I first visited Hamamatsu in the Spring of 2021. Before that, my only knowledge of the city was a blur…
Todd FongMarch 12, 2024
At the heart of the Setouchi region, the four cardinal cities of Okayama, Hiroshima, Matsuyama and Takamatsu frame the Seto…
Cherise FongFebruary 29, 2024
Horimono (彫物) is a little-known term to the rest of the tattoo world but is one of the most used…
Gaël FaulconnierFebruary 3, 2024
The Innovative Spirit of Hamamatsu, from Japan’s First Shogun to Makers of Instruments & Motorcycles
From an Evangelion-themed train, a traditional cotton weaving heritage, to makers of motorcycles and grand pianos, Hamamatsu's culture of innovation…
Todd FongMarch 27, 2023
Kyushu's most southern prefecture, Kagoshima (鹿児島), is a beautiful place packed with interesting bits of Kagoshima history, culture, and subtropical…
Cassandra LordMarch 22, 2023
Sustainable tourism, societal impact, and culture and legacy preservation are crucial aspects of modern travel. As we explore new destinations…
Toshiko SakuraiMarch 16, 2023
While the cities of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka continue to get the lion’s share of overseas tourists to Japan, few…
Todd FongFebruary 2, 2023
In the modern age of international tourism to Japan, Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka capture the vast majority of foreign visitors,…
Todd FongFebruary 2, 2023
While Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka remain high on the list of many visitors embarking on their travel to Japan, few…
Cassandra LordFebruary 2, 2023
Near the geological center of Goto’s Fukue Island, there is a tiny general store catering to the locals living in…
Todd FongJanuary 31, 2023
Here's how to spend a day in Ishikawa's pottery village shopping, making traditional ceramics, & eating a tasty sushi dinner…
Cassandra LordNovember 2, 2022
Are you an anime, manga, cosplay or video game lover? Here are the top otaku cultural events you have to…
Anna ToccoliSeptember 14, 2022
My introduction to the world of Japanese tea ceremony (茶道, chado) took place during my first visit to Japan in 2016. Everywhere…
Natalie LeonAugust 22, 2022
In Japan, as well as in many other countries, birthdays are a reason for celebration. But has it always been…
Chiara CampanileAugust 18, 2022
What is the climate like in Japan? What temperatures should you expect when traveling in different seasons? And what is…
Daniela TravagliniJuly 26, 2022
I am a fan of travel blogs and conventional guide books and possibly, one of the last few on earth…
Burcu BasarJuly 21, 2022
“A Japanese is born as a Shinto, marries as a Christian, and dies as a Buddhist.” This looks impossible, but…
Maria PeñascalMay 24, 2022
When talking about Kumamoto (熊本), the first image that comes to mind is probably Kumamon, the city's cuddly black bear…
Stefania Da PontApril 8, 2022
The year is 1952. The revolution that will radically transform Japanese animation into what we know today is taking place…
Toshiko SakuraiMarch 28, 2022
In ancient times, the Kii Peninsula, south of Osaka and Kyoto, was known as the land of the gods, and…
Don KennedyFebruary 25, 2022
Japan is a country rich in culture and rituals that change with every new region. This makes traveling through the…
Claudia MitsuboriFebruary 22, 2022
There's more than one way to get from Tokyo to Kyoto. You could, for example, hop on a Shinkansen at…
Todd FongFebruary 9, 2022
Adventure is calling your name, and it's called Kyushu. Japan's westernmost island is a natural paradise of geothermic hot springs,…
Todd FongJanuary 31, 2022
The TAKUMI Road runs along Japan's western coast, collectively known as Hokuriku, from Fukui to Niigata prefectures. It is centered…
Todd FongJanuary 15, 2022
With a distinct culture developed under the warmth of the Seto Inland climate, Okayama Prefecture (岡山県) has a rich heritage…
Toshiko SakuraiJanuary 5, 2022
In the quest for a place’s identity, Setouchi asked itself what it wanted to be and found its answer to…
Toshiko SakuraiJanuary 5, 2022
Shirakami-Sanchi tour guide, Yukio Koike, moved to Aomori Prefecture 33 years ago to study Environmental Science at Hirosaki University. The…
Don KennedyDecember 28, 2021
