Tackling Tokyo on Two Wheels

Sep 26, 2018 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 ]

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Toyohashi Fire Festival: Things are about to go off!

Aug 29, 2018 By Bert Wishart

While there are many, many fireworks festivals in Japan throughout the summer months, there are very few that match Toyohashi's Hono-no-Saiten for sheer spectacle. And danger. About Hono-no-Saiten The Hono-no-Saiten festival started in 1996 to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the founding of Toyohashi City and has been an annual...[ Click to read more ]

Do You Know Nags? Nagoya’s Hidden Gems

Aug 28, 2018 By Bert Wishart

Whether you have been here for a few weeks or know the city like the back of your hand, Nagoya is a city that is full of surprises. New restaurants and bars pop up all the time, and you can be strolling down a familiar street and suddenly notice a...[ Click to read more ]

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Full Moon Tea Ceremony at Shukkei-en in Hiroshima

By Matt Mangham

Tsukimi, or Moon Viewing, is a Japanese tradition going back to the Heian period, when portions of the old Chinese mid-Autumn festivals blended with local practices to create one more reason for the aristocracy of Kyoto to stay up all night. The classic portrayal of the Heian Moon Viewing Party...[ Click to read more ]

Trekking in the Kansai Region

Aug 20, 2018 By Justin Hanus

Exploring the flora, fauna and historical attractions of a new place is sometimes the best way to appreciate it. Some people might think just walking around in the more populous parts of a city or country and enjoying their cuisine is good enough to experience what the place has to...[ Click to read more ]

Tokyo’s Beer Gardens

Jul 25, 2018 By Bert Wishart

It could be argued that one of the greatest things on Earth is sitting outside on a warm summer’s day with an ice cold beer. Being from the south west of England I am used to having a pub on every corner, and almost all of them will have a...[ Click to read more ]

Staying Cool in the (Japanese) Heat

By Jason Gatewood

  Our latest weather woes have made international headlines recently, with an unprecedented heatwave that has set records across Japan. Many of us come from countries where this is quite normal (my last summer trip back home had highs around 40ºC/101ºF), a large number may not have ever experienced this...[ Click to read more ]

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Celebrate Mountain Day by Hiking Around Aichi

By Bert Wishart

One great thing about living in Japan is the fact that there are so many holidays. Between New Year’s Day on January 1st and the Emperor’s Birthday on December 23, there are a further 15 national holidays observed. One recent (2016) addition to the calendar is Mountain Day, or ‘Yama no...[ Click to read more ]

8 Popular Attractions Near Mount Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture

Jun 26, 2018 By Justin Hanus

A visit to Japan won’t be complete without a trip to the one of the most famous natural beauties in the world, Mt. Fuji. It’s majestic cone has its magical allure from all angles that is why crowds are drawn to the different attractions surrounding it so that they can...[ Click to read more ]

Popular Beaches in The Kansai Region

By Justin Hanus

A lot of people love going to the beach because as they say, they need a dose of vitamin sea. Unfortunately, not a lot of countries have the best beaches and sea views that people can enjoy either by swimming or just lounging around in the sand or in comfy...[ Click to read more ]