Sites to See on a Trip Around Yatsushiro
May 31, 2024 By Justin Hanus
A great option for a day trip if you’re in Kumamoto is Yatsushiro. This is a top destination for learning more about history and culture in Japan. 1. Kirai Art Installment If you arrive at Shin-Yatsushiro Station, the first thing you’ll see will be the Kirai art installment. This modern...[ Click to read more ]
Hawaiian Food in Tokyo
By Michael Stigall
There are places one can go to in Japan where it will seem you’ve stepped through Doraemon’s Dokodemo Door and straight up landed in America’s 50th state, Hawaii. From hula dancing to learning to play the ukulele, Japan has been all-in on all things Hawaiian since the heady “Bubble Era”...[ Click to read more ]
Best Outdoor Swimming Locations in Kansai
May 29, 2024 By Justin Hanus
Whether it’s a day trip to the beach, a dip in a pretty lake or going for a wild swim in a river, making the most of the summer sun and immersing yourself in outdoor waters is one of the best ways to relax as well as enjoy the scenery...[ Click to read more ]
Where to Rent a Kimono or Yukata in Hiroshima
By Justin Hanus
Traditional Japanese garments are beautiful and quite unlike the clothing from anywhere else in the world. You may like to have the experience of wearing the national dress, such as to attend a cultural event or for a photo shoot. One option to wear is a kimono, which is what...[ Click to read more ]
The Hiroshima Dating Scene
By Justin Hanus
Hiroshima, like many cities in Japan, is a blend of traditional cultural norms and more modernized and westernized lifestyles. If you live in the city and are single, you can find plenty of opportunities to meet both local and foreign prospective partners. In addition, there is no shortage of things...[ Click to read more ]
Things to Do with Kids in Kumamoto
By Justin Hanus
If you’ve got kids, you’ll know how important it is to have an ongoing list of activities and places to go to entertain them at weekends or during school holidays. Kumamoto has a number of attractions designed for kids and plenty of places where the whole family can have fun....[ Click to read more ]
Tokyo’s Best American BBQ
By Michael Stigall
In the United States, BBQ is cooking meat for long periods at low temperatures with smoke from a wood fire. BBQ adds a distinctive smoky taste to the meat, and depending on the style in question, BBQ sauce. While BBQ traditions may not have originated in the United States, they...[ Click to read more ]
Riding Kansai’s Hello Kitty HARUKA
By Justin Hanus
There is now an extra-fun way to reach Osaka and Kyoto from Kansai International Airport: the Hello Kitty HARUKA train. It’s not just for fans of Hello Kitty (although they will likely be most excited to ride this train) — it’s a fun experience for all passengers. What are the...[ Click to read more ]
Checking out Tamamiya-cho, Gifu’s Most Eclectic Night Spot
Apr 30, 2024 By Bert Wishart
While Nagoya's nightlife hotspots of Sakae and Meieki have a lot to say for themselves, it could be argued that what they make up in variety of establishments, as they tailor towards the after-work crowds, they can lack in personality. If you want to find somewhere in which you can...[ Click to read more ]
Let’s All Go to the Keiba-jo! Where to See Horse Racing Near Nagoya
By Bert Wishart
Though it has much changed over the centuries, keiba [horse racing] in Japan is not merely a sport; it's a cultural phenomenon deeply ingrained in the nation's fabric. With a history going back to the 8th centruy, when its role was of a more religious bent, horse racing remains today...[ Click to read more ]
