TAKE
FREE

AUTUMNPASSPORTTO NIKKO AND OTHER OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

volume 04

MAGAZINE

WEB

APPS

秋
Autumn

ROUTE PLANNING
TRANSIT SEARCHFREE WI-FI SEARCH
4,000,000+ SPOTSSEARCH SPOTS BY PHONE NUMBER
CURRENT WEATHERPREMIUM FEATURES

DOOR TO DOOR MAPPING

Shinjuku

ALTERNATIVE ROUTESIN THIS ISSUEAVAILABLE IN 4 LANGUAGES

Shibuya
NAVITIME for Japan Travel

AUTUMN NOTES FROM THE EDITOR 2-3
UNIQUE KOYO ROUTES 4-7
WELCOME TO NIKKO 8-9
NIKKO HIGHLIGHTS 10-11
NIKKO ITINERARY 12-13
EDO WONDERLAND 14-15
WHERE TO SEE KOYO 16-17
URBAN OUTDOORS 18-19
FRUIT PICKING 20-21
FRUITS OF AUTUMN 22-23
AUTUMN MATSURI 24-27
THE GREAT JAPANESE ROAD TRIP 28-29
TRAVEL TIPS 30-31
navitimejapan.com

Miyagawa Shuntei, 1899

AUTUMN NOTESFROM THE EDITOR

When you’re traveling, it’s impossible to know all of
your options, which is why in this issue we’ll share
our personal favorites. For example, did you know
with a breathtaking view of red maple trees?

October through December is the season forgetting out in nature to enjoy "koyo" - theautumn leaves.

off-beat destinations and experiences, and do Japan
like a pro.

紅葉 KOYO

that you can row a boat down a river in Kyoto lined

NAVITIME FOR JAPAN TRAVEL TEAM

our goal to do more, and help our users find more

KEYWORD OF THE SEASON:

The best advice we can give for autumn is to get

AUTUMN LEAVES

yourself out of the city and explore Japan’s exquisite
natural beauty. That’s generally our advice for

And while we're talking about trees, how about

any season anyway, but we’re huge fans of Japan’s

picking fresh fruit? We compiled a list of autumn

After the heat and humidity of summer breaks,

fruits and the prefectures that grow the mostIf you can’t make it out to the countryside, we haveautumn so this issue is particularly special to us.

delicious ones. Most places offer all-you-can-eat

some suggestions for enjoying the outdoors right in

We hope you enjoy it as much as we did making itplans, so feel free to indulge!

the heart of downtown Tokyo, and even go fishingfor you.

in the moat of the shogun’s castle (this is actually aJapan’s most beautiful season sets in. If the springis all about cherry blossom viewing, autumn is all

We’ll also share some of our tips for enjoying Nikko,

about the changing colors from north to south.

a town of hot springs, nature, history, and one of themore unique historical them parks in the world.

thing!).
NAVITIME for Japan Travel is a mobile app thathelps you plan how to get around Japan. In this print

Whether you’re relaxing in an open air hot springsipping sake, or riding through the mountains in a

Just two hours from Tokyo, Nikko is one theedition we want to give you some cool ideas to makesteam locomotive, there are so many ways to makemost popular day trips for Tokyoites, and we're

your trip extra special. Though we’re already thethe most of the season and the good weather.

recommending a few of the area's hidden gems.

most popular navigation tool for travel in Japan, it’s

45

If you're traveling from Tokyo, the easiest way to

By Car | Metasequoia Namiki

get to the Alpine Route is by taking the shinkansen

One of Japan’s most scenic roads is located nearto Nagano, and then catching a highway bus for

Takashima in Shiga Prefecture, not far from the

90 minutes to Omachi, the eastern entrance of thewestern shores of Lake Biwa. Here, a 2.4 kilometer

Alpine Route.

stretch of National Road 287, not far from thetown of Makino, is surrounded by hundreds of

UNIQUE KOYO ROUTESJapan's beautiful autumn season is a feast
for the eyes, and there are plenty of ways toexperience the views as you travel.

By Boat | Arashiyama

Metasequoia trees planted in the late 1980s as aJapan has a myriad of rivers, and the leisurely pacebiology class project by a local school. Thanks toof a boat is an excellent way to experience thetheir efforts, car enthusiasts can cruise through one

autumn foliage. There is most likely a suitable riverof the top scenic spots in all of the country. If you're

nearby, no matter which part of the country you

headed this way, the highest chance of catching thehappen to be in. However, one of our favorite rides

vivid colors here is in November.

the longest unsupported ropeway in all of Japan, iton the water is along the Hozugawa River which

has some of the best views of autumn leaves in theruns from Kameoka to Arashiyama in Kyoto. The 16

On Foot | Kamikochi

entire country.

kilometer boat ride takes you through breathtaking

Kamikochi is a popular nature preserve in Nagano,ravines that are gorgeous all year round.

not far from the Alpine Route. The area is a plateau
surrounded by some of the most impressive

The ride takes about seven minutes, but expect to

SAID KARLSSON

spend considerably more time – about eight hours –This river has been used by boats since the 700s,

mountain scenery in the country, and part of

The mild weather that autumn brings, combined

if you want to traverse the entire 90 kilometer routeand due to the beautiful surroundings, the river

the Chubu Sangaku National Park. Kamikochi iswith the spectacular views it offers, makes this theby an assortment of charming buses, cablecars, andbecame a popular sightseeing spot from theespecially famous for hiking, and its spectacular

best time to enjoy the outdoors in Japan, and withtrolleys. There are also several lodging options ifbeginning. Pleasure cruises, running along thevistas have made it an extremely popular locationsome simple planning you can catch the koyo fromyou want to spend the night in the mountains.

Hozugawa since 1895, take about two hours, and thein October.

best time to view autumn leaves is from the middle

a number of unique ways of getting around.
Due to the varying elevations in the area, leaves

The area has several active volcanoes, and many ofof November to early December.

By Ropeway | Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Routeturn at different times, but expect the color changeThis ropeway is a part of the “Alpine Route”, abetween mid-September and mid-December.

To get there from Kyoto, take the JR Sagano Line to

the result of mudslides that disrupted the Azusa

scenic path that crosses the northern part of theAnother highlight of the Alpine Route is Mt.

Kameoka Station, and the cruise starting point isRiver within the last 100 years, leaving decaying

Japanese Alps, located around the border of Toyama

Tateyama, 3,000 meters high and usually covered inlocated just an eight minute walk away.

trees that remain standing in the middle of some ofPrefecture and Nagano Prefecture. Besides being

snow from late September until April.
6

the lakes were formed by past eruptions. Most are

the lakes.
7

BEST EXPERIENCES
If you're an experienced hiker, you'll probably

The train itself is half of the fun, as the Hakone

Get out there!

opt for one of the more advanced routes up theTozan is the only mountain railway in Japan that

There are plenty of ways and plenty of places to

TATEYAMA ROPEWAY

mountain peaks, but some of these routes takeclimbs up the hillside by changing direction attake in the autumn colors all over Japan, and these

NAKANIIKAWA-GUN, TATEYAMA-MACHI, TOYAMA

several days and there's already snowfall in October

several switchbacks along the way. Train geek orwere just a few of the more famous spots. Getting

T/ 076 465 5775

at the higher altitudes. Inexperienced hikers should

not, the ride gives you plenty of chances to see

out into more rural areas can be a bit daunting for

HOZUGAWA RIVER BOAT RIDE

go for the shorter routes around the lakes. Private

endless hills in all imaginable hues of red, yellow,

planning, but it's worth every effort this time of

2 SHIMO-NAKAJIMA, HOZU-CHO, KAMEOKA, KYOTO

vehicles are restricted from entering Kamikochi,

and brown.

year, and getting there can be just as interesting as

T/ 0771 22 5846

your destination.

METASEQUOIA NAMIKI

so the only way to get here is by bus or taxi, andboth Takayama and Matsumoto are connected to

If you venture further up in Hakone, you'll also

Kamikochi by bus.

be able to catch the snowy peak of Mt. Fuji as theT/ 0740 33 7101

perfect backdrop.

KAMIKOCHI

01

02

03

MAKINO-CHO, TAKASHIMA, SHIGA

By Train | Hakone Tozan Railway

04

MATSUMOTO, NAGANOTaking the railway up the mountain from Hakone-

To get to Hakone-Yumoto from Shinjuku you

T/ 0263 95 2433

Yumoto to the hillside onsen town of Gora is a

can take the classic Odakyu Limited Express

HAKONE TOZAN RAILWAY

perfect way to watch the autumn leaves, and if

Romancecar for 90 minutes.

707-1 YUMOTO, HAKONE-MACHI, ASHIGARASHIMO, KANAGAWA

this 40 minute leisurely trip isn't enough you can

T/ 0460 85 5033

continue by taking the cable car up to Sounzan.
8

9

05

For nature lovers, history fans, onsen
buffs, foodies, and enthusiasts of art andarchitecture, Nikko has a lot to offer. It'sa designated World Heritage destinationthat has called to pilgrims and travelers for
centuries.

The Ryuokyo Gorge is a quiet stretch of the
Kinugawa River that's well-known by locals,
so while hordes of tourists descend upon Lake
Chuzenji in fall, Ryuokyo is a peaceful alternative
where you can enjoy the autumn leaves in peace.
The river is fed by many clear streams and waterfalls
and, unlike many of Nikko’s best kept secrets, theJust two hours from Tokyo in central Tochigi

gorge is accessible by train.

Prefecture, Nikko is a hilly, mountainous area, andhome to some of Japan's most impressive nature

Lastly, Nikko is famous for yuba (tofu skin). It’sand important shrines and temples. A popular

usually served as thin sheets then dipped in soy

destination for domestic and international travel,sauce and wasabi, like sushi. You should definitely

it’s arguably the most famous area for autumn

try it in one of its many forms while you're in town.

leaves in the Kanto region. Depending on elevationand sunlight, Nikko’s leaves change at different
times in different places from early October to mid-

WELCOME TO NIKKO

November.
Nikko began life when the priest Shodo came here
in the 700s and established the forerunners of threemain temples, Rinno-ji, Futara-san, and Chuzen-ji.
The first shogun, Ieyasu, asked to be buried in his
ancestral lands in Shizuoka and then transferred
one year later to Nikko. This put Nikko on the map.
The third shogun, Iemitsu, expanded the temple
complex to its current grandeur - albeit a bit over
the top - and then built his own mausoleum. The
surrounding hills had attracted pilgrims since the800s, but patronage by the shogunate transformed
the area into the tourist attraction it is today.
While Tosho-gu, the first shogun’s grave, is by far

TOBU-NIKKO STATION TOURISTINFORMATION CENTER

the biggest attraction (and the most crowded),

4-3 MATSUBARA, NIKKO, TOCHIGI

Nikko's real jewels lie off the beaten path. Avoiding

T/ 0288 22 1525

01

the throngs of people, you can take a scenic
pilgrimage up the mountain using the Takino’o

NIKKO TOSHO-GU

Path (see page 12). The most ancient structures and2301 SANNAI, NIKKO, TOCHIGI

monuments are scattered in the dense cedar forest.

T/ 0288 54 0560

02

Many statues are covered with lush green mossand the hills are dotted with waterfalls and fresh

AGE YUBA MANJU NO SAKAE-YA

streams, with hundreds of tiny religious objects on

10-1 MATSUBARA-CHO, NIKKO, TOCHIGI

the path between the tomb of Shodo Shonin andT/ 0288 54 1528

Takino’o Shrine.
1103

NIKKO HIGHLIGHTSLAKE CHUZENJI

03

2478 CHUGUSHI, NIKKO, TOCHIGI
T/ 0288 55 0360

When in Tokyo, do as the Tokyoites do:
Get out of the city and enjoy the mountains, forests, and hot springs of Nikko.

If going off the beaten path isn’t
your thing, the most popular
destination is Lake Chuzenji,
which is accessible by bus.

Whether you're coming for

The city is famous for its pristine

activities for nature lovers, as

the stunning nature, art andstreams and waterfalls. In Japan,

well as plenty of history andarchitecture, or the centuries

wherever there's natural springs,

culture.

old spiritual tradition, you

you can be sure there are plenty

could easily spend a weekendof onsen. In fact, Kinugawa

It's nearly impossible to make acrowds you should go at the crack

or more in the area and still not

Onsen is one of the premier

perfect list, but here's what youof dawn or in late afternoon.

experience all the great things

hot spring destinations in theabsolutely can't miss when you're

Scenic spots are accessible by tour

that Nikko has to offer.

Kanto Area with tons of outdoors

in town.

boats or walking paths.

The mountains, lake, and autumn
leaves are stunning, but to avoid

TAMOZAWA IMPERIAL VILLA01TOSHO-GU

8-27 HONCHO, NIKKO, TOCHIGI

04

2301 SANNAI, NIKKO, TOCHIGI

T/ 0288 53 6767

T/ 0288 54 0560

Built in 1899 for the futureThis is the mausoleum of theEmperor Taisho, the villa has

first shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu. It

106 rooms and is surrounded byfeatures 1,500 wooden sculptures

gardens and the natural beauty

and is the product of the topof Nikko's mountains. Whenartists and craftsmen of thethe bombing of Tokyo escalated

1600s. Though it can get a bitin 1944, the crown prince wascrowded, one of the highlights isevacuated to this site from time

the carved relief of three monkeys

to time. The villa's architecture

representing "Hear no evil. See nosmoothly blends styles from theEvil. Speak no Evil."Edo, Meiji, and Taisho periods.

RYUOKYO CANYON

02

KEGON FALLS

1357 FUJIHARA, NIKKO, TOCHIGI

05

CHUGUSHI, NIKKO, TOCHIGI

T/ 0288 76 4111

T/ 0288 55 0030

Located right next to Ryuokyo

Kegon Falls is one of the most

Station or a short drive frombeautiful waterfalls in Japan.

Kinugawa Station is one of

The area is gorgeous year round;Nikko’s lesser known spots. You

green in spring and summer, red

can relax along the river andand yellow in autumn, and white

enjoy the autumn colors reflected

and completely frozen in winter.

in Nijimi no Taki (literally, therainbow waterfall). This hike is

The falls can be viewed from both

popular with locals avoiding thefree and paid observation decks,

crowds during peak seasons.

the latter of which is accessed by a
100 meter elevator.

12

13

NIKKO ITINERARY
The area's best-kept secrets are hidden in the mountains.
Hike Nikko like a pro!
The undisputed star of Nikko is Tosho-gu, thesprawling mausoleum of the first shogun,

MARKY STAR

Tokugawa Ieyasu. Famous for centuries, it’s always
packed with tourists - particularly in peak seasons.
If you want to avoid the crowds and see all the cool
stuff that the masses are missing, then this is the01

hike for you.

TOBU NIKKO STATION
4-3 MATSUBARA, NIKKO, TOCHIGI
T/ 0288 54 0137

First get off the train at JR Nikko or Tobu Nikko
stations and make your way by bus or on foot to
Shinkyo, the sacred bridge originally reserved for02

SHINKYO

envoys of the imperial court attending Futarasan

SANNAI, NIKKO, TOCHIGI

Shrine. Head to the path "Shrines & Temples ofT/ 0288 54 0535 (FUTARA SHRINE)

Nikko". Everyone goes left but we’re rebels and aretaking the lesser known path on the right.
03

HONGU SHRINE

Soon we’ll arrive at Hongu Shrine, a three-story

SANNAI, NIKKO, TOCHIGI

pagoda, and a 1,300 year old temple dedicated toT/ 0288 54 0535 (FUTARA SHRINE)

Kannon. Continue uphill about 1.5 kilometers until
you come to a small red temple called Kaizando built to honor Shodo Shonin, who brought

04

KAIZAN-DO

Buddhism to Nikko in 766. His grave is behind the

SANNAI, NIKKO, TOCHIGI

temple. Note the piles of rocks left by past pilgrims.

T/ 0288 54 0531 (RINNO-JI)

Continue up the hill as you discover all of thereligious objects littering the ancient path. At

05

TAKINO’O SHRINE

the top, we’ll come to Takino’o Shrine, Shiraito

SANNAI, NIKKO, TOCHIGI

Falls, the grove of sacred trees (one has long since

T/ 0288 54 0535 (FUTARA SHRINE)

collapsed on the stone fence), and the Sake Spring(unfortunately not actually flowing sake).
06

TAIYU-IN

On our descent (about a kilometer), stop at Taiyu-in,

SANNAI, NIKKO, TOCHIGI

the grave of the third Shogun, Iemitsu. His grave is

T/ 0288 54 1766

more subdued than his grandfather's and became
the model for future shogunal graves. At this point,
we have to make a decision: Do we go home, or bite

TIP

This is a very simplified itinerary, so be sure to pick up a

the bullet and join the crowds at Futarasan andmap of the whole path in the Tourism Office. There's so

Tosho-gu?

much more to see!
14

EDO WONDERLAND
Step back in time to Japan's feudal golden age, the Edo Period.
During more than 250 years of peace, samurai ruled the land,geisha entertained the wealthy, and the country was closed tothe outside world as a unique culture flourished.
MARKY STARlord, and my wife a princess, the highest ranking

with topknots carried a portable shrine down thecharacters available. Of course, not everyone can bestreet for a festival. Definitely better for a date thana lord, so there were plenty of mid-ranking samurai

the execution ground, and Edo Wonderland hosts a

and commoners.

festival once a day, every day.

Because of our status, samurai and townspeople

All the revelry made us hungry, so we picked up

would drop to the ground and bow in deference,some yakitori and popped into a teahouse for somewhich felt a bit strange, but it's good being rich andtraditional Japanese sweets and matcha.

powerful and you get used to it pretty quickly.
Altogether, the food, architecture, costumes andOne of Nikko’s top attractions is Edo Wonderland,

the borders of the various feudal domains. Thena theme park designed to take you back in time toyou continue along a kaido, a tree-lined highway

Our next stop was the ninja show, even thoughatmosphere made stepping back into the Edo Period

Edo, the former name of Tokyo and capital of theconnecting Edo with the rest of Japan.

anyone who knows me knows I'm not much of a fan- with all its beauty and blemishes - a blast. Withbecause the "modern ninja" is a complete fiction. A

all the sights and sounds of Old Japan surrounding

In those days, travelers would arrive at the firstlittle suspension of disbelief on vacation wasn’t tooyou, it's sort of like taking a vacation within a

Being a huge Japanese history nerd, I was skepticalpost town outside of the city, get a room, a hot bathmuch to ask, and the show is basically a non-stop

vacation.

yet curious the first time I visited as a consultant

and a meal, drink with a courtesan, and then get aaction performance with well-choreographed fightfor a TV show showcasing the world's most unique

new pair of shoes to replace their beat-up travelingscenes using katanas and ninja stars. Even for a

EDO WONDERLAND

theme parks. I was impressed by the efforts theyshoes. At Edo Wonderland, we didn’t need new

crusty ninja-hater like me, it was actually fun.

470-2 KARAKURA, NIKKO, TOCHIGI

made to keep the experience both realistic and fun,shoes, but our first stop was a change of clothes.

Tokugawa shogunate.

010288 77 1777
After that, I wanted to show my wife my favorite

and much of that was due to the enthusiasm andpassion of the people working there. Since we'reTo get into the spirit, guests are encouraged toplace, Kodenma-cho Prison & Execution Grounds.

KINUGAWA ONSEN STATION

looking at Nikko in this month's issue I headed backdress in period fashion based on class. You can be

This building showcases the miserable conditions of1390 KINUGAWA-ONSEN, OHARA, NIKKO, TOCHIGI

to get the full experience.

a samurai, merchant, farmer, or even a concubine

a typical Edo Period prison with exhibits depicting

0288 54 0560

or high ranking courtesan. The staff are fully incommon methods of punishment, torture, andWhen you arrive at Edo Wonderland you’re greeted

character too, portraying different characteristic

execution. Obviously perfect date material.

by samurai guarding a checkpoint, the sort used

Edoites and addressing the guests according to theirto strictly regulate who and what passed throughsocial rank. Naturally, I chose to dress as a feudal
16

From Kinugawa Onsen Station, take the regular bus (410 yen).
Or, a free shuttle runs four times a day from Fujiya Kanko
Center (edowonderland.net).

Suddenly we heard chanting and cheering, as men
17

02

TIP

WHERE TO SEE KOYO

AUTUMN LEAVES FESTIVALS

The autumn leaves take a few months tochange across the country, and many famousspots have festivals and events to celebrate
and enhance the experience.

HAKODATE MOMI-G FESTA

01

KOSETSU-EN, 56 MIHARASHI-CHO, HAKODATE, HOKKAIDOOCTOBER 22 ~ NOVEMBER 13DAKIKAERI KOYO-SAI
There’s no shortage of seasonal events linked to the

DAKIKAERI VALLEY, TAZAWAKOSOTSUDA, SENBOKU, AKITA

changing colors of leaves throughout the country.

EARLY OCTOBER ~ EARLY NOVEMBER

02

No matter where in Japan you’re bound for, there’s

LIGHT-UP NIKKO 2016

something happening if you get the timing right.

03
01

NIKKO TOSHOGU SHRINE, 2301 SANNAI, NIKKO, TOCHIGI
In mid-September, the leaves start turning first up

OCTOBER 11 ~ NOVEMBER 13

north in Hokkaido. In most of Kanto and Kansai, you
can expect to get in on the action in mid-November,

OKU-CHICHIBU OTAKI AUTUMN LEAVES FESTIVAL 04

but be aware that in higher elevations, the leaves

MITSUMINE SHRINE, MISTUMINE, CHICHIBU, SAITAMA

will start changing sooner. In Shizuoka, Osaka,

MID OCTOBER ~ MID NOVEMBER

02

central Tokyo, and parts of Kyushu, sometimes
it won’t start until late November or even early

JINGU GAIEN GINGKO FESTIVAL

December!

MEIJI JINGU GAIEN, 1-1-1 MINAMIENOKI-CHO, SHINJUKU, TOKYO05

MID NOVEMBER ~ EARLY DECEMBER
Some temples and shrines decorate their grounds

0306

and encourage people to come and enjoy their trees

FUJIKAWAGUCHI-KO AUTUMN LEAVES FESTIVAL

in solemnity. Other places go into full on matsuri

KAWAGUCHIKO MOMIJI CORRIDOR, NASHIGAWA, KAWAGUCHI, YAMANASHI

mode, featuring traditional music and food stalls.

NOVEMBER 1 ~ 23

04

08

There are even places that illuminate the trees forviewing after dark, and there are some places thatKITANO TENMANGU ODOI MOMIJI-EN

even do all of the above.

KITANO TENMANGU, BAKURO-CHO, KYOTO, KAMIGYO-KU, KYOTO

05

06

07

09

07
10

EARLY NOVEMBER ~ EARLY DECEMBER
Luckily the leaves last a bit longer than the cherry
blossoms, so perfect timing isn't as big of a deal.

KOKO-EN KOYO-KAI

We've created a map showing the standard times, so

KOKO-EN (HIMEJI CASTLE), 68 HONMACHI, HIMEJI, HYOGO

if you head to an area within that timeframe you'll

NOVEMBER 18 ~ DECEMBER 4

be just fine.

DAISHO-IN MOMIJI FESTIVAL

08

09

DAISHO-IN, 210 MIYAJIMA-CHO, HATSUKAICHI, HIROSHIMANOVEMBER 9 ~ 27

MIFUNEYAMA RAKUEN AUTUMN LEAVES FESTIVAL

10MIFUNEYAMA RAKUEN, 4100 TAKEO-CHO, TAKEO, SAGAEARLY NOVEMBER ~ EARLY DECEMBER

18

RED LEAVESYELLOW LEAVESGREEN LEAVESOCTOBERNOVEMBER

DECEMBER

URBAN OUTDOORSFEATURED LOCATIONS

Ichigaya Fishing Point on what used to be an outer

There are many ways to enjoy outdoor
activities in the middle of central Tokyo. Hereare a few of our favorite urban outdoor spots.

If you prefer something more rural, pay a visit tomoat of Edo Castle. For a small hourly fee you

Jidayubori Minka-en, a compound of traditional

can try your luck at catching rather large koi fish,

INSTITUTE FOR NATURE STUDY

farmhouses in Setagaya Ward, near Seijo Gakuen-

though it's purely catch and release.

5-21-5 SHIROKANEDAI, MINATO-KU, TOKYO

Period (1860s) and the place is a goldmine forIf you want to eat what you catch, you can head

JIDAYUBORI MINKA-EN

anyone interested in the history and life of oldindoors to Zauo, a chain of seafood restaurants with

5-27-14 KITAMI, SETAGAYA-KU, TOKYO

Japan. The staff are enthusiastic; one woman evenan indoor fishing pond. You'll get a fishing rod andT/ 03 3417 8492

offered us her homemade sweets.

bait to catch your own dinner, and the restaurant

FUTAKO-TAMAGAWA STATION

will turn it into sashimi, sushi, or fry it depending

2-22-13 TAMAGAWA, SETAGAYA-KU, TOKYOmae Station. The houses date back to the late Edo

SAID KARLSSONTokyo is about as urban as it gets, but you can still
pretend you're out in the countryside. One of theT/ 03 3441 7176

most accessible places to experience lush greenery

While you're in this part of the city you can visit

on your preference. Expect to pay around 5,000 yen

T/ 03 3700 0405

and trails is the Institute for Nature Study between

the open fields on the banks of the Tama River.

per person depending on the type of fish.

ICHIGAYA FISHING POINT

Meguro Station and Shirokanedai Station. The

This is one of the biggest green spaces in the city

20 hectare nature park has been left untouched

and is rarely crowded. The stretch between Izumi-

If you're really keen to get out and enjoy the city you

T/ 03 3260 1325

since 1949 (though some trees are much older),Tamagawa Station and Futako-Tamagawa Station is

can hit up all of these locations by bicycle. There are

ZAUO

and is home to over 2,o00 varieties of insect, fish,a nice walk, and you can watch local anglers fishing.

plenty of places renting out bikes all over town, and3-2-9 NISHI-SHINJUKU, SHINJUKU-KU, TOKYO

it's a great way to see the areas between stations.

T/ 03 3343 6622

mammal, and bird. Once inside, you'll forget

02

03

04

1-1 TAMACHI, ICHIGAYA, SHINJUKU-KU, TOKYO

you're actually in the middle of the world's biggest

But you don’t have to leave central Tokyo to go

Head over to rentabike.jp for a comprehensive list

metropolis.

fishing. Near Ichigaya Station sits the decades oldof rental locations and prices.

20

01

21

05

Japan is famous for really delicious fruit.
Rather than eat the expensive stuff from
specialty shops and supermarkets, why notpick your own fresh from the tree?

For 300 yen you have an unlimited tabehodai, or you
can pick as much as you want to take home at 250
yen per kilogram.

AOMORI SIGHTSEEING APPLE GARDEN
Seasonal foods are a big deal in Japanese culture,

03

35 AZA-OSAWA, TAMOGINO, AOMORI, AOMORI

and on top of that, Japanese fruit tends to be of really

T/ 017 738 3047

high quality. One interesting twist to put on your trip

Aomori is synonymous with apples. In fact, 70% of

is to get out of the big city and pick fresh fruit. It’s a

all apples in Japan are produced here. At Aomori

relaxing activity to add on to your onsen stay as well.

Sightseeing Apple Garden they grow 26 varieties

You can pick all kinds of fruit all over the country, but

on roughly 250 trees, and have two plans. You can

we chose five autumn fruits in combination with thepick three apples for 300 yen, or if you’re feelingfive prefectures most famous for them.

like a glutton you can do a one hour tabehodai for
1,000 yen. They also grow pears, chestnuts, peaches,

Generally speaking, there are two basic systems forprunes, and cherries, but the cost varies if you wantfruit picking so the two Japanese words you’ll need toto pick other fruit.

know for this are tabehodai (all you can eat) and -gari

TAKADAI-EN(picking). Alright, let's look at some farms!

04

FRUIT PICKING

532 TAKATSUKA SHINDEN, MATSUDO, CHIBA
T/ 047 392 9134
You might be familiar with Funassyi, the hilarious
and unofficial mascot of Funabashi, Chiba. That’s

KATSUNUMA GRA-PARK

01

because there are a lot of nashi (pear) growers in

2972 KATSUNUMA, KATSUNUMA-CHO, KOFU, YAMANASHI

Funabashi. Unfortunately, only one of them allows

T/ 0553 44 0645

nashi-gari but that’s OK, because all of Chiba

Katsunuma, Yamanashi is the grape capital of Japan.

Prefecture is famous for nashi. Takadai-en grows

If you’re visiting Mt. Fuji, visit Gra-Park (combining

four types of pears and offers a simple system: 650

the words “grape” and “park”). They grow over 16

yen per kilogram. If your group plans on buying

varieties and offer two plans. One is tabehodai (1,000

more than 1000 yen per person, you’ll need to makeyen for normal species, 2,000 yen for high end) – alla reservation. But c’mon, nobody needs that many

you can eat with no time limit. The other is budo-garipears on vacation.

– 100 yen per 100 grams of normal grapes and 200
yen per 100 grams for the premium kind. Check out

YAMASHIRO TAGA FRUITS LINE

the Budo no Kuni Culture Hall to learn about the

16 ANGAITO TAGA, IDE-CHO, TSUZUKI, KYOTO

history of Katsunuma and grape cultivation.

05

T/ 0774 82 4110
Nara is Japan's persimmon capital. There are two

NISHIJIMA NO-EN

02

types, astringent and non-astringent – both of which

541 SHIMOTAGA, ATAMI, SHIZUOKA

are eaten in different ways. If you want to take a

T/ 0557 68 1737

break from sightseeing, Yamashiro Taga Fruits Line is

Shizuoka’s moderate climate in autumn and winter is

a popular spot for persimmons (they also have mikan

perfect for growing mikan (Mandarin oranges) along

and grapes). There's an 800 yen tabehodai plan withthe coast. If you’re staying to enjoy an onsen here,no time limit. Of course, you can also buy some tomake a little time to pick some of these juicy little

take home at market price (which varies year to year).

guys. Nishijima No-en in Atami offers two plans.

The farm is located 15 minutes from Nara by train.
22

FOLLOW US @NAVITIMEJAPAN

Kaki

Ringo

@100SHOWZAKKI@HEATHER_AT_HOMELIFESTYLEJAPANFRUITS OF AUTUMN
Mikan

Budo

@AZONISHI@YO4_BELLE

Kuri

Nashi

TAG AND SHARE YOUR JAPANESE FOOD EXPERIENCES#tabetaijapan@ROMOON@TSUTSUMITAKAE@ERINOSUKE1129
25

AUTUMN MATSURIAn important part of regional social lifeand culture are local festivals that occur
in different seasons. These matsuri provide
a connection with Japanese history andtraditional spirituality.
26

Matsuri are traditional Japanese festivals, ranging

There are quite a few matsuri throughout the

One of the best autumn festivals is the Kawagoe

from hydrangea matsuri in the rainy season to thecountry related to the autumn leaves (see page 17),

Matsuri which takes place every October in Saitama

samurai military drills of the Soma Numaoi. The

but many have their roots in Shinto and Buddhism.

(pictured above). Huge decorated floats "battle" eachword "matsuri" comes from the verb matsuru which

Others provide business opportunities to areas that

other with a musical performance and cheering, inmeans to enshrine, pray, or worship, and has its

need an economic stimulus, and some, like thea town that has preserved much of its Edo Periodorigins in Japan's native religion, Shinto. But these

Azabu-Juban Matsuri, are massive money making

charm. The event has a history stretching backdays, it's more of a catch-all phrase for any public

operations that draw hundreds of food stalls from

more than 360 years and attracts hundreds of

festival. Everybody loves a good party, right?

all over the country.

thousands of people every year.
27

FEATURED MATSURI

Nyu Matsuri

since the 1700s, featuring 14 huge floats with large

In October, all the Japanese gods go to Izumo Shrine

dolls of historical and mythological characters, andin Shimane to meet. It's said that Niutsuhime no

the music and dance borrowed closely from the

NYU MATSURI (WARAI MATSURI)

Okami, the goddess enshrined at Nyu Shrine,

dominant styles of the shogun's capital. The town

HIDAKAGAWA-CHO, HIDAKA, WAKAYAMA

overslept and was late so she became depressed.

still retains its Edo Period post town feel, so it's easy

THE DAY BEFORE SPORTS DAY (2ND MONDAY OF OCTOBER)

In this festival the people are ordered to "laugh,to slip back in time. Many people like to enjoy thelaugh a lot, wahaha!" to cheer up the goddess. They

matsuri with a boat ride down the canal.

SAWARA TAISAI AKI MATSURI

carry her portable shrine, smiling and laughing the

In collaboration with: ohmatsuri.com

28

01

02

SAWARA-CHO, SHINJUKU-KU, KATORI, CHIBA

whole way. The leader of the group can lead themKagoshima Ohara Matsuri

wherever he wants, preferably in a funny direction,

This autumn festival began as part of the post war

such as into a river, or off the correct path.

recovery effort. While its history only dates back to

KAGOSHIMA OHARA MATSURI

2ND SATURDAY OF OCTOBER

1949, it draws on previous local traditions, many of

YAMASHITA-CHO, KAGOSHIMA, KAGOSHIMA

Sawara Taisai Autumn Matsuri

which date back to the Edo Period, and combines

NOVEMBER 2-3

This three day event takes place during the first orthem with the Western concept of parades.

second weekend of October and is affiliated with

A branch parade is also held in Tokyo's Shibuya

Suwa Shrine. It has remained relatively unchangedneighborhood in spring.

29

03

Japan's public transportation is worldrenowned, but renting a car and exploring
the countryside is a liberating andunderrated way to create a completely
unique experience.

03

PARKING - With very little free street parking

in Japan, your biggest issue is finding a spot forthe car, especially in the cities. Be sure to checkwith your urban accommodation ahead of time
if they have parking or you may find yourself in apaid parking lot. Luckily most paid lots have daily

THE GREAT JAPANESE
ROAD TRIP

One of the biggest reliefs of traveling in Japan ismaximum fee caps so you don't need to stress aboutknowing that there's almost always a train or bus

hourly charges.

to get you where you want to go. So why would you
need a car to travel?

04

SERVICE AREAS - Need a highway break or justsome gas? Japanese highway rest stops are theIf you're planning to stay in mostly urban areas,cleanest in the world, and the larger ones feel likeit's true that a car is probably more hassle than it's

suburban malls, complete with shops, restaurants,

worth, but once you're outside of the cities you'll

playgrounds, and even ferris wheels. Look for thefind that nearly everyone drives everywhere, andbig "P" on highway signs to know where to get off.

the train lines are primarily for students and fellow
TOLLS & ETC -If you’re planning to take a lot of

tourists. Truly getting off the beaten path can take05

an incredible amount of time and effort, and a car is

highways, be sure to rent an ETC card along withhands down the best way to do it.

your rental car for cashless toll payments. You
avoid the hassle of lining up to pay in cash, and can

The benefits of car rental go beyond the driving

also save a ton of money. Nighttime, weekend, andexperience of winding mountain roads andholiday rates are 30% off, and special regional ETC

magnificent vistas. It means going where you want,passes from your rental shop can cover all of yourwhen you want; avoiding downtime waiting forholiday driving for a low flat rate.

sporadic buses and trains, and not having to lug
around your baggage.

06

CITY DRIVING - While there are certainlycongested times, driving in Tokyo is actually quite
Fortunately, Japan's roads and highways are someeasygoing compared to most big cities. It’s theof the safest and best-maintained in the world, andsuburbs that can really get congested at peak times

combined with great navigation you'll be able toas more people drive there. If you have the chance,

create an experience that the guidebooks just don't

get on the downtown highway and live out yourfeature.

video game driving fantasies.

01

RENTING A CAR is actually quite easy, and much

07

GAS - Most of the time you won’t need to pumpmore visitor-friendly in recent years. Companies

your own gas as filling stations tend to be full-

like Nippon Rent-A-Car offer full English language

service, which means also getting your windshield

support, multilingual car navigations, and driving

cleaned and a wet towel to wipe down yourinformation to make your roadtrip go smoothly.

dashboard. Self-service stations are a bit cheaper,
but the full-service experience is worth it.

02

PHONE NUMBERS in Japan correspond to specificlocations, so you can input the number of your next
destination into the car navigation and get there
easily; much easier than figuring out addresses, andyou don't need to read Japanese.
31

4

3
12
78

la
io
V

56

hn
Jo

32

54

8
/1
12

76

R
EA
H/Y
NT
MO

LID
VA HRU
T

98

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

TAKING TAXISMONEY TIPSGETTING CONNECTEDWith the most efficient, yet easily mostcomplex public transport in the world, ittakes a lifetime to master Japan’s trainsystem. Still, there are a few things to makeyour time here on the rails much easier.

Depending on how far you’re going, taking ataxi may be one of the more expensive things
you do during your trip, but there are a few
ways to make the most of them.

It’s hard to get by on just one form of money
during your time in Japan. In fact, you will
most likely be dealing with three of themrather often.

Even though Japan is a highly connected
country, getting online as a visitor can be
frustrating. Even just for basic mappingand information searches, having a reliable
connection can be a challenge.

01

Have the address for your destination ready,01

While credit cards are becoming more readily
While it’s nice to imagine being offline during

and in Japanese if possible. Cities here are dense

accepted, Japan is still very much a cash-based

companies all working together, but that also

and drivers most likely won’t know your location

country, so you’ll need to have a decent amount on

a holiday, it’s hard to get by without features likemeans all-day passes for one rail system won’t work

unless it’s a common point of interest.

you for walking around. The easiest place to getmapping and transit search. We recommend

cash is at 7-Eleven convenience stores, providing

renting a portable Pocket Wifi during your trip,

Not every taxi takes credit cards, though it’sinternational ATM services with zero fees. We also

especially if you want to share the connection withmore common these days. Look for a sticker on thehave an ATM search feature in our smartphone app.

someone else. They’re fast, lightweight, and allow

01

Japan’s railways are a mix of private and public

on another one, so be sure of your plans in advance.
02
02

Rather than buy passes or individual tickets pertrip, get a Pasmo, Suica, or the regional equivalent

window with the card you want to use, and if you

e-money card. Your unused cash is refundable, andaren’t sure just ask the driver in advance.

you to connect any kind of device that supports wifi.
02

Even when using credit cards, there’s no
If you’re set on using a SIM card for your phoneguarantee that smaller shops will accept your02

No need to ever touch the door! Your driver will

particular brand. Best to make sure it's acceptedor tablet, you can now find data SIMs in electronics

makes moving around frictionless.
03

01

Getting on and off trains can be quite simple, as

always open and close it himself, mostly to prevent

when you first arrive, or you’ll soon be making astores, convenience stores, and even vending

most people politely line up and wait their turn. Be

you from opening it onto an unfortunate cyclist or

quick run to the ATM.

machines. While they don’t provide you a phoneaware of areas for elderly and pregnant passengers,

nearby car.

03

and if you aren’t sure just follow the crowd.
Knowing which trains to take and when is thehardest part of getting around. Of course we suggest

E-money cards like Suica and Pasmo are

Taxis can be quite expensive if you’re taking a

our favorite form of money. They also double as

03

long trip. Our app provides a simple taxi fare search

payment systems for riding public transportation.

to save on mobile data costs. Some companies

to give you the best estimate for your journey.

04
04

number, you’ll be online in a snap.
03

It can be good to find wifi spots when you want

Not only that, but you can make purchases directly

like Docomo provide countrywide wifi on public

our smartphone app, with the most up-to-datefrom vending machines and convenience storesnetworks, but more locations are offering it as well.

schedules making for a stress-free experience.

without getting a lot of loose change in return.

It’s best not to bank on having wifi or you’ll get

Read more on www.navitimejapan.com/traveling32

frustrated when you can’t find it when you need it.
33

Acknowledgements

About

Get in touch

EDITOR | Michael Keferl

NAVITIME for Japan Travel is the most

GENERAL

PRODUCTION | Yoko Kitakoga, Jenie Gabriel

downloaded smartphone app for travellers

contact@navitimejapan.com

visiting Japan, available in English,
ART DIRECTION | Mimmo Cangiano Belcuore

Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese,

ARE YOU A CREATOR?

and Korean languages.

We’re always excited to collaborate
with both visitors and locals for written,

PHOTO EDITOR | Don Kennedy
COVER ILLUSTRATOR | Manico Tanaka

Featuring Japan’s most popular train routephotographic, and video content. If you

ASSISTANT DESIGNER | Kosuke Inouesearch functionality, the app also includes

are interested in documenting your trip or

multimodal route search, navigation, real-

sharing your experiences of Japan, you can

WRITERS

time train timetables, and offline search forfind more information at the link below:

Marky Star 2-3, 8-16, 22,-27

free wifi spots.

navitimejapan.com/creators

Said Karlsson 4-7, 20-21
Michael Keferl 28-31
Emiko Izawa
Makoto Terauchi

PRINTER株式会社 誠文堂 (Seibundou)
Published September 2016

Shinjuku

Publisher

発行人

NAVITIME for Japan Travel

NAVITIME for Japan Travel

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be

NAVITIME JAPAN Co., Ltd.

株式会社ナビタイムジャパン

reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,

Minami Aoyama Tokyo Bldg.

〒107-0062

electronic or mechanical, including photocopy or any storage

3-8-38, Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku

東京都港区南青山三丁目8-38

and retrieval system, without permission in writing from

Tokyo, Japan, 107-0062

南青山東急ビルthe publisher.

Shibuyanavitimejapan.com
MADE in JAPAN

Aoto

Route

Kiyosumi
shirakawaSpotnavitimejapan.com

More

Hirai
Funabori

Ojima

Toei Shinjuku Line
Nishi-ojima

Sumiyoshi

Kikukawa

Kinshicho

KameidoKameido Suijin

Ryogoku

Tobu
KameidoLine

Higashi-ojima

Omurai

Higashi-Azuma

Oshiage(SKYTREE)

Morishita

HamachoHigashi-nihombashi

Keisei-Hikifune

Keisei
Oshiage Line

HikifuneTokyo Skytree

Minami-Senju

Asakusabashi Ryogoku

ExploreYahiroHigashi
Mukojima

Honjoazumabashi

ramae

Yotsugi

Kanegafuchi

Asakusa

Keisei-Ko

Keisei-TateishiHorikiri

Asakusa

Keisei-Takasago

Ohanajaya

Keisei-Sekiya

Route Search