LANGUAGE: Japanese
CURRENCY: Yen ( JPY ) ( 円 ) ( ¥ )
DOCUMENTS: For stays up to 90 days, a passport without a visa and with at least 3 months of validity remaining at the time of entry into the country.
CLIMATE: Japan’s climate is generally temperate but can vary significantly from north to south. The average winter temperature is 5.1°C, while the average summer temperature is 25.2°C. The highest temperature recorded in Japan is 41°C. The rainy season begins in May in Okinawa. Essentially, the archipelago can be divided into six zones:
– Hokkaidō, in the north. Cold winters and cool summers with a predominantly mountainous climate. Precipitation is normal, except in winter when snowfall is truly abundant.
– Sea of Japan, to the west. Heavy snowfall in winter and cool breezes during the summer season due to strong winds. However, summer temperatures can still reach high peaks.
– Central island. Typical climate of the more inland parts of the islands, with large temperature swings from summer to winter and from day to night. Low precipitation.
– Seto Inland Sea. The marine area between Honshū, Kyūshū, and Shikoku is sheltered by the Chūgoku and Shikoku mountains, which ensures a predominantly mild climate throughout all seasons.
– Pacific Ocean, east coast. Cold winters with little precipitation and hot, humid summers.
– Islands to the southwest. This area is characterized by a subtropical climate with warm winters and scorching summers. Abundant rainfall and frequent typhoons.
In general, most of the country enjoys a mild climate throughout the year, but in some areas Japan’s climate is quite varied and sometimes extreme, reflecting a bit of Japanese culture.
JAPAN: The Japanese have always been deeply connected to traditions and formalities, but at the same time to innovation and extravagance. There are clear differences between the lifestyle in the big cities and that in smaller towns. Traditional Japanese arts remain widespread throughout the country and include the ancient arts of ikebana (flower arranging), origami (paper folding), ukiyo-e (woodblock printing), dolls (kokeshi), ceramics (tojiki), and theater. Along with the tea ceremony, the art of the sword, martial arts, calligraphy, ritual clothing, and numerous temples, these characterize every region of the country. One of the most globally recognized forms of Japanese art is manga (comics) and anime (animēshon), which, although not tied to ancient traditions, have become an integral part of the country’s culture.
Towering skyscrapers, ancient temples, spectacular trains, 14,000,000 inhabitants, a 20-meter Gundam, giant Godzilla statues — Tokyo’s urban area is one of the most diverse and fascinating in the world, divided into 23 special wards, many of which have unique characteristics.
Shinjuku is one of the busiest and most hectic centers of Tokyo. Moreover, Shinjuku’s railway station is considered one of the busiest in the world, with over 3,500,000 commuters daily. This district also embodies the most evident contradictions typical of a Japanese metropolis. Upon arriving at the gigantic station, on one side you find the towers of the Metropolitan Government Building and numerous other skyscrapers, as well as several luxury hotels; on the other side lies the noisy nightlife area, which includes Kabukicho, the city’s most famous and risqué red-light district, dotted with nightclubs, love hotels, host clubs, and more, all illuminated by neon lights. There’s also Golden Gai, known for its narrow alleys, small bars, pubs, and izakaya (the typical small venues where Japanese people go for drinks and a bite with colleagues after work). Shinjuku Gyoen (with paid entrance) is one of Tokyo’s most beautiful parks and one of the best places to enjoy cherry blossom viewing immersed in nature. Another interesting destination is the Korean neighborhood of Shin-Okubo, filled with countless typical restaurants — a city within a city.
Shibuya is without a doubt one of the busiest and most dynamic districts of Tokyo, an important hub for commerce and nightlife. The symbol of Shibuya is the statue of the dog Hachiko, located right in front of the station. Here, too, there are many nightclubs, izakayas, love hotels, karaoke spots, clubs, as well as large shopping centers and a multitude of shops, cafes, and restaurants. Another notable place is Shibuya 109, with over 100 stores, one of Tokyo’s most popular shopping malls, located very close to Shibuya Station and mainly frequented by young women. Surrounded by giant screens and lights that turn night into day is the famous Shibuya Crossing, the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world—an unusual and impressive spectacle to witness. Center Gai is the area of shops, game arcades, and nightlife venues popular with young people. Also catering mainly to youth, but not only, Mandarake is a store specializing in used anime, manga, and games—an essential stop for collectors. Love Hotel Hill is a cluster of streets with numerous love hotels, just a few minutes’ walk from the district center. NHK Studiopark is a production studio of Japan’s public television, where visitors can see behind the scenes and even watch live recordings of TV shows. For lovers of porcelain, there is the Toguri Museum, showcasing hundreds of artistic porcelain pieces from all over Asia.
Akihabara is the district of electronics and technology, but above all, it’s a paradise and dream destination for all fans of Anime, Manga, and video games. There are numerous Maid Cafés where waitresses dress in European-style maid costumes from another era, and everything is themed around “Kawaii” (the Japanese term for everything cute, charming, and adorable). The service is impeccable, manners are absolute, and visitors can take photos with the Maids and enjoy games and other activities with the girls. However, if you don’t speak Japanese, it’s best to look for the few Maid Cafés catering to tourists, where knowing at least some English is essential.
Neko Cafés, on the other hand, are an experience to try— but only if you love cats. These are places where you can enjoy a drink in the company of sleepy cats who love being petted. In Akihabara, shops like Mandarake, specializing in manga, video games, and anime, are everywhere and are essential stops for enthusiasts and collectors visiting the city. Yodobashi Akiba is the largest electronics shopping center in Tokyo and also has some Maid Cafés and small restaurants.
Other interesting spots for fans include Club SEGA, Taito Game Station, Gundam Café, Volks, and the Liberty chain of stores. If you prefer temples to nightlife, the Kanda Myojin Shinto Shrine is also an important sacred site with a history spanning over a thousand years and is definitely worth a visit.
Roppongi is a modern, multicultural district with a dual personality: calm and elegant by day, buzzing with youth and nightlife after dark. If you want to admire Tokyo Tower, this is the place to be—it’s within easy walking distance through Shiba Park, where the tower is located. Another must-visit spot is the National Art Center, the largest art museum in Japan.
Roppongi Hills is a massive urban complex, almost like a small city within the city, offering just about everything you could want. Mori Tower is the most prominent skyscraper in Roppongi Hills, with 54 floors of shops, offices, restaurants, cinemas, bars, and more. TV Asahi, a major television network, is headquartered within Roppongi Hills; part of the building is open to the public and definitely worth a visit.
In the central area, quite close to the station, for collectors of visits to various Hard Rock Cafés worldwide, there is the Hard Rock Café itself.
Akasuka is one of the old and traditional areas of the city, where the atmosphere feels very different from the more modern districts. In the center stands the famous Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple. Kaminarimon is the street leading to it, lined with all kinds of souvenir shops. Nakamise-dori is another nearby street full of shops that leads to Hozomon (the Treasure Gate), another ancient structure worth seeing.
You can tour the temple area by rickshaw, known locally as Jinrikisha, a kind of hand-pulled cart. Very close to Senso-ji is the more modern and less spiritual Golden Beer Hall of Asahi.
In spring, between March and April, during cherry blossom season (Hanami), it’s recommended to visit Sumida Koen Park, where countless cherry trees (sakura) paint the landscape pink, contrasting beautifully with the blue waters of the nearby Sumida River, creating a stunning visual spectacle.
Other interesting spots in Akasuka include the Matsuya department store, the Traditional Craft Museum, and Rokku, the old entertainment district of Tokyo, home to the city’s first cinema and several theaters.
Ginza, the high-fashion district. This area is home to numerous shops and shopping centers, mostly dedicated to expensive luxury goods, jewelry, and prestigious clothing brands. Among the store signs, many famous Italian brands stand out worldwide. There are also many restaurants and trendy venues, where Italian names often prevail, synonymous with class, quality, and luxury.
Ginza Wako hosts numerous luxury shops and jewelers; it is a symbol of Ginza and was built in 1932. The Kabukiza Theatre is a well-known and popular Kabuki theater.
In the Ginza district, you can also find the Tokyo Police Museum, where visitors can admire the uniforms and equipment of the Japanese police forces and learn more about Japan’s history.
FOR MEN: Kabukicho is probably the most famous red-light district in Tokyo and all of Japan. It’s located east of Shinjuku, the city’s popular district with the busiest train station in the world. Here you’ll find many nightclubs, strip clubs, small brothels, and discos, as well as numerous love hotels where you can take the ladies as needed. The only problem is that many of these venues prohibit entry to foreigners, but if you speak Japanese and/or are accompanied by a Japanese person or resident who speaks their language, you’ll usually be allowed in.
In Akihabara, it’s common to find girls willing to entertain you in special bars called “Maid Cafés” and other themed venues — from cosplay to school uniforms to maids. The girls entertain customers verbally and serve as your “maids,” but no sexual or erotic services are offered — in other words, “Look but absolutely no touching.”
Still in Tokyo, you can visit the Soaplands of Yoshiwara, which offer services roughly equivalent to Thai or Chinese massage parlors but with some variations in methods. The ultimate goal is generally the same.
Other districts where you can find similar services include Ogoto in Shiga, Fukuhara in Kobe, Susukino in Sapporo, Kawasaki, and Kanazuen in Gifu. Osaka hosts the red-light district “Tobita Shinchi,” one of the largest and most well-known in the country, with a multitude of small brothels and similar businesses. Here too, it’s not uncommon to see girls on the street in various costumes inviting you to visit venues; however, these usually don’t offer erotic services and are basically equivalent to “image girls.”
In general, excluding professional workers (and even then, it’s not always a given), it’s not easy for a foreigner to approach Japanese women. But if you understand their culture and speak Japanese, or if you have someone to introduce you as a friend to girls they know, it’s a whole different story.
NOTE: Japan is culturally and socially very unique. Tourists are welcome— as long as they remain tourists. If, however, you intend to explore the deeper layers of Japanese life, the situation is a bit different. Generally, the Japanese people tend to be quite reserved when it comes to foreigners. Many “men’s entertainment” venues—such as Pink Salons, nightclubs, and small brothels—literally have signs at the entrance banning non-Japanese from entering.
It’s no coincidence that in Japan there is a somewhat unflattering and vaguely racist term for foreigners: Gaijin (外人), which literally means “outside person,” understood as non-Japanese.
If you want to have a chance to interact with Japanese women, you should at least study their culture and, if possible, learn some Japanese. If you have a friend who lives there and can introduce you to their circle and the right social groups, then it’s obviously a whole different story.
In any case, Japan and Japanese women deserve attention and can offer great rewards—especially if since childhood you have been fascinated by their culture, which often seems so strange to Westerners and much of the rest of the world.
