Best Beaches in Kansai
Jun 17, 2020 By Justin Hanus
The Kansai region is perhaps better known for its urban life and attractions in cities such as Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe but the area also has a surprising number of beaches along its coastlines in both the north and south. These beaches attract many locals and tourists in the summer...[ Click to read more ]
How to Learn Zazen
By Justin Hanus
People from around the world are becoming more interested in learning zazen — the Zen style of meditation — due to its benefits for mental and physical health. Practicing zazen regularly is ideal if you feel like you’re rushing through life, as it gives you the chance to slow down...[ Click to read more ]
Nagoya Goes Pop – Finding Nagoya in Popular Culture
Jun 10, 2020 By Bert Wishart
Judging by any popular culture you may come across, you could be fooled into thinking that Japan is separated into two camps: the sprawling, futuristic metropolis of Tokyo, and the nondescript, unnamed countryside of the samurai. However, you may be surprised to discover that Aichi Prefecture (as well as neighboring...[ Click to read more ]
Jet Around Nagoya with Bicycle Sharing
May 28, 2020 By Bert Wishart
While it may not be the biggest or even the most congested of cities, sometimes getting around Nagoya can be a bit of a pain in the backside. Yes, there are bus and subway systems, but it's no fun getting stuck in traffic, and if you need to make numerous...[ Click to read more ]
Re-energize in Japan’s countryside with Oku Japan
May 27, 2020 By Admin
As the weather warms up and travel restrictions ease, people around the country are itching to travel again. However, many of us will want to avoid overcrowded areas and many of the most accessible and popular destinations in Japan usually experience a high volume of visitors. To get away from...[ Click to read more ]
Great Summer Walks in Kansai
May 22, 2020 By Justin Hanus
Kansai is famed not just for its bustling cities such as Kyoto and Osaka but also for its many mountains, parks, and trails that offer a great walking day out. Whether you're looking for a gentle scenic stroll or something a bit more challenging, there are many options across the...[ Click to read more ]
Best Capsule Hotels in Kansai
By Justin Hanus
An experience every visitor to Japan needs to have is a stay in a capsule hotel. These budget accommodation options provide you with a cubicle rather than a full-size room. Although they tend to be basic, they can be very comfortable and often provide you with everything you need, including...[ Click to read more ]
Staying entertained while #stayinghome in Tokyo
Apr 30, 2020 By Jason Gatewood
Every 2 or 3 months in this space, I write a piece introducing a community in Greater Tokyo and encourage readers to take a trip to check it out themselves. Perhaps the most challenging thing about the novel coronavirus pandemic is my missing these attractions. Since none of us can...[ Click to read more ]
Hiking Around Tokyo
By Bert Wishart
Tokyo is a metropolis, but you do not have to go that far from downtown to find mountains. Of course the most famous is Mt. Fuji (which you can read more about here), but it's not the only mountain in the region. Here we will have a look at a...[ Click to read more ]
Takayama Spring Festival
Apr 01, 2020 By Bert Wishart
Located in Gifu Prefecture, and surrounded by some of Japan’s richest natural areas just below the famous Northern Alps, Takayama is somewhat isolated and distant. This isolation allowed the city to develop its own distinct culture that combines that of nearby Edo (modern day Tokyo) and Kyoto’s into a new...[ Click to read more ]
