Japan

Destination 》Asia 》East Asia 》Japan

Year Visited: 2016 – Nov

I found a cheap flight ticket from Shanghai to Kansai during November 2016. I grabbed that opportunity to experience autumn colors in Kyoto. Japan’s cherry blossoms are world famous, but the fall foliage in Kyoto is perhaps even more beautiful.

Japan, the “Land of the Rising Sun”, known as Nihon or Nippon in Japanese, is an island nation comprised of four main islands and several thousands of smaller islands. Japan, with its 6,852 islands, is the largest island country in East Asia.

Japan is the country where the past meets the future. Japanese culture stretches back thousands of years, yet has also been quick to adopt and create the latest modern fashions and trends. I found the Japanese people are very polite and willing to help.

Japan is incredibly easy to get around, you can do entire trip using nothing but its immaculate, efficient public transport. One advise to my friends from USA, like in China, tipping is not practiced in Japan. In fact, it can cause discomfort and confusion if you tip.

About connectivity in Japan; Local SIM card is either not available for your phone or its expansive compared to most other countries, but you should never be too far from a free WiFi connection, wireless hotspots are popping up all over major cities, free WiFi is available at all convenience stores like 7-Eleven, Family Mart, and Lawson. convenience. 

Japan offers lot to explore and experience, so far I have traveled to only two cities Kyoto and Nara, both cities with many UNESCO world heritage sites. I do hope to return back and explore more places in Japan. Click on any cities below to view my travel photos and stories.

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After a short, few days trip to Kyoto and Nara, I took a flight back to Shanghai, my home at the time.