japan trip
Kamikochi is well worth a visit with at least a one night stay. Glorious hikes which are long and fairly easy, spectacular mountains, beautiful ponds and forests. Aim to stay away from the main tourist route and push up through the main valley. Accommodation is pretty expensive, but provides a real insight into contemporary Japanese culture.

There are several chains of “¥100 shops”, spread throughout the larger suburban shopping areas. What is good about these shops? Each chain seems to stock different items. The items range from chopsticks, and kitchenware, including lacquer bowls and plates, to stationery, some underwear, toys, novelties, cleaning products, toiletries and just about anything else including heaps of things which nobody but the Japanese would ever use.

Everything in the shop costs just ¥100. This means that most prices are way below what you will find in the department stores or local shops. This makes the ¥100 shops the suggested first port of call for gifts and the day to day necessities of travelling in a country where the prices are considerably inflated compared with what we are used to. The best Japan hotels review.