Enoshima, Kanagawa’s Island Goddess
Mar 28, 2016 By Bert Wishart
Just 50 km southwest of Tokyo city center there lies an exquisite island of such natural beauty you wouldn't be surprised to find it inhabited by celestial beings. So be not surprised, because that is precisely what you will find. The island of Enoshima is the jewel in the crown in...[ Click to read more ]
Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan: How Many People Have Signed the Guest Register of this 1,300 Year Old Hotel?
Mar 22, 2016 By Justin Hanus
Just doing the math is mind-boggling. A family business for over 1,300 years. Yes, there have been some heirs adopted in, but that is still 52 generations of the same family. And even more amazing, tourists to the Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan in Yamanashi Prefecture today still enjoy much the same...[ Click to read more ]
Osaka’s Tsuruhashi: Japan’s Largest Korea Town
By Justin Hanus
Culture breaks down political barriers Putting aside various political differences, the Japanese people of late have been besotted by Korean pop culture. This includes Korean television drama programs that draw large Japanese audiences and the infectious popularity of young Korean music stars, K-pop. This ultimately infused vitality into Japan’s two...[ Click to read more ]
Sapporo Snow Festival 2016
Jan 20, 2016 By Bert Wishart
If you crave the wintery beauty of ice and snow, you might be interested in the Sapporo Snow Festival, where snow is not in short supply, at least partially thanks to organizers having it shipped in by the truckload. What is the Sapporo Snow Festival? One of Japan's most popular...[ Click to read more ]
Toyohashi Demon Festival 2016
By Bert Wishart
There are many elements of Japanese folklore that instantly grab the attention, but at this time of year, thanks to the upcoming Setsubun celebrations it is probably the 'oni' - roughly translated as demon or ogre - that is the greatest focus. At the beginning of Spring you can often find depictions...[ Click to read more ]
The First Month of the Year, Kansai Style!
Dec 24, 2015 By Justin Hanus
With the holidays over and the winter cold setting in, it can be difficult to find reasons to leave your house in the first month of the new year. Fortunately for people living in the Kansai region, there are too many exciting traditional events and festivals in January to risk...[ Click to read more ]
JR Kanto Area Pass and Tokyo Wide Pass
Nov 17, 2015 By Bert Wishart
One of the great things about living in Japan is its frankly amazing public transport system. It is easy to forget that other countries cannot compete in this department, and become blasé and accustomed to it - I recently found myself impatiently tapping my foot at a two-minute late subway...[ Click to read more ]
Japan Monkey Park, Inuyama
By Bert Wishart
There are many great draws to the historic city of Inuyama in northern Aichi Prefecture, but none are perhaps so eclectic as the Japan Monkey Park. Set upon a luscious hillside overlooking the Kiso River, the Japan Monkey Park is a combined amusement park and zoological garden created to celebrate and...[ Click to read more ]
Disconnect Your Car Battery Before Long Trips
Nov 08, 2015 By Ray Proper
The expat lifestyle in Japan often means long durations of time spent abroad, and away from your vehicle. Before you go we wanted to remind you of a few things to keep in mind before leaving your vehicle parked for any length of time. Keeping in mind that navigation and other...[ Click to read more ]
Sightseeing in Kobe
Oct 16, 2015 By
If you find yourself in the Kansai region, the lovely port city of Kobe offers interesting history, colorful culture, architectural marvels, and delicious cuisine! Here are a few sightseeing options in Kobe! [spacer height="20px"] Anyone hungry for a taste of the rich historical culture that Japan has to offer will certainly...[ Click to read more ]
