Halloween in Kumamoto
Sep 26, 2024 By Justin Hanus
Halloween isn’t as big a deal in Japan as it is in the U.S., meaning you won’t see places filled with jack-o-lanterns, witches’ broomsticks, or cobweb decorations. However, Halloween has become a thing over the past couple of decades. Japan began to embrace Halloween when Tokyo Disneyland hosted its first...[ Click to read more ]
Family Days Out in Kumamoto
Aug 30, 2024 By Justin Hanus
Located in the north of Japan’s Kyushu region, Kumamoto prefecture has a rich culture and plenty of affordable attractions if you’re looking for a day out that all the family can enjoy. From fun outdoor activities to educational experiences, here are a few great destinations if you’re looking to keep...[ Click to read more ]
Getting Your Daily Bread – Bakeries in Nagoya
By William Farrow
Nagoya often stands out for it distinctive cuisine. The traditional favorites like miso katsu and hitsumabushi usually come to mind when thinking of foods here. However, Nagoya is more than things slathered in red miso and fried to varying degrees. Offering a delightful blend of local flavors and European-inspired confections,...[ Click to read more ]
Beating the Heat at Tokyo’s Waterparks
Aug 28, 2024 By Michael Stigall
According to the latest weather reports, us Tokyo residents will be experiencing high temperatures until October. While we are basically at the zenith of heat in August, it is still going to be awhile before things get comfortable. So what’s something to do when the air outside is thick with...[ Click to read more ]
Learn All About Tokyo’s Most Famous Artist at the Sumida Hokusai Museum
By Michael Stigall
It sometimes can be a bit surprising to learn that at one point in time the busiest parts of Tokyo weren’t the bustling areas of Shinjuku and Shibuya but were actually located to the East. Indeed, in old Edo (the former name for Tokyo), the Eastern area of the city...[ Click to read more ]
What You’ll See at Mifune Dinosaur Museum
By Justin Hanus
If you’re a dinosaur fan, you need to pay Mifune Dinosaur Museum a visit. Located in the small town of Mifune in Kumamoto prefecture, the site was home to numerous dinosaurs during the Cretaceous Period. However, it wasn’t until the 1990s that researchers discovered the first fossils. Shortly after, in...[ Click to read more ]
Japanese Cooking Classes in Tokyo in English
Jul 31, 2024 By Michael Stigall
Food shopping in Japan has a reputation for being a touch on the expensive side, and as you wander the aisles of your local supermarket looking at your basic groceries – cheese, fruit, freshly baked bread – it is hard to disagree. However, if you look at local produce you...[ Click to read more ]
Surviving Summer Weekends with Kids
By William Farrow
With summer comes summer vacation. What was once a strong, fond memory of days with no school or responsibility and the only challenge being determining which order to play with what toys takes a stark change in tone and goals when you find yourself on the parental side. Remote workers...[ Click to read more ]
Cooling off with a Dip – Summer Swimming in Hiroshima
Jul 28, 2024 By Hugh Cann
Let’s face it – there are few things more refreshing on a hot summer’s day than leaping into cool outdoor water. If you live in Hiroshima prefecture, you will find several lovely beaches filled with golden sand and looking out towards the Seto Inland Sea, plus purpose-built outdoor water facilities...[ Click to read more ]
Get the Wind in Your Summer Sails with Water Sports in Aichi
Jun 28, 2024 By Bert Wishart
When I first moved to Nagoya, I was pretty happy because it was right near the coast. I had visions of the sorts of beaches one sees in Thailand or Okinawa. Unfortunately, though the Ise and Mikawa bays are meccas for fishing, they are not exactly the most picturesque of...[ Click to read more ]
