Drink Japanese sake,

Eat tempura, sashimi,

You are Japanese.

We were very dry,

Our yen pieces at the ready,

Vending machines –  great!

If you want to go,

Lift the lid and let it flow,

Press button, heigh ho!

The day started hot,

Zen temples oh so quiet,

Later beer refreshed.

Spray and hot toilets,

Or hard squatting over bowl,

Not shoes off again!

New friends, new culture,

Made one by spring elegance,

My life is richer.

Miso oh Miso!

Every morn I see you,

Then you are no more.

Cameras are poised,

Cherry blossom is blooming,

Shame about the rain.

Chopsticks, yes, well, um…

Its not that I’m prejudiced,

I just prefer forks.

That teasing mistress,

Fuji in modesty towel,

Never showed herself.

I don’t think I’ll miss

Sitting on tatami mats,

But oh! the toilets.

Misty lakes, fast trains,

Beautiful trees flower too,

Where is Mount Fuji?

By  Steve Parker (Tour Leader)

As the newest member of the UK IJT team I am the only native Japanese in the UK office. I moved to the UK in 2010 and until this Spring I had not been home to visit my family in Yamaguchi (the last prefecture on the island of Honshu before you get to Kyushu). Actually Yamaguchi has a lot to offer itself and is well worth a visit rather than passing through on the bullet train which is unfortunately what most tourists tend to do.

A lot has happened since I came to the UK including the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Tohoku which was deeply saddening. Thankfully all my friends and family were OK, but my heart goes out to those that are still rebuilding their lives and homes.

The day I left Japan to come to the UK, our Prime Minister changed … again! Actually I went to the same high school as Mr Kan from Ube Yamaguchi, but like his predecessors his term didn’t last long. Japan seems to get through Prime Ministers at the same rate it produces new Kit Kat flavours!

So my reason for going home was of course to see my family as well as to do a bit of travelling to some unfamiliar parts. Armed with a Japan Rail Pass , I set off on the long 3 stop flight back to Yamaguchi. I arrived to find that nothing much has really changed back home. The one thing that hit me the most was the smell of soy sauce at the udon shop at the airport! (a very natsukashii moment to be cherished!). I really appreciated the fine and consistent/predictable weather. I didn’t really appreciate the weather in Japan until I started living in the UK! It was nice to be back in my own kitchen where I can reach everything! And the bright cheery service in shops brought a welcome smile to my face; although I found myself this time refusing the endless packaging and unnecessary wrapping that Japan seems so obsessed with.

After a few days with my family, my mother, grandmother and I set off to Kagoshima in Southern Kyushu famous for one of Japan’s most active volcanoes (Sakurajima) and its black pigs (Kuro-buta). With the opening of the new Kyushu direct Shinkansen line to Kagoshima Chuo from mainland Honshu it takes just 2 hours to cover a distance of 375km from Yamaguchi when previously it had taken around 5 hours with a change at Hakata (Fukuoka). The point of visiting Kagoshima – one to see the infamous volcano which had exploded again just days before we arrived and secondly to explore the area to the West famous for its hot volcanic sand baths where you can enjoy being buried alive on the beach!

The new Shinkansen is a joy to ride – so wide and comfortable; you could almost forget you are in standard class. Being married to a Brit does have its advantages – cheap rail travel back home!

We stayed just one night in Kagoshima. First we visited the famous samurai houses in Chiran (1 hour from Kagoshima Chuo by bus). We then headed west to Ibusuki famous for its hot sand baths – a comical photo opportunity well worth the 900yen it costs for your grave to be dug for you to fit snugly inside. Actually the sand is quite hot so it comes with several health warnings and an egg timer will let you know when your time is up! We also visited Nagasaki-bana where we could see the stunning view of Mt. Kaimon-dake. As its beautiful feature like Mt. Fuji, it is also known as Satsuma-Fuji.

Our accommodation was a small family run ryokan famous for its hot spring baths (which I had really missed living in the UK). From Ibusuki we visited Kagoshima city where we stopped at Shiroyama (famous for its views of Sakurjima), Isoteien (Iso gardens) which were beautiful in bloom and ate Shirokumakun (a famous local shaved ice desert known across Japan) because that is what you do when you are Japanese and visit Kagoshima!

All in all a successful trip to a beautiful part of Japan. Thankfully we didn’t hear a grumble from the volcano! I highly recommend a visit as it makes fantastic use of the Japan Rail Pass and is now so close to Honshu thanks to opening of the new line. Unfortunately we didn’t have time to visit the island of Sakurajima itself where you can view the volcano close up which I will be doing on my next visit as I hear it is quite spectacular.

People on my trips often comment on how few dogs they see in Japan – by that I think they mean what they might consider as “real” dogs; Red Setters with dribbling jowls bounding across parkland to fetch a ball, Labradors rolling around in the grass, perhaps even the ugly and menacing presence of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier outside the local  newsagents; rather than the commonly carried or carted-around yelping little creatures so often seen in urban Japan – I have nothing against Chihuahuas, by the way.

"Yes, Keiko-San, I do insist that you carry me - I'm a Chihuahua after all, and deserve only the best in life!"

Japanese dogs are possibly the most spoilt canines on the planet and some of those yapping little creaturemajigs certainly have the attitude to go with it – and the clothing! This past winter was a long, cold one which saw the latest in doggy fashion ranges hit the streets of hip Tokyo. I have been here for many years but I just couldn’t help notice cooly-clad dogs everywhere these past months –  shades, lederhosen, dungarees, t-shirts, hair bands, bows, shoes, Hello Kitty jackets – you name it, someone’s dog was wearing it!

Many of the local pooches even seem to have lost the will to move of their own accord, being transported in doggy carts or special doggy hold-alls, which are particularly comfortable and convenient when tackling the insanely busy Tokyo hotspots.

Miki, demonstrating the driveability and comfort of the modern dog owner.

The perfect fashion accessories for the streets of Tokyo - personal hold-all and matching human porter

In the UK a dog is certainly considered part of the family, but in Japan, it may even enjoy the status of most important member – older Japanese women are often seemingly far more concerned about grooming their pooches and showering them with more love and affection than their own husbands! And the dogs age better for it! So it is hardly surprising that there are dozens of doggy salons to be found across town catering for the owners needs.

Keisuke, one of Harajuku's top pooch models receives a little professional grooming before a grueling photo shot

One for cat lovers - feline transporter with human driver

The one breed that never fails to attract the attention of my travellers is the beautiful Shiba (see below) – often described as husky-like and  fox-like in appearance, with the controlled serenity of a cat. Unlike many native Japanese breeds such as the Akita and the Tosa wrestling dogs from Shikoku Island, this dog is not attributed to any particular area of the country. The Shiba can be spotted all over Japan and for me is the classiest canine on the streets of Japan – even without the bows and ribbons! Not that I find other breeds laughable but…well…, ok, let’s just say that Chihuahuas don’t like me and the feeling is mutual.

Sceptical of the idea of afternoon bath,  11 members of my Spring Elegance tour group stayed around Matsumoto`s famous samurai-period castle today.  Just 4 adventurous ladies joined me on the ride up into the hills.  They cherished both the warm bath and the white beverage.  ”So worth it,” one girl said.  ”Now we just have to convince all the others,” chipped in another.

I am putting this blog post together just before lunch time and its not easy as it is making me incredibly hungry.

One of our fantastic Japan staff, Ayako Kiyono recently took it upon herself to visit a Kobe beef farm.  I am sure that you have heard of Kobe Beef, but these days the term ‘Kobe Beef’ seems to be linked to any meat where the animals have been reared slightly differently to the usual methods as I recently found on a trip to Cornwall. The landlord of a pub and farmer was feeding his cows and pigs on local beer and producing his own, “Kobe beef and pork”. It was nice, but it certainly wasn’t the real McCoy.

The real Kobe beef is produced in the Hyogo area of Japan and Kiyono san wanted to actually see what went into producing the finest beef in the world. She travelled to Takami Kobe Beef farm in the rural town of Ichijima to find out and here is what she discovered.

What is the Kobe Beef?

No cows are born to be “Kobe Beef” cow.

Only Tajima-gyu cows (special breed in Hyogo prefecture) that satisfy the specific quality criteria deserve the title “Kobe Beef”.

Roughly 3000 Tajima-gyu cows manage to pass the criteria and titled as Kobe Beef every year.

Takami san delivered this calf the previous night and is nursing it himself.

Who discovered Kobe Beef for the first time?

Surprisingly, it was an Englishman! Until 1868, Japanese were not accustomed to eating meat, but that year, Kobe opened its doors to foreign trade as an international port and Kobe Beef was eaten for the first time.

 How are the cows raised?

The mother and baby names are written next to each calf.

At the Takami Kobe Beef Farm, the following methods are use for their cows;

Cows drink Sakamizu water. Sakamizu refers to spring water that is used to brew fine Sake.

Cows take a shower twice a day. (Shampoo and treatment)

Cows are talked to by farmers. (Farmers check each cows health by talking to them)

Each cow has Japanese name and taken care very well by farmers.

Cows are watched 24h through security camera.

Cows do not do any exercise.

Calves relax. No moooving for these cows!

 Are there any problems with raising pure-blood Tajima-Gyu?

Pure-blood Tajima Cows are not as healthy as their half-blood counterpart.

Pure-blood cows tend to be born premature and grow slowly.

New calves are kept in their own shed.

 What is special about Kobe Takami Beef Farm?

Takami Kobe Beef Farm won the championship for Kobe Beef 2010 and the farm has an official license.

Normally, each process, such as breeding, raising, and fattening are done separately by different farmers who is specialized in each process. Visitors to Takami can observe all the processes that go into raising a ‘Kobe Beef Cow’.

The highest grade kobe beef.

Takami Beef Farm has restaurants where visitors are able to enjoy fresh Kobe beef for reasonable prices. Try a Kobe beef rice bowl (Gyudon) or  1260 yen or the best Takami Kobe beef course at lunch time for an incredible 3800 yen.

Takami Kobe Beef Farm is approximately a 2h 15 minute train ride from Kyoto by train. If you want to eat the best beef in the world and at a decent price…and see exactly what goes into producing it, then it might be worth a visit. Let us know and we can organise it for you!

I am going to finish the 10 reasons why Japan is so great with another broad but a valid reason. Japan is bursting with new experiences for even the most intrepid of travellers. When you go for dinner, walk to the shop, get on the train and from when you wake to when you go to sleep, Japan fills your day with new and exciting experiences. Being so culturally different to the west (and most places in the world), it is just a very different place to be and no matter how old you are, there is an abundance of….well, just new stuff to stimulate your senses.

In my opinion, part of what makes travelling and indeed life so varied and exciting are the new things that you encounter in the world. I would say that it is rare for a person to visit any one country in this world these days and to encounter something new and alien just about everyday. For the visitor, I would say that Japan manages to do this supplying a vast array of positive cultural experiences.

Japan is a wonderful country and I challenge anyone not to come away enthusing about the people, culture, country, transport, food and more, just as I have in this series of posts. I have barely mentioned the magic of sitting in an outdoor hot spring bath overlooking the snow covered mountains or staying in ryokan, wearing yukatta and being on the receiving end of some of the finest and friendliest hospitality in the world or the impressive traditional festivals with their mikoshi parades, yukatta-clad girls and fundoshi-wearing guys, fireworks, food and plenty of sake. These are the more obvious differences in Japan and are each worth a blog post of their own with a hundred other things, but there are a thousand other little elements of Japanese life that give you little surprises and make you smile.

There are a many other reasons as to why Japan is so great but, if you would like to experience an enlightening country like no other place in the world then you should seriously consider travelling to Japan.

Once again, this overlaps with other categories such as culture and the people, but it is one aspect of Japan that is obvious in every day life and deserves a big mention.

At the risk of sounding too much like an old man here, I think that the respect shown by Japanese, young and old, to the environment they live in and the people around them is a beautiful thing and is partly what makes Japan so great. It quickly becomes obvious to most westerners who travel to Japan, as this respect is rapidly becoming a thing of the past in some western cultures. In terms of the UK at least, it is very normal to walk along a street full of litter, passing vandalised phone boxes and graffiti-covered walls and to be given some verbal abuse by a complete stranger. Sad but true. Not always the case, but not uncommon. It is however, very uncommon in Japan.

As soon as you step off the plane in Tokyo, you will no doubt notice that everything is immaculate, from the outfits warn by staff to the litter-free walk ways that lead you through customs. Fortunately, this doesn’t stop at the airport and continues as you head on to the train platforms and then on to the train – not a bit of chewing gum on the seat to sit on or broken vending machines on the platform. It continues throughout Japan. You can even see the poor old homeless people on the banks of the Sumida river in Tokyo sweeping up around their shelters and even taking their shoes off as they enter their boxes. You may be forgiven for thinking that all the pretty over packaging on goods would be ideal for littering the streets as people chomp though their Pocky or Crunky chocolate bars, but no! Litter is deposited in the correct recycling bins or held on to until a bin becomes available. This is not just the older men and women in society, but it goes for the children and teenagers alike. Refreshing I think you’ll agree and how it should be. As we say in the West, don’t ‘dirty’ your own doorstep – it would be so much nicer if people practised this like they do in Japan.

This is all down to the people, the culture and the Japanese Shinto religion which promotes a respect for the surrounding environment and the spirits that exist in it and therefore a respect for each other and local community, young and old. To be born Japanese is to be born Shinto and it breeds a certain way of thinking and acting. The cleanliness and respect for the local environment, community and other people is blatant to see for any visitor to Japan and is another reason why Japan is so great.

Having already mentioned the fact that culture and tradition are so prevalent in everyday life everywhere in Japan this is pretty similar but worth a mention on its own I think.

Japan is a working synchronisation of old and new which is witnessed everywhere, but especially so in some of the big cities. I don’t think that there is anywhere else in the world where this contrast is so obvious and no matter how big or small, adds to the overall Japan experience. This contrast is one of the reasons why Japan is so great.

One of the biggest contrasts to hit me, was when buying a gadget in an electronics store in Japan. This may not happen so often in the more popular districts of Tokyo, but you can still head into a small electronics stores and buy the latest electronic device.When it comes to making payment, the shopkeeper may tot up your bill on an abacus or tap in a figure to a big fat-fingered calculator. Meanwhile, the shop is being kept warm by a kerosene heater which is also being used to heat up a little kettle of water for the next cup of green tea. You know that there is the capability for a register to scan a bar code and bring up the price or a radiator/air-con device to heat up the room and a kettle that plugs into the mains….but it is kind of nice to see and seems right somehow. It seems very Japanese.

This is just one example of how Japan is full of the traditional and the modern living side-by-side and working well. It is quite cute in a way and is one of the reasons in my mind as to why Japan is so great.

I have already mentioned the culture which plays a part in every aspect of life in Japan. We all know that things in Japan are going to be different.  So what does “Japan just does things better” actually mean?

What I mean is, in Japan they have a lot of the same things that we have in the West, but they just do them differently and in most cases a lot better. For example, everyone knows about the huge range of vending machines. We have vending machines in the West of course…..but not like Japanese vending machines! In Japan, they have vending machines for cold and hot drinks, hot food and much more. It is not just about the huge variety of goods sold in vending machines either, but about the way they sell them. The machines have slots for notes and give out change, they sometimes accept credit from travel cards and some provide wireless internet access. One of the biggest things to note about vending machines is there are so many of them, in the city and countryside and all unscathed by vandalism.

Another popular example is the toilet which could also be a whole category on its own. The traditional Japanese toilet is not pretty and resembles more of a hole in the ground. Thankfully they are not as common as they were and you will more often than not see the ‘Japanese super loo’ – control panel, heated seats, automatic seats that lift up and down etc – A great experience in itself

Convenience stores! That’s another potential category again. They are actually convenient and sell just about anything and are everywhere. As well as magazines and food, you can pay your bills, buy tickets to shows and even book a holiday there. Imagine that!? – Convenient convenience stores…with very polite staff!

The food and public transport I have already mentioned. I have not even muttered anything about taxis with doors that open and close by themselves. There is a multitude of things that the Japanese do better than us in the West. It is a pleasure travelling about in Japan doing what you would seemingly do anywhere else in the world, but being surprised and delighted at the little things that make it different in this country.

Normal things done better are all part of an exciting cultural experience and what makes Japan so great.

Japan is 70 percent mountainous which means that, in a country that consists of more than 6000 islands with a similar landmass to Germany, there is actually a lot of greenery. With that many islands, there is also a lot of stunning coastline and beaches, especially in the sub-tropical Okinawan islands. The northern main island of Hokkaido also provides beautiful untouched wilderness and rare wildlife throughout the year, and especially beautiful during the white winter months.

Away from the ‘classic’ destinations of Japan, travelling around is a little more challenging (unless of course you travel with IJT and one of our Info Packs ), but very rewarding. Heading to the rural Tohoku region, the towering peaks of the Kamikochi national park deep in the Japan Alps, or the small ‘art’ island of Naoshima in the Seto Inland Sea and the jungle island of Iriomote in the Yaeyama Island chain, you will discover beautiful landscapes, a Japanese community with their own local slant on Japanese culture and perhaps people that don’t get to see so many foreigners. All these elements add to form a completely different experience of Japan to the very different but equally rewarding trip to Tokyo, Kyoto etc.

Getting out to Inaka (rural countryside), the locals will often wonder why you are there and what makes their place special. The people that you meet will no doubt go out of their way to make sure that you enjoy their particular village, island, town, hot spring, mountain or temple. A combination of the landscape, people and culture will add to an amazing Japanese cultural experience.

Japan’s varied landscapes, islands and countryside are all very good reasons as to why Japan is so great.