Join the JapanDen Community

Intro

Here at JapanDen, alongside our goal of helping you find your perfect place in Japan, we wanted to create a space that belonged to you; a forum to share your experiences of Japan, ask questions, and pick up expert tips from fellow travellers. 

From travel itineraries to restaurant recommendations, city guides to off-the-beaten path experiences, language tips and etiquette, to culture, sports, history, and more, this is a space to share, talk, learn, connect, and help each other. After all, the most valuable insights into what a country is really like always come from people’s genuine, first-hand experiences. There’s simply no greater resource for travellers than other travellers and the aim of this forum is to bring people and knowledge together in a welcoming and friendly space. 

Whether you’re planning your first visit to Japan and have questions to ask, or you’re a seasoned traveller who has already explored the length and breadth of this beautiful country with amazing stories to tell, then this is the place for you. Have you had a lifelong interest in Japan and want to find out more before you visit? Do you want to connect with travellers with similar interests in Japanese culture? Perhaps you’ve lived in Japan and want to share your insider knowledge and first-hand experiences about the country and why it’s so special? This is the place for you. If you’ve knowledge to share, questions to ask, or you’re simply looking for information, it’s time to join the conversation and find your travel inspiration. Welcome to the JapanDen Community Forum.     

What kind of topics are we interested in? 

You’ll find discussions on a wide range of themes covering everything to do with Japan.  

• Accommodation

This is the place to ask questions and share experiences about accommodation in Japan, from hotels and hostels to ryokans, resorts, and more.

• Destinations

What are the best prefectures to visit? What are the pros and cons of different regions? Discuss destinations here. 

• Travel and Transport

Share itineraries, knowledge, and first-hand experiences of travelling around Japan using trains, planes, automobiles, and more. 

• Trains and Railways

Japan’s railway network is frequently described as the best way to get around the country. Share stories, tips, and advice, and ask questions here.  

• Food and Drink

Discuss your love of Japanese cuisine, share restaurant and izakaya recommendations, cooking tips, and more.  

• Art and Culture

Fascinated with Japan’s art and culture? Discover your love of Japanese culture here.

• Language and Etiquette

Share language and etiquette tips from your experiences, ask questions, offer advice, and more. 

• Cities

What are your favourite cities to visit in Japan and why? Share your experiences, ask questions, offer practical advice, dos and don'ts, and much more. 

• Off the Beaten Path

Share your off-the-beaten-path experiences of Japan, from discovering rural villages and forgotten fishing communities to mountain hideaways and remote retreats. 

• History

Japan’s rich history has captured the world’s imagination. Talk to fellow history lovers and discuss the best places to visit in Japan to experience the country’s past.

• Sporting Events

From sumo to baseball, if you’re a fan of Japanese sports or you’re travelling to Japan to watch the sport you love, you can talk about it and ask questions here. 

• Outdoor Activities

If you’re visiting Japan’s great outdoors and looking for advice on climbing and hiking, walking trails, cycling, watersports, and more, this is the place to start. 

• Snowing and Skiing 

Japan is one of the world’s best winter sports destinations. If you’re planning a trip to Japan to hit the slopes then this is the place to ask questions and share knowledge.

• Diving

A hidden gem for divers, share your knowledge and ask questions about Japan’s coastline, waters, and best diving spots, here.

• Entertainment 

Japan has some of the world’s best theme parks, nightlife, game arcades, aquariums, interactive museums, and unique entertainment experiences. Discuss all kinds of entertainment here. 

• Film & Television

From Shogun to Studio Ghibli, if you have a passion for TV and film set in Japan and it has inspired you to want to visit the country for yourself, then this is the place for you.

• Manga & Anime / Gaming

If you love manga, anime, and gaming, and want to talk about your interests with fellow enthusiasts, or you’re looking for travel advice focused on destinations and activities related to these areas, then find out more here. 

• Weather and Seasons

When is the best time of year to visit Japan? How does the Cherry Blossom season in spring compare to autumn? How hot are the summers and how cold are the winters? Share your experiences here. 

• Japan for Families

Travelling to Japan with your family? Whether you have young children, teens, or elderly relatives, this is the place to ask questions, share experiences, and offer family friendly travel advice. 

• Packing for Japan

Speak to fellow travellers about what you should (and shouldn’t) take with you when travelling to Japan. 

• Useful Apps

Modern technology, especially dedicated travel apps, can be a great resource both before and during your visit to Japan. Discuss recommendations and share experiences here.

• Miscellaneous

Interested in a topic that isn’t on the list yet? This is the place to discuss it. If you have a question or interest that hasn’t been covered, be sure to raise it here.       

Useful Links

Here at JapanDen, we take a holistic approach to helping you plan the perfect trip to Japan. As well as providing guidance on where to stay, you’ll find expert travel advice, portable WiFi devices, 24/7 support, and in-depth articles on useful topics such as Getting Around Japan on Public Transport, Japanese Cuisine, What To Pack for Japan, and much more. At JapanDen, our mission is to bring together everything you could possibly want or need to know about Japan in one place to help ensure your stay is the trip of a lifetime. Find out more below: 

• For the perfect place to stay, visit our Hotels page and choose from more than 2,800 hotels and 1,800 traditional ryokans.

• Meanwhile, if you want to learn more about Japan’s regions and prefectures so you can decide the best area to visit, you should check out our Destinations page. 

• If you’re looking to explore different areas of Japan then the country’s famously efficient trains are the way to go. Japan’s railways are renowned as being the fastest, cleanest, and safest in the world. The country’s rail network is so vast and interconnected that it can help you reach almost any corner of Japan you’d like to visit. Furthermore, with a Japan Rail Pass you can enjoy unlimited travel on the majority of the country’s trains, including the famous Shinkansen ‘bullet trains’. The JR Pass is by far the most cost effective and flexible way to get around Japan. Find out more by visiting our partners at www.jrpass.com today.

• Want to use Google Translate to support your language skills? Or Google Maps for live train updates? What about posting photos to social media or keeping in touch with home? For all this and more, you’ll need a PocketWifi device like those from Ninja Wifi. With unlimited data, support for five devices simultaneously, the ability to share your Wifi with your travel companions, and more, renting a PocketWifi is highly recommended. Our Pocket WiFi guide has everything you need to know.