{"id":29552,"date":"2021-02-08T06:51:32","date_gmt":"2021-02-08T06:51:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/?p=29552"},"modified":"2021-02-25T23:40:16","modified_gmt":"2021-02-25T23:40:16","slug":"the-best-alternative-experiences-in-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2021\/02\/08\/the-best-alternative-experiences-in-japan\/","title":{"rendered":"The best alternative experiences in Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F29552&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F29552\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F29552&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F29552&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F29552%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F29552\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F29552\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul><p><strong>Sometimes, the best way to get under the skin of Japanese culture is through something you never thought of as Japanese at all.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Take baseball, for instance. It may not scream Japan to you, but seeing how Japanese fans throw their hearts and souls into this quintessentially American sport just might tell you more about Japanese culture than any temple visit could.<\/p>\n<p>Sushi, geisha, tea ceremony: we love those iconic, only-in-Japan experiences as much as anybody. But what we really love about Japan is its endless capacity to surprise you, baffle you, and turn your expectations on their head.<\/p>\n<p>These are just some of our team\u2019s favourite ways to get a deeper understanding of Japan.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<h1>Temple stay<\/h1>\n<p><strong>Why?<\/strong> Japanese culture is steeped in Buddhist traditions, and visiting temples and shrines is an integral part of the Japan experience. Though most visitors content themselves simply to marvel at the beauty of the temples themselves, we highly recommend taking one step further and spending the night at one. You\u2019ll sleep in simple, tatami-mat dormitories like the monks themselves, eat traditional vegetarian Buddhist food, and learn about the rituals set down over centuries. Rising early to witness the morning ceremony, as the air fills with chanting and the smell of incense, is a truly magical experience.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-30317 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_0728-720x540.jpg\" alt=\"Monks in orange robes walk between temples in the morning sun\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_0728-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_0728-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_0728-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_0728-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_0728-564x423.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_0728-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_0728-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_0728-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_0728-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_0728-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_0728-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_0728-510x383.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_0728.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Where?<\/strong> Surrounded by thick forest, the temple community of Mount Koya is one of the most atmospheric places we\u2019ve visited in Japan \u2014 and it\u2019s easily accessible from Osaka. More modern (and plush) is the temple stay at Eiheiji near Kanazawa, while Mount Haguro in Tohoku offers the chance to follow in the footsteps of mountain priests as you make a pilgrimage up 2,250 stone stairs to the summit.<\/p>\n<h1>Cycling<\/h1>\n<p><strong>Why?<\/strong> <span class=\"TextRun SCXW186563175 BCX8\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW186563175 BCX8\">While we love Japan\u2019s public transport, there\u2019s something particularly special about seeing the country under pedal power. Whether you\u2019re rolling through fields of lavender in Hokkaido or whizzing from temple to temple in Kyoto, getting about on your own two wheels means you\u2019ll see things you\u2019d never have noticed from a car or train \u2014 and cover much more ground than you would on foot.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW186563175 BCX8\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW186563175 BCX8\">Our<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW186563175 BCX8\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun CommentStart SCXW186563175 BCX8\">\u00a0cycling\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW186563175 BCX8\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW186563175 BCX8\">guides are<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW186563175 BCX8\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW186563175 BCX8\">\u00a0amazing,<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW186563175 BCX8\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW186563175 BCX8\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW186563175 BCX8\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW186563175 BCX8\">helping you get to know the history of the area<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW186563175 BCX8\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW186563175 BCX8\">,<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW186563175 BCX8\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW186563175 BCX8\">\u00a0tak<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW186563175 BCX8\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW186563175 BCX8\">ing<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW186563175 BCX8\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW186563175 BCX8\">\u00a0you to places you\u2019d never have found<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW186563175 BCX8\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW186563175 BCX8\">\u00a0otherwise<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW186563175 BCX8\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW186563175 BCX8\">, and introducing you to people you\u2019d never have been able<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW186563175 BCX8\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW186563175 BCX8\">\u00a0to talk to on your own.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW186563175 BCX8\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_30299\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-30299\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-30299 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Japan2014_43_ScreenSharpen-720x480.jpg\" alt=\"First person perspective while riding a bicycle among traditional wood buildings\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Japan2014_43_ScreenSharpen-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Japan2014_43_ScreenSharpen-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Japan2014_43_ScreenSharpen-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Japan2014_43_ScreenSharpen-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Japan2014_43_ScreenSharpen-564x376.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Japan2014_43_ScreenSharpen-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Japan2014_43_ScreenSharpen-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Japan2014_43_ScreenSharpen-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Japan2014_43_ScreenSharpen-1440x960.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Japan2014_43_ScreenSharpen-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Japan2014_43_ScreenSharpen-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Japan2014_43_ScreenSharpen-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Japan2014_43_ScreenSharpen.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-30299\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cycling around Kyoto<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Where?<\/strong> <span class=\"TextRun BCX8 SCXW144840435\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun BCX8 SCXW144840435\">Cycling tours come in all shapes and sizes in Japan. There are some fantastic tours in Tokyo and Kyoto, where you\u2019ll get to see a different side of the cities and explore neighbourhoods you might have missed otherwise. Meanwhile, some of our favourite countryside cycle tours begin in Takayama, taking you through the alpine villages and farms of the Hida region. Finally, there\u2019s the Shimanami Kaido: a stunning cycle route that takes you across the Seto Inland Sea via a series of impressive suspension bridges.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h1>Hiking<\/h1>\n<p><strong>Why?<\/strong> It might surprise you to know that hiking is something of a national obsession in Japan. Hit any trail at any time of year and you\u2019re likely to outstripped by impossibly spry old grannies and grandpas, and the occasional lady tottering along in high heels. Though Japan is synonymous with big cities, it\u2019s actually 70% rural and mountainous, which means you\u2019re never far from a good hike. Many trails follow old samurai paths or pilgrimage routes dotted with staging posts, bathhouses, temples, inns (and vending machines). It\u2019s a completely different experience from hiking anywhere else in the world \u2014 and once you\u2019ve experienced hiking followed by a hot spring bath and a room at a traditional ryokan inn, you\u2019ll never go back.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_30287\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-30287\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-30287 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/043A6120-Edit-2-720x480.jpg\" alt=\"Lone man walking in lush green forest with wooden walkway in foreground\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/043A6120-Edit-2-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/043A6120-Edit-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/043A6120-Edit-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/043A6120-Edit-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/043A6120-Edit-2-564x376.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/043A6120-Edit-2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/043A6120-Edit-2-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/043A6120-Edit-2-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/043A6120-Edit-2-1440x960.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/043A6120-Edit-2-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/043A6120-Edit-2-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/043A6120-Edit-2-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/043A6120-Edit-2.jpg 2028w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-30287\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A section of the Nakasendo Trail<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Where?<\/strong> The Kumano Kodo is an extensive network of old pilgrimage trails in the mountains outside of Osaka, and one of our favourite places for multi-day hikes. The Nakasendo Way in Gifu Prefecture follows an old samurai route, Kamikochi in the Japan Alps offers some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in the country, and majestic Mount Fuji can be tackled on an overnight hike during the summer. If you\u2019re short on time, there are plenty of day hikes to be done \u2014 we particularly recommend the hike from Kibune to Kurama Onsen, just outside Kyoto.<\/p>\n<h1>Baseball<\/h1>\n<p><strong>Why?<\/strong> Did you know that Japan\u2019s unofficial national sport is baseball? There\u2019s no better way to get behind that famous Japanese reserve than getting stuck in at a baseball game &#8212; because Japanese baseball fans are bonkers, in the best possible way. Expect trumpets, drums, frenzied flag-waving. Expect pre-prepared songs and chants for every different player. Expect staff with beer kegs strapped to their backs running up and down the stadium, doling out Asahi&#8217;s and fried octopus balls. Above all, expect to have your expectations shattered \u2014 and to get completely swept up in the fun of it all.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_30335\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-30335\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-30335 size-half-width\" style=\"font-size: 16px;\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Osaka-baseball-720x540.jpg\" alt=\"Open view of a baseball field stadium with crowds spectating\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Osaka-baseball-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Osaka-baseball-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Osaka-baseball-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Osaka-baseball-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Osaka-baseball-564x423.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Osaka-baseball-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Osaka-baseball-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Osaka-baseball-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Osaka-baseball-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Osaka-baseball-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Osaka-baseball-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Osaka-baseball-510x383.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Osaka-baseball.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-30335\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Baseball in Osaka<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Where?<\/strong> Sumo may be the national sport, but baseball is an obsession. You can see baseball all over Japan, but our favourites are the Hanshin Tigers (Osaka), the Hiroshima Carp, and the Yakult Swallows (Tokyo) \u2014 they have the craziest fans!<\/p>\n<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F29552&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F29552\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F29552&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F29552&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F29552%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F29552\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F29552\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Like this post? Help us by sharing it! Sometimes, the best way to get under the skin of Japanese culture is through something you never thought of as Japanese at all.\u00a0 Take baseball, for instance. It may not scream Japan to you, but seeing how Japanese fans throw their hearts and souls into this quintessentially [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":92,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_sitemap_exclude":false,"_sitemap_priority":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2356,2367,2362],"tags":[1287,1610,1948,2802,3091,4964,4967],"class_list":["post-29552","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-japanese-miscellaneous-blog-posts","category-japanese-culture-and-history","category-places-and-where-to-stay-in-japan","tag-alternative-japan","tag-hiking-in-japan","tag-off-the-beaten-track","tag-alternative-sightseeing","tag-cycling-in-japan","tag-japanese-temple-stay","tag-baseball-in-japan"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29552","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/92"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29552"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29552\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30701,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29552\/revisions\/30701"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29552"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29552"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29552"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}