Summer Days Out in Hiroshima
Apr 20, 2023 By Justin Hanus
With the warm summer months nearly upon us, what better time to turn our attention to some of the glorious outdoor activities in Hiroshima? Whether you're after a relaxing time soaking up the sun's rays or fancy something that will get the blood flowing, the prefecture has many fun days...[ Click to read more ]
The Top Places to Visit in Onomichi in Hiroshima
By Justin Hanus
The port town of Onomichi in Hiroshima prefecture may be small, but it's packed with things to do. Although it's ideal for walking around and discovering little gems, it's even better if you know where some of the top places to visit are before you go. Temple Walk The main...[ Click to read more ]
Exploring the Amakusa Islands Near Kumamoto
By Justin Hanus
Around 60 kilometers from Kumamoto City is a group of unique islands called Amakusa. There are two main islands (Shimoshima and Ueshima) and hundreds of smaller ones. Isolated from the rest of Kyushu, a sizeable Christian population lives here, whose ancestors were converted by missionaries shortly before the religion was...[ Click to read more ]
Summer Days Out in Kumamoto
By Justin Hanus
Located in the center of the southern Kyushu island of Japan, Kumamoto is known for its gorgeous scenery. There is certainly no shortage of fantastic days out during the summer months here, from picturesque hikes to relaxing boat trips to festival fun. Much has been written about famed attractions such...[ Click to read more ]
Top Five Parks Near Nagoya
Apr 17, 2023 By Ray Proper
A list of the top 100 Japanese city parks was compiled by the Japan Green Parks Institute in 1989, and on that list, you can find five parks in Aichi Prefecture, all within a reasonable distance from Nagoya City itself. If you are looking for a great day trip for...[ Click to read more ]
A Guide to Tokyo’s Many Baseball Teams
Mar 28, 2023 By Michael Stigall
It is hard to describe how popular baseball is in Japan. With the recent win at the World Baseball Classic over the USA, nobody can deny that Japanese baseball is the real deal anymore. And while every major city and region has a team, no place in Japan, or Earth...[ Click to read more ]
Mother Farm: Enjoying Chiba’s Pastoral Theme Park
By Michael Stigall
Mother Farm (マザー牧場) is an expansive working “entertainment” farm that is located in Chiba’s central Boso Peninsula countryside sitting 300m atop Mt. Kanozan. These qualities combine to create the perfect outing for those wanting to escape the metropolis’s traffic-choked, building-lined streets and looking for some open space with the kids...[ Click to read more ]
English language bookshops in Nagoya
By Bert Wishart
With the advent of e-readers and smartphones, getting your hands on English language literature in Japan isn't the challenge it once was. However, whether the book you are looking for isn't available online, or you just like the feel and smell of turning pages, sometimes you must hold the book...[ Click to read more ]
Great Places to Spot Wildlife in Kansai
Mar 27, 2023 By Justin Hanus
Japan may have a reputation as being a country filled with ultra-modern built-up urban environments flashing neon signs at you, but it also has an abundance of natural beauty. From large national parks to river wetlands to mountains to beaches, there is plenty of nature to savor in Japan. This...[ Click to read more ]
Great Walks in Kumamoto
By Justin Hanus
As we approach the warmer weather, savoring the great outdoors becomes a must for most. The volcanic island of Kyushu is arguably the best in Japan for hikes, many located around Kumamoto. The prefecture is blessed with mountains, gorges, and picturesque nature trails to thrill everyone, from experienced hikers to...[ Click to read more ]