Aso-Kuju: Kumamoto’s Breathtaking Park
Jul 01, 2023 By William Farrow
For residents of Kyushu, the outdoors and nature are always nearby. A far cry from the large cities of Honshu, people can expect a rich abundance of activities and places to visit. One of the first big must-see trips of the region is Aso-Kuju National Park, the emerald jewel of...[ Click to read more ]
What You’ll Find at Shinkaichi Art Plaza in Kobe
Jun 28, 2023 By Justin Hanus
Kobe has long been an important place for pop culture in Japan. Shinkaichi Art Plaza provides a venue to nurture all kinds of art forms, including theater, film-making, music, visual arts, and dance. It’s the perfect place for young artists to display their work, network with others, and rehearse for...[ Click to read more ]
The Best Views in Tokyo
Jun 27, 2023 By Michael Stigall
Tokyo is so many things and includes so many places that it is often hard to take it all in. Being in the city can sometimes remind me of a computer struggling to read a large file. There's just so much information and data and noise. To some, that may...[ Click to read more ]
Seeing Seto, a Four-Day Tour Around the Seto Island Sea
By Bert Wishart
Recently, when enjoying a couple of leisurely afternoon pints in The Hub, my wife Mai and I chatted with an Aussie lad in Japan on his 'trip of a lifetime.' "So, where are you visiting?" my wife asked, more out of politeness than curiosity. "I spent a few days in...[ Click to read more ]
Getting To Know You: Nagoya Port
Jun 25, 2023 By Bert Wishart
To the south of the city, Nagoya's port is one of Japan's busiest, servicing the country's central region of Japan, the hotbed of the nation's automotive industry. And I know what you're thinking: that doesn't exactly sound like a fun day out, right? And you would have been mostly right...[ Click to read more ]
Step Back in Time at Gifu Seiryu-Satoyama Park
May 30, 2023 By Bert Wishart
While most people besotted with Japanese history tend to focus on the periods of samurai and geisha, there is more to Japan than dudes quoting haiku and swinging katana blades. One of the most interesting periods was not that long ago, the Showa era (1926 – 1989), and at Gifu...[ Click to read more ]
Midtown BBQ – Japan’s Best Barbecue Expands to Tokyo
By Michael Stigall
If you’re as mad about steaks and barbecue as we are here at Japan Info Swap, then you’ll already know Midtown BBQ pretty well, especially if you live in Nagoya or Yokohama. But what if you’re one of those Kanto residents who doesn’t live particularly close to Kannai Station? As...[ Click to read more ]
Educational Museums in Tokyo That Are Actually Fun
By Michael Stigall
There is something about science that can capture a child's imagination. Whether it is the natural world, robotics, or outer space, getting to grips with our surroundings can be spellbinding for young fertile minds. However, in an age of iPads, YouTube, and easily accessible cartoons, it can be challenging to...[ Click to read more ]
Best Beaches in Kansai
May 19, 2023 By Justin Hanus
Japan is not one of the first countries that spring to mind when you think of beach culture, but in fact, the country has plenty of beautiful coastlines, with the Kansai region boasting many memorable beaches consisting of pale sand and lush turquoise water. Fancy a dip this summer? Here...[ Click to read more ]
The Hunt is Afoot! Clam Hunting with the Kids in Mikawa Bay near Nagoya
Apr 28, 2023 By Bert Wishart
Clam hunting is a fun and educational activity that kids and adults alike can enjoy, especially in the beautiful Mikawa Bay area. Located in southern Aichi, Mikawa Bay has a rich and diverse marine life ecosystem, including a wide variety of clams popular for 'hunting.' This family-friendly activity is a...[ Click to read more ]
