: 03-3274-4501
Branch Info
Online Reservations,◆ Before you start planning your trip, remember: in Japan, cars drive on the left side of the road. (Learn more about why!) If you're from a country that drives on the right side, it's not too hard to get used to the switch, but it's a good idea to keep it in mind before you get on the road. Once you're confident in your left-side-of-the-road driving skills and you've determined your itinerary, confirm the following information and have all your documents ready before going to rent your car!
◆ For reservations:
□ Ready your passport.
□ Obtain an international driver's license. (More details on international permits for Americans, and some information from Nissan.)
□ Learn about what ETC (electronic toll collection) cards are for, and how to use them with Nissan Rent-a-Car.
□ Check in at the rental counter, and confirm your vehicle rental!
◆ Renting a car on site:
□ Find the perfect rental in their garage.
□ Pay with cash or credit card.,On our way to Nagano Prefecture, we stopped in for a lap of the Fuji Shiba-sakura Festival in Yamanashi!,In addition to wandering the shiba-sakura grounds and enjoying gourmet sweets, there's plenty else to do at the festival. If you want to admire the flowers from a new perspective, take a hot air balloon ride and view them from the air! Or relax and soak your feet in a foot bath while you look on at the flowers. If you're used to Yoshina sakura, Japan's most common cherry blossom variety, these new sakura will be a treat!
mo
The Fuji Shiba-sakura Festival 2019 (Annual Event)
Event Dates: April 13 ~ May 26
Address: 212 Motusu, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru Yamanashi
Admission Fee: Adults 600 yen/Children 250 yen
Official Website (en)
Driving Info
Parking: 2 lots available
Fee: compact vehicles 500 yen/larger vehicles 2,000 yen/motorbikes 300 yen,Did we get lost and find ourselves in the Alps? Wait, no, this pastoral wonderland is still Yamanashi!,Seisenryo is a natural retreat and resort area in Yamanashi Prefecture with hotels, restaurants... and farms! The surrounding scenery certainly makes for a relaxing spot, with breathtaking mountains around the compound and a view of Mt. Fuji in the distance.
Seisenryo was originally constructed as a Christian youth retreat center in 1938, but was rebuilt in 1957 with the current business model, open to the public. The retreat now specializes in delicious food made with fresh seasonal ingredients, many of which are purchased from the local farms. It's especially famous for the soft-serve ice cream made with milk from Jersey cows living in nearby ranches. Get a taste of this fresh and deliciously milky ice cream for 400 yen.,You can get the famous soft serve at the Seisenryo Jersey Hut. Within the hut is the Seisenryo Baker's Workshop, which sells freshly-baked bread, burgers, produce, and souvenirs. You can spend some time outside the shop on their 300 square meter (3230 sq ft) wooden deck, and savor the burgers and ice cream while you gaze at the mountain view.
Seisenryo
Address: 3545 Takanecho Kiyosato, Hokuto, Yamanashi
Jersey Hut Hours: 9:00 ~ 17:00
Seisenryo Official Website / Jersey Hut Official Website
Driving Info
Parking: 200 spots available
Fee: free!,The Yatsugatake Area
The mountains that stretch between Nagano and Yamanashi Prefectures are called the Yatsugatake range. It's a popular area among mountain climbers in Japan, but this time we just admired their beauty from afar.,According to legend, these are the first sakura cherry blossoms in the world.,After seeing the moss phlox shiba-sakura of Yamanashi, we hope you've gotten a taste for less orthodox sakura viewing. This time, we're taking you to Takato Castle Site Park to enjoy night time sakura viewing.
This park is said to be one of the top three cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan each spring, and it holds an annual Takato Sakura Festival. Luckily, you can enter the park and enjoy the beautiful sakura during daylight hours, and also after sunset! A night visit gives you the perfect opportunity to see the beautifully lit blossoms reflected in the water under the bridge, a big contrast in comparison to the bright sun that shines onto the grounds during the day. Of course, if you end up at the Takato Castle Site Park during the winter, you won't be disappointed then, either. Snow blankets the park's maple trees and Japanese-style buildings, giving everything lots of winter charm.
Takato Castle Site Park
Address: Higashi Takato, Takatomachi, Ina, Nagano
Hours: 8:00 ~ 21:00
Admission Fee: Sakura Viewing Period - Adults 500 yen/Children 200 yen
(Free entrance at other times of year.)
Official Website / Takato Sakura Festival Website
Driving Info
Parking: available
Fee: compact vehicles 700 yen
,We wended our way through the roads once traversed by feudal lords of Japan, traveling between Tokyo and Kyoto.,During Japan's Edo Period, the "Five Routes" were the main arteries of the country. These five paths connected the capital, Edo (or modern-day Tokyo), to the rest of the country. These roads functioned not only as gateways for travelers, but also as the lifeblood of Japan's economy, with merchants taking advantage of the established routes. One of these routes was the Nakasendo (中山道 - literally central mountain route), which was commonly traveled by those going between the Tokyo area and Kyoto, Japan's ancient capital. Sometimes called the "Samurai Street", the ancient warriors supposedly walked the 550 km (340 mile) way in two weeks. Of course, since this was no quick trip, many towns sprouted up along the Five Routes as rest stops for travelers, usually called "stations" in English, or "shukuba" (宿場) in Japanese.
There are 69 stations along the Nakasendo Route, and one of the largest and most successful of these station towns was Naraijuku in Nagano. (The "juku" in Naraijuku (奈良井宿) and the "shuku" in "shukuba" (宿場) are actually the same Japanese word, meaning a place to stay! Just hearing the name can tell you about the town's origins.),With so many visitors arriving since the Edo Era, the town has sometimes been called "Narai of 1,000 buildings" (Narai senken, or 奈良井千軒), and some of those old Edo buildings are still around! Naraijuku still bustles with same rest station spirit, and there are many hotels, restaurants, and small shops around town. If you really love the look of old Japanese buildings, with beautiful wood facades and carefully tiled roofs, this chunk of the Nakasendo path will make your heart sing.
We decided to stay in the Naraijuku guest house Ikariya Machida, which took us back in time with rooms that smelled pleasantly of the wooden floors, and with home-made traditional Japanese cuisine prepared by the facility's owner. After a night there, we could imagine how a similar stay might have erased the fatigue of Edo travelers, leaving them refreshed and ready for the rest of their trip along the Nakasendo.
Ikariya Machida Inn (いかりや町田民宿)
Address: 573-1 Narai, Shiojiri, Nagano
Official Website,As a rest stop, aside from traditional Japanese inns, of course Naraijuku has a (very) old-fashioned coffee shop! I mean, can you imagine going on a two-week trip without stopping even once for coffee? Matsuyasabo still keeps travelers going today, and it's the only coffee we drank on our road trip! The coffee shop is in an old two-story house built towards the end of the Edo Period. The first floor is a little more modern, and is set up as a western-style cafe, but the second floor has a Japanese-style room with tatami flooring, so you can plop down and enjoy your coffee or tea.
Matsuyasabo Coffee Shop
Address: 583 Narai, Shiojiri, Nagano
Hours: 9:00 ~ 17:00
Official Website,Naraijuku
Address: Narai, Shiojiri, Nagano
Official Website
Driving Info
Parking: available around the area.
Fee: both free and paid, see the official website for details.,Did you know that most of the wasabi eaten outside of Japan... isn't really wasabi? Your local sushi joint might do a reasonable job approximating the sinus-clearing flavor, but this farm has the real thing, and a lot of it!,Daio Wasabi Farm was established in 1917, giving it a history of more than 100 years. Covering an area of 15 hectares (more than 1.5 million square ft), it's the largest wasabi farm in Japan. Wasabi is rare outside of Japan because it's notoriously difficult to grow, but Daio Wasabi Farm clearly has the process down pat!
The farm is a wasabi wonderland, and lovers of the green stuff will rejoice in the 150 metric tons harvested annually. Aside from being a functional farm, Daio Wasabi Farm also provides wasabi snacks of all kinds, and of course wasabi souvenirs. Have you ever imagined wasabi as anything other than a tool for adding a little kick to your sushi? The on-site restaurant will open your mind and your sinuses to the many ways it can be eaten and thoroughly enjoyed.
If you're a fan of famous director Akira Kurosawa, don't miss this chance to visit the setting for the final segment of his 1990 film Dreams. ,Daio Wasabi Farm
Address: 3640, Hotaka, Azumino, Nagano
Hours: 9:00 ~ 17:20 (Mar ~ Oct)/9:00 ~ 16:30 (Nov ~ Feb)
Admission: Free!
Official Website
Driving Info
Parking: 350 spots available
Fee: free!,After our trip to the Daio Wasabi Farm, we took our Nissan Rent-a-Car into the Hakuba area of Nagano. Hakuba is known as a ski resort area, but even in the spring and summer the mountains are beautifully snow-capped.,This popular resort lake is one of the "Nishina Three Lakes".,Close to Hakuba, the surrounding mountains reflect on the lake water, making the glassy surface look like an impressionist painting. When the weather gets nice in the spring and summer, it's a popular destination for visitors who want to spend time camping, hiking, or hanging out in and around the water. Take a kayak out into the middle of the peaceful lake, and then just lay back and relax.
Kizakiko Pow Wow Campsite & Outdoor Club
Address: 19004-1 Taira, Omachi, Nagano
Fee: See the website for prices.
Official Website
Driving Info
Parking: available
Fee: free!
,Is it truly a trip through Japan's countryside without a stop at a hot spring bath?,With Hakuba being a popular winter tourist destination, luxurious hot springs (or onsen in Japanese, 温泉) are a must! This one, called Obinata no Yu, flows right from a natural source, and includes an open-air bath surrounded by the mountainous scenery. It's beautiful year-round, but in winter the snow piles up outside while the hot water keeps you warm and cozy. We had to take a break here before hitting the road again!
Obinata no Yu
Address: 9346-1 Hokujo, Hakuba-mura, Kitaazumi, Nagano
Fee: Adults 600 yen/Children 300 yen (Bring toiletries and towels, or rent them for an extra fee.)
Hours: 9:00 ~ 18:00 (summer)/19:00 ~ 17:00 (winter)
Website
Driving Info
Parking: 20 spots available
Fee: free!,While in Hakuba, we stayed in an apartment-style hotel right up against one of the many mountains.,Hakuba doesn't offer quite the same "step outside and you're there" convenience as a big city, so it's a great place to choose a hotel with apartment-style suites. We chose to visit Mountain Side Hakuba, a fresh new hotel that finished construction in just January 2017. Each of the suites comes with a complete living room and kitchen, along with bedrooms and baths. We got to take a trip to the supermarket together, cook up dinner, and have ourselves a dinner party. Why not give it a try with your friends and family next time you're in Hakuba?,Mountain Side Hakuba
Address: 4313-1 Hokujo Hakuba, Kita Azumi-gun, Nagano
Official Website/Reservation Page
Driving Info
Parking: available
Fee: free!,Thanks to NHK historical drama Sanada Maru, the city of Ueda was brought back to the time of warriors, and to the forefront of Japanese minds.,We already stopped in at Naraijuku, a historic remnant of the Edo Period's Five Routes, so we thought we'd take a look at what some of the other main roads of Japan's past were like. Slightly less enormous in its importance, but still widely traveled, was the Hokkoku Kaido highway running the width of Japan.
While travelers utilizing the Nakasendo, and the other Five Routes, were strictly inspected, the Hokkoku Kaido road was available for much freer use. Because of this, the road was crowded with the average citizens of Edo Japan, relied upon by many for everyday uses. Of course, this was no short path, and towns popped up along the Hokkoku Kaido to provide travelers with rest and refreshment, just like the more major roads. One of these rest stations with bits of the old town remaining is Yanagimachi in Ueda City, where many of the old shops and inns are still functioning buildings. Walk down the street these days and you'll find shops selling traditional snacks, souvenirs, and restaurants filling the air with the savory and sweets smells of the Edo Era.,A site good for history buffs and sakura lovers!,Ten to fifteen minutes walk from Yanagimachi's historic street is the Ueda Castle Park. This castle was originally built by the area's Sanada clan, which is indeed the same Sanada as in the popular NHK drama made in the area. The castle and the Sanada clan managed the impressive feat of forcing Tokugawa's army to retreat, not just once, but twice keeping a much larger and more powerful military at bay. Nowadays, the remnants of that powerful keep are just barely hanging on, but the park is still a rejuvenating visit. On the grounds is the Sanada Shrine (真田神社), a popular destination for students praying they pass their exams. And during the spring, blooming cherry blossoms cascade down the banks of the moat and around the park.,If you want to learn more about local history, check here for events on the theme. Watch history come to life in these entertaining performances.
Ueda Castle Park
Address: 2 Ninomaru, Ueda, Nagano
Fee: Adults 300 yen/High School Students 200 yen/Elementary School Students 100 yen
Official Website
Driving Info
Parking: available at the Ueda Castle Station lot and Ueda Castle Hokkoku Tourism lot
Fee: free for a limited period, details available here.,Thanks for coming along on our road trip to Nagano, everybody! These were our favorite stops on the way, but if you want to take a similar trip and you love packing days full to bursting with things to do, here are a couple more places you can check out.,Did you have fun joining us on the roads of Nagano this time around? If you like reading about road trips in Japan, this isn't our first time out!
We've explored some of the breathtaking nature of Japan's Kyushu Island in the south.
We ate cow tongue and met the friendly foxes of Japan's northern region, Tohoku.
And we once went on three little trips around the country!
Be sure to look out for more exciting articles every day at JAPANKURU!
Or add us on Instagram and Facebook to share your pictures of Japan. 🗾#chubu#tour#mt. fuji 2019.06.1850
Places in Japan that don't look like Japan!?Take a second, close your eyes, and imagine Japan...
What natural landscapes come to mind? Mountains? Rocky shores? Maybe some flat rice paddies? Sprintime cherry blossoms?
Well, Japan has plenty of that kind of scenery, but today we'd like to introduce you to five places in Japan that don't look like that! From Japanese deserts to the Alps... of Japan, and everything in between, we're about to take you on a journey around the world (but stay right here in Japan!)
Where shall we start...?,Moai, the monolithic stone statues... of Japan?
In Miyazaki Prefecture, you can see seven Moai statues built on the hill by the shore of Sun Messe Nichinan.
How did they end up here? You might well ask.
These seven Moais were actually built here in commemoration of the Japanese people who helped the restoration of the original Moais on Easter Island. Generally, reproductions of the Moai on this scale are forbidden around the world, but these seven were specially allowed as a token of appreciation. They are also said to symbolize the ancient explorers of Easter Island (traveling far to reach Miyazaki, clearly!),A group of Japanese people were a big part of restoring Easter Island's Moais back in the '90s. Back then, a group of the local tribal chiefs allowed those Japanese people to recreate a copy of the Moai in Japan in commemoration.
So, these Moais here are pretty much an official copy of the ones in Easter Island. (Mind you, the rocks that these statues are made of are different from the original ones, because the rocks from Easter Island are not allowed to be brought elsewhere.)
Sunmesse Nichinan (サンメッセ日南)
Address: 2650 Miyaura, Nichinan, Miyazaki
(closed Wednesdays)
Admission: Adults: 700 yen, Junior high school students 500 yen, Children above 4 years old 350 yen
Official Website (Japanese),A major tourist destination in Tottori Prefecture is a gigantic coastal sand dune, with a length of 16 km (10 miles) west to east and 2 km (1 mile) north to south. Experience a camel ride, paragliding, mountain biking, and other sandy activities on the largest sand dune in Japan!
Since there are no obstacles in the wide desert, it's a great spot for paragliding if you're just a beginner! Or you can be a little less adventurous and just slide down the sand like you're sledding on snow.
Tottori Sand Dune
Address: 2164-661 Fukubecho Yuyama, Tottori
Official Website (Japanese) ,You don't get to experience the freedom of running and rolling down a slope in a desert often do you? Besides, it is beautiful enough to just admire the evening glow on the sand and sea every sunset.,The blue ocean is beautiful on its own, but with a bridge over it that looks like it might go on forever... Well, it makes it even more spectacular.
This is the Tsunoshima Ohashi Bridge in Yamaguchi Prefecture. It was built in the year 2000, to connect the mainland part of Japan (starting at Shimonoseki) and Tsunoshima Island. This bridge was voted to be the best bridge in Japan in 2015, according to TripAdvisor.,It's definitely worth finding a way to drive along the bridge itself, so you can enjoy the scenery all the way from Shimonoseki to the island. Another summer destination, perhaps?
Tsunoshima Bridge
Address: Tsunoshima, Toyokitacho Oaza, Shimonoseki-shi, Yamaguchi,A little like the Hawaii of Japan, we've arrived in Okinawa! Fukugi-Namiki Road is known for its unique maze-like path through dense island greenery. As in the picture, you can ride along in a buffalo carriage with a local guide, or take a walk through to enjoy every step. They even have rental bicycles if you want.,The place is also popular as a site for wedding photos, giving everything an island rainforest vibe, despite still being in Japan! The dappled light filtering through the green leaves lends a lovely mysterious effect to the photos here.
Fukugi-Namiki Road
Address: 389 Bize, Motopucho, Kunigami-Gun, Okinawa,The Japanese Alps
This beautiful mountain area is genuinely called the Japanese Alps, and there is something of a resemblance to the namesake! The dramatic peaks are snow-capped year-round, and while the winter brings skiers from around the world, hikers flock by in the warmer months. The slopes are so good, the 1998 Winter Olympics in Japan were held here, as well.
Hakuba, Nagano
Address: Hakubamura, Kita-Azumigun, Nagano,Traveling through Japan, experiencing other countries... we understand it's a little confusing!,Other articles that you might like:
- The Ultimate Tour of Tochigi Prefecture! 16 Must-See Places
- The Must Go Destination in Chiba! Tokyo Aqualine and the Umihotaru
- Head to Kamakura & Enoshima Island for a Fun Getaway from Tokyo
- A Road Trip from Tokyo to Nagano with Nissan Rent-a-Car: Sakura, Wasabi, and the Nakasendo's Naraijuku
Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more articles like this, and to keep up to date with your info about Japan.#chubu#tour#hakuba 2019.06.1410
Suzuka Circuit Theme Park: Spend the Day as an F1 Racer, Live the Dream!"When I grow up, I want to be a race car driver!"
Are you one of the many children who had this thought growing up?
Maybe you heard it from one (or all!) of your friends?
If you're looking for an outlet where that dream can come true, we'd like to present:
Suzuka Circuit!
It's highly recommended for racing lovers, as a place where all of your Formula 1 dreams can come true.
Strap on your helmet, start the engine, grab the steering wheel...
(For F1 racing, do you still place your hands in the 10 and 2 positions?)
Join the Japankuru team, and step on the gas.
Today we're living that race car driver dream!,About Suzuka Circuit
Suzuka Circuit was built as the first full-scale standard international racing course in Japan! Completed in 1962, it has a history of almost 60 years of major events. It's famous for hosting the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix, along with the "Suzuka 8 Hours", an 8-hour endurance race for motorcyclists. As the venue for these big races, famous professional drivers can also frequently be seen moving around the facilities. In order to simplify the process of bringing in large-scale contestants and racing teams, Suzuka Circuit's hotel was built near the racetrack. Since then, the hotel has become an impressive racing-themed establishment, and things like restaurants and natural hot springs were developed nearby to cater to guests. Now, there's a Formula 1 racing-themed theme park! Even if you just buy tickets to visit the park, the racetrack's proximity means you might just spot a pro racer as well.
Suzuka Circuit
Address: 7992 Ino-cho, Suzuka, Mie
Access: From Shiroko Station, either take a taxi or a Mie Transportation bus.
Official Website (en),The most interesting part of this theme park built around a Formula 1 circuit is how much the circuit is really opened up to visitors. Suzuka Circuit teamed up with pro racer Takuma Sato to create the world's first electric racing system, allowing racing fans big and small to enjoy a realistic race car experience in a safe and easy-to-operate driving environment. Whether you've only ever sat in a car seat, or already have a license and drive a car every day, you learn about how to drive an electric car through the staff's professional explanations. The experience is open to guests two years and older, although car drivers must be at least 9 years old, and only drivers 11 years and up can drive unaccompanied. Pile the family into this three-seater, and race as a team!,Before the race, each driver gets a keycard. Then you just jump in, start the engine, and you're ready to go! The electric race cars are equipped with a voiced navigation system (English and Chinese available!), and each driver is guided around the track. Once finished with the race, each driver can take their keycard to a designated machine outside to get a transcript with their driving score. (Are you ready to look into that pro racing career yet? The machine will let you know!)
Although precautions are taken to make the experience safe enough for the average person, it is still an electric car race, and there are rules to keep everyone from hurting themselves or others. While on the track at Circuit Challenger, no photo taking is allowed. But don't worry, an official commemorative photo will be taken during the race. Each driver can take home a perfect snapshot of their heroic driving, as long as they're willing to pay for it.,Suzuka Circuit's Racing Theater is no average screening room, with a whole building devoted to the motto “Watch, Try and Meet the Genuine Things”. The main theater has a full-scale wide screen and sensory sound system, with seats modeled after racecar bucket seats, open to guests 3 years and older.
Outside of the main theater are a number of interesting racing-themed exhibits. Various cars sit on display, alongside helmets from previous competitions, and signatures collected from well-known professional racers around the world. There are also rooms of games that give visitors the experience of driving an actual F1 vehicle, from seeing how an actual steering wheel handles, to feeling the wind speed of a racing car.,After learning all about racing, are you thinking you might want to work on your driving skills? Then the Acro-X Evolution attraction will introduce you to the world of off-road vehicles, and will take your driving to the next level. The track takes drivers through 12 different geographical settings with different challenges, based off of the various obstacles you might face driving through nature, including steep slopes and water cannons. The off-road vehicle is also equipped with a scoring function, so as you pass through each section of the track, it'll let you know how you're doing so far. At the end of your adventure, grab another transcript and see how your skills really pan out when it comes to off-roading!
Children between the ages of 2 and 8 can join in, but must be accompanied by a companion 13 years or older. Drivers over 9 are free to enjoy the experience on their own or with others!,Stopping by the Racing Theater you get to see a lot of very suave Formula 1 car drivers, but the videos also feature some very cool motorcyclists. Everyone leaving the theater is probably dreaming of how cool they would look tearing down the road on two wheels, too. Younger viewers might not even be able to ride a bicycle yet, though, so it might seem like a bit of a challenge to skip that major step and get right on a motorbike.
At Suzuka Circuit, though, you'll see some surprisingly young children doing just fine, and balancing without a hitch. The newly launched Acro Bike attraction features mini-motorbikes specially designed just for children, making it pretty easy to leapfrog right over bicycles and get going already! There's a track made just for these motorbikes, with hills to add some extra excitement to the ride.
Children ages five and older can try out Acro Bike. Children under 9 must obtain an "A License" at Kids Bike Training beforehand, however.,With lots of attractions focused on the challenge of driving a fast car, the park has a few other kinds of rides to balance things out, of course.
Suzuka Circuit Theme Park has a variety of fun rides! "Adventure Drive" is Japan's first voice-accelerated coaster attraction, for when you want to be loud and silly, and the "Putti Grand Prix" is a less intense kind of race that can be fun for just one person, as well. Tic-Tac Train and Run-Run Balloon are both very cute for kids and adults, and Adven-Boat Frontier is a boating adventure that's fun for the whole family to embark on together. If your group is looking for something off the racetrack, you can always try a different kind of driving!,Inside the Suzuka Circuit theme park, there's a good variety of places to get food and drinks, from snacks to full meals. Our recommendation, though, is that you stop into the warm and inviting Bun Bun's Pancake Shop while you're there.
You can eat your fill of dishes like pork chops and hamburger steaks, but while you're at the pancake shop you can't miss their specialty pancakes. The pancakes are made with high-quality wheat flour produced in Mie Prefecture, and are topped with fragrant Japanese acacia honey. One of their most popular dishes is "Bun Bun's Smile Pancake", a dish with pancakes arranged in the shape of their cute bee mascot, Bun Bun! (You may be thinking "why isn't Bun Bun a bunny?" Well, in Japanese bees say bun bun instead of buzz buzz, so they've got a little honey bee there to sweeten your pancakes.)
The shop's interior is also carefully designed to make it a comfortable space, with fir wood tabletops and floor-to-ceiling windows to let in the sunlight. Grab a sweet snack here and relax and recharge, before heading back out into the park.,The Suzuka Circuit Hotel was originally designed to accommodate the drivers and teams that came to the racetrack for large international events. However it has expanded since then, and now includes natural hot springs, restaurants, and even a family camping area, turning it into quite the resort. Whether you're there to visit the theme park, watch a racing event, or even participate in one, staying at the Suzuka Circuit Hotel is sure to round out your experience of living the racecar driver dream. The hotel caters to all kinds of customers, offering rooms ranging from your normal suite, to a variety of racing-themed rooms all over the hotel, with furniture and decorations designed to complete your experience.,Next to the hotel is S-PLAZA, which includes the natural buffet restaurant SORA・TABEYO, the premium grill and bar SHUN, and the organic cafe Sunpo. SORA・TABEYO focuses on cuisine using lots of fresh, seasonal ingredients, creating dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. SHUN offers a different dining experience, featuring a fantastic chef show, and then a little chef experience just for children.
Within the Suzuka Circuit Resort is a natural hot spring with hot water coming in from Suzuka, which is open to all hotel guests. If your family just spent the whole day running around with children in an amusement park, melting away the day's fatigue with a soak in the hot spring might be just the ticket.
If camping is more your thing, there's also a camping ground on the premises, a favorite with younger guests. Tents, sleeping bags, and even BBQ equipment can be rented out while you're there. Whether you're visiting from within the city of Suzuka, or halfway across the world, it's easy to enjoy the fun of camping at the circuit.,
Theme parks are where we go to live out our dreams, and with race cars being a passion for so many kids, the Suzuka Circuit experience might be a dream come true. We can't all grow up to be Formula 1 racecar drivers, or whatever we dreamed when we were little, but there's no reason not to pretend for a while, and have a good time while you're at it! Plop down in the driver's seat on the Suzuka Circuit racetrack, and race towards a fun time with family and friends.
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Can't Wait for the Ghibli Theme Park Opening in 2022? Neither Can We!!Diehard Studio Ghibli fans will know that there's a Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, Tokyo. Diehard fans who have spent any time in Tokyo will almost certainly have been there, as well! The museum is a must-see for those who grew up watching Totoro, those who fell in love with the beautiful animation of Spirited Away later in life, and Japanese animation fans at large. And with the museum offering a fun behind-the-scenes look at how the studio does its work, along with amazing ambiance and great limited-time videos and exhibitions, it's tons of fun to visit.
But... don't we all wish there were a little more? That we could explore the worlds created by Studio Ghibli ourselves, and wander around the huge, lush, animated spaces?
Well, it's a dream come true! This theme park is tentatively named "Ghibli Park", and it's slated to open in 2022! It's just a few short years away, so let's take a look at some of the information that's been coming out in Japanese recently, about the park.
,According to reports from The Asahi Shinbun, Studio Ghibli and Aichi Prefecture signed a contract on May 31 to establish the theme park in the Aichi Earth Expo Memorial Park, in Nagakute City, Aichi. A partial opening is expected in 2022, with things heading into full swing some time in 2023.
At this major press conference, Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki revealed the park's logo as well, a design jointly created by himself and beloved Ghibli director/producer Hayao Miyazaki. He announced that they were "working hard to create something that will make people from in and outside of Japan happy.",According to the current plan, Ghibli Park will be divided into five major areas, with each one themed after different Studio Ghibli works. Those areas are the "Youth Hill Area", "Ghibli Grand Warehouse Area", "Dondoko Forest Area", "Mononoke's Village Area", and the "Witch Valley Area." The first three areas are due to open in the fall of 2022, while the other two will open later, in 2023.
The Ghibli Warehouse space is currently being built in what was previously an indoor swimming pool, making it a big part of the park that's unaffected by the weather. Exhibition spaces of various kinds, theaters, and indoor playgrounds are being built, so visitors can enjoy this part of the park rain or shine.,So, are you so full of excitement you're ready to burst? We sure are! The year 2022 will be here soon enough, but waiting just those few short years seems unbearable right now, after hearing all about what they're building out there in Aichi.
In the mean time, we'll just have to wait until they release more exciting information about the work-in-progress! If you're an animation lover in Japan right now, though, it might be a bit hard to extend a vacation by 3 years or so. You can always go to the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, or maybe head to a cool exhibition on the animation of Pixar, going on right now!
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The Kanazawa Phonograph Museum: A Collection Preserving Our Early Recording HistoryKanazawa has no shortage of charming, classical attractions throughout the city, making it a perfect fit for the Kanazawa Phonograph Museum, which possesses a collection of 20,000 SP records (78-rpm recordings) and 540 phonographs that are mostly still playable today. Located just a 5-minute walk from the northern edge of Kanazawa Castle Park and nearby the banks of the Asano River, the museum was founded by a local man with a passion for collecting early recordings and their analog players, which is one of the finest collections of its kind in Japan today. It is rare to interact with such an impressive collection of gramophones, which may likely expose younger generations to a part of history unfamiliar to them, given many students these days have grown up relying on digital media in place of physical recordings.,The museum's origins start with Hiroshi Yokaichiya, a passionate collector and entrepreneur who owned a phonograph shop in the area prior to World War II. As the popularity of phonographs began to dissolve with the introduction of newer recording technologies, Yokaichiya-san continued to collect phonographs and SP records, including broken ones that he would nimbly repair before adding to his collection. Once his collections reached a sizeable number, he donated them to the Kanazawa City Government, which opened the Kanazawa Phonograph Museum in 2001 to display to the public. Hiroshi passed away in 2003, and the museum is now operated by his eldest son, Noriyuki Yokaichiya, who continues to restore phonographs and add them to the already impressive collection.,The museum contains a range or early phonographs and SP records from the 19th and 20th centuries, many of which are surprisingly still playable today. Demonstrations are conducted three times a day at 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., with each demonstration lasting around 30 minutes. The collection contains a range of notable early models invented by Thomas Edison and Victrola Credenza, and visitors are provided the opportunity to listen to recordings from different machines built at varying times to compare sound quality and musical stylings.,If you're an audiophile, this should be a pleasant experience for you and worth the trip when visiting Kanazawa. You can check demonstration times and the types of recordings scheduled to be played by checking their official website here.,During our visit, we spotted one of the early "His Master's Voice" logos, which incorporates a painting of a mix breed dog named Nipper listening to a phonograph, which was created by Francis Barraud, an artist and the brother of the dog's first owner. The advertisement came to be known as a symbol of quality and excellence by the Victor Talking Machine Company and is still known to be used in advertising and throughout popular culture today.,Regardless of what aspects of history you may be interested in, it's worth visiting the Kanazawa Gramophone Museum to experience this impressive collection firsthand, and immerse yourself in a part of our technologic past easily forgotten now—even though these devices were the norm just a few generations ago.
Kanazawa Phonograph Museum
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💴Admission: 300 yen for adults / Free for children and students in senior high school and below / 200 yen for seniors over 65 years of age
⏰Visiting hours: 10:00-17:30 (Entry by 17:00)
🚉Access: Hokutetsu Bus: Kanazawa Station to Owari-cho or Hashiba-cho, and walk for 3 min / Loop Bus (R-Loop): Kanazawa Station to Hashiba-cho (Kinjoro) and walk for 3 min / Flat Bus (Konohana route): Kanazawa Station to Hikoso Greenery Space and walk for 3 min.,Be sure to look at JAPANKURU🐶 for more exciting articles every day!!
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Kanazawa Spotlight: Secret Passageways and the Art of Escape in MyōRyū-Ji, or the "Ninja...When visiting Kanazawa, curious travelers interested in the more mysterious aspects of traditional Japanese culture should make time for a stop at Myōryū-ji Temple, more commonly referred to as Ninjadera, or the "Ninja Temple."
Located south of the city's Teramachi district and just a few blocks from Nishi Chaya-gai—like many other Kanazawa mainstays—Ninjadera was constructed during the Edo-era by members of the Maeda Clan, the founders, and rulers of Kanazawa. Though the temple itself has no direct associations with ninja or ninjutsu, it's name and connection to the secretive practice stem from the many elusive defense systems and escape routes found throughout the temple—a necessity during its construction due to the shogun's attempts at curtailing the power of regional lords like the Maeda Clan.,Myōryū-ji Temple is accessible on a reservation-only basis.
Given the mysterious allure of the temple and visitor interest in exploring the temple's secret passageways up close, crowds are not optimal, thus restricting access only to those who have made a reservation beforehand. The temple does provide guided tours in Japanese in Japanese only (unless visiting with a private guide), though English guide books are available upon request.
Reservations must be made over the phone: 076-241-0888.
Arriving at the entrance of the temple 10 minutes before your reservation time is strongly recommended.,Ninjadera is located very close to Nishi Chaya-gai; therefore we recommend pairing both locations together during a stop if planning a visit to the area. Both locations often get overlooked in place of Higashi Chaya, Kenrokuen, and the 21st Century Museum of Art, though we suggest making sure to stop by if you've got the time!
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