Japanspecialist

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Japanspecialist Japanspecialist is a travel agency and tour operator part of the JTB Group. JTB is the biggest and oldest travel agency in Japan born in 1912.

Our specialization is Japan travel. Our slogan is "Lifetime adventure since 1912".

🏫 Step Into a Showa-Era SchoolEver wondered what a Japanese countryside school looked like decades ago?Omoide no Katabun...
20/10/2026

🏫 Step Into a Showa-Era School

Ever wondered what a Japanese countryside school looked like decades ago?

Omoide no Katabunko is a beautifully preserved wooden schoolhouse near Lake Tazawa in Akita. The branch school closed in 1974, but its classrooms, corridors, desks and school materials have been carefully preserved, offering a nostalgic glimpse into everyday school life in Showa-era Japan.

Surrounded by a forest, it feels especially atmospheric in autumn when the trees around the old school begin to change colour.

📍 Omoide no Katabunko, Semboku, Akita
🍁 Best time for autumn colours: Usually October to early November, depending on the weather
🚆 From Tokyo Station: Take the Akita Shinkansen to Tazawako Station, then continue by local bus

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19/10/2026

🏯 A Day in Matsumoto

Planning a stop between Tokyo and the Japanese Alps?

Matsumoto is compact, easy to explore, and full of character, making it a great addition to a Japan itinerary.

The spots we recommend:
🏯 Matsumoto Castle
🐸 Nawate Shopping Street
☕ Kamenoya Cafe
🎨 Matsumoto City Museum of Art
🎃 Yayoi Kusama’s polka-dot pumpkin

📍 Matsumoto, Nagano
🚆 From Tokyo: Take the Limited Express Azusa from Shinjuku Station to Matsumoto Station, around 2.5–3 hours

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🍎 Aomori’s Apple ShrineEver seen apples floating in a shrine fountain?Hirota Shrine in Aomori City celebrates the prefec...
17/10/2026

🍎 Aomori’s Apple Shrine

Ever seen apples floating in a shrine fountain?

Hirota Shrine in Aomori City celebrates the prefecture’s most famous fruit in a uniquely local way. Its purification fountain is decorated with apples, while the shrine also offers adorable apple-shaped omamori charms.

It’s a small but memorable stop that feels unmistakeably Aomori.

📍 Hirota Shrine, Aomori City
🍎 Look out for: The apple fountain and apple omamori
🚶 From Aomori Station: Around 15–20 minutes on foot
🚅 From Tokyo Station: Take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Shin-Aomori, then transfer to a local train for Aomori Station

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👻 Yokai Wonderland at Nikko's Edo WonderlandCurious about Japan’s mysterious folklore? This autumn, step into a town whe...
15/10/2026

👻 Yokai Wonderland at Nikko's Edo Wonderland

Curious about Japan’s mysterious folklore? This autumn, step into a town where its strange creatures come to life.

Edo Wonderland, a theme park recreating an Edo-period town in Nikko, welcomes yokai, supernatural beings from Japanese folklore. Explore the streets to find hidden creatures, with costumed yokai gathering for special parades on 31 October and 1 November. Their usual Oiran procession will run as normal (shown in last photo).

It’s a playful way for families and folklore lovers to discover Japan’s supernatural imagination!

📍 Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura, Tochigi Prefecture
📅 17 October–1 November 2026
⏰ 9:00–17:00
🚆 From Tokyo: Take a Tobu train from Asakusa to Kinugawa Onsen, then a local bus to Edo Wonderland (approximately 15 minutes).

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14/10/2026

🏺 Pottery Making at Matsunaga Kiln

Love Japanese ceramics? Try creating a piece of your own.

At Matsunaga Kiln in Fukushima, visitors can join a pottery-making experience and discover Obori Soma ware, a regional craft with over 300 years of history. Its distinctive features include delicate crackle glazes and painted horse motifs.

For craft lovers, it’s a chance to work with clay and appreciate the skill behind Japan’s everyday ceramics.

📍 Obori Somayaki Matsunaga Kiln (松永窯), Nishigo, Fukushima Prefecture
🏺 Pottery experience: Contact the kiln ahead to arrange a session and confirm prices.
🚆 From Tokyo: Take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Shin-Shirakawa, then a short taxi ride to the kiln.

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13/10/2026

🥷 Ninja Adventures in Autumnal Togakushi

Think you could find your way through a ninja maze?

By the entrance to Togakushi Shrine’s Okusha approach, the Ninja Trick Mansion challenges visitors to navigate rooms, stairways and a maze filled with clever mechanisms. Outside, the mountain surroundings turn red and gold earlier than Tokyo, adding autumn scenery to the adventure.

It’s a fun stop for families and curious adults, easily paired with a walk along the shrine’s cedar-lined approach.

📍 Togakushi Ninja Museum & Ninja Trick Mansion, Nagano
🍁 Autumn colours: Usually from mid-October, depending on the weather.
📅 Open until 23 November 2026, subject to snowfall; closed Wednesdays.
⏰ 9:00–17:00 (last admission 16:30)
🚆 From Nagano Station: Take a bus towards Togakushi Campground and get off at Okusha Iriguchi (approximately 70 minutes).

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🍁 Autumn at Yunokami Onsen StationHow about a warm footbath while you wait for your train?In Fukushima’s mountain countr...
12/10/2026

🍁 Autumn at Yunokami Onsen Station

How about a warm footbath while you wait for your train?

In Fukushima’s mountain countryside, Yunokami Onsen Station pairs a rare thatched roof with beautiful autumn colours. Right beside the station, a free hot-spring footbath offers a relaxing spot to soak your feet and enjoy the scenery.

For railway enthusiasts, photographers and anyone who enjoys slow travel, this little station is worth making part of the journey.

📍 Yunokami Onsen Station, Shimogo, Fukushima Prefecture
🚆 Access: On the Aizu Railway line, accessible by train from Aizu-Wakamatsu
♨️ Footbath: Free to use, but bring a small towel to dry off after

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10/10/2026

🍁 Autumn Lace Omamori at Shimogamo Shrine

What if you could carry a little of Kyoto’s autumn with you?

At Shimogamo Shrine, the seasonal “Shiki-mamori” features delicate lace maple leaves inspired by the surrounding Tadasu no Mori forest. These omamori (amulets) are offered with prayers for good health.

For anyone drawn to Japanese traditions and intricate designs, they’re a meaningful reminder of an autumn visit.

📍 Shimogamo Shrine, Kyoto
🍁 Autumn design: Usually October–November
⏰ Amulet counters: 9:00–16:30
🚆 Approximately 10 minutes’ walk from Demachiyanagi Station

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🎨 Paint Your Own Daruma in ShirakawaLooking for a keepsake with a personal touch? At Daruma Land, you can paint one your...
08/10/2026

🎨 Paint Your Own Daruma in Shirakawa

Looking for a keepsake with a personal touch? At Daruma Land, you can paint one yourself!

Located in Shirakawa, Fukushima, this colourful attraction celebrates daruma, traditional Japanese dolls symbolising good luck and perseverance. Paint your own design, then browse the shop for akabeko, the nodding cow figures originally from Fukushima’s Aizu region.

It’s a fun stop for families and craft lovers, with a little piece of Japanese tradition to take home.

📍 Daruma Land, Shirakawa, Fukushima Prefecture
📅 Open year-round
⏰ 10:00–17:00
🚆 From Tokyo: Take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Shin-Shirakawa, then a taxi to Daruma Land.

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07/10/2026

🚲 Cycling beside Lake Hamana

Fancy a little fresh air between Japan’s city stops?

Explore the Bentenjima area of Lake Hamana by bicycle, enjoying the sea breeze and open waterfront views. Stop at Bentenjima Seaside Park to admire the huge red torii rising from the water, one of the area’s most recognisable sights.

It’s a lovely way to explore at your own pace, with plenty of reasons to pause for photos along the way.

📍 Bentenjima, Lake Hamana, Shizuoka Prefecture
🚲 Rentals: Yurin Bentenjima Terminal offers standard bicycles for approximately ¥520 per adult per day, plus a refundable deposit.
🚆 From Tokyo: Take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Hamamatsu, then a local Tokaido Line train to Bentenjima. The waterfront is around 3 minutes’ walk from the station.

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Tuesday 9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 5:30pm
Thursday 9am - 5:30pm
Friday 9am - 5:30pm

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