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Japanese
Pictures by City
photo albums of Japanese cities, with some introduction to the clueless |
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If you are traveling through the country and would like to see
our pictures and information of the places which you're heading
to, or if you're interested in a certain city you know at least
the name of. If you know or would want to know Japan by its cities,
just browse on.
Tokyo ! - Hypermodern capitalist-socialism, pop culture
vs. serious business.
30 or so albums on all famous or interesting districts of the ten
million people metropolis...
 Kansai
! - See why kansai people never run out of energy. In neither
means.
From the loud and friendly Osaka to the calm and beautiful Kyoto
temple gardens...
 Kanto
! - The pillars that hold Tokyo...
Natural and spiritual escapes, great cities and of course the food
:) See Nikko's thousand year old temples and forests... the 21st
century Yokohama and more...
 Hokkaido
! - The vastness of the northern island...
Crabs, spas, volcanoes, Sapporo, Otaru, Noboribetsu... and Aomori
at the northern edge of Tohoku, the passage between the two islands.
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Click
here to display ALL albums on the same page, including Tokyo.
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Finding local friends who can introduce you to the regions in-depth
is a good idea. |
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  Kanto
region 
The southeastern half of Japan's main island Honshuu is said to
have the most dense population of the entire country since Tokyo
( Edo ) became the capital. But even with the huge cities now on
the verge of getting built together, Kanto has many places to put
the ultramodern urban areas in contrast... some of the most beautiful
escapes from the Kawasaki - Yokohama - Tokyo - Chiba metropolis
include the temples at Narita mountain, Nikko up at the northern
end with its popular and wonderfully preserved ( what preserved,
still active ) Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines... hikes in national
parks all around the most picturesque lands, places you may have
heard about like Mt. Fuji... and places you should visit even if
you never heard of, like Kamakura...
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 Nikko
The nicest place to get faraway yet stay close. Two hours north
of Tokyo, with world heritage Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines
surrounded by breathtaking mountain views and the forests of the
Nikko national park.
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 Kamakura
A popular field trip destination with lots of historic temples and
shrines... of which none are covered here. Since it's also at the
ocean-side with a well-equipped beach offering views you just can't
catch deep inside the mainland. |
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 Yokohama
South of Tokyo, with a population of 3 million people. A huge port
city with a gigantic collection of 21st century architecture at
the Minato Mirai complex. Also hosts many museums and parks by the
bay, and the main attraction, a sparkling gold, red and blue chinatown
catering to the entire Kanto region.
Literally.
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 Narita
Narita is not a part of Tokyo, in fact it is about two hours away
by train if you don't pay for the express. But nonetheless well worth
a visit by everyone for its relaxed countryside streets and alleys.
Home of a beautiful, large Buddhist temple-complex on Narita-san,
and a tourist-oriented but cute all the same main street. |
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  Kansai
region 
The Kansai region includes many world famous cities of which the
most important from a cultural aspect is definately Kyoto. The city
that has been the capital of Japan through many ages over and over
again and is still said to be the most important when it comes to
religion in Japan. Kansai people are said to be of somewhat outgoing
in their nature, speak their minds, eat lots of food and try to
live out their lives to the fullest. While Kyoto city is the modern
age cultural-, Osaka is the economical and entertainment center
of the area.
Digest albums: Kyoto photos, selected
attractions - Osaka photos, selected
attractions
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 Kyoto
Has been the capital of Japan for many times and thus it's well guarding
its cultural and architectural history. Offers more beautiful temples
and shrines than any other place, which now coexist with the modern
age centers in a nice blend.
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 Shinkansen
to Kyoto
En route to Kyoto encounter some of the most beautiful landscapes
of the country as a comfortable real-time slideshow. Views include
Fuji san ( mount Fuji ) as well as some typical countryside moments. |
 Kyoto,
Arashiyama
The northwestern area of Kyoto, with its own train lines leading to
an unbelievable district of Buddhist temples, bamboo groves, hillside
gardens, Shinto shrines and the colorful atmospheric facilities around
the stations catering to the visitors who arrive from all over Japan. |
 Kyoto,
Kurama, Kibune
The cute twin valleys hidden on the northernmost of Kyoto offer an
unforgettable walk by Kibune river, with classic ryokans ( Japanese
inns ) and restaurants built in complete harmony with their surroundings,
and a traditional onsen ( hot spring spa ) in Kurama. |
 Nara
Also a past capital, probably the No. 1 destination for school trips
for its calm strolls of historic sights. Has the second highest density
of temples and shrines to Kyoto, but being one tenth in size is much
more relaxed. Most famous for the Daibutsu Den ( hall of the great
Buddha ) and Nara Koen ( park ) which takes up the entire eastern
area. Filled with deer walking about freely, not paying you attention
unless you possess shika-senbei crackers.
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 Osaka
The heart of Kansai, and probably the second most important city of
Japan, Osaka is a one-of-a-kind modern merchant city with an attitude.
People speak kansaiben ( kansai dialect ) which somehow has the same
ring as their lifestyle... they are friendly, loud, upfront, and like
to live out things. Osaka is also the proof of the fact that if you
eat a lot of healthy food and don't stress yourself, you'll grow up
to be tall, cheerful and healthy. |
 Osaka
Castle, Central Osaka
The most famous historic sight in Osaka, the Osaka castle stands right
in the middle of the city, equally far from the business complexes
and the busy station of Umeda ( North Osaka )
and the unbelievably vibrant entertainment districts of Namba, Ebisubashi
and Dotonbori ( South Osaka ). It's surrounded
by its own huge park and is neighboring the Osaka Business Park.
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 Osaka,
Shinsekai
Shinsekai means New World, which conveys its purpose of being built
as a new age entertainment and dining district... back in 1969. It
strictly stayed the way it was. Now it's an amazing retro area with
great dining, an ideal place to see how ( depressing ) the architecture
was back then. But most importantly it's the home of the famous icon
of Osaka, the Tsutenkaku tower. |
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  Hokkaido
region,
Tohoku region 
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The northern end of the main island, Tohoku, and across
the sea, or rather below the sea in a train tunnel you arrive to
Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan. Much less dense in population,
colder in its weather, and the agricultural flagship of the country,
in Hokkaido you'll find every aspect of being in Japan while still
having a feeling that you're in northern Europe. Spas, hot springs,
crabs and lobsters, jinghis-khan ( the food not the person ), snow
fesival, harbours and fishing towns, beer brewery from the 1860s
and active volcanic landscapes are the major attractions, but even
with at any given time most people being around are actually tourists,
the regional center Sapporo can take on any other Japanese city
with its modern architecture, busy nightlife and economy...
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 Otaru
Only half an hour away from Sapporo, an ideal place to go out hunting
for ( interesting ) food. Its main attraction apart of a large number
of kani ( crab ) and fresh sushi restaurants is the seaside where
a colonization-era scene is photographed by thousands of tourists
each day. The canal and its surrounding buildings bring up a feeling
of the 19th century... Germany. |
 Aomori
The northernmost larger city of Honshu ( Main Island ) and an important
passageway to even further north, Hokkaido. It serves as a regional
center for the area, and as a midway stop for travelers as well, with
a large number of hotels and a long shopping street running from the
station into the heart of the entertainment district. Its most famous
view is the Aomori Bay Bridge. |
 Sapporo
The largest city and the prefectural capital of Hokkaido, it's a place
that the word spacious can describe best. Its geography is unique
to other cities as it was planned well ahead during its foundation
in the 19th century. Almost 2 million people come and go on the gridlined
streets to the gigantic shopping, dining and business center around
the train station in the north, to the entertainment districts including
Susukino on the south, and Odori koen in the middle. Its most famous
icons include the TV Tower, the Odori park itself, the colonization-era
buildings of Akarenga and the Tokei-dai ( clock tower ), the Sapporo
Beer-en, Japan's first beer brewery, and the view from Moiwa yama. |
 Noboribetsu
Japan is world famous for its bathing culture and spas, and within
Japan the most famous attraction is definitely Noboribetsu Onsen.
Located deep within a volcanic mountain range is the tourist center
with nothing but hotels, spas, restaurants and shops catering to the
people arriving from all over the country. The water is supplied from
the nearby natural hot springs, visiting its origin is an attraction
itself. Only about ten minutes away from the center you are already
deep within Jigokudani ( Hell valley ), and not much further you can
see the active volcano Hiyoriyama and its lakes, Oyunuma and Okunoyu,
all of them offering views on nature you'll never forget. |
More thumbnail mugshot
in addition to the rest... and in no particular order |
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Nikko
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Nara
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Sapporo
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Osaka - Osakajo
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Otaru, Hokkaido
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Tokyo - Shimokita
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Tokyo - Yurakucho
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Tokyo Tower
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Tokyo - Kitanomaru
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Kyoto - Higashiyama
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Tokyo - Shinagawa
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Tokyo - Yoyogi
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Kamakura
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Osaka - Ebisubashi
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Kyoto Station
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Tokyo - Jinbocho
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Aomori
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Tokyo - Yurakucho
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Tokyo - Shinjuku
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Tokyo - Shinbashi
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Tokyo - Ebisu
another option if you don't know where
to start is to
Just Click
on any thumbnail and view selected photos from the
region or city
Tokyo - Ochanomizu
Kyoto - Arashiyama
Tokyo - Shinjuku
Tokyo - Ueno
Tokyo - Harajuku
City Description
Icon legend
- Our favorites
- Modern Japan
- Historic Japan
Nikko
Kyoto - Arashiyama
Tokyo - Shinjuku
Tokyo - Shinjuku
Tokyo - Shibuya
Tokyo - Shibuya
Osaka - Shinsekai
Narita
Tokyo - Akasaka
Tokyo - Akihabara
Tokyo - Aoyama
Tokyo - Asakusa
Otaru. Hokkaido
Kyoto - Kibune
Tokyo - Ginza
Kyoto - Higashiyama
Yokohama
Tokyo - Yoyogi
Nikko
Nara
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Travel
Tokyo and Japan in real life Pictures