Richard Milner, Author at VOYAPON

Richard Milner

Richard Milner is a US-born, Tokyo-based writer, journalist, and lifelong educator who works as an English lecturer. He received his MA in Digital Creative Media and his BA in Psychology, and has dabbled in entertainment and mental healthcare. He can commonly be found reading, or else chatting up locals on various continents while wearing shorts.

18 articles

Articles by Richard Milner

KFC: How the Fast-Food Brand Became a Christmas Tradition in Japan

December 9, 2025 Christmas, Culture, First Time in Japan, Food & Drink, small featured, Things to Know

Christmas is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the world, officially observed in more than 160 countries. While traditions vary from region to region, certain customs — exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, or preparing treats for Santa Claus...

starbucks in converted Japanese townhouse in Kyoto, Japan

Starbucks in Japan: Why They are so Popular and Why You Should Visit

February 20, 2025 Cafés, Pop Culture, Sweets, Tokyo, Tokyo

Starbucks has become a beloved part of Japanese culture since opening its first store in Ginza in 1996. With over 1,600 locations nationwide, from bustling city streets to quiet countryside spots, Starbucks has seamlessly integrated into Japan’s coffee scene. Interestingly,...

Tsuruoka: The Best of Japanese Cuisine in Japan’s UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy

December 27, 2021 Culture, Kaiseki, Sponsored, Tohoku, Vegetarian & Vegan

Tsuruoka City (鶴岡市) in Japan’s Tokohu region is truly a hidden gem of not only Japan but Japanese food culture. Yes, this once-critical port city on the way from Osaka to Hokkaido is known chiefly for its nearby Buddhist pilgrimage...

Tsuruoka: A Journey into Nature, Hot Springs, and the Realm of Spirit

December 27, 2021 Culture, Hiking, Historic Sites, Mountains, Sponsored, Temples & Shrines, Tohoku

Tsuruoka City (鶴岡市) and its surrounding region are, without a doubt, one of Japan’s most unique, hidden gems for travelers. Full of a long, rich history that touches on Japan’s spiritual roots in Buddhism, a dense and creative culinary tradition,...

Shows the size and intensity of a typhoon weather system.

Typhoons in Japan: The History and What To Do in an Event of a Typhoon

April 12, 2021 Autumn, Safety, Summer, Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo

On Saturday, October 12, 2019, Typhoon Hagibis made landfall in central Japan. Outlets such as Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) had been predicting the storm’s destruction for days, citing its size (1,400km), wind speeds (198kph), and trajectory, straight into central Tokyo....

An Adventurous, All-inclusive Winter Getaway to Niseko, Hokkaido

February 18, 2021 Hokkaido, Hokkaido, Hokkaido, Luxury Accommodation, Mountains, Niseko, Onsen & Sento, Ryokan, Sapporo, Skiing & Snowboarding, Sponsored, Winter

Hokkaido, the northernmost island in Japan, is renowned for its natural beauty, gorgeous snowy landscapes, and winter sporting opportunities. Famed events such as the Sapporo Snow Festival, held in February, have come to typify Hokkaido’s cultural offerings, although there are...

Sado Island's traditional Japanese farming community and tea plants

Sado Island: Niigata’s Island of Nature, Tradition, History, and Community

February 10, 2021 Culture, Historic Sites, Niigata, Sponsored, Summer Festivals, Temples & Shrines

Located off the west coast of Japan, Sado Island is a short ferry ride from Niigata city. Ferries depart throughout the day, taking travelers away from Niigata city's old port district and onto the waters of the Sea of Japan....

A Day Off the Beaten Path Exploring Niigata’s Sado Island

February 10, 2021 Beaches & Islands, Culture, Ferries, Local Buses, Mountains, Niigata, Rice, Sponsored, Temples & Shrines

Sado Island has a richly-diverse local tradition and community off the west coast of Japan near Niigata City (新潟市). Known as one of the prime climates in Japan for growing rice, the island is full of fields and farms and...

Nothern Culture Museum Japanese garden and buildings

A Walking Tour Through Traditional Japan in Niigata

February 10, 2021 Culture, Cycling, Fukushima, Hiking, Historic Sites, Niigata, Sponsored, Temples & Shrines

As the capital of Niigata Prefecture northwest of Fukushima, Niigata City sits on the west coast of Japan. The city was one of five major ports opened in 1869 that contributed to the modern development of Japan and is still...

The Comprehensive Japan Airport Guide

July 11, 2020 Airports, Osaka, Osaka, Osaka, Sapporo, Shinkansen, Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo

For many international travelers, a trip to Japan represents a once-in-a-lifetime dream. Japan, and Tokyo in particular, are often high on lists of must-see global destinations. It’s important to make informed decisions when traveling, and a key part of any...

Ushiki Daibutsu, the Giant Buddha Statue with Bell

Pilgrimage to Ibaraki’s Giant Buddha: Ushiku Daibutsu

February 22, 2020 Historic Sites, Ibaraki, Kanto, Sponsored, Temples & Shrines, Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo

Ibaraki is a lush, green prefecture north of Tokyo full of natural beauty, peaceful towns, and plenty of tradition. It’s a mere train ride from Tokyo and full of enough activities for a day trip, if not an overnight trip....

Traditional Containers for Storing Soy Sauce

Noda: A City of Soy Sauce on the Outskirts of Tokyo

February 22, 2020 1 Week, Chiba, Culture, Kaiseki, Kanto, Language, Ramen, Sashimi, Sponsored, Sushi, Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo

Noda is a small city north of Tokyo in Chiba prefecture easily accessible by train from Tokyo and is known as “the city of soy sauce” because of the city’s longstanding relationship with the soy sauce industry. It is the...

The Nightlife of Kashiwa, An Alternative to Tokyo

February 22, 2020 Chiba, Izakaya, Language, Nightlife, Rail Passes, Sake & Alcohol, Shinkansen, Sponsored, Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo, Yakitori

Kashiwa is a city resting in Chiba Prefecture only 30 minutes from Tokyo along the Joban train line (one of Tokyo's train networks) that contains all the fun of Tokyo nightlife packed into a smaller, hip, welcoming place. It's easy...

Guardian Statues at a Shrine in Nagareyama

Charm, History, and White Mirin in Nagareyama, Chiba Prefecture

February 22, 2020 1 Week, Chiba, First Time in Japan, Historic Sites, Sake & Alcohol, Sponsored

Nagareyama: Birthplace of White Mirin Nagareyama Honcho 流山本町 is the heart of a group of towns in Chiba Prefecture — including Noda, Kashiwa, and Matsudo — that used to be a single town and major center of trade for the...

An Exploration of Silk and Sake in Yuki, Ibaraki Prefecture

February 22, 2020 Culture, Fashion, Ibaraki, Sake & Alcohol, Souvenirs, Sponsored

Weaving Under the Watchful Eyes of Masters Yuki is a small city in Ibaraki with an impressive history of unique and beautiful arts and crafts. It's known for unique silk-crafting methods and the presence of Japanese sake breweries. Travelers can...

Natural Beauty and Tradition in Sakuragawa, Ibaraki

February 22, 2020 1 Week, First Time in Japan, Ibaraki, Kanto, Sponsored, Temples & Shrines

Makabe is a quaint and quiet town in Sakuragawa, Ibaraki Prefecture. It is located in a beautiful countryside surrounded by mountains. Accurately described as "little Kyoto" for its richness of tradition and walkable downtown area, Sakuragawa is a day's trip...

In the Foothills of Lovers: A Journey to Mt. Tsukuba

February 22, 2020 Hiking, Ibaraki, Kanto, Mountains, Onsen & Sento, Ryokan, Sponsored

“Fuji in the West, Tsukuba in the East.” This is the phrase used to describe the importance of Mt. Tsukuba to Japan. Located in Ibaraki prefecture north of Tokyo, a beautiful, natural region, Mt. Tsukuba and its two peaks are...

Daruma Dolls in Chochin Lantern and Figurine Shop

Culinary and Artistic Traditions in Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture

February 22, 2020 1 Week, Chiba, Culture, First Time in Japan, Ramen, Souvenirs, Sponsored, Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo

Matsudo in Chiba Prefecture is a link between cities and times. It connects to its neighbors Noda, Kashiwa, and Nagareyama, and along with them, forms a network of history and traditions that include all manner of Japanese craftwork, arts, architecture,...

Articles by Richard Milner

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