{"id":17642,"date":"2023-02-22T14:26:06","date_gmt":"2023-02-22T14:26:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.battleface.com\/blog\/?p=17642"},"modified":"2024-05-08T14:21:47","modified_gmt":"2024-05-08T14:21:47","slug":"the-other-side-of-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.battleface.com\/blog\/the-other-side-of-japan\/","title":{"rendered":"The other side of Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"Approx read: <\/span> 5<\/span> mins<\/span><\/span>

\u201cYes, I admit it \u2013 I\u2019m in love with Japan!\u201d<\/h2>\n

battleface meets Donny Kimball<\/span>,<\/a> a Tokyo-based blogger who travels Japan, peeling away the mystery and barriers to the thousands of hidden gems that make this island nation such an incredible vacation destination<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/h3>\n

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It was an unexpected query from a fellow content creator on why I spend such a staggering amount of time travelling around Japan and promoting my content that really got me thinking about why I\u2019m so inescapably addicted to this amazing country. While not everyone out there has drunk as much of the #LoveJapan Kool-Aid as I have, I thought I\u2019d give readers some of the reasons why I will forever be head over heels in love with exploring Japan.<\/p>\n

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Reason One: Endless Discovery<\/h4>\n

You may or may not know that the official slogan for the Japan National Tourism Organization is \u2018endless discovery\u2019, which perfectly encapsulates the huge variety of destinations, activities, art and cultural events waiting to be encountered here. \u00a0I\u2019ve been living in Japan for years but my bucket list for places that I want to visit and things I want to see in Japan is now so long that I would require multiple lifetimes to complete it.<\/p>\n

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Japan\u2019s land mass is roughly equal to California, but in stark contrast to the excruciatingly humdrum suburban sprawl of North America, just about anywhere in Japan has the potential to intrigue overseas visitors. In fact, throughout all my travels across the Japanese countryside, there hasn\u2019t been a single trip that failed to move me \u2013 and I\u2019m not alone in thinking this. Tourists rate Japan extremely highly after an experience here and any doubters would really need to try their hardest to have a bad Japanese vacation!<\/p>\n

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Reason Two: Logistics<\/h4>\n

Full transparency here: I don\u2019t (and will never) drive a car. So while you can opt to tour Japan with an automobile you\u2019d be missing out on its amazing transportation network that can carry you from one end of Japan to the other in a matter of hours. Every weekend I jump on a bullet train for a new destination and within no time at all I\u2019ve arrived \u2013 exactly on schedule!<\/p>\n

This speed and efficiency of public transport puts Japan in a class of its own for travel logistics. The trains and buses are always on time meaning that its simple to plan as many connections as you need to get to your destination \u2013 wherever it may be.<\/p>\n

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Reason Three: A Living History<\/h4>\n

While it\u2019s a fact that Japan isn\u2019t the only country in the world to have a culture that is many millennia-old, its ancient legacy is yet another thing to celebrate. I think I\u2019ve always been an advocate of the historical narrative truly bringing a location to life, and in this regard, Japan has an outstanding national story to share with tourists.<\/p>\n

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Much of Japan\u2019s rich culture and history remains in forms that tourists can see, touch or connect with. From the oldest wooden buildings in the world at the\u00a0Horyu-ji temple complex, to the unbroken tradition of rebuilding Ise Jingu every two decades, lasting examples of Japan\u2019s long cultural pedigree can be found throughout the nation. Many of the structures you can visit predate most of the modern nations in the world like my country of origin, the United States. When you come face-to-face with something representative of Japan\u2019s long and storied history then the newness of our modern world really comes into perspective.<\/p>\n

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Reason Four: Safety<\/h4>\n

Look at any global indices on public safety and Japan will be in the top positions. Recently while I was blogging in a caf\u00e9 I left my laptop and phone unattended on the table while I used the bathroom \u2013 nowhere else in the world would I feel comfortable in doing this, secure in the knowledge that my equipment would be exactly in the same place when I returned.<\/p>\n

Japanese have a strong sense of group and national identity and by and large are kind and honest people. Now, I do recognise that I\u2019m Caucasian and considerably taller than most Japanese which may tint my perspective, however, the statistics agree with my opinion that tourists are safer here than anywhere else they may travel.<\/p>\n

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Reason Five: Nature<\/h4>\n

A question I\u2019m frequently asked is when is the best time to visit Japan and my answer is typically, \u2018YES!\u2019 as there really is no better time to visit than whenever your schedule permits.\u00a0 The spring cherry blossoms may be Japan\u2019s most well-known seasonal allure, there\u2019s plenty to see at all times of the year; and here are just a few of my favourites.<\/p>\n

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Spring<\/em>
\nWhile the cherry blossoms get most attention, springtime is also when the azaleas and nemophila are in season. Be sure to check out\u00a0Nezu Shrine in Tokyo for the former and Hitachi Seaside Park in Ibaraki for the latter.<\/p>\n

Rainy Season
\n<\/em>Though it\u2019s usually a low season for tourism, the\u00a0period between spring and summer\u00a0is a time when you can have the attractions to yourself. What\u2019s more, this is also a great time to see Kamakura\u2019s hydrangeas.<\/p>\n

Summer<\/em>
\nWhile the dog days of summer are\u00a0undoubtedly a hot and humid time, this is also when many of the major festivals take place. Additionally, a lot of students and office workers also have time off during this time of year.<\/p>\n

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Autumn <\/em>
\nThough no longer a well-kept secret, the fall months in Japan are some of the most beautiful. Though these may be fighting words, I\u2019m of the mind that the\u00a0autumn foliage\u00a0can easily rival the cherry blossoms.<\/p>\n

Winter<\/em>
\nEspecially on the Sea of Japan side of the archipelago, wintertime in Japan is a celebration of all things snow. If you\u2019re a fan of skiing or snowboarding, then a winter vacation in Japan is something you really need to experience!<\/p>\n

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Bonus Reason: Food<\/h4>\n

I\u2019ll end this short why-to-visit piece with one final reason to think of Japan as the best country on the planet to visit. Japan has its national gourmet front and centre of its culture, with a stunning array of cuisine options that are sure to delight all tastes. Japan offers an endless variety of succulent and savoury treats, from plebeian ramen grub to exquisite dining options \u2013 so trust me on this \u2013 Japan offers a cornucopia of delectable delights.<\/p>\n

Images: \u00a9 <\/span>Donny Kimball<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n

Travel to inspire – Food<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n