Style Files - Japan

Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.

Japan: The most stylish, beautiful, fashionable place in my opinion, so much see and do with an abundance of incredibly stylish people and shops. If I could pick one place to live forever it would definitely be Japan.

I visited during Spring Time and I was lucky enough to arrive during the cherry blossom season which saw an array of beautiful cherry blossom and plum trees at full bloom that exploded all over the gardens and temples.

Key Trends Japan - Florals, Neautrals, Layers, Smart, Classic.

Tokyo

Tokyo is my ultimate favourite place, so smart, sleek and electric. The place is friendly, clean and a variety of things to do such as shopping, shrines, gardens, restaurants, cafes and sightseeing.

We stayed in Shinjuku and Shinagawa which were excellent locations for everything we wanted to do and see.

My favourite is Tokyo shrine Asakusa and shopping street, where you can pick up gorgeous souvenirs and visit the lovely shrine also.

Other cool places include; Electric City, Sumo Stadium, Edo Museum, Tokyo city views and the Tsukihi fish  market (to name just a few)!

Kyoto

  I was so lucky to catch this beautiful city during Cherry Blossom Season which really added a finishing touch to many of its shrines and temples that are present in Kyoto. Kyoto is a beautiful city and different compared to Tokyo – more relaxed with beautiful temples, districts and gardens. We were so luck to see a Japanese wedding being photographed and to meet a Maiko (young training Geisha). The Gion district is so beautiful to walk and take in the city of Kyoto that transforms in the night into a buzzing atmosphere. We also participated in a tea ceremony which really added to our few days in Kyoto. The Bamboo forest and street is a really stunning place that is a must see when in Kyoto!

Hakone

 A traditional aspect of Japan – here we stayed at Hotel Nanpuso, a ryoken hotel that offers an authentic Japanese style for its guests. We arrived in the hotel after they day of sightseeing. On arrival we were greeted by staff and given robes to wear to dinner after a hot spring bath. The dinner consisted of an array traditional Japanese food – allowing us taste all different kinds of food such as tempura, sushi and sashimi etc...

The hotel staff were so ultra friendly and polite – they asked us to do a message board for the hotel which sipping on some Rose Green Tea as we waiting for our bus to leave.

Tokyo Shinjuku
Warehouse Ditsy Print Dress, Oasis Black Zip Blazer,Topshop Boots, Marc by Marc Jacobs Bag

Cherry Blossom

Fashion - Harajuku Girls

Japanese Wedding

Tokyo City Views
Marc by Marc Jacobs "Exeter" scarf, Topshop Fleck top,  JBrand Jeans, Oasis Zip Blazer

Cherry Blossom 

Tea Ceremony Hakone

Hakone Machi
Marc by Marc Jacons Isabella Dot Scarf, Oasis Zip  Blazer, JBrand Jeans, Marc by Marc Jacobs Bag

Cherry Blossom Tokyo

Sushi 

Electric City Tokyo

Kyoto

Bamboo Forest Kyoto

Harajuku Rockers

Shibuya Crossing

Tokyo by night

Tokyo

Shinjuku Tokyo

Shinjuku Tokyo

Food

 I love sushi and was so excited to taste the real Japanese dishes also. The food in Japan is seriously amazing – from sushi, sashimi noodles to miso soups and fresh salads and skewers – we were spoiled for choice and very adventurous with our meal choices! This is one part I really miss; I will just have to eat in Yamamori Dublin more often now that I am home! 

Transport

 If the train says it departs at 9.13 – then it will depart bang on 9.13, everything is bang on time down to the second so always arrive 10 mins early for everything. The Subway is a quick and efficient way to get around Tokyo easily. The Shinkansen “Bullet Train” was actually the coolest form of travelling. Tokyo to Kyoto in no time!

Shinkansen

Language

 English is not widely spoken so it is handy to have a phrase book for transport, restaurants, ordering, shops etc...However my experience showed that the Japanese people try their best to understand and help if you ask them. I bought a phrase book in Easons “Just in case”! 

Tokyo

I cannot fault anything about the people and the place at all, everything is super efficient and organised so perfectly. 

The only downside is that I am back home, thinking of when I will be back in Japan next... L

I booked my Japanese holiday with Unique Japan Tours – based in Baggot Street Dublin and I am so happy that I made the right decision to book with a specialized tour operator. Everything was so perfectly planned, organised and mapped out, right down to the second. We only had 9 days in Japan UJT planned everything for us from transport, hotels, maps, tips and guides!

If you are thinking of going to Japan for a holiday I seriously recommend booking with Unique Japan Tours especially if you wish travel around Japan – guided or self guided.