Valentine’s Boat Trips in Kumamoto
Jan 29, 2024 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 ]
Plum Viewing in Tokyo – The Top Umemi Spots in 2024
By Michael Stigall
While the cherry blossom is the flower that tends to dominate the imagination of Japanese botanic appreciation, it is perhaps the plum (ume) blossom that should be the more celebrated. Sporting reddish pink or white flowers, they are distinguishable from the sakura by their split ended petals and their strong,...[ Click to read more ]
Himakajima – Aichi’s Octopus Island
By Bert Wishart
Have you ever wondered what the planet would look like if it was taken over by octopuses? No? Ah, well that kind of messes up my introduction to this article. But let's imagine you had said yes, because I would now say 'Well, imagine no more, just head over to...[ Click to read more ]
Where to Go for Ice Cream in Kumamoto
Dec 27, 2023 By Justin Hanus
Like the rest of Japan, Kumamoto has plenty of places where you’ll find high-quality ice cream. Whereas soft-serve ice cream is the most popular, you can also find gelato. To make sure you pick a great spot, try these top ice cream shops. 1. Libcafe For an elaborate sundae in...[ Click to read more ]
The Hiroshima Music Scene
By Justin Hanus
Japan has a vibrant and diverse music culture and has provided the world with top-selling exports over the years such as Yellow Magic Orchestra and Babymetal. Tokyo and Osaka are the two cities with the most developed music scenes but there are many other cities with a simmering underground of...[ Click to read more ]
New Year Bike Rides in Kumamoto
By Justin Hanus
Need to do a bit of exercise to shed those extra pounds gained during the holiday season? What better way than to explore the city on two wheels and let the fresh winter air hit you in the face. The Kumamoto prefecture has several scenic biking routes of varying lengths...[ Click to read more ]
Ice Skating Rinks in Kanto
By Michael Stigall
For most of us from colder climates, it is hard to imagine winter without ice skating. Luckily, many in the metropolis share that view, and there is a wide selection of ice rinks to choose from. We’ve looked high and low for the best places to hit the ice this...[ Click to read more ]
What is Okonomiyaki and How Do You Eat It?
By Justin Hanus
A classic dish in Hiroshima is okonomiyaki (there’s also a version from Osaka). It started gaining traction before World War II and then became a staple among residents after the bombing as a cheap way to eat a filling meal. Today, it remains a popular meal, with restaurants around prefecture...[ Click to read more ]
Packing the Right Clothes for Kobe in the Winter
By Justin Hanus
The weather varies greatly across Japan in the winter. Hokkaido is the coldest, with temperatures reaching as low as -11.4 ºC (11.5 ºF), whereas the Nanpo and Bonin Islands have a tropical climate year round. With mild winters, Kobe is somewhere in between. Using the average temperatures will help you...[ Click to read more ]
Top Places to Try Fugu in Hiroshima
By Justin Hanus
Fugu (blowfish) is an important aspect of Japanese cuisine. In addition to its delicious taste, it gained its fame due to the fact that many parts of the fish are lethally poisonous, including the organs, eyes, and skin. There are strict regulations around serving fugu, such as a law that...[ Click to read more ]
