Japan Insider Tips

Japan | Used for quiet soaking and contemplation, Japan is home to countless onsens, or natural hot springs where visitors must follow proper cultural etiquette.

Japan | Cherry Blossom viewing (Hanami) season will soon be arriving to many areas in the southern part of Japan and gradually spreading northward. It means that sooner or later, most of the top hanami spots that are located around Japan will welcome sakura flowers. Every year, Japan's first cherry blossoms appear in Okinawa (southern Japan) then move northwards to Hokkaido by early May. The average timeframe for when the sakura will bloom may vary depending on the weather conditions. Click here for a map showing the best locations and timeframes for viewing.

Japan | Cherry Blossom season arrives in Japan from mid-March through late May. The Japanese cherry blossom, or sakura, is an integral part of the Japanese culture. In Japan, you will find not only thousands of cherry blossom trees blanketing the country side, but also sakura flavored Coca-Cola, sakura ice cream, and a Shinkansen bullet train known as the Sakura. The sakura in paintings, poems, and song is often used to represent the transient nature of life. Some of the best Cherry Blossom viewing spots are Koishikawa Korakuen, one of the most famous gardens near Tokyo Dome; Shinjuku Gyoen with a total of more than 1,000 trees; Ueno Park with night lights; and Chidori-ga-fuchi with moats and waterways located near the Imperial Palace.

Japan, Kyoto | Visit Nanzen-ji Temple and Garden in eastern Kyoto, famous for its fall foliage including crimson maples and moss-covered ground.

Japan, Kyoto | Did you know that in Kyoto they do not make reference to the name Geisha. The term Geisha is used in Tokyo while they are called Geiko's in Kyoto and preferred to be referenced this way. A Maiko is an apprentice to the Geiko and are traditionally between the ages of 15-20. Both jobs consist of performing songs, dances, and playing traditional Japanese instruments for visitors during feasts. You can tell the difference in how they dress - Maiko's are more colorful with lots of accessories in their hair, long sleeve kimonos, long obi (sash) and high rise geta (traditional sandal).

Japan, Kyoto | The Gion Matsuri, a parade of more than 30 floats and countless festivities in Kyoto, continues for the entire month of July.

Japan, Kyoto | Visiting Nijo-Jo is an amazing experience, one of the most striking features of the Ninomaru Palace are the nightingale floors (uguisubari) in the corridors. To protect the occupants from sneak attacks and assassins, the builders constructed the floors of the corridors in such a way as to squeak like birds when anyone walks on them. This is a very kid-friendly and family fun palace to visit.

Japan, Osaka | Standing at 300 meters, the Abeno Harukas in Osaka is the tallest skyscraper in Japan. At the top of the Kintetsu Osaka Abenobashi Station, the observation deck is called the Harukas 300 and occupies the building's top three floors (floors 58 to 60). With large floor-to-ceiling glass panels all around, enjoy panoramic views, and an inner court with a wooden deck and cafe. The building also houses the largest department store in Japan, an art museum, garden terrace, rooftop plaza, and the Osaka Marriott Miyako Hotel.

Japan, Osaka | With a commitment to fresh and seasonal ingredients, The Ritz-Carlton offers guests the chance to join acclaimed global cuisine chefs in the kitchen and at the dining table. Consider a culinary pilgrimage to these foodie destinations to try their most iconic dishes. Osaka's approach to down-to-earth cooking leads The Ritz-Carlton, Osaka's "must-try" dish of okonomiyaki, meaning "cook what you like". This savory pancake is fried in a teppan and topped with everything from bonito flakes or ao-nori-sea greens to a Japanese Worcestershire-style sauce

Japan, Tokyo | Dating back to 1733, the annual Sumida River firework festival is one of the lar gest and most famous in Tokyo.

Japan, Tokyo | Stroll Yoyogi Park in Tokyo, home to glorious yellow ginko and red maples. Visit on Sundays when the park becomes a host to many local clubs and groups including juggles, musicans, cosplayers, hobby groups and more.

Japan, Tokyo | Looking for things to do in Tokyo's Marunouchi and Otemachi Neighborhoods? The business district of Marunouchi is home to Tokyo Station, the Imperial Palace, and several hotel chains, but the past decade has seen a big change here, as well as the neighboring area of Otemachi. And while business is still at the heart of these neighborhoods, there is now an interesting choice of restaurants, bars, and sites that make it a great place to stay. High-end shoppers, meanwhile, will be delighted to board the glass elevators that whisk them between destinations, from Diesel to Bottega Veneta, from Harrods to YSL. For things to do aside from shopping in luxury fashion boutiques, though, check out these six Marunouchi spots. Click here for more details.