ActivitiesChugokuFeaturedSponsored A Spiritual Journey Across the Temples of the Yamanashi Mountains Yamanashi Prefecture is one of Japan's best off-the-beaten-path destinations for wandering and letting yourself be taken in the breathtaking views…Anna ToccoliMarch 29, 2023
ActivitiesChubuFeaturedSponsored Unleash the Adventurer in You in the Great Yamanashi Outdoors If you're a lover of nature and hiking and are curious to travel Japan off the beaten path, Yamanashi prefecture…Anna ToccoliMarch 28, 2023
ActivitiesChubuFeaturedShoppingSponsored Koshu Inden, the Traditional Japanese Lacquer-Painted Leather Craft by Yamanashi Artisans If there is one craft that is intrinsically related to Japan, it is Japanese lacquer. Before humans ever rode horses,…Toshiko SakuraiMarch 27, 2023
ChugokuFeaturedShikokuSponsored The Ultimate Setouchi Experience: A 5-Day Journey Across Seven Prefectures Visit all seven Setouchi prefectures, from Spirited Away bath houses, picturesque arched bridges, and more, in this five day itinerary!Anna ToccoliMarch 17, 2023
FeaturedFoodOkinawaSponsored From Sakaemachi to Koza: Exploring the Local Charm and Modern Culture of Okinawa’s Arcades Whether you're a foodie, a photographer, or simply looking for an authentic cultural experience, the arcades of Okinawa should not…Don KennedyMarch 14, 2023
AccommodationFeaturedSponsoredTohoku A Romantic Train Ride Through Mountains, Bridges and a Cliffside Temple in Fukushima Fukushima's Tadami Line is considered one of Japan's most romantic train rides! Explore cliffside temples, private cottages and more during…Mika SendaMarch 8, 2023
ActivitiesFeaturedSightseeingSponsoredTohoku Finding Hope: Fukushima’s Road to Recovery On March 11th, 2011, the northeastern coast of Japan suffered the most unimaginable horrific disasters of modern history. A magnitude…Todd FongMarch 8, 2023
AccommodationFeaturedSponsoredTohoku A Guide to Akita’s Winter Wonders, Hot Springs and Balloon Festival in Semboku City Less than 3 hours from Tokyo, the sleek red Akita Shinkansen zips by snow-covered forests to Semboku City. Here, you…Ariel LeeMarch 8, 2023
ActivitiesFeaturedOkinawaSightseeingSponsored Yaeyama Islands: Three Close Encounters with the Unique Nature and Culture of Okinawa On the southernmost part of Japan lies a group of 23 islands called Yaeyama (八重山列島) where the mangrove forests and jungles…Burcu BasarFebruary 28, 2023
ActivitiesChubuFeaturedKantoSponsored A Four-Day Itinerary Along the Historic Kaido Routes Between Tokyo, Saitama, and Yamanashi During the Edo Period, the only way to travel between the capital and other parts of Japan was by a…James DaviesFebruary 21, 2023
ActivitiesFeaturedSponsoredTohoku Luxurious Escapades: How to Explore 5 Prefectures in 7 Days from Tohoku’s North to South The Tohoku region, tucked between the geographically largest region of Japan, Hokkaido, and the country’s most populated region, Kanto, carries…Burcu BasarFebruary 10, 2023
AccommodationActivitiesFeaturedKantoSponsored Explore Tochigi Prefecture: A Journey through Nature and History Tochigi Prefecture (栃木県) is located in Japan’s northern Kanto region, only a couple hours by train from Tokyo. Home to…Anna ToccoliJanuary 20, 2023
FeaturedSightseeingSponsoredTohoku Autumn in Semboku, Akita: How to spend 3 days of historical, cultural, and nature-filled adventures More often than not, autumn often gets overshadowed by cherry blossoms in springtime in Japan. However, autumn holds a special…Ariel LeeNovember 30, 2022
ActivitiesChubuCultureFeaturedSightseeing Exploring Ishikawa, the Land of Kutani Ware Ceramics 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
CultureEventsFeaturedThings to Know Anime, Manga, and Video Games: The Otaku Events You Shouldn’t Miss in Japan Are you an anime, manga, cosplay or video game lover? Here are the top otaku cultural events you have to…Anna ToccoliSeptember 14, 2022
ActivitiesFeaturedKyushuThings to Know The Mighty Mount Aso: How to Hike to Japan’s Largest Active Volcano Here are the best hikes to take at Mount Aso, the largest active volcano in Japan.Burcu BasarSeptember 9, 2022
FeaturedThings to Know Can You Travel in Japan if You Have a Tattoo? Have a tattoo and want to visit Japan? Fear not! Here's a guide to visiting Japan when you have tattoos…GaëlAugust 31, 2022
CultureFeaturedThings to Know Chado: Where All Forms of Japanese Art Meet 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
FeaturedPop CultureThings to Know The VTuber Phenomenon: The Virtual Streamers Who Conquered Japan (and the World) It's not rare for Japanese subcultures to expand overseas and then explode in the West. Manga, anime, and video games…Anna ToccoliAugust 9, 2022
FeaturedPop CultureThings to Know The History of Hatsune Miku: From Vocaloid Voice Synthesizer to International Pop Icon It was 2014 when a young pop star with long, turquoise twintails opened U.S. artist Lady Gaga's ArtRave: The Artpop…Anna ToccoliJuly 29, 2022
CultureFeaturedThings to Know Seasons in Japan: What are they and when is the best time to visit Japan? What is the climate like in Japan? What temperatures should you expect when traveling in different seasons? And what is…Daniela TravagliniJuly 26, 2022
CultureFeaturedPerspectivesSightseeing Five Great Books to Accompany You to Five Destinations in Japan I am a fan of travel blogs and conventional guide books and possibly, one of the last few on earth…Burcu BasarJuly 21, 2022
ActivitiesEventsFeaturedKyushu Aya, a Japanese Craft Town Surrounded by Nature in Miyazaki Prefecture If Miyazaki Prefecture (宮崎県) is on your itinerary, you will get the chance to discover much more than its superb…Clémentine SandnerJuly 8, 2022
ActivitiesFeaturedKanto A Cycling Escape from the City without leaving Tokyo Full disclosure: This article was written in collaboration with Trekkling to promote a cycling experience people can enjoy near (or…Todd FongJune 29, 2022
FeaturedThings to Know What is the Minimum Wage in Japan? In Japan, wage policies and minimum wage are decided at both government and local levels. In recent years, we've seen…Marie BorgersApril 25, 2022
ActivitiesFeaturedKantoSightseeingSponsored Enjoy an Authentic Taste of Japan with the Culture, History, and Cuisine of Ibaraki Stretching along a beautiful section of Japan’s east coast, Ibaraki Prefecture features a wonderfully diverse range of things to see…James DaviesApril 21, 2022
FeaturedKantoSightseeing Todoroki Valley, A Nature and Mystical Haven in Tokyo Legend has it that a deity appeared in a dream to a pious Buddhist monk to show him a sacred…Toshiko SakuraiApril 12, 2022
CultureFeaturedPop Culture Art, Beauty, and Tragedy: The Legacy of Isao Takahata The year is 1952. The revolution that will radically transform Japanese animation into what we know today is taking place…Toshiko SakuraiMarch 28, 2022