Planet Tokyo

Learning even a little Japanese before your trip is a worthwhile endeavor (although I must confess that without reinforcement, I have lost almost everything that I learned). At the very least you should make an effort to learn Hiragana and Katakana, the two most commonly used character sets. Katakana is especially useful because it is […]

For some people a trip to Japan isn’t enough. Many would like to spend more time getting to know Japanese culture and living in the country on a long term basis. If that describes you, you’ll need to find a job. Below you’ll find some resources related to working in Japan. Teach In Japan An […]

The country of Japan consists of a series of islands. The country is bordered by the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Sea of Japan on the other. Honshu is the largest island and contains most of the major cities in the country. It consists of five major regions. Chubu – Located in the middle […]

Located a little over 50 miles outside of Tokyo, Mount Fujican be seen from higher hotels like the Park Hyatt, though that is more the exception than the rule. The sky must be clear to see the grandeur — it’s better to make the trip outside of Tokyo to truly appreciate the beauty of Fuji-san. Tradition […]

By Bus: From Tokyo, you can catch a bus from the Shinjuku station. You will be taken to the fifth station (Kawaguchi-ko). A one-way ticket is approximately $30 USD, though this can vary with exchange rates. Shinjuku is reachable via Tokyo’s various subway lines. There are also shuttle buses from Kawaguchi-ko that connect with other […]

There is a Japanese proverb that states only a fool climbs Mount Fuji twice. And real fool climbs the mountain unprepared. Do your homework before ascending the mountain. Despite the fact that the mountain rises 12,389 feet or 3,776 meters (how in the world do they know this for sure?), the climb is relatively easy. […]

Mount Fuji, or Fuji-san, the highest mountain in Japan, straddling the boundary between the Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures. West of Tokyo, it can be seen from that city on a very clear day. The Pacific Ocean can be seen from the mountain. The mountain is located in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Surrounding the mountain are five […]

Perhaps no image is more closely associated with Japan than Mt. Fuji. The distinctive shapeis both iconic and revered — and climbing the mountain is a rite of passage for citizens of Japan. About Mount Fuji Mount Fuji, or Fuji-san, the highest mountain in Japan, straddling the boundary between the Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures. West […]

Honshu is the largest island in Japan. Major cities such as Tokyo and Kyoto are located on Honshu. Honshu is also home to Mount Fuji. Mount Fuji Perhaps no image is more closely associated with Japan than Mt. Fuji. The distinctive shapeis both iconic and revered — and climbing the mountain is a rite of […]