Reviewed on 22 Jan. 2024
Kashiwa, Japan, may be a suburb 40 km northeast of Tokyo, but it’s no lightweight when it comes to entertainment.
A Kashiwa holiday has all the temples, sushi and shopping you expect of a Japanese getaway, with one super-fun extra: The world’s first city of the future.
Many cities give you the opportunity to go back in time, but Kashiwa packages give you the chance to leap into the future instead. Kashiwanoha, northwest of downtown, is the world’s first “smart city” a modern experiment in energy conservation and innovation. The Open Innovation Lab, one of Japan’s biggest co-working areas, is open to visitors with a day pass. Got a genius idea? Make your prototype a reality in the KOIL Factory, complete with a 3D printer. You can even kick back in a café of the future—though the food is classic Japan: wagashi pastries and tea are the way to go.
Of course, if you do want to go back in time, you can. Book one of Wotif’s Kashiwa car hire options, hop in and point northeast of the city centre to Akebonoyama Agriculture Park. The park’s old-school windmill stands behind beds of tulips, irises, and sunflowers to create a postcard-perfect snap. There’s another great photo op in this park too: The three-tiered, bright red Koryu-zan Tokaiji Temple is a classic example of the Japanese style.
Kashiwanoha may be the city of the future, but the shopping in its LaLaport mall is exactly on trend. While money can’t buy happiness, you can visit Japan’s “Happy Store”, plus browse everything from casual fashion to cutting-edge electronics—all while helping the environment thanks to the mall’s reduced carbon footprint! True shopaholics, however, want Kashiwa package deals near the main train station. Takashimaya Station Mall get its name from Japan’s famous high-end department store, and there are luxury brands galore in this upscale shopper’s playground.
Stick around the mall for fusion cuisines with five-star service or head southeast for traditional foods like octopus-stuffed takoyaki and sushi. Just need to refuel before you get back to hitting the shops? North of the station you’ll find plenty of bubble tea and Internet cafes where you can get energised (and post some pics to Facebook).
Holidays to Kashiwa aren’t complete without experiencing some of Japan’s famed nightlife. Start your evening southeast of the train station near Kashiwa Shrine, where you’ll find replica British pubs, trendy bars and of course, karaoke. Once you’re warmed up, circle around to the west side of the station to find the nightclubs that keep the hip-hop going ’til sunup. Still want to keep the party going? Check out our Tokyo holiday packages—the express train can get you there before your buzz wears off.
Always dreamed of a holiday in a city of the future? Book a Kashiwa package deal with Wotif to make the planning easy. We won’t guarantee you a personal robot butler, but we can guarantee you an easy booking process!
Reviewed on 28 May 2024
Reviewed on 27 May 2024
Reviewed on 28 May 2024