Full Moon Tea Ceremony at Shukkei-en in Hiroshima
Aug 28, 2018 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 ]
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 ]
Splish, Splash, Sploosh!: Your Guide to Tokyo’s Waterparks
By Jason Gatewood
When the air outside is thick with humidity, cicadas begin their endless chirping, the stores start stocking endless varieties of flavored bottled water and teas, and all the kids start sporting “playground tans”, Tokyo Summertime has finally come. We are the enviable environment to enjoy a trip to the beach,...[ Click to read more ]
Let’s Tour Tokyo: Kichijoji
By Jason Gatewood
It’s been awhile since I last introduced a part of Tokyo you may not be so familiar with, so this time we’ll head westward from Shinjuku to visit the Kichijoji (吉祥寺) district. This area is centered around the junction of the JR Chuo Line and Keio Inokashira Line at its...[ Click to read more ]
Get Your Grill On – Nagoya’s BBQ Spots
May 29, 2018 By Bert Wishart
The Japanese have something of a love/hate relationship with the summer months. As soon as the mercury climbs above 25 degrees, women break out the parasols, curtains are pulled tight to keep out sunlight, and everyone’s vocabulary is limited to a single word: atsui (hot!). But that is not to say...[ Click to read more ]
