Coffee for Life: Coffee Shops in Hiroshima
Nov 27, 2019 By Hugh Cann
With the cold creeping in, there is nothing like an excellent steaming coffee to warm the cockles. I am a bit of what I shamelessly refer to as a coffee snob. One iteration of my life was the pleasure of owning and operating a mobile café for five years before...[ Click to read more ]
Winter Illumination in Hiroshima
By Matt Mangham
Seasonal illuminations are a big deal in Japan. From the famous Kobe Luminarie, donated by the Italian government following the Great Hanshin Earthquake, to light festivals in Osaka, Sendai, Nagoya and elsewhere, a chilly stroll through an enchanted scene of colored lights has become a prominent feature of winter in...[ Click to read more ]
Traditional Kansai Winter Drinks
Nov 25, 2019 By Justin Hanus
The winter months in the Kansai region can get pretty cold, so what better way to warm yourself up than with a nice warm drink. These tasty beverages can be enjoyed throughout the year but make an especially welcome treat during the winter period. Japanese tea Tea is the most...[ Click to read more ]
The History of Japan’s Majestic Fall Colors
By Mark Guthrie
Japan's most popular season for tourists is surely spring. When the cherry blossoms bloom people from inside Japan and from all over the world gather in popular beautiful spots to bask in the traditional scenes of pinks, reds and whites that form many of our preconceptions of Japan's natural state....[ Click to read more ]
Sell Your Used Stuff on Mercari
Nov 24, 2019 By Jason Gatewood
Japanese accommodations are notoriously small for my American hoarding habits, and I occasionally draw the ire of my wife and encouraged to “consider paring down” some of my possessions. This used to mean bugging friends and co-workers or heading to the local Second Street, Hard Off, or other “recycle shop”...[ Click to read more ]
Sake Breweries in Kobe
Nov 13, 2019 By Justin Hanus
Even if you’ve never set foot in Japan, there’s a good chance you’ve tried sake, as the rice wine is popular worldwide. In Japan, however, sake is a mainstay of bars and restaurants. The beverage has a long history in the country and throughout Asia. In fact, preparing, serving, and...[ Click to read more ]
Miyajima: The Shrine Island of Hiroshima
Oct 31, 2019 By Hugh Cann
The tradition of Miyajima centers on the belief it is the place where the Gods dwell and by virtue is a sanctified place. The Great Torii gate, which according to the Shinto faith is a boundary between the spirit and human worlds, boldly marks the landing entrance to the island....[ Click to read more ]
Getting To Know You – Nagoya Station Area of Meieki
Oct 29, 2019 By Mark Guthrie
For years, though the city center in name, the area around Nagoya Station was considered to a poor relation to the shopping district of Sakae. However, over the past decade there has been dramatic investment in the Meieki (a Japanese abbreviation of 'Nagoya Station') area, and today it is an...[ Click to read more ]
How to See Kobe on a Budget
Oct 18, 2019 By Justin Hanus
Traveling around Japan can be expensive, but it’s still possible to visit any city in the country if you’re on a budget. Kobe is no exception. It’s easy to reach Kobe from Osaka or any other city in Kansai and there’s plenty to do once you get there for almost...[ Click to read more ]
Best Cinemas in Kobe
By Justin Hanus
If you're an expat living in Japan, you'll find that going to the cinema isn't all that different from what it's like in countries such as the US or UK. There is the same array of snacking options such as popcorn and fizzy drinks. You'll usually need to choose a...[ Click to read more ]
