Getting Out and About – Great Trips from Nagoya
Dec 26, 2024 By William Farrow
Due to the planned rebuild in the aftermath of World War 2, Nagoya enjoys a relatively easy to navigate infrastructure for cars. On top of this, the Nagoya area houses one of the main arteries for the national highway system with access points in areas like Takaoka and Hongo. This...[ Click to read more ]
Cool Japan – How to Stay Warm in the Japanese Winter
By Bert Wishart
While winters in Japan’s more mountainous and northern regions get pretty chilly, here in Nagoya, temperatures rarely drop below zero. However, for some reason, I constantly feel frozen to my marrow, and I bet I'm not the only one. This is partly because few homes and office buildings are sufficiently...[ Click to read more ]
Road Trips in Kansai
By Justin Hanus
The Kansai region is a great part of Japan to discover by car. Beyond the big cities Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe, many great destinations don’t take too long to reach. Plus, you’ll be able to take in some great scenery and cultural attractions along the way. Whether you’re looking for...[ Click to read more ]
Family Winter Sports Guide to Tokyo
Dec 25, 2024 By Michael Stigall
Besides skiing and snowboarding, there are a variety of family friendly options to get outside and active this winter. From ice skating to “snow rafting” and even a snow tractor adventure ride for those less interested in getting sweaty; there is no reason to miss out on the great outdoors just...[ Click to read more ]
Skiing in Kanto: Day and Weekend Trips!
By Michael Stigall
Watch the news and you’ll see that skiing here in Japan is going through a boom period. Some slopes in places such as the Japan Alps and Hokkaido are absolutely overrun with inbound travelers from abroad. Here in Tokyo, we are also pretty lucky in that we can trek to...[ Click to read more ]
Hatsumode in Tokyo: Where to Go to Ring in 2025
By Michael Stigall
New Years in Japan is laser-focused on firsts. You have your first sunrise of the year, which is very important, and other firsts like the Shinnenkai parties to bring in the New Year. There are also the “first sales” of the year where retailers put out goods at bargain prices....[ Click to read more ]
Who to Root for in Kumamoto: The Three Biggest Sports Teams
Nov 29, 2024 By Justin Hanus
Japan is big on sport. The most popular team sports are football (soccer), baseball, basketball, and rugby. Of course, there’s also sumo wrestling as well as golf and tennis. It’s always fun when you have a local team to root for, especially when you move to a new area. This...[ Click to read more ]
Christmas Markets in Tokyo and Yokohama
By Michael Stigall
This year went by quick. It seemed like only yesterday that summer would never end and now, all of a sudden, it is time for the holidays. Or maybe autumn in Japan just feels that short. The upside of the encroaching cold is looking forward to the year end holidays...[ Click to read more ]
Winter Illuminations in 2024
By Michael Stigall
Christmas Day in Japan is just another working day for the most part. The most interesting facet of the Christmas and holiday season in Japan is that all traces of it will be gone by morning on December 26th. Without fail, every bell, light, and garlands; every decoration will come...[ Click to read more ]
Tokyo’s Best Flea Markets
By Michael Stigall
With the holidays coming up, you may be thinking of what to get for your special someone. Or if you're heading to your home country, you may be wondering about finding the perfect souvenir. If you’re searching for a truly unique curio or gift for someone here around Tokyo or...[ Click to read more ]