River Deep, Mountain High – Kayak and Rafting Tours in Gifu
Apr 28, 2022 By Bert Wishart
If you ask pretty much anyone from Gifu, "What is your home prefecture like?" then there is a strong possibility that they will bring up the cleanliness of the water. From someone like myself who grew up in a British coastal town - not many of which are known for...[ Click to read more ]
Exploring Chita Peninsula – Family Fun in the Aichi Sun
Apr 25, 2022 By Bert Wishart
With the weather finally taking a turn for the better and the cherry blossoms dropping their flowers, it is that time of year when you might think about heading for the coast, and around Nagoya, that means the Chita Peninsula to the south of the city. Though not as renowned...[ Click to read more ]
Super Bar DJs – Nagoya’s Coolest DJ Events
Mar 31, 2022 By Bert Wishart
If, like Edwin Starr, you like the sound of funky music (and that it sho nuff turns you on) then you will want to find some awesome places to check out the best DJs spinning their stuff. Now that the covid-19 regulations have been relaxed somewhat, you may also want...[ Click to read more ]
All up in Your Grill – Discover Nagoya’s Teppanyaki Restaurants
By Bert Wishart
Teppanyaki, the style of cooking famed for its extravagant chefs slicing and dicing meat on a griddle, is believed by many to be a classic Japanese cuisine, but in fact, it is a relatively new invention. Taking its name from teppan [hotplate] and yaki [to grill or fry], teppanyaki first...[ Click to read more ]
Do I Amuse You? Japan’s Best Amusement Parks
Mar 24, 2022 By Bert Wishart
As far back as I remember, I always loved going to amusement parks, and fortunately for me, the Japanese are as crazy for rollercoasters as I am. Japan has some of the best theme parks in the world, and according to Statista, in 2020, some 31 million people visited, which...[ Click to read more ]
Crafty Guys – Meet Nagoya’s Craft Beer Sensations, Tall Boys Brewing
Feb 28, 2022 By Bert Wishart
You all know the Bat Phone, right? The red telephone that Commissioner Gordon used to contact Batman, it flashed red whenever Gotham City needed help. Here at JIS Towers, we have the same thing, but it rings whenever there is a new craft beer bar on the block. Our Beer...[ Click to read more ]
Finger Lickin’ Chicken on Sticks – Nagoya’s Best Yakitori Restaurants
By Bert Wishart
When you think about Japanese food, it is probably sushi that most readily comes to mind, followed by rice and miso soup, with knife-wheeling teppanyaki chefs serving up wagyu completing the triumvirate. However, perhaps one of the most varied - not to mention popular - is 'yakitori,' and that it...[ Click to read more ]
Setsubun Festivals in Nagoya 2022
Jan 25, 2022 By Ray Proper
Setsubun, or "That Bean-Throwing Festival," celebrates the beginning of spring in Japan. Celebrated yearly on February 3 as part of the Spring Festival, its association with the Lunar New Year makes this festival a sort of New Year's Eve. A special ritual accompanies this association to cleanse away the evil...[ Click to read more ]
Heroes on the Half Shell – Where to get in-season Oysters in Nagoya
Jan 24, 2022 By Bert Wishart
For those of us who are used to the climate control comforts of central heating, double glazing, and insulated buildings coming as standard, winter in Japan – where these are mostly alien concepts – can be a time to yearn for other seasons. Fortunately, a few things can make up...[ Click to read more ]
Calling 119 for Emergency Assistance in Japan
Jan 20, 2022 By Ray Proper
Dial 119 for the fire department or medical services Dial 110 for police 119 in Japan is a direct-dial-free emergency number that connects the caller to fire and emergency medical services from any phone. Unlike emergency number services in many other countries, the 119 system in Japan only connects to...[ Click to read more ]
