8 Popular Historic Sites in Kobe
Jan 23, 2018 By Justin Hanus
Places brimming with history exude that magical charm tourists cannot resist. It’s always on our list of must do’s when traveling to visit castles, temples, shrines, museums, churches and every single historical site that transports us back to the past. We marvel at the architectural craftsmanship and ingenuity of the...[ Click to read more ]
Etiquette for Staying in a Ryokan
Dec 22, 2017 By Justin Hanus
A ryokan is a Japanese inn — although the word “inn” doesn’t do it justice. This traditional form of accommodation provides a distinct experience, unlike anything you will have come across in a hotel. The most important things to know when staying in a ryokan are the rules of etiquette...[ Click to read more ]
Super Sento and the art of relaxation in Tokyo
Nov 29, 2017 By Jason Gatewood
It's no secret that Japan is one of the most seismically active places on Earth. But this is also a good thing when you take one of the country's most valuable assets into consideration: the Onsen, which is Japanese for hot spring. You can find hot springs all over Japan,...[ Click to read more ]
Kansai or Kanto? Who Ya Got?
Nov 21, 2017 By Justin Hanus
“You despise me, don’t you Rick?” says Peter Lorre’s Ugarte to Humphrey Bogart’s Richard Blaine in Casablanca. “If I gave you any thought I probably would,” replies Bogart dismissively, deflating his presumed rival. The exchange is reminiscent of the regional rivalry that divides Eastern Japan (Kanto and Tokyo) and Western...[ Click to read more ]
Kansai’s Pivotal Role in Japanese Folk Rock
By Justin Hanus
The 1960s have been immortalized as a time of cultural revolution in places like the United States and Europe. If anything the disruption was even greater in Japanese society. The country was awash in American culture after a generation of United States military influence in the years after World War...[ Click to read more ]
Kobe’s Gift to the World – Karaoke!
Nov 01, 2017 By Justin Hanus
Of all the things that Japan has given the world karaoke may be the most fun. It was Kobe's own Daisuke Inoue who launched the craze of the "empty orchestra" nearly half a century ago. The Osaka-born Inoue was a drummer and band manager who came up with the idea...[ Click to read more ]
Goshikizuka Kofun: Kobe’s Ancient Sacred Pyramid
Oct 30, 2017 By Justin Hanus
In the Christian world this is the time of the year for All Souls' Day when the memories of the deceased are commemorated. Many religions celebrate the departed at other times. Monuments to the dead are some of the world's most revered tourist attractions, the Taj Mahal in India and...[ Click to read more ]
Look, Up In the Sky – It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane…Yes, It’s a Plane
By Justin Hanus
People have been fascinated by spotting aircraft ever since Orville and Wilbur Wright bumped a fabric-covered airplane into the sky from the sand dunes in North Carolina in 1903. Even now, when more than 100,000 flights take off and land somewhere on the planet every day, plane spotting is pursued...[ Click to read more ]
Tricks and Treats for All Ages at USJ for Halloween
Sep 07, 2017 By Justin Hanus
Although Universal Studios Japan is an exciting outing any time of year, during the Halloween season, USJ’s additional tricks and treats make for a particularly entertaining way to spend some free time. Whether you’ve got a whole family tagging along or you’re looking for a fun social option with friends,...[ Click to read more ]
Digging into the Rituals of Clam Digging
Aug 24, 2017 By Justin Hanus
They begin showing up on the beaches in late spring and continue to gather all summer long, armed with small rakes (kumades), plastic buckets, and mesh bags. It is Shiohigari time - literally “hunting in the tides.” The Japanese tradition of digging in the sand for shellfish, mostly clams, is...[ Click to read more ]
