Best Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing) places in Hyogo

It’s still a bit cold but without a doubt one can say that spring is approaching! Perhaps you have also seen some plum blossom flowers blooming in your neighborhood too! Cherry blossoms bloom after plum blossoms and this year it is expected that cherry blossoms will be in peak , in Hyogo, from the week […]

Hyogo Ski Resorts/Areas

Winter is here and snow season is slowly approaching us! Here are some places where you can ski/snowboard in Hyogo. Main Sources :  Japan Snow Guide (English), Jalan 1.Sky Valley (Mikata) A skiing and snowboarding place with a variety of courses including a 3,200 meter long course, a half pipe and a special area/facility  for […]

Domestic Airports

Kobe Airport (神戸空港) Kobe Airport was completed February 2006. With an estimated cost of over 1 trillion yen ($8.7 billion US), this project has been extremely controversial, considering that Kobe is already one of the most indebted regions of the country due to the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. The airport was built as an extension off […]

International Airports

Kansai International Airport 関西国際空港 Kansai International Airport (KIX), pronounced Kansai Kokusai Kuko or Kanku for short, is the main international airport for western Japan. Extensive train, bus and ferry links provide access to Kansai Airport’s artificial island. Below is an overview of to get to the airport. Phone: 0724-55-2500 URL: http://www.kansai-airport.or.jp Getting to KIX By […]

Leaving the Country

Most JETs, at some point during their stay in Japan, will want to take a break to either go back home and visit family, or explore some of Japan’s neighboring countries. Either way, if you plan on leaving the country, make sure you… Notify Your School/BOE Most Contracting Organizations require very specific itineraries when you […]

Buses

Buses are a good way to travel long-distance, especially if you want to save on cash. If you want to save on a hotel as well, you might want to consider an overnight bus (夜間バス – yakan basu). Get on the bus in the evening, and arrive at your destination bright and early the next […]

Travel Agents

Note: One of the best ways to get a good deal is to reserve directly on a travel company website: HIS for international travel and NTA or JTB for domestic travel. Or book your transportation directly through the bus company, JR, or airline, and book your hotel through Jalan.net, which is available in English and […]

Ferries

To China Shanghai Travel time: 48hrs Cost: ¥25,000 Company: Nitchu Kokusai Ferry Phone: 078-392-1021 Tianjin Travel time: 50hrs Cost: ¥32,000 Company: China Express Line Phone: 078-321-5791 To Korea Pusan Travel Time: 15 hrs Cost: ¥10,500 Company: Kanpu Ferry Phone: 083-24-3000 To Hokkaido Maizuru, Otaru & Tsuruga Travel Time: 29 hrs Cost: Prices vary depending on […]

Trains: Lines, Times, and Fares

With numerous different train companies in Japan, hundreds of train lines and heaps of people all trying to cram on the same train, public transit can be a little overwhelming at times. The following information should hopefully help make traveling on trains a little easier. There are three major train lines for travel in the […]