{"id":97388,"date":"2023-02-02T17:48:56","date_gmt":"2023-02-02T08:48:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=97388"},"modified":"2023-03-17T15:51:27","modified_gmt":"2023-03-17T06:51:27","slug":"tokyo-saitama-gunma-hokuriku-arch-pass","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/tokyo-saitama-gunma-hokuriku-arch-pass\/","title":{"rendered":"The New Golden Route: Discover Tokyo, Saitama, and Gunma with the Hokuriku Arch Pass"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
While Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka remain high on the list of many visitors embarking on their travel to Japan, few realize the world of fascinating traditional and cultural experiences that awaits beyond the well-trekked paths of Japan\u2019s popular destination. To make travel to these off-the-beaten-path destinations even easier, the Hokuriku Arch Pass<\/strong> is quickly becoming a Japan traveler\u2019s best friend to discover the fascinating, lesser-visited areas like Toyama, Gunma, and Fukui, while also giving you access to the classic spots of Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. Here we\u2019ll look at some of the exciting experiences you can do along the New Golden Route <\/strong>via the Hokuriku Shinkansen train line in Tokyo, Saitama, and Gunma <\/strong>\u2014 three neighboring prefectures easy to travel between with the Hokuriku Arch Pass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hokuriku Arch Pass is a train pass that allows unlimited week-long travel on Hokuriku Shinkansen trains operated by JR East<\/a> and JR West<\/a>. The prefectures covered along the route include Tokyo, Saitama, Gunma, Nagano, Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui, Shiga, Kyoto, and Osaka<\/strong>. An online map on the JR West website<\/a> details the stations covered by the Hokuriku Arch Pass. There is also a JNTO catalog of the highlights of the New Golden Route.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The pass is available to visitors to Japan with a temporary visitor entry status and can be used for seven consecutive days. The cost is 24,500 yen for passengers over 12 years old and 12,250 yen for children aged 6-11 (when purchased outside of Japan). The pass can be purchased at ticket offices in Japan or bought online (JR East website or JR West website).<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is part 1 of a series of 4 articles about Japan\u2019s New Golden Route, serviced by the Hokuriku Arch Pass offered by JR West and JR East railways. This article will explore three prefectures: Tokyo, Saitama, and Gunma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tokyo is the first stop for many travelers, so there\u2019s plenty of information on what to do in Japan\u2019s energic metropolis. Instead of covering the basics, let\u2019s look at lesser-known experiences to immerse yourself in Tokyo culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kintsugi is not simply a process of restoring something to mint condition, but the art of breathing new life into pottery by treating wear and tear as a record of its history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Kintsugi method of decoration involves glueing damaged pieces of pottery back together with kokuso glue and layering black urushi (Japanese lacquer) on top. After drying well, the lacquered surface is polished flat, coated with e-urushi, and finished by sprinkling pure gold powder on top.It was created using Maki-e techniques, a traditional Japanese craft, and reflects wabi-sabi aesthetics, in which beauty is found in simplicity and imperfection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just looking at these masterfully crafted pieces is inspiring, but at Kintsugi Souke Tsukamoto<\/a>, you can take the experience one step further. You can learn about the basic techniques used in Kintsugi and its philosophy from Showzi Tsukamoto, whose career spans 50 years and whose expertise is recognized around the world. You can choose from a 1 day Kintsugi workshop experience, or a 6 or 12 days Kintsugi master course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At end of the workshop, Tsukamoto will treat you with Japanese tea ceremony(chanoyu), you can spend time chatting with Tsukamoto over a bowl of green tea to learn about his journey. In a world filled with plastic and fast fashion that feels like you never have time to stop, Showzi Tsukamoto\u2019s workshop provides a refreshing reprieve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite Tokyo\u2019s urban atmosphere being dominated by cars and trains, cycling is still a very popular way to get around, especially for Tokyo\u2018s hidden areas and backstreets. So, a great way to get a taste of real Tokyo life is to hop on a bike and go exploring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While cycling in Tokyo might seem fun, navigating the complex city streets can also be pretty confusing, especially for a first-time visitor. To make it easier for visitors to explore the city by bike, the Tokyo Great Cycling Tour<\/a> offers eight bicycle courses<\/strong> to get acquainted with the nooks and crannies of the metropolis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The cycling courses range from their short and easy evening rides to their longer and more challenging \u201ctime travel\u201d route around Tokyo\u2019s northwest, with some of their longer courses including a lunch stop. The tours are led by expert local guides<\/strong>, taking you along scenic photo spots, bike lanes, and back streets, mostly avoiding those busy main roads and city traffic. The routes are very well planned and much easier and more efficient than trying to go alone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite Saitama\u2019s proximity to Tokyo, it feels almost like another world. Surrounded by nature and steeped in local culture, these are just two spots to get to know Tokyo\u2019s next-door neighbor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These days, the word \u201cbonsai\u201d has become almost commonplace among English speakers, referring to the art of growing and training miniature trees in pots<\/strong>. In fact, the \u201cbon\u201d (\u76c6) part of bonsai means \u201cpot\u201d or \u201ctray,\u201d so if you come across a miniature tree outside of a pot, it\u2019s not technically a bonsai, no matter how small and pretty it looks!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although the word has become commonplace, the craft certainly isn\u2019t, as it requires careful practice and a keen eye to look after bonsai successfully. But the Omiya Bonsai Village<\/a><\/strong> is one of the few places where bonsai artisans have gathered, and you can see multiple bonsai all in one place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The village was set up in 1925 as an area dedicated to bonsai. At the time, residents were required to have a minimum of 10 bonsai on display and to keep their gates open for visitors to view the collection. Now, those rules are long gone, but six gardens remain in the village where you can explore the beauty of bonsai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, the best way to fully appreciate the Bonsai Village is first to visit the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum<\/a>. <\/strong>There, you can learn about bonsai, from the different styles and how they are grown to the proper way to view the miniature trees. After taking a deep dive into bonsai culture, you\u2019ll better understand the 60 bonsai on display in the museum and the various bonsai in the village just five minutes away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While you may not have come across Japanese wine abroad, where better to try it for the first time than in Japan itself? Japan is starting to make a name for itself on the wine scene, with new wineries popping up in various regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat is the Hokuriku Arch Pass?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Explore Tokyo Through Craft and Biking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Art of Ceramic Repair with Kintsugi<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Discover Tokyo’s Backstreets and Parks on a Great Cycling Tour<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Nature and Culture in Saitama Prefecture<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Learn about Miniature Trees at Omiya Bonsai Village<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Wine Tasting at Musashi Winery<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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