Categories
JapanGuide

Visiting Japan this Summer

Many of you have written to me asking if I recommend traveling to Japan this Summer or if it’s better to wait for a while after what happened last March 11th.

My answer in one sentence: “There’s no reason to worry, all the areas that are interesting for tourists are back to normal”.

  • All the trains in the country are already working. Even those that run through the most affected areas.
  • Sendai airport, which was destroyed by the tsunami, is running again.
  • Opening hours for museums, temples and tourist attractions are the same like before the catastrophe.
  • Except some smaller roads in the affected areas near the coast of Tohoku, the rest of infrastructures are up and running smoothly.
  • Cell phone coverage arrives to almost every place in Tohoku.
  • Almost all the food factories that stopped their production after the earthquake are back at work like before. In Tokyo we don’t see empty shelves at the supermarkets anymore.
  • It seems like TEPCO is sure that there will be no electricity shortages during this Summer
  • Radiation levels are back to normal except in the restricted areas around Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant

The only inconveniences caused by the catastrophe of last March that you might encounter if you come this Summer are:

  • Maybe you will find some streets that are darker because of the energy saving measures taken.
  • You will not be able to visit areas within a 30 km radius from Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Although, to my knowledge, there’s not much of interest around the area.
  • If you plan on visiting the coast of Tohoku you will find everything devastated. However you can always volunteer for reconstruction tasks.

I hope that if you were doubtful about coming to Japan I’ve helped you; here and here you have some general advice on traveling to Japan.

Categories
JapanGuide Tokyo

Ginkgos Avenue – Icho Namiki

“Icho Namiki” (銀杏並木) avenue is the main way to enter the Meiji Jingu Gaien gardens (not to be confused with the Meiji Jingu temple). “Icho” means Ginkgo and “Namiki” means “tree line”.

The yellow of the ginkgo leaves is fascinating during this time. It is one of the most visited places at the end of October and beginning of November. Don’t miss the chance to visit it if you are around during that time in Tokyo. The start of the avenue can be seen just outside “Aoyama 1-chome” station (Ginza or Hanzomon line).

The other day, my friend Xavier Verdaguer, came to visit Japan, and asked me: Why does it smell so bad when you are near the ginkgos? It turns out that the ginkgo fruits, called ginnan, fall on the street, are smashed by pedestrians and smell quite bad. The funny thing is that when they are grilled they smell very good and are delicious.

Gingko

Gingko avenue

Gingko avenue

Gingko

Categories
JapanGuide

Enoshima

One year ago I sent a postcard with an ukiyo-e from Hiroshige to Xavier Verdaguer. In that postcard I wished him the best for his birthday and proposed him to go to the island of Enoshima some time in the future.

Enoshima pictures by Xavi

Hiroshige Ukiyo-e

In less than a year Xavier came to Japan and we visited Enoshima together, one of my favorite places not far from Tokyo. Moreover, we had the great luck to be able to see Mount Fuji from the island, more or less as it is represented by Hiroshige in his ukiyo-e paintings. I have been many times in Enoshima but it is the first time I have been able to see mount Fuji from the island. I made the proposal, but most likely Xavier brought the good fortune.

Enoshima pictures by Xavi

Enoshima pictures by Xavi

Enoshima

Enoshima

Enoshima

Enoshima

Enoshima

Enoshima

Enoshima

Enoshima

Enoshima

Enoshima

Enoshima

Enoshima

Enoshima

Enoshima

Enoshima

Enoshima

Enoshima

江ノ島夕焼け

If you want to try your luck as well and see if you can see mount Fuji from Enoshima, the easiest way to get there from Tokyo is by using the Odakyu line from Shinjuku station in the center of Tokyo; in a little bit more than an hour you will be there.