By now I have collected many links about Japan, Japanese, travelling in Japan and living in Japan. When I was ordering all these bookmarks, I thought that it might give a clearer overview if I would put everything in a web-page. I don't know whether that is true, but anyway: here it is!

I hope these links will help you plan your trip to/in Japan or help you enjoy your stay.


I'm still working on this page



Contents:




About Japan

Culture, Traditions, etc...

Wikipedia, Encyclopedia article about Japan
E-sake, A site dedicated to sake (a japanese alcoholic drink)
Zero zero sake, another site about this drink (also deals with shochu)
Trek Earth, get inspired by gread amateur photos of Japan
Constitution of Japan, English version of the Japanese constitution of Nov 3rd, 1946
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Ikebana HQ, Headquarters of Ikebana International (flower arrangement)
    Ikenobo, Oldest of the Ikebana styles/schools
    Ohara, One of the most popular Ikebana styles/schools
    Sogetsu, One of the most popular Ikebana styles/schools
Japan Corner, Background information on Japan, traditions, foods, lifestyle, ...
JR R&D visions, easy reading background articles, I like Design of stations & trains
"The Japanese Tradition: Sushi" Video, how to eat sushi; great mix of facts & fiction

Language

FoxLingo, Firefox extension that adds a translation toolbar for many languages
    Babelfish, Altavista Babelfish online translator
    Google translate, Google online translator
    Worldlingo, Worldlingo online translator
Gahoh, shows how to write the japanese characters by animations
The Japanese Page, overview of grammar constructs (also provides other info)
Multirad Kanji Lookup, Identify (the meaning of a) Kanji by selecting multiple radicals
Jim Breen's Japanese Page, Probably thousands of links on Japanese language
University of Tokyo Language courses, Website of the International Center
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Weblogs of other (foreign) people in Japan

Werner Breitfuss, friend & neighbour
Tobi Rossteuscher & Mae Rose Sumugat, (hiking) friends
Mae Rose Sumugat, (Photo gallery)
PhotoGuide.JP, lots of photos and some movies and comments
Dan in Japan, interesting observations about japanese culture
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Touristic information on Japan

When to come...

In general April and October/November are said to be the best times to visit Japan. This is mainly because of the nice weather: you probably wont need a jacket, there's not much rain and it isn't hot and humid like in summer. I made an overview of pros and cons per month; if you plan to visit Japan, please check it out!

The English Life Line, Tel. 03-5774-0992 Free & anonymous phone counseling (in case of practical problems and for emotional support)
Making emergency calls, Police/Fire dept./Ambulance/Poisoning/Drug-overdose

The Japanese National Tourist Organization (JNTO) has many publications on specific areas or topics. You can get them at the tourist offices or search google for:
[searchterm] pg site:jnto.go.jp filetype:pdf
like:
annual events pg site:jnto.go.jp filetype:pdf,
hakone pg site:jnto.go.jp filetype:pdf,
kyoto temple pg site:jnto.go.jp filetype:pdf,
pottery pg site:jnto.go.jp filetype:pdf,
anime pg site:jnto.go.jp filetype:pdf, etc, etc.

Official Information

Japanese embassies, List with links to homepages of embassies in other countries
Embassies in Japan A-H, Adresses & Links to embassies of other countries in Japan
Embassies in Japan I-P, Adresses & Links to embassies of other countries in Japan
Embassies in Japan Q-Z, Adresses & Links to embassies of other countries in Japan

JNTO, the Japanese National Tourist Organization
See Japan, Japanese National Tourist Organization, London Branch
Tokyo Tourism Info, by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Welcome to Kyoto, by the Kyoto Prefecture
101 major city websites list, Links to city websites (in English)
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Prefectural & city sites

Full List, Links to prefectural websites (in English)
clickable regions & cities map, links to prefectural and city homepages (not specifically sightseeing)
Tokyo Tourism Info, by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Welcome to Kyoto, by the Kyoto Prefecture
Aichi Prefecture, sightseeing site
Saitama Prefecture
Okinawa Prefecture
Nara Prefecture, tourist information
Nagasaki Prefecture, tourist information
Saga Prefecture, especially famous for porcelain tableware/pottery in Arita & Imari

Before exploring Tokyo, be sure to pick up a copy of these booklets. They are available is several languages (colors) and contain a metro/train map with station numbers, names in english and in characters, detailed maps of the most important sightseeing areas. Famous sightseeing spots are indicated and desribed shortly. They are available at many hotels, tourist spots (TCAT) and the tourist offices.

Other general information sites

Lonely Planet, The travel guide, there is also a "Hiking in Japan" book
Web Japan, Portal on Japan
Japan Atlas, overview of various interresting spots, sorted by type
Japan Reference, well organized, nice pictures, descriptions and maps, also ads :-(
Japan Guide, Lots of good information, but also many ads
go Japan @ About.com, Lots of good information, but also many ads
Rough Guides, "Japan" - "Best of Japan" section gives a nice quick overview
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Lodging

(You can also get the booklet of the first 2 groups at the tourist office or one of the associated inns.)
Japanese Inn Group, for inexpensive lodging (mostly 4000-6000yen/single)
Japan Welcome Inns, lodging for less than 8000yen/single
Asia Rooms, good for orientation, check hotels own pages as well for best price!
Shukubo (Temple Lodging), Overview of temples that offer lodging
Japanese Guest Houses, traditional japanse lodging throughout the country
Japan Ryokan Association, traditional japanse lodging
Japan Youth Hostels
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Lodging around Tokyo

Kimi Ryokan (Ikebukuro), 4500yen/single japanese style lodging in Tokyo
About.com Capsule Hostels in Tokyo
Capsule hotels, some notes and photos of several capsule hotels
Ryokan Sansuiso (Gotanda), 4900/5500yen/single, nice ryokan 5min from JR Yamanote loop line (JIG & WI member)
Fukudaya (Shibuya), Quiet & inexpensive, western & japanese style rooms (15min walk to station) (JIG & WI member)
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Ginza/Fishmarket: TokyuStay Higashi-Ginza, w.bath 10.000yen/single, just next to Tsukiji fishmarket
Presso-inn Higashi-Ginza, w.bath 7.800yen/single, close to Tsukiji fishmarket
Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza, expensive, but has rooms w. great city views from bath
Odawara: Koshimizu Ryokan, Nice ryokan with good food
Nikko: Turtle-inn/hotori-an, 5000/6500yen/single, hotori-an has nice rooms & bath with river view (JIG & WI member)
Narita (city): Ryokan Ohgiya, 6000yen/single, large rooms, not at the airport, but still close. Take & bring service from/to station. (JIG & WI member)

Lodging around Kyoto

Ryokan Ohto, small but cheap. Internet available in lobby (JIG & WI member)
Kikokuso,
Heianbo Ryokan, see also Lonely Planet(WI member)
Hokkaikan Ohanabo, ryokan close to the station (WI member)
Ryokan Rikiya, Nice ryokan in east Kyoto (close to Gion & many big temples)(WI member)
Tower Hotel, Big hotels close to kyoto station
Budget Inn, cheap, close to the station
Tour Club Kyoto, cheap, close to the station(WI member)
Casa Carinho B&B, far from the station, but nice area, 70 year old house
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Lodging elsewhere

Aso no Fumoto (Aso, Kyushu),
Onsen Ryokan Sekiya (Yudanaka, Nagano), Ryokan with outdoor onsen, great meals and close to the snow monkeys
Ryokan Fujiwara (Nagasaki), cheap, close to station (WI member)
Yataro hotel (Nagasaki), (JP), big complex on the hill, view over city, outdoor bath, 20min bus
Ryokan Nishikiso Bekkan (Nagasaki), (WI member)
Ihokan (Nagasaki), (Japanese), Close to the station, japanese & western style rooms
Fukuchi-in (Koya-san, Wakayama), Temple lodging
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Transport

JNTO, Japanese National Tourist Organization - Transport

If you go to Japan as a tourist (90day tourist visa), it is probably a good idea to get a JR rail pass. If you make a trip Tokyo-Kyoto-Hiroshima-Kyoto-Tokyo or Tokyo-Kyoto-Tokyo + some day trips or something like that, it is surely worth it's money. Furthermore it is very convenient not having to worry about buying the right tickets every time, as that can be quite a hassle. With the JR pass you are allowed to use the super fast shinkansen (bullet train) as well (Tokyo-Kyoto in 2:15 instead of 7-8 hours!). You'll have to order the pass before you get to Japan.
If you buy have to buy a (regular) train or subway ticket and dont know how much you have to pay, you can just buy the cheapest one (mostly 120yen) and pay the difference at the "fare ajustment machine" just before leaving the destination station.
JR Railpass, You need one if you want to go around Japan
JR Narita Express, Express train Narita Airport - Tokyo (use with JR pass!)
Keisei skyliner, Private arilways express train between Narita Airport and Tokyo
Airport Limousine, bus service Narita Airport - Tokyo (Stops at major hotels)

JReast, English page by JR with maps of major stations etc.
JReast station maps, (Japanese only), maps for all JReast stations
JR Tokaido Shinkansen, Information regarding travelling by Shinkansen (bullet train)
Japanese Railways Page, private page with combined information

ANA Sky Web, Bargains/special actions of All Nippon Airways Domestic flights
Ai-ticket, searches for best priced domestic flights
JAL Bargains, (Japanese only), Discount domestic flights with Japan Airlines

Japan-Guide Ferries, Domestic ferry connections
Tokyo-wan ferry, (Japanese Only), ferry across Tokyo bay (Kurihama-Hamakanaya)
Aqua-line bus, (Japanese Only), under/over tokyo bay (Tokyo-Kisarazu)
Ise-wan ferry, (Mostly Japanese), ferry across the Ise-bay
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Transport within cities

In Tokyo the metro is probably the most practical way of transport. I you plan to use the metro a lot, you can buy day tickets for 720 (excludes "toei" lines) or 1000yen (all lines). If you think you won't get the money out of it, you can get a passnet pass (1000-3000-5000yen), which just saves you the hassle of buying separate tickets every time. To get the last bit off your passnet pass, you can insert 2 passes (or a ticket and the pass) in the same ticket gate.
In Kyoto the best way of transport is usually the bus, so be sure to get a day pass for 500yen if you plan to go a little around. Anyway pick up a copy of the bus-navi (overview map of bus-lines) from the tourist office or as PDF download from the Kyoto City Web page.

You can buy the bus passes at the bus station (in front of the JR station building) or sometimes at the reception of your hotel.
Tokyo Metro, All info about lines, tickets, a transfer guide (route planner)
Toei Subway Timetables, train departure times for stations on the Toei Metro lines Tokyo Metro Guide, Leaflet that explains how to use the metro
Kyoto City Web, About public transport in Kyoto
Touring Kyoto by Bicycle, About bicycle rental in Kyoto

Route planners & fare calculators

Hypermedia, Time table & route planner for train/bus/plane throughout japan
Jorudan, Another travel route finder

Sightseeing

General

UNESCO, list of world heritage sites
World Heritage, JNTO (tourist info) list of world heritage sites
Sumo, Official information if you want to watch a sumo tournament (*)
Guide to Japanese Castles, Overview of castles in Japan
Sacred destinations, list of sacred (sightseeing) spots (photos, history, facts)
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These are supposed to be the 3 best sights of Japan:
Amanohashidate, Official site, (Japanese Only), sand-spit covered with pine trees
Amanohashidate, JNTO PDF-file, Amanohashidate is also good for swimming/beach
Miyajima Island, official website, World Heritage shrine (UNESCO)
Miyajima Island @ Galilei, about the shrines, temples, nature, events
Miyajima & Hiroshima, JNTO PDF-file
Matsushima, Site of Miyagi Prefecture
Matsushima, Site of Matsushima town
Matsushima, JNTO PDF-file


(*) If you don't go at the last days of the sumo tournament, you have quite a good chance of getting tickets for the same day for around 2000yen when you go to the ticket booth in front of the stadium in the (early) morning. You will have to sit/stand in the furthest rows where you need binoculars and a good zoom lens for photography, but you may walk around and get quite a bit closer.

Pottery

Japanese Pottery Information Centre, Who is who, What is what & Where
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Nipponia, full list of festivals & fairs. WARNING: dates may vary per year, check links
Mashiko city, (Japanese Only), one of the main cities for Ceramics
Saga Prefecture, especially famous for porcelain tableware/pottery in Arita & Imari
Shigaraki, small pottery village close to Kyoto
Shigaraki Cultural Ceramic Park, Website of the Ceramic art museum, park & Exhibiton hall
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Gardens

Tokyo parks flower calender, which plant/tree blooms when & where
A-bombed Ginkgo trees in Hiroshima, About 4 trees surviving the nuclear explosion
Famous Gardens @ Japan-Guide, overview
Sankei-en, (only English leaflet) Garden in Yokohama (famous for cherry blossoms)
Sankei-en (Yokohama city page), Garden in Yokohama (famous for cherry blossoms)
Imperial Palace East gardens, opening times & dates (Imp.Househ. Agency website)

23 gardens with the official status of "Garden National Treasure"
Ritsurin park (Takamatsu), Official site, Famous garden, especially for cherry blossom
Ritsurin park (Takamatsu), prefectural site
Hamarikyu, @ tokyo-park.or.jp
Rikugi-en, @ tokyo-park.or.jp
Koishikawa-Koraku-en, @ tokyo-park.or.jp
Motsu-ji temple & garden, (Japanese Only)
Kanazawa kenroku-en, (Prefectural site) Japan's most famous landscape garden
Okayama koraku-en, (Japanese Only) One of the 3 most celebrated
Ichijodani Asakura Gardens, Fukui city homepage
Shikina-en (Okinawa),
rest is in kyoto area, still have to sort them out, see list of names atthis site, Garden national treasures part

Bonsai

Bonsai in Asia Guide, About events, fairs, contests and nurseries
Seikou-en, one of the many bonsai gardens in Omiya, Saitama (1h from Tokyo)
Kinashi, Bonsai in Takamatsu, the other great Bonsai city (south of Okayama)

Sightseeing Tokyo

General overviews of sights

Metropolis visitors guide, info about the various neighborhoods of Tokyo & Yokohama
Top 10 tips Tokyo, private website describes Tokyo in a nutshell
JNTO Tokyo Architecture, Famous architectural works
Art Beat, Huge collection of art exhibitions
Metropolitan Governemnt, Recommended (walking) tours through tokyo
Tokyo parks flower calender, which plant/tree blooms when & where
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Specific Sights

If you want to see Honda's humanoid robot Asimo in action there are 2 possibilities:
1) go to the Honda showroom in Aoyama (central Tokyo), altough sometimes it my not be there due to maintanance, performance elsewhere etc.
2) go to the Museum of Emerging Sciences. Check the Demonstration schedule on their website.
Excel air, Tokyo/Yokohama helicopter night cruising
MeSci (Mireikan), Museum of Emerging Sciences, makes science fun (also for kids)
Tsukiji (Fishmarket), Official site, check calendar! Come 5am-5:30 for tuna auction
Blue Note Tokyo, One of the most famous Jazz Clubs around the world
Tokyo Tower, Tokyo's red/white eiffel tower. Famous, expensive, touristic
Metrop.Gov. Observatory, In Shinjuku's skyscraper district. Free access until 23:00
Imperial Palace, Imperial Household Agency website
Imperial Palace East gardens, opening times & dates (Imp.Househ. Agency website)
Ghibli Museum, Museum of the most famous animation studios of Japan. Tickets must be bought in advance!!!

Festivals etc.

Asakusa Samba Festival, Carnival Parade in Asakusa (end of August)
Shibuya City Event Calendar, festivals and events in Shibuya (neighborhood of Tokyo)
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In the end of July and in August there are many fireworks festivals (Hanabi Taikai) in and around Tokyo. I cannot find an up-to date overview in English. If you come in this period please check the japanese sites underneath with a online translator or ask at the tourist information offices.

The Itabashi Hanabi is one of the biggest fireworks in Tokyo, together with the Ichikawa Hanabi Taikai (at the Edogawa river) and the huge Sumida River fireworks (should be every last saturday of July). The Odaiba Hanabi Taikai should also be a good one.

Although the information in the "English" section of Japan-Fireworks.com is pretty out-dated, the japanese part is up to date and contains a nation-wide events calendar. Another list of Hanabi events is available in on this japanese website, also check the Toei Metro Event News for a selection of various events (PDF leaflets)


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Sightseeing around Tokyo (day/weekend trips)

Nokogiri-yama, Interresting mountain with Japan's largest buddha. Kanaya, Chiba
Aqua-line, Big tunnel & bridge with floating parking-island in Tokyo Bay
Nikko, City of temples & National park, World Heritage (UNESCO)
Visiting Yokohama, Official Yokohama City website
Sankei-en, (only English leaflet) Garden in Yokohama (famous for cherry blossoms)
Sankei-en (Yokohama city page), Garden in Yokohama (famous for cherry blossoms)
Ohtama (west of T),spring flowers and Autumn leaves leaflet (English Guide in menu)
A Guide to Kamakura, a lot of background-info on the city and its temples/shrines
Official Kamakura website, official city website

Sightseeing Kyoto

Welcome to Kyoto, Overview of world heritage (UNESCO) and other temples and shrines
Kyoto Visitor's Guide, lots of links to special shops, info on events, getting around, ...
Ikebana Museum, about japanese flower arrangement
Ikebana Museum, (Japanese only), from site of Ikenobo school
Rokkaku-do, (Japanese only), temple where Ikebana started, next to the museum
Tofukuji, Zen temple with rock garden
Kinkaku-ji, The world-famous golden pavilion (guide, history, webcam)
Ginkaku-ji, silver pavilion (guide, history, webcam)
Kiyomizu-dera, (Japanese Only), famous temple with great view (als in movie Wasabi)
Heian Jingu, shrine w. nice garden (stepping-stone pond in movie Lost in Translation)
(Former) Emperial Palace, Imperial Household Agency website
Byodoin temple, (Japanese), Temple depicted on the 10yen coin
Teramachi, (Japanese), Shops guide for the teramachi shopping street
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Sightseeing around Kyoto (Nara, Himeji, ...)

Kii mountain range, sacret sites and pilgrimage routes (world heritage)
Shigaraki, village famous for both traditional and contemporary pottery
Himeji Tourist Information, about the city of Himeji, famous for it's castle (UNESCO)
Nara-koen, Nara park, pictures only, World Heritage (UNESCO)
Nara City, prefectural tourist information
Horyu-ji, (Mostly Japanese), World Heritage temple (UNESCO)
Horyu-ji, Nara prefecture site
Fushimi Inari (Official), (Japanese Only), paths over hills covered with red torii
Fushimi Inari (Japan Reference), about this stunning sight (half-day trip from kyoto)
MIHO museum, museum that especially stands out due to it's wonderful architecture by I.M. Pei
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Sightseeing in & around Hiroshima

A-bombed Ginkgo trees in Hiroshima, 4 trees surviving the nuclear explosion (map)
Miyajima Island, official website, World Heritage shrine (UNESCO)
Hiroshima Peace site, also about the peace museum, park with A-bomb dome World Heritage (UNESCO)
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Sightseeing in & around Nagasaki

Nagasaki Prefecture, tourist information
Saga Prefecture, especially famous for porcelain tableware/pottery in Arita & Imari

Sightseeing in & around Nagano

Hokusai Museum (Obuse), displaying the works of one of Japan's most famous (woodprint) artists Hokusai
Hokusai Museum (Obuse) Official page, (Japanese)
Snow Monkey Park (Yudanaka), wild monkeys take a hot spring bath in winter
Zenkouji temple, (Japanese), One of Japans most visited temples (especially by Japanese)
Zenkouji temple, (English)



Living in Japan

Please check the "About Japan" and "Touristic Information - Transportation" sections above as well, as they contain usefull information when you live in Japan as well. If you want to see a bit around during your stay, at least drop by at the tourist office for some maps and a schedule of events (and the Metropolis magazine).

Information for Dutch people

Japanese embassy in the Netherlands
Dutch embassy in Japan (see this page also for the MEXT scholarship)
Japan Prizewinners Program, scholaship for language course & internship in Japan
Nuffic cultural treaties, scholarships for various countries available to dutch people
Nederlandse Kanto Kring, community of Dutch people living around Tokyo/Yokohama

Before comming to Japan

Japanese embassies, List with links to homepages of embassies in other countries
Official Study in Japan Guide, by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs
JR rail pass, consider it if you come on a 90day tourist visa and want to travel
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General

The English Life Line, Tel. 03-5774-0992 Free & anonymous phone counseling (in case of practical problems and for emotional support)
Making emergency calls, Police/Fire dept./Ambulance/Poisoning/Drug-overdose

Embassies in Japan A-H, Adresses & Links to embassies of other countries in Japan
Embassies in Japan I-P, Adresses & Links to embassies of other countries in Japan
Embassies in Japan Q-Z, Adresses & Links to embassies of other countries in Japan

Yuubinkyoku, Japanese Post office
Kakaku.com, (Japanese), find the cheapest shop for lots of products (especially electronics), use brand & type for search (like "canon eos kiss" or "fmv nb80r")

Study

Official Study in Japan Guide, by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Tokyo University International Center, specific and general info on study in Japan
List of Scholarships, University of Tokyo (mostly for Asian students)
List of Private Scholarships, University of Tokyo, School of engineering
Tokyo University lodges, lodges and application information (contact your professor)
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Foods & Cooking

Bento.com Food Page, Restaurant & shop listings, recipes, food events/musea...
Vege Fund, (Japanese only), About japanese vegetables (pictures, names, origin, use)

Stores

Food stores

Yamaya (world foods and wines), international supermarket chain
Hanamasa, wholesale store chain (discount super for large amounts)
Shop 99, QQ store homepage
Andersen Bakery, The only bakery I know that has good (not sweet) bread
Food Shopping in Japan, Forum-list with international foods stores in Kanto-area
Horaido tea shop (Kyoto), Old tea shop where the Genmai-cha was invented
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Other stores

BeamsT, famous shop for artistic T-shirts (main store in Harajuku, Tokyo)
Mont Bell, Outdoor chain
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Outdoor

Outdoor Japan, Travel portal for outdoor activities throughout Japan
Cascade, (Japanese), Blog listing (hikes to) waterfalls
Takao visitor center, for Mt. Takao, easy day hike from Tokyo
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Computer Programs

Japanese LaTeX howto, How to create Japanese LaTeX documents in Windows XP
Japanese Latex (Platex) howto, if you want full Japanese Latex (Incl. error msg)
Japanese MATLAB howto, How to get (most) matlab messages in English
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