Inuyama City: Historical Castle Town and Much More…
Mar 23, 2023 By Bert Wishart
Just half an hour from Nagoya is Inuyama, an ancient town once one of the most important domains of the ruling Oda clan. It is especially renowned for its stunning castle that overlooks the Kiso River, a popular spot for viewing cherry blossoms in spring and the turning of the...[ Click to read more ]
Inuyama Festival Near Nagoya
Mar 21, 2023 By Bert Wishart
Not content with being the site of Japan's oldest (arguably most elegant) castle or being a staggeringly beautiful city, Inuyama hosts a particularly spellbinding festival every spring. The Inuyama festival is held annually on the first weekend of April and was begun under the orders of Owari clan retainer Hayatonosho...[ Click to read more ]
Traveling by Bus on a Budget from Hiroshima
Feb 22, 2023 By Justin Hanus
In addition to sites within the city itself, there’s plenty to explore around Hiroshima. A convenient and cost-effective way to travel is by bus. International visitors can take advantage of discount bus tickets to ride at a fraction of the regular price. There are several places, in particular, you should...[ Click to read more ]
Top Things to Do in Aso, Kumamoto
By Justin Hanus
Best known for being the largest inhabited caldera in the world, Aso in Kumamoto has plenty to offer. It offers fantastic hikes and cultural spots you won’t want to miss. 1. Mount Aso The main reason to come to Aso is to visit one of the largest active volcanoes in...[ Click to read more ]
Top Five Hanami Sites Near Nagoya
By Ray Proper
"Hanami" literally means flower viewing, but it is much more than that to Japan's people. Hanami signals the end of another long winter's chill. Besides simply enjoying the beauty of flowers, especially cherry blossoms (桜 sakura), hanami means time spent with friends and family outdoors with copious food and drinks,...[ Click to read more ]
Ferris Wheels of the Tokyo Area
Jan 30, 2023 By Michael Stigall
Ferris wheels aren't the first thing that comes to someone's mind about Japan unless you visit here and notice how many of them seem to exist. Almost every large city here seems to boast one Ferris wheel attraction somewhere nearby. While most Ferris wheels here don't rise to the level...[ Click to read more ]
Great Shrines for Hatsumode in Kumamoto
Dec 27, 2022 By Justin Hanus
The turn of the year is holiday time in Japan. People are off work to celebrate the New Year with parties, family gatherings, culinary feasts, and hatsumode. Hatsumode is the year’s first visit to a Shinto shrine (or sometimes a Buddhist temple). It is traditionally made between January 1st and...[ Click to read more ]
Unique and Unusual Attractions in Kumamoto
By Justin Hanus
Kumamoto is a beautiful prefecture on the island of Kyushu, probably most well-known for the breathtaking Mount Aso and the historic Kumamoto Castle. But there’s much more to the region than that, including some lesser-known treats that don’t necessarily attract the biggest crowds. Here are some of the more unique...[ Click to read more ]
Hatsumode in Tokyo – Making Your First Shrine Visit of 2023
Dec 26, 2022 By Michael Stigall
New Years in Japan is laser-focused on firsts. You have your first sunrise of the year, which is very important, and other firsts like the Shinenkai parties to bring in the New Year. Easily the most important of these New Year’s rituals is hatsumode. Hatsumode is the first visit of...[ Click to read more ]
The JR Kyushu Trains with the Best Views
By Justin Hanus
All the Design & Story Trains of the JR Kyushu railway are designed to bring passengers unique experiences. However, a few trains stand out for providing outstanding views along the way. Ibusuki No Tamatebako The idea for the Ibusuki No Tametebako train came from the folk tale Dragon's Palace. When...[ Click to read more ]
