Tokyo Tower
It may not be as tall as its younger sibling, the Tokyo Sky Tree, but 333-meter (1,093-foot) tall Tokyo Tower still offers spectacular views and looks great in its iconic crimson. Even better, unlike the Sky Tree, you don’t need to make a reservation ahead of time to go up to Tokyo Tower’s observation decks.
Universal Studios Japan
USJ (as it’s called by the locals) may not have ever been the filming location for classics of the silver screen, but it does have numerous attractions based on blockbuster hits (Jurassic Park, Spider-Man), as well as movies without such lasting or positive impressions (Backdraft, Water World). If you’re wondering what USJ offers that you can’t get at its sister parks in Los Angeles or Orlando, maybe you’ll find the answer at the Osaka park’s Hello Kitty Fashion Avenue section.
Genkoan Temple, Kyoto
Genkoan is famous not only for its autumn leaves, but also its bizarre view. In the picture above, you can see two windows–the circular window on the left is called the “Window of Enlightenment” and the square window on the right is known as the “Window of Bewilderment.” In addition to being beautiful and philosophical, the windows provide unique views of the changing colors. Definitely not to be missed!
Kiyomizu Temple in Autumn
October obviously, means the approach of autumn–that glorious time of year when all the leaves explode into yellow and red hues. Kyoto boasts more than a few excellent destinations for autumnal sightseeing. If I’m really being honest, Kiyomizu temple sits squarely at the top of any list of places to visit in Kyoto–and with good reason! The view from the temple balcony is simply one of the best in Japan, and every inch of the grounds is worth experiencing. That said, just look at those trees! It’s like gazing over an ocean of red leaves. Of course, once you finally pull yourself away from the view, you still have to check out the rest of the temple, which features numerous statues and a gorgeous garden, as well as a few special views higher up the side of the mountain.
Halloween festivities in Japan
Halloween has become one of the three largest Western-influenced events celebrated in Japan following Christmas and Valentines’ Day. I’ve put together a concise guide to some of the Halloween festivities taking place this year, so if you’re planning a trip to Japan during this season, here’s what you can expect!
1) Disney’s Halloween 2013 at Tokyo disneyland/Tokyo disneysea
2) Halloween Horror Night at Universal Studios Japan
3) Tokyo Joypolis Halloween 2013 at Odaiba
4) Happy Halloween Festival 2013 at Sanrio Puroland
5) Kawasaki Halloween 2013
6) Hello Halloween Pumpkin Parade 2013 at Harajuku Omotesando
7) Halloween Party hosted by Charlie Brown at PLAZA retail outlet