Kuro Chan Blog

There are several sites in Japan that inspire and fascinate visitors. From historic castles and eye-catching flower displays to unique landscapes that appear to have been plucked from another nation, these are 16 most beautiful places in Japan that you must see to believe. Mount Koya Credit: Flickr Mount Koya is the spiritual birthplace of Shingon Buddhism, a sect founded more than 1,200 years ago by Kobo Daishi, one of Japan’s most influential religious luminaries. Kongobu-ji, the sect’s chief temple, is located on Mount Koya’s forested peak. Over 100 more temples have sprouted up around Mount Koya, several of which offer overnight accommodations. Noto Peninsula Credit: Wikipedia The Noto Peninsula, which comprises the northern half of Ishikawa Prefecture, is home to some of Japan’s most spectacular coastline beauty and pristine farmland settings. Aside from appreciating the natural beauty, the peninsula provides several opportunities for fishing, swimming, and camping...

Many people visit Kyoto for a variety of reasons, including the colorful temples, maiko and geisha culture, and the multi-course kaiseki ryori feasts. But if you’re still on the fence about booking a trip to Japan’s ancient capital, we’ve got many more reasons to Visit Kyoto. Explore over 400 colorful shrines More than 400 colorful temples linked to Japan’s traditional religion may be found throughout Kyoto. Fushimi Inari Taisha, Heian Jingu, and Yasaka Jinja are among the most well-known. Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine (Credit: Wikipedia ) Collection of World Heritage Sites Kyoto boasts the most Unesco World Heritage Sites on the planet, with 12 Buddhist temples, three Shinto shrines, and one ancient castle . No vacation to Kyoto is complete unless you see at least some of these wonderful landmarks. Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities) – Credit: Wikipedia More than 1,600 Buddhist temples Kyoto is home to over 1,600 historic Buddhist temples, ma...

Tattooing in Japan may be dated back to the Jōmon era, or Japan’s paleolithic period, when it was employed for spiritual and ornamental purposes (about 10,000 BCE). Tattoos have a troubled history in Japan, having been linked to criminals and the yakuza gang. For a while, the Japanese government also forbade inking, contributing to the prevailing unfavorable impression in Japanese society. Even today, certain places with “No Tattoos” signs, such as public baths, fitness centers, and hot springs, absolutely exclude tattooed patrons. Irezumi is a verb and a noun tattoo. Tattoos have been used as both a form of ornamentation and a method of punishment in Japan for ages (bokkei). Discover the history of Japanese irezumi, from its modest origins to the present. Japanese tattoos are done by hand using metal needles connected with silk thread and wooden handles. The irezumi method necessitates the application of a specific ink known as Nara ink or zumi. The Japanese body inking technique i...

Japan is a fascinating location to visit, encompassing both timeless traditions and modern marvels. If you’re considering a visit to this mountainous nation, here are some things every traveller should know before visiting Japan. Carry cash with you Japan is predominantly a cash-based society. It’s not uncommon to have tens of thousands of yen in your wallet in Japan — the country’s low crime rate means there’s little chance of losing it. Although most stores and hotels take credit cards, it will be tough to get by without cash, as many restaurants and businesses only accept cash. If you find yourself in a bind, go to the local 7-Eleven and utilize their cash machine, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Tap-to-pay travel cards, such as Suica and ICOCA, are also quite handy; however, keep in mind that you must pre-load them with cash before traveling. Credit: Flickr Take the train For first-time visitors, Japan’s rail network might be intimidating, with 158 li...

If you’ve ever been to Japan, you’ll know that the people aren’t scared to sleep for 40 minutes in public. Many of the millions of overworked salarymen and women find temporary shelter on trains, cafés, and even office desks. It’s no wonder that the country has created a lot of alternate sleeping choices for exhausted inhabitants, given the country’s demand for sleep. Love Hotels, where visitors (and their other half) can pay for a few hours’ stay, capsule hotels, and manga cafés are three popular types of short-term lodging. However, one very unexpected fact to emerge from the country this year is that manga cafés are considerably less ephemeral than they are designed to be for many people. In reality, a startling number of manga café patrons are long-term, officially homeless inhabitants. Here is the story of Why Do Some Japanese Workers Live in Manga Cafes. Credit: Flickr What exactly is a manga café? For starters, unlike a capsule hotel or a love hotel, a manga café may be ...

The first few months in Japan are unlike anything most foreigners have ever experienced. The cities are clean, the trains are dependable, and everyone looks to be well-dressed and purposeful. The bright izakaya beckons you in, and around 3 a.m., while shouting out your favorite song at karaoke, you’ll say to yourself, “why would I ever leave?” This is the honeymoon time, and while it is enjoyable while it lasts, the novelty of living abroad quickly fades, replaced by the reality of being an outsider in a mainly homogeneous community. These are the most cultural struggle in Japan that foreigners have to face. Reading the Air In Japan, the phrase kuuki yomenai (roughly, “can’t read the air”) refers to those who have difficulty picking up on certain social cues and body language. The Japanese are known for being indirect and non-confrontational, and they will seldom exhibit their unhappiness on the surface; instead, they may drop subtle clues and perhaps verbal signals to let people kno...