Japan may be the world’s third-largest economy and a pioneer in technology, but its population is shrinking. What are the…
Marie BorgersJuly 6, 2021
You'd have to have been hiding under a rock in 2016 not to have heard of Your Name (君の名は, Kimi…
Toshiko SakuraiJuly 1, 2021
Ten years after a monstrous tsunami devastated the Pacific coast of Tohoku (東北) on March 11, 2011, it’s still a…
Cherise FongJune 17, 2021
Japan is known for its beautiful juxtaposition of the old vs new, with traditional architecture scattered amidst city skyscrapers. Every…
Lia YewJune 13, 2021
Greetings and manners are especially important at business meetings in Japan. Be sure to observe the proper etiquette when exchanging…
VoyaponJune 11, 2021
The city of Kofu (甲府市), located in the northeast of Yamanashi Prefecture, is known for its deep nature and its…
Manon ChauvrisJune 9, 2021
A quick look at manners in Japan, including daily greetings and how to bow properly to show respect at different…
VoyaponJune 2, 2021
Mount Fuji (富士山, Fujisan), Japan’s largest mountain and arguably its most famous symbol stand at 3,776 metres. Being snow-capped for…
Jonathan ReeveJune 1, 2021
Japan is home to some of the world’s greatest street food — it’s hardly a secret to anyone interested in the…
Abigail SmathersMay 20, 2021
At the boundaries of the Japanese archipelago, Hokkaido (北海道), whose kanji means “Path to the Northern Sea” is the northernmost…
Marie BorgersMay 14, 2021
It is undeniable that manga is one of the most popular Japanese cultural phenomena inside and outside the country. Throughout…
Lucia TsujiguchiMay 13, 2021
It all takes place in Gifu prefecture, in the heart of the Japanese Alps. Far from the urban frenzy, traditional…
Marie BorgersApril 30, 2021
Nestled in the mountains of Gifu prefecture, Gero Onsen (下呂温泉) is one of Japan’s top three hot spring destinations. Its…
Marie BorgersApril 30, 2021
Surrounded by a rich natural environment in the heart of the Japanese Alps, the historical district of Takayama (高山) perpetuates…
Marie BorgersApril 30, 2021
Situated in the west of the Japanese Alps, in the north of Gifu prefecture, the Hida (飛騨) region is home…
Marie BorgersApril 30, 2021
Shimane Prefecture is relatively unknown to foreign visitors. However, I have had the opportunity to visit several times, and it…
Clémentine CintréApril 30, 2021
We came to Shimane Prefecture to explore the former Iwami Ginzan silver mine and the historic village of Tsuwano. However,…
Clémentine CintréApril 30, 2021
Despite numerous journeys across Japan and the constant quest to discover more off-the-beaten-track destinations, Tsuwano (津和野) in Shimane Prefecture, was…
Clémentine CintréApril 30, 2021
Ever since the remote village of Shirakawa-go (白川郷) was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, it has…
Marie BorgersApril 30, 2021
Here's our guide on how to use Japanese yen, where to exchange your foreign currency, and how to use the…
Claudia MitsuboriApril 23, 2021
As the world begins its slow return to relative normalcy, you may be one of many ready to scratch that…
Todd FongApril 21, 2021
In the culture of traditional Japan, the mountains have always held a deeply spiritual connection to the people. There is…
Todd FongApril 21, 2021
There are two majority religions in Japan, Shinto and Buddhism, which are part of Japanese people's daily lives. Religion and…
Gaël FaulconnierApril 17, 2021
Sponsored by Tourism Oita Scattered across the Ono River Valley in Oita Prefecture are hundreds of magaibutsu Buddhist figures carved…
Derek YamashitaApril 15, 2021
What time is it in Japan, the land of the rising sun? What is the time difference between its neighbors…
Marie BorgersApril 14, 2021
On Saturday, October 12, 2019, Typhoon Hagibis made landfall in central Japan. Outlets such as Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) had…
Richard MilnerApril 12, 2021
On the warm weekend nights of Japanese summers, the skies are lit up with awe-inspiring bursts of fireworks, some displays…
Todd FongApril 10, 2021
