Welcome the Warmer Weather with 6 Natural Escapes in Kobe
Mar 27, 2017 By Justin Hanus
Situated between the sea and an impressive mountain range, Kobe boasts an array of stunning outdoor escapes located within and just beyond the bustling port city. Kobe might not be as massive an industrial and commercial center as some of its neighboring cities, but that doesn’t stop tourists and locals...[ Click to read more ]
Yomiuri Giants and Hanshin Tigers – a Great Baseball Rivalry
Mar 26, 2017 By Bert Wishart
When the Tokugawa Shogunate finally wrested political control from Osaka and moved the seat of power to Edo in 1615, few could have imagined that four hundred years later animosity and hostilities between the two cities would remain. However each spring, the battle recommences in the form of the perennial contest...[ Click to read more ]
Japan: Where the Streets Have No Name
Mar 25, 2017 By Justin Hanus
When Bono was writing "Where the Streets Have No Names" for U2 he was speaking metaphorically about social injustice on the streets of Northern Ireland. But there is a place where most of the streets do not have names and there is nothing metaphorical about it. It may just be...[ Click to read more ]
Clam Gathering at Nishikinohama Beach Park
Mar 24, 2017 By Justin Hanus
Although this park is most famous for sea bathing and various water sport activities from July to August each year, during the off-season there are still quite a few unique activities to take part in. Digging for clams along the shore is one such activity, and it is possible every...[ Click to read more ]
Family Fun at Moricoro Park
By Bert Wishart
When one thinks of Nagoya's parks there is a good chance that either Tsuruma Koen in Showa-ku or Meijo Koen in Kita-ku spring to mind, and there is a good chance that you haven't even heard of Moricoro Park. And that's a real shame, because there is loads to see and...[ Click to read more ]
Get More Than Your Fill at Osaka’s International Festival UTAGE
Mar 23, 2017 By Justin Hanus
If you are going to be known as the capital of something in Japan, there aren't many better things than to be the "Food Capital of Japan," a title often bestowed on Osaka. Every four years Osaka has hosted the International Festival UTAGE (Japanese for "feast,”) a sort of foodie...[ Click to read more ]
Top 5 Beer Gardens Across Japan
By Justin Hanus
Springtime in Japan provides temperatures, sights, and events that make it nearly impossible to spend your days indoors. However, even after a day in the warm sunshine, there are still many reasons why you don’t need to retreat back indoors for the evening quite yet. One of the most popular...[ Click to read more ]
Top 5 Spring Hiking Destinations in Japan
By Justin Hanus
With 73% of Japan’s land mass being mountains, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts certainly have their pick of gorgeous terrain to explore throughout the country. Of course there are some popular highlights that should remain repeat offenders on your Japan bucket list, like Mount Fuji. But if you’re interested in some...[ Click to read more ]
No More Mamachari! Where to get Good Bikes in Tokyo
By Bert Wishart
Tokyo is such a marvelous city to explore, which is why it is a shame that we spend so much time on trains and subways being ferried from one place to another, never really getting to understand the lay of the land. The best way to really understand the city...[ Click to read more ]
Artisan Coffee in Tokyo
By Bert Wishart
The Japanese are fond of coffee, as evidenced by the "kissaten culture," which started in Nagoya and is exemplified by Komeda Coffee's man and ubiquitous branches, and the proliferation of coffee vending machines delivering largely sickly sweet but highly caffeinated "coffee." But if you want a solid espresso drink or...[ Click to read more ]
