Capital of Japan
Mount Fuji from Tokyo: Day trip itinerary
A day-trip from Tokyo to Mount Fuji and the lesser-known Hakone five lakes area is among the favorite experiences of many travelers to Japan, so here is our guide on how to visit this famous landmark with the Japan Rail Pass. Whether you prefer climbing or a more relaxed pace, we have the perfect guide for you make the most out of this trip!
Let’s start with some interesting facts about Fuji-san: Mt Fuji is not only the highest mountain (3.776 meters), and Japan’s most climbed and depicted one, but it is also the pure representation of good luck and good fortune for all Japanese citizens. This is a curious fact, considering the mountain is actually a giant volcano.
Nevertheless, what is even more fascinating is that it is not a single volcano. It is part of three volcanoes, one on top of the other. The bottom one is Komitake volcano, and the second layer is Kofuji, while Fuji is the youngest of all three. Although officially classified as active, it has a very low eruption risk, since it was last active in 1708.
Osaka Shopping Guide
Osaka has several world class shopping districts and miles of shopping arcades, malls and streets. Osaka’s shopping combines upscale, brand name and designer goods with inexpensive thrift shops and discount chains.
The city’s two largest shopping districts are Umeda in the north and Namba in the south. The Umeda area (also known as Kita) is served by JR Osaka Station and Umeda Station, while the Namba area (also known as Minami) is served by Namba Station. Both areas have large concentrations of department stores, shopping arcades and some of Japan’s most extensive underground shopping malls.
In between Umeda and Namba is the covered shopping arcade Shinsaibashi-suji, one of Osaka’s oldest and busiest shopping destinations, which runs about 600 meters in length. Shinsaibashi-suji’s collection of brand name shops, chain stores, independent boutiques and variety of restaurants makes it popular with nearly every kind of shopper. At Dotombori, Shinsaibashi-suji becomes Ebisubashi-suji, though the same shopping atmosphere remains.
Another specialized area is Nipponbashi’s Den Den Town, dedicated to electronics, gaming and otaku-related goods and often compared to Tokyo‘s Akihabara district. Doguya-suji near Namba Station is Osaka‘s shopping destination for professional and amateur chefs. This short arcade sells all manner of cooking accessories, from restaurant-grade stove tops to staff uniforms, pots, pans and dishes.
Many of Japan’s leading department stores have their headquarters and flagship stores in Osaka. The largest concentration of them is found in the Umeda district inside and around the Osaka Station City complex, where large Hankyu, Daimaru, Hanshin and Mitsukoshi-Isetan stores can be found. The Namba district hosts the flagship store of Takashimaya, while Japan’s largest department store, owned by Kintetsu, was opened in 2014 in the Abeno Harukas complex next to Tennoji Station.
