It is not difficult to see why countless visitors flock to the famous “hell” in Nagano Prefecture especially in winter.

The world-famous “Snow Monkey Park” is located in the Valley of Yokoyu River in northern Nagano, where steep cliffs and steaming hot springs in the area resemble harsh hell-like conditions — but in a picturesque kind of way. Hence the park name Jigokudani, which literally means “Hell Valley” in Japanese.

Thanks to the heavy snow that the park receives each year, we are able to watch families of Japanese macaque monkeys happily bathe in roasting hot springs up close.

Hell Valley

Can’t monkeys get a little privacy?

The drive up to Jigokudani through a mountainous forest is quite bendy and narrow. But once you arrive, you will instantly realize the changes in your surrounding landscape. Suddenly, there are only cliffs, rivers and steam coming from small hot springs.

Explore Nagano

The park is open all-year-round and is beautiful in all seasons. Winter, though, is by far the best season to visit as the snow monkeys are most likely to be bathing in the hot springs, which is listed as one of GaijinPot’s Travel’s iconic cultural experiences. Needless to say, the bathing monkeys are cute to watch. Monkey babies napping on their mother’s tummy also makes an adorable scene.

Bathing macaques

The famous snow monkeys of Nagano.

There are over 160 snow monkeys at Jigokudani. Visitors can get close, but make sure you don’t touch or feed them. (There are plenty of staff members checking human behaviors.)

Unfortunately, the outdoor hot bath is only for the monkeys, but there is no need to be jealous. You can take a dip in the ryokan (Japanese style inn) called Jigokudani Onsen Korakukan, which is on your way to the park entrance.

If you’d like more hot spring options, know that you’re in a hot spring town already! Shibu Onsen and Yudanaka Onsen are two other popular destinations in the Yamanouchi area, so make sure you take your time and soak in the Nagano vibes besides adoring fluffy, pink-faced snow monkeys.

The southwestern Chugoku region is a peaceful depiction of traditional Japan that travelers rarely find in the big cities. Among its scenery is Yamaguchi Prefecture’s famous Kintaikyo Bridge, the main landmark of the area.

The bridge is located in Iwakuni, a prominent city down the coast from Hiroshima Prefecture. Tourists come from all over for the fascinating history, striking scenery and even the signature ice cream nearby, yet, you won’t feel overwhelmed by big crowds.

Kintaikyo Bridge at night.

The history of Kintaikyo Bridge

The arched wooden bridge’s iconic look is perhaps most famed as a picture-perfect spot in spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom. But the surrounding scenery of Kintaikyo Bridge is beautiful in all seasons, as you catch a glimpse of how the locals live in this lesser populated part of Japan.

Since 1673.

Originally built in 1673, the bridge was designed in a unique style of having five steep arches. These arches were made to represent western Honshu (Japan’s main island), as well as make it difficult for invading armies to cross the Nishigawa River. The bridge was unfortunately destroyed by a particularly harsh typhoon in 1950. It was rebuilt three years later using the same techniques and parts of the original bridge that were salvaged.

Things to see in spring and summer

Kintaikyo Bridge sees cherry blossom trees line both sides of the river in spring. The view is studded with pink petals stretching out before you, and at peak blossom typically in March to April, food stalls and entertainment pop up, too. It’s a real party.

More cherry blossom viewing spots around Hiroshima

Stop at these rival ice cream shops

Photo by: Alfie Blincowe Try all 100 flavors.

Once you cross the bridge, check out the ice cream shops that both claim to be the “original” and serve 100 different flavors. That makes choosing quite difficult!

This friendly rivalry has gone so far that they’ve nicknamed the shops after two rival samurai: Sasaki Kojiro and Miyamoto Musashi. These two feudal folk heroes’ entangled story is a mysterious one — even historians are not actually sure who won in the end. Either way, you can enjoy the Japanese obsession of funny flavors and try out ones like wasabi, sweet potato, tomato and more.

This area might not be the first place on your bucket list for Japan, but it offers a host of gorgeous sights, and of course, all the ice cream you can stand.

• Halloween 2019: Public drinking is now illegal in Shibuya on Oct. 25, 26, 27, 31 and Nov. 1. Read more on GaijinPot Blog: https://blog.gaijinpot.com/shibuya-to-ban-public-drinking-for-halloween-2019/

The traffic lights at Shibuya’s Scramble Crossing change every two minutes to maintain the enormous flow of people and vehicles.

It’s pop-culture credentials don’t just cease there, Shibuya is the pulsating core of some of Japan’s most internationally renowned districts. Teenagers, couples and families can be spotted picnicking in the shade of nearby Yoyogi Park. Students decked out in the latest fashion trend file out of adjacent Harajuku. The older (and richer) make a quick getaway to the posh malls of Omotesando Avenue and healing calm of Meiji-jingu.

Shibuya is just a short walk from Yoyogi Park and Harajuku.

Park yourself outside the Hachiko Exit (named after the famously loyal Shiba-Inu that always met his owner at the station after work) on a Friday or Saturday night and you’re sure to witness the sheer power of Japan’s vibrant youth culture.

Partying in Shibuya

It used to be that Shibuya was the place to party on Halloween in Tokyo. Just grab a couple of cans from a nearby convenience store and revel in crowds of over 1 million people getting absolutely hammered in the street. Yes, in the street.

Seems like Jason has made some new friends.

Sadly, all good things come to an end—street drinking in Shibuya during Halloween has been banned since someone flipped over a truck and numerous fights broke out amidst the chaos in 2018. This is literally why we can’t have nice things.

If you end up finding love, there’s always Love Hotel Hill for all your lovin’ needs.

If hitting the club scene sounds like your jam though, the most youthful of Tokyo’s wards certainly has a nightlife to write home (or just y’know, a Twitter status) about. The giant disco ball in the center of Womb’s main dance floor coupled with the huge, multi-floored VISION are only two reasons why you could end up having your best night out evaaaa in Shibuya. If you end up finding love, there’s always Love Hotel Hill for all your lovin’ needs.

The Hachiko meeting point is the busiest in the city but somehow people always manage to find each other. Look out for the dog statue opposite the green tourist information bus.

Shibuya’s laid back side

As vigorous as Shibuya can be, there is an array of more laid-back food, sports and art culture well suited for any age or persuasion. Baseball and rugby enthusiasts will be overjoyed by the offerings from the Meiji Jingu and Chichibuomiya Rugby Stadiums.

Cultural hotspots such as the Bunkamura (a museum with outstanding art exhibitions), the New National Theatre Tokyo (or NNTT) or Konno Hachimangu Shrine (once home to the illustrious Shibuya family) will broaden the scope of your itinerary.

Grab a coffee at the Hachiko Starbucks overlooking Scramble Crossing.

Likewise, foodies will be able to gorge themselves on some of the most varied and delicious cuisine in Japan. For vegans, Nagi Shokudo combines seriously delicious food with fantastic magazines and reading material in English or Japanese.

For film freaks, make a pilgrimage to Gonpachi, the restaurant from Kill Bill. As the base of the hip and trendy, there are also coffee shops galore including the famous Starbucks whose second floor looks out over the world’s busiest crossing.

One thing’s for sure: you could stay in Shibuya for your entire stay and never, ever get bored.

Looking for places to drink around Shibuya and beyond? Check our list of foreigner-friendly bars and clubs in Tokyo!

Appearing as if floating on the Seto Inland Sea at high tide, the awe-inspiring O-Torii (otherwise known as The Grand Torii Gate) is the iconic trademark that first welcomes day-tripping pilgrims from Hiroshima to the sacred island of Miyajima. It’s one of the country’s most iconic sights – you’ll definitely know it if you’ve ever googled “Japan images” – and the whole complex of suspended red buildings is even more captivating in real life.

The shrine is made up of several buildings, built above the sea and connected by wooden boardwalks.

Who and what was previously banned from Itsukushima?

First founded in 593 A.D., the vermillion coated shrine pavilion was later enlarged to its current dimensions in 1168 under Taira no Kiyomoro, a powerful warlord in the late Heian Period. All credit for the grandeur of Itsukushima goes to this legendary figure who commissioned the gate to be constructed in an architectural style catering to aristocratic estates, known as shinden-zukuri.

The regional shrine rose to national prominence in the Heian Period as members of the Imperial Court began worshipping the deities believed to reside at this sacred site. There are rare performances of the ancient art of bugaku (classical court dance and music) that were once enjoyed by the royals on their visits way back when.

If you’re lucky you might catch a traditional bugaku performance at the shrine, usually held during commemorative events and festivals like New Years or the Emperor’s birthday.

Another interesting feature is a Noh theater stage dating from 1509. As in Ancient Greek plays, the stories enacted on stage draw inspiration from creation myths and religion. Featuring the natural backdrop of the sea, the stage is the perfect performance setting for an island where gods dwell.

Itsukushima Shrine is one of Japan’s many World Heritage Sites. Check out our list of all these highly-revered locales for the ultimate travel itinerary!

Comiket is the event — and an indescribable experience — for Japanese culture lovers.

Biannually, more than 500,000 attendees, many of them suited up in their favorite cosplay, gather at Tokyo Big Sight in Odaiba to share their passion for anime, manga, and video games.

What to expect

Comiket, which is short for Comic Market, is the world’s largest fair for dojinshi (self-published manga). Because of their scarcity, goods found at Comiket are highly coveted by collectors. Corporate vendors do attend Comiket but the main allure is the 30,000 independent sellers.

Photo by: Mimi Dietderich The entrance to Tokyo Big Sight for Comiket.

You’ll find novels, manga, artwork, and more all produced by independent artist circles. Some are original, while others are based on original franchises. Content ranges from works for general audiences to those for *ahem* mature readers only.

The Comiket experience

For many, Comiket starts before dawn in an attempt to acquire rare treasures. The moment you enter the convention, panic emerges as you struggle to get your bearings. Countless tables stacked with a plethora of items exclusive to Comiket crowd the convention center.

Most vendors only accept cash, so make sure you bring a fully stocked wallet or you’ll be sorry.

There’s no guarantee that any circle will reprint older works and many tables sell out of their popular items or entire stock before noon! Therefore, any experienced Comiket goer will tell you if you see something you like, don’t hesitate.

Looking for another place to buy anime collectibles?

Know before you go

Photo by: Puramyun31 Dojinshi booths at Comiket 84 in summer 2013.

Comiket lasts for three days in both August and December. Entry used to be free, but from 2019 a ¥500 fee will be charged. We highly recommend buying the Comiket Catalog for ¥2400 also.

The catalog contains a list of vendors, when they will attend, their table number, and an example of their work. The catalog also contains maps for navigating the huge event. Comiket rules, policies, history and how to use the catalog are printed in multiple languages but otherwise, the catalog is in Japanese.

Photo by: Raita Futo Cosplay is encouraged, but make sure you change after you arrive!

For Comiket first-timers, keep in mind that cosplay is welcome and encouraged! However, cosplayers must register (¥1,000 per day) and change inside the venue. Please don’t ride the train in your Sailor Scout uniform.

Most vendors only accept cash, so make sure you bring a fully stocked wallet or you’ll be sorry.

Japan’s bi-annual comic market is worth planning your trip around, so don’t miss out on your chance to browse thousands of original works.

Check out more anime and manga tourism in Japan.

• The 2020 Mount Fuji climbing season will be closed for the whole season due to the coronavirus.

A Beginner’s Guide to Climbing Mt. Fuji

At 3,776 meters high, Mount Fuji is Japan’s highest mountain, located on the border between Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures but visible from Tokyo on a clear day.

If you’re lucky, you might get a glimpse of Fuji’s perfect peak when taking the train around the capital city, from an observatory platform in a tower like the Tokyo Skytree, or if you’re traveling on the bullet train towards Kansai.

Fuji Five Lakes

To get up close and personal with Fuji, head to the Fuji Five Lakes region at the mountain’s northern base. Stay overnight in a traditional Japanese inn and enjoy onsen (hot springs baths) with postcard-worthy views of the mountain reflected in the rippling waters below.

Head to the Fuji Five Lakes region to get the best angles of the iconic mountain.

Alternatively take a day trip to Kawaguchiko, the most accessible of the five lakes, and rent a bike for a picturesque cycle around its circumference. Hiking, camping, snow sports, fishing, and museums are on offer, as well as some pretty hardcore rollercoasters at Fuji Q Highland, a theme park at the base of Fuji. Nearby Hakone is a romantic onsen resort town.

Climbing Mt. Fuji

Check off an item on your bucket list by climbing Mount Fuji during the official climbing season from early July to mid-September, when the trails and extensive mountain facilities are open. The mountain is divided into ten stations from bottom to top; there are restaurants, shops for supplies and mountain huts to sleep in on your way up, concentrated around four “5th” stations on different sides of the mountains (which is where most people start the climb).

Explore the summit of one of the world’s most iconic mountains.

The climbing season can get very busy, especially during school vacations (end of July and August) and it’s not uncommon to have to queue to get up the slopes. But for beginner hikers and tourists in general, this makes the climbing experience easier and more accessible, though the six-hour ascent is not something to be taken lightly. Bring supplies and importantly, warm clothes, as it can get very chilly at the summit.

Located in the center of the Japanese island of Shikoku is Iya Valley, a relatively unexplored tranquil spot in western Tokushima Prefecture. The valley is steep, mountainous and several vine bridges allow for hiking gorges cut by the Iya River. In other words, it’s the perfect place to explore Japan’s local culture, food and nature.

Hike and cross vine bridges

Cross twisting vine brides in the hidden Iya Valley.

The area used to have 13 kazurabashi (vine suspension bridge) for valley dwellers to use. Only a pair of the bridges that cross the valley stand today and travelers can hike them just as the locals did! First, head upstream and try the Oku Iya Niju Kazura double-vine bridge to get a feel for things before crossing Iya Kazurabashi.

One of the three rarest bridges in Japan, Iya Kazurabashi is 45 meters long, two meters wide and 14 meters above the Iya River. This bridge will make even the most die-hard adrenaline junkies quake in their boots, but in reality, it’s very well-maintained and is rebuilt every three years.

Mysterious statue and onsen

Photo by: ©Tourism Shikoku/©JNTO The peeing boy.

The area around Oboke City is filled with staggering natural beauty and a few surprises. If you’ve always wanted to see the iconic Manneken Pis bronze statue in Brussels, you can knock that off your bucket list because Iya Valley has its own “peeing boy statue” — except he’s 200 meters above sea level!

If you manage to make your way unscathed to the most dangerous spot in the valley, known as Nana Magari, you will be able to find this statue. Just don’t try to imitate him. It’s said that the statue was erected because local boys and tourists couldn’t resist the idea of proving their manliness by getting dangerously close to the edge and relieving themselves.

Outdoor bath at Iya Onsen Hotel.

You can’t come this far to enjoy unspoiled nature and outdoor activities without getting in on some hot spring action. In fact, a visit to Hotel Iya onsen is more than enough to help fulfill your heart’s wanderlust. In order to reach the hotel’s rotenburo, or open air bath, you take a five-minute cable car ride some 170 meters down into the valley, a sight that is sure to be spectacular in autumn when the trees in the valley come alive with color.

Photo by: The cable car to the onsen at Hotel Iya Onsen.

You are sure to find true serenity as you relax in an open-air bath located alongside the flowing Iya River. Tucked deep within the valley, there’s nothing but the singing of birds and the sound of wind rustling in the trees. Isolation never felt so good!

Interested in hiking more nature in Japan? Check out our hiking section.

• Tag your travel photos on social media with #GaijinPotTravel for a chance to enter our monthly giveaways!

For a perfect mix of fascinating history and beautiful surroundings, Hikone Castle has become a great side trip to work into your itinerary when you visit Shiga Prefecture, just north of Kyoto.

Appropriately for a castle which started by being taken apart and put back together, Hikone Castle’s history as a site of importance started with the bloody Battle of Sekigahara which was fought to unite a country torn apart by politics and conflict.

Hikone Castle moat has boat rides and cherry blossoms in spring.

As Tokugawa Ieyasu emerged from the violence as the clear leader of Japan, one of his first acts was to reward the noble warrior who took a literal bullet for him in the fighting, Naomasa Ii, with his own castle.

Unfortunately, the property that Naomasa Ii won lasted as long as his remaining life – less than two years. Following the great warrior’s death, the castle was taken apart piece-by-piece and moved onto the nearby Mount Hikone where it became known as Hikone Castle.

Genkyuen Garden is next door and should part of your visit to the castle.

While this decision was more strategic than aesthetic, the castle remains popular even for people who aren’t interested in its history thanks to its views over Lake Biwa and the nearby woodland.

One of the reasons why the area was so important strategically was for the transport of goods, thanks to the numerous canals and moats that surround the area. These days, of course, the goods arrive by ship and instead the canals have become a popular spot for young couples to sit and relax.

With all this water flowing into the area and its proximity to Lake Biwa the area has naturally become famous for its plant life, especially its cherry blossoms. There are over 1200 cherry blossom trees in the area and its Chinese-influenced garden known as Genkyu-en (玄宮園), is considered one of the most beautiful of its type in Japan.

Lake Biwa is another beautiful sightseeing spot in Shiga Prefecture.

While Hikone Castle’s biggest attractions are its more traditional sights, it also has more modern attractions such as the restaurants and coffee shops that are dotted around the area. One of the strangest of these attractions is the local mascot Hikonyan, a cat with a horned helmet similar to the ones that the Samurai that used to defend the town wore. He has proved so popular that a website has been created to keep track of where his furry face will pop up.

While the birth of this legendary castle was anything but simple, after its baptism of fire and warfare, the building has retained its authenticity with nothing except minor repairs being performed on it in the 400 years it has been standing in its new spot.

As expected of the place with the busiest train station in the world, Shinjuku has a lot going on. So what exactly is there to entertain the 3.5 million tourists, commuters and residents? Let’s use Shinjuku Station as our base and go from there.

Don’t be afraid to get lost in Shinjuku – it’s pretty much impossible not to.

Should you choose the East Exit you’ll find yourself in the midst of the biggest metropolis on earth. A giant HD screen, like in Shibuya, overlooks an area often filled with live music, promoters and shoppers. In the evenings, crowds flock to Golden-Gai (an artsy shanty town lined with tiny bars) in the heart of the slightly dodgy area of Kabuki-cho (well, it is the red-light district) to pass the night away. The infamous Robot Restaurant is also situated in this area – think giant robots, dinosaurs and scantily-clad women with a double dose of LED lights. Beware of the hawkers and those trying to extort obvious-looking tourists around here.

For a cheap, local bite to eat, head to Omoide Yokocho, affectionately (?) known as Piss Alley.

Top-ranking universities such as Meijiro, Keio and Waseda inject a lively student-geared atmosphere to the east side.

Rediscovering Tokyo’s Robot Restaurant

On the other hand, if you take Shinjuku Station’s West Exit, you’ll find yourself in one of the rare places in Tokyo that is dominated by skyscrapers, in the aptly named Skyscraper District. Weirdly enough, Shinjuku is one of the most seismically stable areas of the city meaning large earthquakes have usually left this area relatively unharmed. Thus, you can build tons of ridiculously tall, fancy buildings that are well worth strolling among during an evening.

The highlight is a trip to the top of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, whose two towers’ 360 degree views are both free and spectacular, even on the haziest of summer days.

The Shinjuku Skyscraper District also functions as a major national bus terminal.

On the way to the Skyscraper District are all the terminals for the highway buses, one of the easiest and cheapest ways to get around Japan. Big names like Willer Express have their main stop-offs in this area, making it not only your gateway the capital, but also the rest of the country.

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden can also be found on this side of the station and was once part of the estate of an old feudal lord. During spring, Shinjuku Gyoen’s cherry blossoms (there are over a dozen different varieties) are some of the best in Japan; likewise in autumn, its large collection of maple trees make it the perfect environment to kick back and relax before the cold weather sets in.

Shinjuku Station is the world’s busiest.

For fans of Korean food and pop-culture, Shin-Okubo Korea Town is only a short walk or train ride away. Neighboring Shinjuku-sanchome is where the hipsters hang out and a good place to find bistro eats and more boutique bars. Shinjuku Ni-chome is known as one of Tokyo’s best districts for LGBT nightlife – there are tons of small clubs within a compact area that make for a great night out.

There are also lots of art installations and cool looking festivals such as the Okinawan Dance festival held in August, that can be found in Shinjuku throughout the year.

• Tokyo One Piece Tower will temporarily close from Feb. 28 to March 17 due to the coronavirus. For updates on the COVID-19 situation in Japan check GaijinPot Blog: https://blog.gaijinpot.com/is-it-safe-to-visit-japan-as-the-coronavirus-cases-increase/

As well as being a well known landmark on the Tokyo skyline, Tower Tower offers a fantastic bird’s-eye view of the Tokyo city-scape at 333 meters meters high.

The main observatory can be reached by elevator or, if you fancy working off your breakfast/lunch/dinner, you can take the 600 stairs. A second set of elevators takes you even higher to the special observatory, the third-highest observation deck in Tokyo, boasting a cinematic view of the city and Mt. Fuji on clear days.

Tokyo Tower is especially spectacular at night and makes for a dazzling photo-op from the courtyard of nearby Zojoji Temple.

At the main observatory “lookdown windows” allow the brave to walk over see-through glass while ant-size salary-men go about their usual business below. For those of you who are scared of heights: don’t worry! You can relax in the cafe or pick out some cute Tokyo-Tower-meets-Hello-Kitty merchandise from the souvenir shop away from the windows.

If you’re more of a One Piece fan, take the elevator down, down below to the “Foot Town” building (who named it and why?). Home to the One Piece Tower amusement park that opened in 2015 to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the manga, you can also find a variety of cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops selling products from all over Japan.

Tokyo Tower isn’t just a magnificent architectural feat; it’s also a symbol of Japan’s post-war boom and rebirth as a major economic power. From 1958 until 2012, it was even the tallest building in Japan (dammit Tokyo Skytree).