How to See Kobe on a Budget

Oct 18, 2019 By Justin Hanus

Traveling around Japan can be expensive, but it’s still possible to visit any city in the country if you’re on a budget. Kobe is no exception. It’s easy to reach Kobe from Osaka or any other city in Kansai and there’s plenty to do once you get there for almost...[ Click to read more ]

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The Red Capped Statues – The Patron Saint of Children.

Sep 27, 2019 By Hugh Cann

If you’ve visited Mitaki Temple on the city outskirts or perhaps Daishoin Temple on Miyajima (or many other places throughout Japan) you will surely have come across small stone statues of monks wearing red knitted caps and bibs across the chest. These are statues honoring the Jizo Bosatsu. Jizo is...[ Click to read more ]

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Stepping Back in Time at the Arimatsu Float Festival

Aug 20, 2019 By Bert Wishart

Sometimes when you visit festivals, with everyone dressed in their finest kimono or yukata, the street stalls lining the streets, and the local historical curiosities paraded around the town, if you squint just enough, you feel like you are able to capture a small glimpse of how the old Japan...[ Click to read more ]

Light up the Beach at the Enoshima Toro Lantern Festival

Jul 26, 2019 By Jason Gatewood

The area to the southwest of Tokyo proper located in Kanagawa Prefecture called Shonan, is known for being a longtime beach playground for anyone into the summer beach scene in Japan, and a local getaway spot for those of us living in Greater Tokyo whenever the stifling heat of summer...[ Click to read more ]

Things You’ll Only Find in the Kansai Region

Jul 18, 2019 By Justin Hanus

Kansai is one of the most visited regions of Japan and has an allure for tourists because of its unique culture, architecture, history, and gastronomy, as well as the fact that it has been used for the setting of some of the most iconic movies of the last 50 years....[ Click to read more ]

Top Things to Do in Nara

Jul 16, 2019 By Justin Hanus

With numerous temples and shrines, Nara is an important city for Japanese history and culture. It is also a top location for outdoor activities, especially during the fall for the autumn leaves. Shrines and Temples Each one of the shrines and temples in Nara is fascinating in its own way....[ Click to read more ]

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Gero’s Ryujin Fire Festival in Gifu

Jul 15, 2019 By Bert Wishart

While sitting in your air-conditioned room, sheltering from the humidity outside, perhaps the last thing that you would be thinking of doing is sinking into a nice hot bath. It seems somewhat counterproductive, doesn't it? However, here in Japan, there is a train of thought that says that it the...[ Click to read more ]

Your Guide to a Day at Nara Park in Nara City

May 22, 2019 By Justin Hanus

There are numerous things to do and see in Nara City, but the most important attraction has to be Nara Park. Located at the foot of Mount Wakakusa, it became a public park in 1880, which makes it one of the oldest parks in the country. It has the title...[ Click to read more ]

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Hiroshima’s Takehara and Tomonoura in a Day

Apr 24, 2019 By Matt Mangham

With a nice little string of holidays at the beginning of May, you may be thinking of braving the roads for a day trip. From Hiroshima, there are any number of directions you might set off in, but if you’re fond of historic districts and traditional Japanese scenery, one sure...[ Click to read more ]

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Horsing Around at Tado Festival in Mie

Apr 16, 2019 By Bert Wishart

Japan has so many strange, eccentric and exciting festivals every year that it is sometimes difficult to keep track. However, few festivals are exciting and dramatic as Ageuma-Shinji, held every year in Tado, Mie. Also known as Tado Festival, Ageuma-Shinji has been held in this sleepy little town since the Nanboku-chō...[ Click to read more ]