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
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
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
As a travel writer, I admit to often focusing too much on the incredible things to see in Japan. It…
Todd FongDecember 23, 2021
I could try to convince you about the many virtues of Kochi Prefecture (高知県), but instead, I'll leave that to…
Todd FongDecember 23, 2021
Hinoura Tsukasa turned the blade over in his hands, his keen eye taking in every detail of his handiwork. Each…
Todd FongDecember 20, 2021
Venturing into the heartland of samurai history and culture may be closer than you imagine. If you find yourself in…
Cherise FongDecember 15, 2021
What if I told you that here’s also a hidden place where the ultimate bushido (The Way of the Warrior)…
Toshiko SakuraiDecember 10, 2021
In shrines and temples of Japan, you’ll find omamori, or amulets, of all kinds. While some places of worship may…
Ariel LeeNovember 9, 2021
