Welcome to the next installment of Voyapon's My Japan series, in which we introduce you to our more or less…
Yvonne TanakaSeptember 19, 2024
"Ah, Barcelona! Olympic Games, Sagrada Familia." An almost unanimous chant uttered by many older Japanese people (old enough to remember…
Toshiko SakuraiSeptember 9, 2024
As a boy in the early 1980s, I would spend many happy hours in the art supplies and stationery section…
Richard Koyama-DanielsSeptember 5, 2024
If you ask the average Tokyoite about Tokyo Daibutsu 東京大仏 or Tokyo’s Giant Buddha, do not be surprised by the…
Toshiko SakuraiSeptember 2, 2024
I’ve known Michail Gkinis for not far off 20 years now. A maverick of design, he’s a graduate of the…
Paul McInnesAugust 29, 2024
Fukuoka 福岡 is one of Japan’s beautiful southern prefectures, with a different culture and lifestyle all of its own. It’s…
Cassandra LordAugust 27, 2024
When I was asked if I’d like to contribute to the Voyapon My Japan series, I faced a dilemma. The…
Cassandra LordAugust 23, 2024
You are taking a Shinkansen 新幹線 or bullet train, as it's known overseas, in Japan and spending time inside the…
Maria PeñascalAugust 20, 2024
Just a short walk from the Gojo Bridge, site of the warrior-monk Benkei’s fateful 1,000th duel, there is a typically…
Richard Koyama-DanielsAugust 16, 2024
Uncover a treasure trove of local specialties and one-of-a-kind souvenirs in this charming onsen town's shopping district.
Toshiko SakuraiAugust 13, 2024
Two women kneel to one side of the stage in front of what appears to be an ancient painting of…
Cassandra LordAugust 8, 2024
At the zenith of Atami's heyday, it was the golden prize of your average corporate employee. A spa town so…
Toshiko SakuraiAugust 1, 2024
The charms of Kyoto, curated over centuries, are in such abundance that it can seem like an enchanted city. There…
Richard Koyama-DanielsJuly 29, 2024
Living in Tokyo is an amazing and thrilling experience, with numerous activities to do each week. Sometimes, however, we also…
Maria PeñascalJuly 25, 2024
This is the second article of our new series, My Japan, where contributors from all over the country write about…
Maria PeñascalJuly 22, 2024
The curvaceous and holey Henry Moores that dotted the landscape of my pre-Banksy UK youth, were to me, the face…
Richard Koyama-DanielsJuly 16, 2024
Welcome to the first installment of Voyapon’s new series, My Japan, where Voyapon contributors from all over the country write…
Paul McInnesJuly 11, 2024
Over the years, one of the least wasteful ways I have found to waste my time, has been to head…
Richard Koyama-DanielsJuly 4, 2024
Four games, three defeats, one draw and no goals: Japan didn’t exactly make much of an impression at the 1988…
Matthew HernonJuly 3, 2024
Japanese society, it could be said, really immerses itself in the changing seasons. From Shintoism and Buddhism, the main religions…
Maria PeñascalJune 28, 2024
Congratulations! You've worked hard all year and are ready for your well-earned summer vacation, so you booked your non-refundable trip…
Todd FongJune 25, 2024
In 1923, Tokyo burned to its very core. Live wires and kitchens flamed out of control as the trepidation of…
Toshiko SakuraiJune 25, 2024
Many bands from all over the world dream of playing live in Japan. It's often seen as a utopia for…
Paul McInnesJune 24, 2024
Did you know that Japan is about to roll out a new set of banknotes very soon? This will be…
Toshiko SakuraiJune 21, 2024
Following the proverb "When in Rome, do as the Romans do" when I came to Japan for the first time,…
Maria PeñascalJune 21, 2024
If you look at Japan, the most popular sport in the country is baseball, and then depending on the poll,…
Claudia MitsuboriJune 20, 2024
On arriving in Japan a decade ago, one of my early purchases was a photo book documenting kakigori かき氷, the…
Todd FongJune 20, 2024
