Opening of a duty-free shop in the center of Tokyo

From next year, foreign tourists and Japanese travelers heading to an international destination will be able to buy duty-free in the center of Tokyo. 

The same exemptions as in airport shops will be applied. 

The first store of its kind in the Tokyo metropolitan area will open at Mitsukoshi Ginza shopping center in the fall of 2015. 

A joint venture of four companies set up in September will manage the store. This is among other Japan Airport Terminal Co., which manages passenger terminals at Haneda Airport, Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd. and 

The shop will aim to attract foreign visitors and Japanese customers having to go abroad. 

Items including alcohol and tobacco will be exempt from VAT. Customers can collect their purchased from Haneda Airport or Narita articles. 

The other only duty free store of its kind in Japan is located in Naha.

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Enjoy a coffee in a cave in Okinawa!

If you travel to Okinawa and you are looking to do something out of the ordinary, we have the appropriate place. After all, how many people can claim to have had coffee in a cave? 

This place is "Okinawa World," a theme park, with the local culture and history to visitors. It is located just 30 minutes drive from Naha. 

One of the main attractions of the park is the cave Gyokusendo, 5 km long, which also houses the
Cave Café. 

The cafe also serves as a starting point for tours of the Valley of Gangala, who have other natural wonders of the region. However, you do not need to have a place to visit to enjoy the coffee. 

Tourists are not allowed to explore the cave by themselves because of the possibility of falling rocks, but they can participate in guided tours of the Valley Gangala which are held four times a day to 2.200 yen. 

Reservations can be made on the official site Gangala (Japanese only).
In addition to the usual types of cafés, the Cave Café sells snacks called "the chest hair of the elders. "But do not worry, it's just a type of algae Okinawa!

As a bonus, the Cave Café also hosts occasional parties and concerts! Have a concert in a cave that does not have a price, think about it when you step foot in Okinawa! 

information: 

Access: 30 minutes by car from the city of Naha
Address: 202 Maekawa, Tamagusuku, Nanjo, Okinawa Prefecture
冲 縄 県 南 城市 玉 城 字 前 川 202 番地
Phone: 098-948-4192
Hours: 10-18 hours

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20 things to try in Japan

Opportunities for recreation abound in Japan, between cultural outings, entertainment and tours of all kinds. Here are 20 things to do if you go to Japan. 

Of course this list is not exhaustive, serve you as a base of ideas to improve to plan your activities on site.

1 - Japanese Talk Even a simple "Konnichiwa" or "Arigato." Try to greet the owner of a ryokan or a restaurant to be rewarded with a priceless smile. 

 2 - Visit the temples, shrines and Zen gardens 

What would a trip to Japan without visiting one of these places? The ideal city to discover them in the same day is Kyoto. But be careful because some temples require a high and offering nothing in return price. 

 3 - Visit castles 

This is a good way to learn local history. Not only will you enjoy the beauty of this ancient architecture but most castles offer explanatory texts in English throughout the trail. 

4 - Take in a sumo tournament 

A cultural event not to be missed. Mingle with the crowd and enjoy the show. 

5 - Go to a karaoke 

If you are western and are traveling to this number must appear on your program no matter whether you are a good singer or not. You will be installed in a small private room with a huge catalog of Japanese and English songs, and sometimes Korean, Chinese, Tagalog see songs (Philippine dialect). You can also order drinks and dishes.

6 - Do not hesitate to take photos of cosplayers 

Do not be shy and dare to approach people dressed as a character you love. The picture will be a good memory especially as Japanese cosplayers are very different from those you meet in your country. 

7 - Try the Love Hotel 

Inexpensive, comfortable, spacious, clean, secure, assured discretion, karaoke, game console and more. Should I focus more to make you understand why this is a good plan? 

8 - Travel aboard a high-speed train 

Do not miss the opportunity to ride in one of the fastest trains in the world during your trip to Japan. 

9 - Try the sushi bar 

Eat sushi in Japan is essential, so try one of these restaurants equipped with treadmill. 

10 - Discover Pachinko 

Whether you are a player or not, make a detour to Pachinko. No matter that you did not understand the operation of the machines, you just have to put the money and enjoy. 

11 - Take pictures in a Purikura 

These photo booths are very popular in Japan. Sticky and customizable pictures are cute and easily decorate your wallet or mobile. 

 12 - Swim (naked) in a public bath 

This may sound strange but yes, go swimming naked in the company of strangers. It's a bizarre experience and you can always leave if you are not at ease. 

13 - Relax in an onsen 

There are hundreds of onsen in Japan. To narrow the choice, prefer natural hot water overlooking magnificent views. 

14 - Climb to the top of Mount Fuji 

Unless you're in Japan in winter, Mount Fuji is worth visiting during other seasons. 

15 - Go skiing or snowboarding 

For those who can not climb Mount Fuji in winter, go to Hokkaido. 

16 - Sleep in a ryokan 

Discover a traditional Japanese inn. To enjoy an authentic experience sure to choose one offering mats and futons, as some have western beds for less. 

17 - Visit the Museum and Memorial Park in Hiroshima Peace 

If you had to pick one museum to visit this would be it. Enter the museum and you'll be surrounded by photos poignant, objects, texts and music. 

18 - Eat soba, udon, Japanese curry and yakiniku 

There are dozens of dishes to discover but these should be a priority on your list. 

19 - Visit the fish market 

The fish is one of the most consumed foods in Japan there is a fish market in almost every major city. One of the most famous is the Tsukiji market in Tokyo. Go very early (4 am) to attend the auction sale and enjoy sushi or fresh sashimi for breakfast after the tour. 

20 - Take part in a matsuri 

The matsuri is an element not to be missed in Japan. There throughout the year in different locations. Participate in one of them, you will not regret

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Japan will propose a new type of visa can last one year, but ...

Japan wants to host more wealthy travelers worldwide from next April, allowing them to stay up to a year in the country, thanks to a new type of visa.

The government has decided to relax the rules on visas as part of its tourism target. Currently, most travelers whether for business or tourism are allowed to enter the country without a visa and stay for a maximum period of 90 days. 

Foreign visitors will have a special permit - renewable once - for a stay of up to six months, provided that they come from one of 66 countries and regions with a reciprocal visa exemption with Japan. 

However, travelers must be at least 60, provide a certificate from their bank with a balance of 30 million yen (~ € 215,000) or more for a married couple and prove that they have health coverage. 

Many countries offer long residence visas to foreigners. Portugal, for example, launched in 2012 a program called "Visa Gold", which requires the recipient to invest in the country, for example in real estate. The Japanese government does not have such requirements. 

In government, some suggest that the age should be lowered to age 60. 

Seeing these rich tourists from abroad as a factor of economic recovery, the government believes that a prolonged stay in Japan will enable them to discover the great sights that are Tokyo and Kyoto but also the most remote areas. The government says it will give a boost to the local economy. 

Foreign tourists flock hungry for long stays already to places like Karuizawa in Nagano prefecture, or Niseko in Hokkaido, or vacation homes, hotels and other establishments are now available.

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A record number of tourists during the month of August in Japan

The recent decline in the value of the yen against the dollar to attract more foreign visitors to Japan. Where the number of tourists, a record for August. 

He said the National Bureau of Tourism in Japan this Wednesday that more than 1.1 million tourists visited the country last month. This represents an increase of more than 22% compared to last year. 

The visitors from China rose by about 56%, surpassing the 253,000 and the number of travelers from South Korea more than 251,000, while came nearly 230,000 people from Taiwan. 

This increase is due to several factors, including the increase in the number of international flights to Tokyo's Haneda airport to Add. Provide more flights between East Asia and airports in Japan. As well as the number of cruise ships coming from China, which contributed to the preservation of this increase. 

According to the National Bureau of Tourism, it is Likely to arrive in Japan the number of tourists to 12 million this year, due to an increase in the number of travelers from China and South Korea. 

And been mentioned that Japan remains a destination for people living in the south-east.

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50 things that surprise foreigners in Japan

Japan is a strange country complex, fascinating, funny, and I'm not just referring to the maid cafes and manga porn. 

Foreigners are surprised by things that the Japanese regard as completely banal. After careful and extensive research (okay, some research) here's a selection of what tourists find épatants in Japan: 

1-The trains run on time 

2-The fruits are excellent (results from crosses of varieties) 

3-Even at Seven Eleven bread is good 

4-The doors open automatically taxis 

5-Lost items often find their owner 

6-We buy his Christmas meal at KFC 

7-There are vending machines absolutely everywhere 

8-These sell tobacco and alcohol 

9-The famous Japanese high-tech toilets 

10-Tap water is safe to drink 

11-The tea is not that sweet sugary drink which we usually 

12-You can smoke in restaurants 

13-Free samples found in supermarkets 

14-Price highways 

15-You can find wonderful cakes in every little pastry 

16-Tokyo and confused urban network (understatement!) 

17-The button to call a server in small family restaurants kitchen 

18-Touch screens in bars and restaurants 

19-Parts 5 and 50 yen are pierced 

20-Offering free packets of tissues on the street 

21-The quality and variety of products in the shops just 100 yen 

22-Japanese like Yahoo! 

23-GPS is included in all rental cars 

24-You can leave your bag on a seat and no one will steal you 

25-A small drink is really small 

26-There are power lines everywhere 

27-People line up to wait for the train 

28-Toilet seats are heated 

29-Foreigners who come out with pretty Japanese are often ugly

30-The high price of a cinema ticket 

31-There are Pachinko every street corner 

32-The skill with which to pack your gifts and other purchases 

33-Parking garages 

34-The toll system on motorways 

35-There only hot springs foot 

36-Compartments are reserved for women in public transport 

37-The Love hotels 

38-Cigarettes are cheap 

39-Security is such that you can walk without worry in late at night 

40-Japanese squat toilets (a kind of Turkish toilets) 

41-The incredible number of varieties of Kit-Kat 

42-Pretty grooms elevators that take you to your floor 

43-Condiments packets openable one hand 

44-Capsule hotels 

45-The fukubukuro sold in New Year (in bags hidden content sold cheaper than the value of what they contain, often items on sale or closeouts) 

46-The rooms are small business hotels 

47-Worker hygiene in Japan called "Engineer healthy" Petraouh his monthly salary between 5000 and 8000 USD

48-Japanese children cleaning the school every day

49-Does not use the Japanese servants in their homes
50-Prohibiting the use of mobile in trains, restaurants and indoor

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Visit Akihabara In Japan

Electric city or town anime or city dream are all the names of calling Akihabara area electronics in Tokyo, regarded in the world today a place to see the latest developments in digital culture and technology to contain hundreds of bigger and better shops and centers of electronic products in the world and is considered of millions of visitors and foreigners various countries around the world.

The typical shopper in the Akihabara electronics enthusiasts, such as those on whom collecting their computers themselves, where the stores are filled Akihabara off with countless of the latest parts and components, electronics and digital products cheaper prices.

Other category of Akihabara shops that serve those lovers of anime and manga, is wonderful sanctuary 

There is a lot of fun things inexpensive, suitable wonderful gifts

Where you can find everything there from the DVD and video games, magazines, books and manga physes and gatherings Cosplay

In the end, if you're "obsessed" is interested in electronic devices and the latest technology or you "otaku" who follow the anime and manga, or you "Gamers" lovers of video games 

The area is considered Akihabara Commission and the dream you had enjoyed it

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