Takamatsu Pond in Iwate: A Place for Every Season

Apr 22, 2019 By Jade Brischke

If you’re looking for an easily accessible place to chill-out that’s relatively close to downtown Morioka, why not head to Takamatsu Pond (高松の池)? Located about a 30-minute walk from the center of town  (depending on which way you walk or how fast/slow you are!), you can also take a bus (E01...[ Click to read more ]

Things to do in Tokyo For Golden Week 2019

Apr 15, 2019 By Bert Wishart

Golden week is the longest public holiday period in Japan, and many residents make a trip abroad, or to a tourist area like Kyoto over the break.  Trains and airports can be crowded, and the traffic into any area worth a visit is going to be heavy at best, standstill...[ Click to read more ]

Hanging Out at Forest Adventure Shinshiro in Aichi Prefecture

Mar 28, 2019 By Bert Wishart

Do you feel at one with nature? Do you prefer to be up in the trees than down on the ground? Or perhaps you have a little monkey who is climbing the walls this holiday? If you find yourself nodding along, or even just curious, get yourself along to Forest...[ Click to read more ]

Ten Nagoya Suggestions for the Ten Days of Golden Week (Part Two)

By Bert Wishart

You may have noticed, that people are starting to get excited about Golden Week. Of course, people always get excited around Golden Week, when public holidays combine to make an extended block of time off, but this year it's even better! With Emperor Akihito abdicating this year, another holiday has been...[ Click to read more ]

Ten Nagoya Suggestions for the Ten Days of Golden Week (Part One)

By Bert Wishart

You may have noticed, that people are starting to get excited about Golden Week. Of course, people always get excited around Golden Week, when some public holidays combine to make an extended block of time off, but this year it's even better. With Emperor Akihito abdicating this year, another holiday...[ Click to read more ]

Toyota MEGAWEB Showcase

Mar 27, 2019 By Jason Gatewood

Tokyo can be a tough place to find something cool for the whole family to get into without either needing to travel a way into the countryside or dropping copious amounts of yen on the adventure. However, here’s something that is both close to the center of the Metropolis and...[ Click to read more ]

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Iwate’s Great Buddha of Morioka

Mar 22, 2019 By Jade Brischke

Nara has one 15m high, Kamakura has one 13m high, and the city of Morioka, the capital of Iwate Prefecture, has one 10m high...What am I talking about?  A Daibutsu (大仏), or Big Buddha, of course! It comes as quite a surprise that a city not typically on the tourist...[ Click to read more ]

Pollen Allergies in Japan

Mar 20, 2019 By Ray Proper

The proportion of people who have problems with allergies in Japan is startlingly high.  People who suffer from allergies will suffer severe reactions from the pollen such as: Nasal congestion Sneezing Cough Watery eyes Runny nose Scratchy throat The most common culprit for producing allergy symptoms in Japan is the...[ Click to read more ]

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Arima Onsen: Come On In, the Water’s Fine

Feb 25, 2019 By Justin Hanus

The mapmakers say Arima Onsen is a part of Kobe but it is way on the other side of Mount Rokko and is thus a world unto itself. And people have been making their way to this unique world for almost 1400 years, drawn to the magical powers of its...[ Click to read more ]

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Tokyo’s Romantic Valentine Spots

Jan 20, 2019 By Bert Wishart

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, you may be wanting to find that perfect place to cozy up to your loved one and not sure of quite what to do about it. But fear not, because there are actually quite a few romantic spots in this fair city of...[ Click to read more ]