All About Japan

Takeda Castle Appears to Float in the Sky

Want to see a real castle in the sky? Look no further than Hyogo.

Top 10 Japanese Hotel Breakfasts of 2016

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and these hotels rated by Japanese tourists on TripAdvisor know how to do it right!

Check Out this Cute Hello Kitty Café in Himeji

Who would have known Hello Kitty would be nestled so nicely in this cute café, ready to greet you on your way to Himeji Castle!

Wonders of Japan: Hospitality

Experience the welcoming culture of hospitality that is the pride of Japan.

4 Purrfect Kansai Cat Cafés

Tired of running around, trying to see all the beautiful temples and castles in the Kansai area? Recharge your batteries at a cozy cat café!

47 Souvenirs from All 47 Prefectures!

Traveling around Japan but don't know what souvenir to buy from each region? We've got you covered with this crazy list of our Top 47 'omiyage' from each of the nation's 47 prefectures!

Japan’s 8 Most Awesome Hotels

Japan’s most luxurious hotels provide stellar services while sinking effortlessly into the surrounding landscape.

Have You Ever Shopped in a Lawson Train?

You've heard of Lawson Station, but have you ever shopped in a Lawson train? Located in Kobe City, this unique, train-themed convenience store was unveiled in January 2016.

Traditional Soba in Toyooka

Do you like soba? This is how to make your favorite noodles by hand!

Ekiben: Symbols of Colorful Local Culture

There was a time in Japanese history when each domain acted practically as its own country. So it's hardly surprising that each area developed its own culture and customs, giving a distinctive flavor and flair to each region.

Visiting 5 Landmarks of Haruki Murakami

Explore five Hanshin-area locations that appear as settings in Haruki Murakami's novels, as well as the landmarks of his life.

2 Mouth-Watering English-Speaking Restaurants

Can't order in Japanese? No worries! Here are two restaurants in two of Japan's leading cities that have you covered!

List: Japan's 12 Original-Construction Castles

While Japan is home to over 300 castles, there are only 12 that still retain their original castle keep. These 12 so-called 'original construction' castles are the cream of the crop.

A National Who’s Whooo of Owl Cafés

Who wouldn’t want to snuggle up and nestle down in an owl café? We’ve lined up eight adorable and outstanding branches where you can unruffle in peace.

The 6 Coolest & Most Unusual Lawson Stores

Ever seen a convenience store with a patio? How about one with a play area for kids? Or why not just go for one where you can get a Dragon Quest slime?

Himeji Castle Reborn

In March 2015, Himeji Castle completed its first major renovation in 50 years, leading it to be reborn in resplendent white befitting of the "White Heron Castle."

9 Castles to Hit in Hyogo after Himeji

What do you do once you've seen the big attraction and still want more castle action? We've got nine answers right here!

5 Instagram-Worthy Castles for Every Season

Winter, spring, summer or fall, you'll fall in love with these sites, and snap a photo as you do!

7 Japan-Related Events to Look Out For in 2016

2016 certainly has a lot of fun and interesting events in store, but you won't want to miss these seven in particular!

Japan's 12 Best Keepless Castles

These castles may not have keeps, but many of them are much older than any of Japan's so-called "original construction" castles.

know-before-you-go