Helpful Tips: Japan’s telecommunication System: Mobile phones and the Internet.

When it comes to travel, mobile phones and the internet are essential tools to find up to date local information these days. Today I’ll give you some information on Japan’s telecommunication system.

Japan has its own mobile network, so that mobile phones from abroad do not always work within Japan’s network. Would you like to have mobile internet in Japan? You have a few options. It is a good idea to rent a Japanese mobile phones or SIM card. Please note that mobiles stores in cities don’t offer these services.

Kansai International Airport offers rental services

http://www.kansai-airport.or.jp/en/service/rental/rental_list.html　

Helpful tips: Japan's amazing toilets

 Today I’ll introduce Japanese toilets, which are undoubtedly the world’s most sophisticated toilets. Knowing how to use local restrooms while traveling is very important!

Where can I find restrooms?
 In Japan, finding public restrooms couldn’t be simpler. You’ll usually find them in train stations, but convenience stores, department stores and hotels allow you to use their restrooms as well. You can use any toilet without spending a penny!

Helpful tips: Useful information around station

The second issue of “helpful tips” gives you useful information for getting around train stations. Kobe is very well connected to some great transport networks and major railways such as JR, Hankyu, Hanshin and the Subway have stations in Sannomiya, the station in downtown Kobe. We’ll also look at how to get your hands on some useful information before you go out and enjoy the city!

Currency Exchange

There are several places to exchange foreign currencies. A branch of Travelex, the world’s largest currency exchange provider, is located in front of the east exit of JR Sannomiya station. It is open all year and you can find it easily right in front of the exit gate.

Travelax Sannomiya branch

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Bank of Mitsubishi-Tokyo UFJ and Japan Post Bank also offer currency exchange service around Sannomiya station. It’s good to know where to exchange cash in case for when you might need it.

Helpful tips : How to take a train

  As the first in the series of “helpful tips,” let me introduce how to get on a train in Japan. Hyogo, especially Kobe, has excellent public transport connections and the railway system plays a significant role. JR and some other railways offer you easy access to a lot of tourist attractions in Hyogo. This time, I’ll also teach you about manners for when you are on the train. Please enjoy your trip by train!


◆How to purchase a ticket

        You need to buy a ticket from a ticket vending machine before you get on the train. Usually, cash is needed to buy tickets from a machine. Insert notes or coins and push the button that matches the price of your fare. The fare depends upon where you would like to travel to. If you are a tourist, a one-day pass or pass with admission tickets for tourist spots is always a great deal. These tickets are available at the local station office or travel agencies.

Kobe de Kiyomori 2012 one-day pass  

with entrance for both the drama and history museums and a souvenir voucher.

【Spring Flower Series】Cherry blossoms at Himeji Castle

 When spring comes, Someiyoshino (the most common type of cherry tree in Japan), the mountain cherry trees, weeping cherry trees and others located at the National Treasure Himeji Castle are in full bloom. The castle garden has many prominent cherry blossom viewing spots and is considered one of “the 100 best viewing spots for cherry blossoms in Japan.”

The Himeji Castle
(the restoration will finish in spring, 2015)

【Spring Flower Series】Tanto Tulip Festival

 When it comes to famous spots to admire tulips in Hyogo prefecture, Awaji Island and the Hyogo Prefecture Flower Center in Kasai City are too good to miss. But, this issue will introduce Tanto Tulip Festival which is very popular due to its unique and beautiful flower art.

　The Tanto Tulip Festival is held every year in the tulip fields of Tanto-cho, Toyooka city. A carpet of colorful tulips (approximately 700, 000 flowers) comes into bloom in April.

　The highlight of the festival is “Flower Art.” A carpet of flower art is made using about 100,000 tulips in line with the year’s theme. The Islands of Japan, Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, Yume-Hacchi (the mascot of the 2000 Awaji Flower Expo), Astro Boy, Hello Kitty and Peko-chan (the mascot of Fujiya, a chain of confectionery stores in Japan) have all made an appearance in the past. Visitors are impressed by the elaborate designs and theme every year.

“Yume-Hacchi”(2000)
(mascot of Awaji Flower Expo) 

“Hello Kitty”(2005)

The design of this year’s flower art is“Genki Daruma”(a daruma doll in high spirits).We are looking forward to seeing what this year’s flower art looks like!

In the tulip fields, temporary outlets of local specialties and a bazaar will be opened alongside tulip picking and a photography competition. Why not have some lunch at a soba noodle restaurant called Akahana Soba-no-Sato? It is located near the tulip fields.

Please enjoy this quiet mountain town’s flower festival

.

Tanto Tulip Festival

Date: Late April, 2012 (expected)

Venue: Tulip flower fields in Hatayama, Tanto-cho , Toyooka city

Admission: Adult \500, Junior high school age or younger \200

Access: 30 minute bus ride from Toyooka, Ebara or Yoka stations on the JR Sanin line then change buses at Izushi for Okufuji. Get off  at “Mongoru Hakubutukan Mae (Mongolian museum bus stop)” and walk for 5 minutes.

URL：http://www.tantosilk.gr.jp/cyu-rip/index.html (Japanese)

(You can use Zentan Express Bus for Toyooka. See http://www.zentanbus.co.jp/ (Japanese))

☆     Tulip viewing spots in Hyogo

Hyogo Prefecture Flower Center (Kasai city)

http://www.flower-center.pref.hyogo.jp/　（Japanese）

Useful links:

 Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park (Awaji city)

http://www.hyogo-tourism.jp/english/spot/150_nationalawajipark.html（English）

Awami Yume-Butai (Awaji city)

http://www.yumebutai.co.jp/（Japanese）

http://www.hyogo-tourism.jp/english/spot/139_awajiyumebutai.html（English）

　Our next issue , the fourth article in the【Spring Flower Series】, will be about moss pink in Sanda city. Don’t miss it!

 

Hana（Hyogo Tourism Association)

【Spring Flower Series】Cherry Blossoms in Oji Zoo

Kobe City has many famous spots for viewing cherry blossoms. This time, we will introduce Kobe Oji Zoo as a great cherry-blossom site as well as the home of a lovable giant panda.