Japan is a country that we long wanted to visit - but as budget travelers we were hesitant to go to the notoriously expensive destination. However, when we offered the chance to house and pet sit in the heart of Tokyo, we used the opportunity to spend 3 weeks exploring Japan. We designed a route that that allowed us to experience three diverse destinations: historic Kyoto, Lake Kawaguchi near Mount Fuji and sprawling Tokyo.
Japan Facts:
Capital City: Tokyo
Country Population: 126 Million
Language: Japanese
Useful Phrases: Hello - Kon'niciwa
| Thank You - Arigatogozaimashita
Currency: Japanese Yen (JPY) | Current Value
Japan Guides:
Get Inspired for Your Trip to Japan
For centuries, people have been drawn to visit Japan to experience the ancient culture, colorful temples and fascinating cities. The country’s famed nature is as alluring as the exotic architecture, but the peculiar modern culture is certainly one of the country’s most intriguing aspects. Travelers planning a trip to Japan can get a head start with inspirational movies, books, food and drink!
Travel Movies Set in Japan
We think it is difficult to truly capture the spirit of Japan in a film, but there are a few that stand out for trying.
A story of two lonely travelers in Tokyo, Lost in Translation is a bit heavy and slow, but features many iconic sights in the city (including Joganji Temple, Kabukicho in Shinjuku and Scramble Crossing in Shibuya.
The Ramen Girl follows the story of an American girl who ends up alone in Tokyo – and decides to become a ramen chef. The movie provides a story-line to the Japanese food culture and is truly an inspiration for travel to Japan (if for no other reason than to eat ramen!).
Mr. Baseball is a light-hearted movie (with some classic lines!) that is sure to be a hit with sports fans. Starring Tom Selleck, the 1992 movie is about a baseball player that is traded from the NY Yankees to a team in Japan.
Books About Japan
The book, Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden, is the most famous book set in Japan - and, for many people, it has inspired travel to Kyoto. It details the life of a Geisha during the time of World War II in Kyoto in the famous Gion district. Rice Noodle Fish is a culinary travel tale that explores the culture of food in Japan.
Japanese Food Travel Inspirations
Japanese cuisine is exquisite…but can be a bit tricky to make outside of the country. However, most cities are home to at least one Japanese restaurant and there are numerous "How To" cookbooks for those who want to attempt making the food at home.
Sushi is my favorite Japanese food – and there are at home Sushi Kits that detail the art of making sushi. Other Japanese food that can be found pre-packaged at the grocery store is Gyoza and Ramen (but don’t expect it taste anywhere near as good as actual ramen from Japan!).
Japanese Drinks
The most famous drink in Japan is sake – which really just translates to alcohol in Japanese, but it is known around the world as a rice wine. Sake is available at most liquor stores. However, if you can’t find sake locally, you might be able to find beers produced in Japan – such as Asahi, Kirin or Sapporo.
Start Planning your Japan Trip:
For more information, travel tips and advice, jump over to our Travel Planning Page.
