Where to Go in Hiroshima for Unique Amulets and Votive Tablets
Jan 31, 2024 By Justin Hanus
A modern way to attract visitors to a particular shrine or temple is to offer amulets and votive plaques. Each is a representation of the place, meaning it can be a great reminder about where you visited. Some of the amulets and votive plaques available from the shrines and temples...[ Click to read more ]
Volunteering in Kanto
By Michael Stigall
Winter is a time where we often have more time on our hands than we know what to do with. It is cold, wet, and mostly dark, so we often assume that there is not much that we can do. However, this is not true. One thing to do during...[ Click to read more ]
Day Trips – History, Heritage, and Natural Beauty in Toyokawa
By Bert Wishart
About 75 minutes east of Nagoya, in the Mikawa Bay region, lies Toyokawa, a small city with a lot of spirituality and individuality. Though it is generally overlooked by the tourism industry as little more than a once-industrial town, it is in fact an area known locally for its rich...[ Click to read more ]
Best Places to Grab a Sandwich in Kumamoto
Jan 30, 2024 By Justin Hanus
Whether you’re on the go and need to grab a quick lunch or you just enjoy a good sandwich, you’ll be pleased to hear that you have many options in Kumamoto. The top places use local ingredients, including freshly-baked bread. Plus, many sandwich bars offer delivery, meaning it’s easy to...[ Click to read more ]
Snow Festivals in 2024
By Michael Stigall
It been a warm winter so far, but it is finally beginning the drop into the single digits. With that said, the possibility of snow begins to come to mind. You see, because Japan is over 70% mountainous and located in the temperate latitudes of the western Pacific where the...[ Click to read more ]
Skate Parks in Kumamoto
By Justin Hanus
Skateboarding has increased in popularity across Japan since the Tokyo Olympics a few years ago, with many purpose-built indoor and outdoor parks appearing in recent times. Kumamoto has a pretty good skateboarding community that predates the Olympics and is surprisingly big for the city and prefecture of its size. You...[ Click to read more ]
Get Your Game Face on – Spocha, Japan’s Family-Friendly Sports and Gaming Entertainmant
Jan 29, 2024 By Bert Wishart
Do you love sports but rarely have a chance to play? Perhaps you've never swung a bat or tossed a ball in anger and always wanted to try. It could be that you love video games and singing, and you can't choose which to do. Or just maybe you want...[ Click to read more ]
Top Musical Artists from Kobe
By Justin Hanus
Although it’s only a small city, Kobe is the birthplace of numerous musical artists of a range of genres. Checking out their music is a great way to gain a feel for what Kobe is about. Masaaki Suzuki In addition to being a musician, Masaaki Suzuki is a conductor and...[ Click to read more ]
Food Only Available in Hiroshima
By Justin Hanus
Although some dishes are common throughout the country, different regions in Japan also have their own specialties that may be difficult — or even impossible — to find elsewhere. Hiroshima is no exception. 1. Hiroshima Okonomiyaki You may have had okonomiyaki in Osaka — but the version in Hiroshima is...[ Click to read more ]
Valentine’s Boat Trips in Kumamoto
By Justin Hanus
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, now could be the perfect time to plan a memorable romantic boat trip that takes in some of the scenery the Kumamoto prefecture has to offer. You could book a relaxing cruise with a nice meal or even indulge in a water-based activity...[ Click to read more ]
