Firewalking at Miyajima 2018
Oct 29, 2018 By Matt Mangham
Japan has a slew of fire rituals, the most famous of which being Kyoto’s famous Daimonji Festival. These festivals, leveraging ancient notions of purification and renewal, continue to draw people even in the modern world. In Hiroshima, November offers two chances for visitors to experience ‘Hiwatari,’ or firewalking. The first...[ Click to read more ]
Get the Seishun 18 Kippu and See Japan on the Cheap!
Oct 26, 2018 By Bert Wishart
If there is one thing that Japan does well it is train travel. While the locals take it for granted that trains will be clean, safe and punctual, many of us know that this is not necessarily the norm in other nations. Another fantastic aspect of Japanese travel is the fact...[ Click to read more ]
KidZania Tokyo – Your Kids’ Working Holiday
Oct 13, 2018 By Bert Wishart
What did you want to be when you grew up? Did you spend hours playing doctors and nurses? Did you imitate your school teachers? Did you pretend to be a fireman, a policewoman or a bus driver? At Kidzania, your children can do just that, but for real. Following the...[ Click to read more ]
The Shibuya Stream Complex
Sep 27, 2018 By Jason Gatewood
With its constant stream of people, iconic street crossing, and of course one of the most recognizable canine mascots in the world, Tokyo’s Shibuya district is known worldwide, if not always by name, it arguably best matches the foreign idea of Tokyo. Currently, in the middle of an ambitious building...[ Click to read more ]
Tokyo Oktoberfest 2018
Sep 26, 2018 By Jason Gatewood
We've said it before, and we'll say it again: Japan loves beer. So it's no surprise there's an Oktoberfest festival happening somewhere at any point in the year. But what about actually IN October? Well, yeah, we got those covered. Greater Tokyo is awash in the amber goodness throughout the...[ Click to read more ]
Tackling Tokyo on Two Wheels
By Jason Gatewood
As sure as you'll find vending machines, convenience stores, and a small shrine in the average Japanese neighborhood, you'll find people traveling around on a bicycle. More everyday transport than pleasure, most Japanese use their bikes to run errands, ferry children to daycare, and get to and from their local...[ Click to read more ]
Let’s Tour: Kawagoe City; Little Edo
Aug 31, 2018 By Jason Gatewood
Located about 60 minutes by train northwest of central Tokyo is the city of Kawagoe in Saitama Prefecture. Because of its location in the Greater Tokyo area, it’s mainly considered just another “bedtown”; Japanese borrowed English slang for a bedroom community. But its current day suburban moniker can be easily...[ Click to read more ]
An Art Museum for the Digital Age: Mori Building Digital Art Museum
Aug 30, 2018 By Jason Gatewood
When most people think of art and Japan in the same vein, images on the order of Hokusai’s Great Wave of Kanagawa spring to mind. You could tour the traditional art scene in Nippon seemingly forever, enjoying a multitude of museums throughout the metropolis. However, only one is dedicated to interactive...[ Click to read more ]
English Language Comedy in Tokyo
Aug 24, 2018 By Bert Wishart
Tokyo's thriving comedy scene offers a wide range of comedians performing around the city; in English! Below are a few comedy clubs and troupes that you can find in the city. Tokyo Comedy Store Tokyo Comedy store is mainly about standup and improv comedy - the kinds of comedy that...[ Click to read more ]
Summer Evening of Prayer and Peace in Hiroshima
Jul 30, 2018 By Matt Mangham
Let’s say you arrive in Hiroshima for the August 6th Peace Memorial Ceremony a day early. You don’t feel like sitting around the hotel room watching TV, but what feels right to do the night before attending the anniversary of the A-Bombing of this lovely little city. Anyway, it’s Sunday...[ Click to read more ]
