Coffee for Life: Coffee Shops in Hiroshima
Jul 27, 2021 By Hugh Cann
As someone living abroad, I often find myself thinking to things back in my home country and trying to figure out how to find them here in Japan. Being from Seattle, the home of multiple global coffee chains that I won’t bother naming, home means a very good cup of...[ Click to read more ]
Kobe’s Cutest Menace: Wild Boars
Jul 24, 2021 By Justin Hanus
Sometimes the most dangerous animals are not the ones you expect. In the United States, the animal that kills the most people each year is deer from collisions with automobiles. Yes, adorable Bambi itself. Kobe has a similar problem with wild boars. These feral pigs are native everywhere in Japan,...[ Click to read more ]
Teppanyaki in Hiroshima: Showy and Sizzlingly Tasty
Jul 22, 2021 By Hugh Cann
Teppanyaki is a style of Japanese cuisine dating back to the post-war period that uses a large iron plate to cook various foods. Credit for the creation of teppanyaki goes to the famous Misono restaurant in Kobe. The word teppanyaki comes from the teppan, the large metal plate used for...[ Click to read more ]
Places to Avoid as a Tourist in Japan
Jul 19, 2021 By Justin Hanus
Overall, Japan is a safe country, making it ideal for tourists who want to be free to travel wherever they please. However, no country is completely danger-free. In fact, there are a few slums in Japan as well as several red-light districts. It’s useful to be aware of these places...[ Click to read more ]
Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima
Jun 26, 2021 By Justin Hanus
Peace Memorial Park stands as a silent appeal to eliminate all nuclear weapons and a plea for world peace. This part of Hiroshima was a bustling center of commerce for 240 years, beginning in 1603 with a steady stream of goods arriving by boat on the Ōta River. In the...[ Click to read more ]
Great Places to See a Sunset in Kansai
Jun 22, 2021 By Justin Hanus
Watching the sunset on the horizon is a fantastic way to cap off the day, make lasting memories, and take some great pictures to show off to friends. The Kansai region is full of varied locations offering breath-taking natural scenery and a chance to watch the sun disappear into the...[ Click to read more ]
Mazda: The Economic Engine of Hiroshima
By Justin Hanus
Hiroshima is a company town. Mazda is the region’s biggest employer, and the carmaker bankrolls the city’s professional baseball team, the Hiroshima Carp. The company was instrumental in rebuilding Hiroshima after the atomic bombing in 1945. Only days after the blast leveled the city's industrial base, the Mazda assembly line...[ Click to read more ]
Best Beaches in Kobe
Jun 20, 2021 By Justin Hanus
Now summer has arrived, many of us will fancy a getaway for a day or two to the beach. Japan’s most famous beaches are in its western parts, but Kobe residents don’t have to travel if they want a bit of sun, sea, and sand – there are many great...[ Click to read more ]
Best Monuments to See in Kobe
Jun 15, 2021 By Justin Hanus
There’s no better way to explore Kobe than on foot. This allows you to take everything in and feel like part of the city. Instead of wandering around aimlessly, have a destination in mind. One idea is to visit some of the best monuments. As there are statues, memorials, and...[ Click to read more ]
Best Ice Cream shops in Tokyo
May 26, 2021 By Jason Gatewood
Summertime in the Metropolis gets really hot and humid, bordering what you’d find in many subtropical locations. While it’s easy to find relief in the form of sitting underneath the aircon at home, having a one-hour go on the Yamanote Line’s new trains (whilst avoiding the “weak air-conditioned car!), or...[ Click to read more ]
