Sumatakyo Gorge, Crossing Bridges in Beauty
Jul 08, 2019 By Bert Wishart
Japan is full of beautiful, breathtaking destinations, but the age of social media is driving travel within the country even further. Who doesn't want a photo of themselves beneath the shrine gate of Miyajima as the sun rises? Or how about the snow with the onsen monkeys? Or within the...[ Click to read more ]
Top Museums to Visit in Kansai
Jun 20, 2019 By Justin Hanus
If you’re interested in culture, history or art, some of the best places to visit are museums. There are some fascinating and unique museums throughout Japan, and nowhere more so than in Kansai. During your time in the region, make sure to pay a visit to as many of the...[ Click to read more ]
Fireworks Festivals in Tokyo
Jun 17, 2019 By Jason Gatewood
Fireworks and summer festivals are arguably the best part of summertime in Japan, with days spent wearing yukata and jinbei traditional clothing while munching street food and nights spent outside watching literally hours of explosions and enjoying the atmosphere of the festival, and the crowds. Summer festivals are a rare...[ Click to read more ]
Yoyogi Park, home of Tokyo’s “World Festivals“
Apr 24, 2019 By Jason Gatewood
Situated south of Shinjuku, north of Shibuya and just west of Harajuku, the expanse of lush greenery, rolling hills and clear ponds, Yoyogi Park serves as an oasis of refreshing nature in the concrete jungle known as Shibuya Ward. It’s also the home of Meiji Jingu, the shrine dedicated to...[ Click to read more ]
Hiroshima’s Takehara and Tomonoura in a Day
By Matt Mangham
With a nice little string of holidays at the beginning of May, you may be thinking of braving the roads for a day trip. From Hiroshima, there are any number of directions you might set off in, but if you’re fond of historic districts and traditional Japanese scenery, one sure...[ Click to read more ]
Takamatsu Pond in Iwate: A Place for Every Season
Apr 22, 2019 By Jade Brischke
If you’re looking for an easily accessible place to chill-out that’s relatively close to downtown Morioka, why not head to Takamatsu Pond (高松の池)? Located about a 30-minute walk from the center of town (depending on which way you walk or how fast/slow you are!), you can also take a bus (E01...[ Click to read more ]
Kyoto International Manga Museum
Apr 15, 2019 By Justin Hanus
There’s no better place in the country for fans of manga than the Kyoto International Manga Museum. Visitors have the chance to browse a massive collection of manga that spans three floors, visit exhibitions, and read manga on the museum lawn (weather permitting). The building was formerly an elementary school,...[ Click to read more ]
How to Spend Easter in Kobe
By Justin Hanus
Easter is not generally celebrated in Japan, but the growing community of western expats in the country means that provisions for the festival have increased in recent years. If you're keen to get into the festive spirit in Kobe, here are a few suggestions on where to go and what...[ Click to read more ]
Hanging Out at Forest Adventure Shinshiro in Aichi Prefecture
Mar 28, 2019 By Bert Wishart
Do you feel at one with nature? Do you prefer to be up in the trees than down on the ground? Or perhaps you have a little monkey who is climbing the walls this holiday? If you find yourself nodding along, or even just curious, get yourself along to Forest...[ Click to read more ]
Ten Nagoya Suggestions for the Ten Days of Golden Week (Part Two)
By Bert Wishart
You may have noticed, that people are starting to get excited about Golden Week. Of course, people always get excited around Golden Week, when public holidays combine to make an extended block of time off, but this year it's even better! With Emperor Akihito abdicating this year, another holiday has been...[ Click to read more ]