JNTO FamTrip 2015: Himeji Castle

In late September and early October, Unique Japan Tours joined a familiarization trip organised by the Japan National Tourist Organisation. The purpose of these trips is to introduce new, unique places in Japan to promote trips there. The familiarization trip (or "famtrip") we joined took us from Okayama and Kurashiki, down into Tokushima, to Shodoshima and finally to Himeji.

Of course, we knew most of these places already, and we've sent many of our clients to these places to. But we always want to learn more, look deeper and see what's new and exciting. Today we wrap up our series of blog posts where we're explored the areas we visited, introduced them to you, and shared some of our pictures. Today is part four, where we visit Himeji Castle.

Reflections on a trip to Japan

     Recently, one of our staff here at Unique Japan Tours, returned to Japan for his first trip since moving home. He spent two weeks there, and we've asked him to share some of his thoughts on his trip. Thoughts about Japan, life there and the country in general. So, without further ado, here is Patrick, sharing his reflections on Japan.

Interactive Tokyo Map: The Best Tokyo Sightseeing Spots

     Tokyo is the capital of Japan and one of the largest metropolises in the world. If you're visiting Japan, you're likely to fly into this magnificent city. We often recommend to our clients that they spend a few days in Tokyo, and explore the city as much as possible. There's so many places to go that it's hard to figure out where is best to go though.

Sue in Japan: Follow our client

We love sharing stories of our clients with you. Usually, these stories take the form of a testimonial, sent to us after the tour is completed. But this time we have something different for you!

Kanazawa: 2015 Holiday Hotspot

     You may have seen Kanazawa was selected by the Guardian newspaper as one of their Holiday Hotspots for 2015. Kanazawa features on several of our tours, both small group and self-guided, and is a favourite destination among everyone here in the UJT offices. Today we're going to dig a little deeper in Kanazawa and discover this beautiful city.

Japanese New Year - New Year in Japan

With the Christmas holiday season coming to a close, we are approaching the close of the year and the celebration that entails. Where as Christmas in Japan is more of an excuse for couples to have another date, New Years (know in Japan as shougatsu or 正月) is more important. What does New Years look like in Japan? Read on to find out more!

Japan Discovered: The Ultimate Introduction to Japan

     We run a small group tour called Japan Discovered, and it really is a great way to discover what Japan is all about. You will experience everything you could hope to experience on this tour: from the neon lights of the big city, to the serenity of the mountainous countryside, to the peaceful sense of harmony at the temples and shires of this amazing, ancient culture.

Reasons to Honeymoon in Japan

      We've talked a lot recently about honeymoons in Japan. We told our story of how we helped a friend, Mary, organise her dream honeymoon to Japan. We've highlighted romantic activities in Tokyo. We've talked about the tropical Amami Oshima, an underrated paradise. We also talked about the illuminations that dominate Japan in winter, illuminations that can be incredibly romantic to visit with your significant other. But we haven't answered the most important question; why honeymoon in Japan? Today, we'll answer this question!

Looking good at almost 100

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First-time visitors to Tokyo often ask where the centre of Tokyo is. Answers vary according to the person who you are talking to but the plain fact is that there is no one true centre for this sprawling metropolis. However, if you were to go back around 100 years, there was one station that represented the centre of the city in many ways: Tokyo Station.



One of reconstructed domes atop Tokyo Station brings style and panache to the whole area

Currently surrounded by shiny high-rise buildings and hundreds upon hundreds of companies, Tokyo Station’s roots go back to 1914. The station first opened with four platforms, two of which served electric trains and two served non-electric trains. However, it was the station’s iconic three-storey red-brick building housing two domes designed by leading Japanese architect Kingo Tatsuno that impressed people most at the time. Rumoured (falsely) to have been modelled on Amsterdam’s main station, the building – 335 metres in length, 20 metres in width and 45 metres in height – was for the time an ultra-modern construction that way ahead of anything else that existed at that time in Japan.

On October 1, 2012, the newly refurbished Marunouchi side of the building re-opened after 5 years of restoration work. Many parts of this landmark have been restored to their former glory. In particular, the domes that were destroyed in World War II have been completely brought back to life from the outside and the inside where zodiac symbols adorn beautifully decorative ornate plaster.

Many people, both locals and tourists alike, have been marvelling at a feat of architecture that will soon be celebrating its 100^th birthday.

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