amberjapantravels

Recently I spent 2 days on Sado Island, an island off the coast of Niigata in Japan. This island is an off the beaten path GEM. It’s home to insanely beautiful natural landscapes, a blue ocean, and the Sado Island Gold Mines, which recently became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sado Island is the perfect place for those seeking to connect with nature and immerse themselves in unique cultural experiences. 🏞️ During my visit, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the 37th annual Earth Celebration, an art and culture festival like no other. Watching Kodo, Japan’s legendary taiko drum ensemble, perform alongside the Ugandan musical group Nakibembe Embaire was a highlight. The festival featured traditional dances, mouthwatering food, and interactive workshops that brought together artists and visitors from around the globe. 🎵🌍 The absolute highlight of my trip was diving deep into the local culture with the “Oni Daiko” (Demon Taiko drum dance) experience at 📍Sado Island Taiko Centre. Here, I learned a traditional dance performed at local festivals, and it was an exhilarating way to connect with the spirit of Sado Island. They also offer taiko drumming experiences that you won’t want to miss! Getting here is easy! Just hop on a Shinkansen to Niigata station (about 1.5 hours), a quick bus ride to the ferry terminal (about 15 minutes) and then take the ferry (about 1 hour) to Ryotsu Port. Don’t miss out on this unique cultural experience—mark your calendars for next year’s Earth Celebration and start planning your trip to Sado Island~ 🌿 The project “Japan Cultural Expo” serves as an information hub for foreign visitors to experience “The Beauty and The Spirit of Japan”. Find information on the project at https://japanculturalexpo.bunka.go.jp/en/ 
 #pr #sadoisland #earthcelebration #japantravel #sadoshima #kodo #culturalfestival #unescoworldheritage #taikodrumming #naturelovers #discoverjapan #offthebeatenpathjapan #japanculturalexpo #taiko #earthcelebration

Honjin were special inns reserved for nobility, samurai, and high-ranking officials traveling during the Edo period. Staying at one meant stepping into a world of traditional Japanese hospitality with architecture and decor that were once only accessible to the elite. Staying here today offers a glimpse into this refined past, surrounded by the serene beauty of Japan’s countryside. 🌿🧘‍♀️ It was such a unique experience to stay in a place with so much history! This one was @satoyamavillahonjin in Nagano ✨ #SatoyamaVillaHonjin #JapaneseHistory #EdoPeriod #TravelJapan #JapanReels#CapCut

Have you heard of Goshuin? These are special stamps you can collect from temples and shrines across Japan. Each stamp has a unique design, making it a meaningful keepsake to remember your visits. Here are a few things to know before you get your first Goshuin: 1. Use a “Goshuin-cho” (official stamp book) You’ll need a Goshuin-cho to collect these stamps. Most temples and shrines sell them, but it’s important to note that the book is considered sacred. You shouldn’t use any random notebook, nor add stickers or extra notes inside. While traditionally you’re supposed to use separate books for temples and shrines, most people today mix them. However, in some rare cases, a temple or shrine may refuse to give you a stamp if your book contains both shrine and temple stamps. 2. Bring cash Many temples, shrines, and even local shops still operate on a cash-only basis. It’s also useful for picking up omikuji (fortunes), omamori (good luck charms), and making offerings. If you forget cash, don’t worry—most 7-Eleven stores in Japan have ATMs where you can withdraw money from international banks! *Note 1: Not all locations operate 24 hours. *Note 2: Some services may not be available. 3. Pray before receiving your stamp The stamp is kind of like a “contract” between you and the deity or god of the temple or shrine, so it’s customary to say a prayer before receiving it. By the way, this temple is 📍Ryusenji in Saitama Prefecture. It’s a bit off the beaten path in the countryside—about 2.5 hours by public transport from Tokyo or 1.5 hours by car~ @7bankofficial #pr #japantraveltip #japantravel #goshuin #japantravelguide #ryusenji #7bank #7BankCashTravel

📍Tokyo (Yoyogi Park area) What do you think? Is it worth it? Details of the place: It’s 1.6 mil yen per month(So currently about $10,000USD ) 3 bedrooms + sauna & elevator 157 square meters By the way Apts.jp is a great option for finding an apartment in Japan as a foreigner. They have full English support~ If you use the code “amber” when signing up for yours you’ll get 10% off your agency fee (which is super helpful bc agency fees are typically about the price of 1 months rent in Japan 😬) Happy apartment hunting!~ ^^@apts.jp

Forest Cafe 📍 鶴仙渓川床　(Kakusenkei River Bed- Kawadoko) This cafe is located in a forest in the Yamanaka Onsen Town in Kaga Ishikawa Japan~ It seems they have events sometimes too! Here’s the website: https://www.yamanaka-spa.or.jp/event/591 #oyadoo #pr #forestcafe #japantravel #hokuriku #ishikawa #matcha

Here’s all the info on the food mentioned in the video: Traditional Tea House (Matcha Gold Leaf Kakigori) 📍Kaikaro (懐華樓) (Kanazawa, Ishikawa) Local Market (Lemon Kakigori) 📍Omichiyo (Kanazawa, Ishikawa) Grape Picking 📍Kaga Fruit Land (加賀フルーツランド) (Kaga, Ishikawa) Japanese Inn (Roasted veggies) 📍 Yamanaka Onsen Shirasagiyu Tawaraya(山中温泉白鷺湯たわらや) (Yamanaka Ishikawa) Forest Cafe (Matcha & roll cake) 📍 鶴仙渓川床　(Kakusenkei River Bed- Kawadoko) (Yamanaka, Ishikawa) Sweet Potato Mont Blanc 📍 モンブラン・芋スイーツ Monta-Yu 加賀 (Mont Blanc Imo Sweets Monta-Yu Kaga) (Kaga, Ishikawa) Thank you @oyadoo_jp ! #pr #oyadoo #japantravel #horiku #japan #ishikawa #yamanakaonsen #japaneseinn #japanesehotel #japanhotel #japaneseonsen #montblanc #japanitinerary #japancountryside #countrysidejapan #offthebeatenpathjapan #hiddengemjapan #kanazawa

📍Ichijo Ekan Sanso The building in the garden was designed by Lord Ekan, the ninth son of Emperor Goyozei. It was originally a teahouse for the imperial family located in Nishigamo, Kyoto. In 1959, the building was moved to Kamakura along with the original garden stones and dry landscape garden, which were arranged in the same way as they were originally in Kyoto. In 1964, it was designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan. Now you can drink tea there and relax while enjoying the garden. I especially recommend going in June during Hydrangea season. The hydrangeas are still blooming by the way so there’s still time to check them out here!~ 🚞 To get here you take the 23 or 36 bus (about 20 minutes) from Kamakura station~

Last weekend I visited 📍Tsuchiura, Ibaraki. I CANNOT believe this place is just 1 hour by train from Tokyo Station and no one talks about it. I was especially blown away by the hotel, Hoshino Beb5 Tsuchiura, which was conveniently located IN the station! This is one of the COOLEST non-ryokan hotels I’ve ever stayed in Japan. It was comfortable, stylish, and surprisingly super affordable. Features: 🍹Smoothie bike experience 🍈Fancy melon soda 💙Flower projection mapping + cake & blue chai tea 🚴‍♀️Bike rental, storage, + repair floor 💻Co-working space 🛌Comfortable spacious & stylish rooms 🫶🏻 + soooo much more! #tsuchiuracycling #pr #tsuchiura #cycling #oyadoo @tsuchiura_city @playatre_tsuchiura @beb5tsuchiura @tsuchiura_explorer Thanks @oyadoo_jp

📍Ashikaga Flower Park, Tochigi, Japan

Sorry to bring up snowy things when everyone is anticipating Spring!! But the truth is it’s still pretty cold in Japan and the cherry blossoms aren’t out yet 😆 Anyway, the website to this place is linked in the description box of the full length Nagano video on YT if you’re interested in saving it for your 2025 winter travel~ 📍Restaurant Kamakura Village in Iiyama Nagano Japan #iiyama #iglooexperience #igloo #japantravel #nagano #snowfestival #japan #eatinginanigloo

Last weekend I went glamping for the first time in Japan at a place called Totonoi ( @totonoi.fujiyamanakako ) in Yamanashi prefecture. It was a super comfortable stay and we woke up to stunning views of Mt. Fuji. They also provided us with tons of food that we could make on a grill, campfire equipment, there was a sauna & cold plunge!!, board games, and so much more. To get here you can catch a 1.5 hour bus from Shinjuku and the bus stop intro you off at is only a 5 minute walk to the glamping village~ #pr #totonoifujiyamanakako #mountfujiview #oyadoo Thanks @oyadoo_jp

Make sure to reserve your mobile WiFi BEFORE your trip to Japan! There are several companies that provide this service. The one I used in this video was called Ninja WiFi and there’s a 10% code in my bio for anyone interested or you can use the coupon code CHEFINJAPAN10 at checkout !~ #japantraveltips #japantravel #japantraveltip

📍Nagano, Japan We stumbled upon this absolute hidden gem of a cafe for lunch last weekend while we were traveling in Nagano. It’s a bakery called Sonomano ( @sonomano.kinasa ) They had delicious baked bread and pizza lunch sets that came with soup and local veggie salads. We also snagged some baked goods on our way out~ Highly recommend if you’re in the area! ^^

📍Gokayama, Nanto, Toyama, Japan If you visit the famous Shirakawago, I highly recommend checking out this village too. Shirakawago was great but it was SUPER crowded when we went during peak season in January, so Gokayama is a great alternative. It’s also a world heritage site with the famed straw roof old houses, but there’s only one shop/restaurant, which means there’s almost no tourist. You’ll have the village to yourself and get to soak in all of the old house views and well as the pictured shrine. The shop owners waved us in as we passed by, they seemed to really welcome tourists. Gokayama was only a 20 minute drive from Shirakawago so I recommend checking it out if you’re in the area and have a car~ #japantravel #hiddenjapan #gokayama #shorakawago #toyama #takayama #gifu #japanwintertravel

I made this when i first moved to Japan 3 years ago 😆 My survival kit was unfortunately a casualty in my moving to Kyoto and then Tokyo so im going to have to get a new one. This time I think ill put together my own. 😅 Let me know your disaster survival item recs !!👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻

The stand is called Amane Taiyaki and it’s in Kichijoji Tokyo ^^ Taiyaki is a crispy pancake like pastry filled with a sweet filling, sometimes matcha, or custard. The famous flavor of this shop was custard so we got anko (sweet red bean paste) instead and it was soooo good! Dango is like a chewy sweet rice cake, the one we got was chestnut miso and it was simply amazing. Highly recommend checking this out if you’re in the area~ Tag a friend who you want to go with~ ☺️ #japanesestreetfood #taiyaki #dango #tokyo #kichijoji #amanetaiyaki

My favorite summer festival in Japan ☺️ #mitarashimatsuri #mitarashi #matsuri #japansummer #summerfestivaljapan #summerfestival #riverfestival #kyoto #festival #kyototravel

There was sooo much more to these temples! Full video + more recs will be up soon on “the platform that shall not be named” 😅 #kyoto #offthebeatenpathjapan #japantravel #kimonodate #temples #japantemple

Onsen are one of my favorite things to do in Japan! It’s super relaxing and has lots of health benefits too~ #japantravel #tattoosinjapan #CapCut