All About Japan All About Japan

Fresh start every Monday!

10 Unforgettable Old-School Cafés in Kyoto

Kyoto's hip coffee culture is nothing new. Check out these 10 cafés that are decades-old relics (or at least look like one), and are full of character.

The Ever-Evolving World of Fashion in Japan

Fashion, like many other aspects of Japan, is constantly changing and reinventing itself. We'll take a look at the road from kimono to ballgowns as well as what trends are popping up around Tokyo.

Mechanical Marvels: Japanese Tin Toys

Would you pay $50,000 for a tin can of California tomatoes?

Hakodate: Gateway to the Northern Island

Now connected to Japan's main island by Shinkansen, Hakodate offers a scenic waterfront, historic buildings, a star-shaped fort—and one of the three greatest night views in Japan!

Spend a Star-Studded Evening at Kurokawa Onsen

Awarded two stars by the Michelin Green Guide Japan in 2009, Kurokawa Onsen Town is an amazing place to unwind with 24 hot spring baths you can enjoy even as a day visitor, some with very surprising features.

10 of Japan's Oldest Confection Shops

The sweet treats offered by these long-lived establishments have more than withstood the tests of time. Each shop is at least 350 years old!

A Picturesque Glimpse into the Past

This collection of postcards, dating back to the early 1900s, provides a beautiful snapshot of Japanese history.

Go Retro in Jimbocho

Check out these old-school coffee shops, passed down for generations in Tokyo's Jimbocho.

Go Back in Time on Historic Streets of Gion

Gion, the traditional entertainment and geisha district of Kyoto, is famous for its streets and picturesque alleys that retain the atmosphere of the past.

Can You Survive Aomori's Summer Stove Train?

Looking for a steamy train experience? Head up to Aomori for a stove train that's heated to 50°C in the middle of summer!

3,000-Year-Old Baths: A Look Inside Dogo Onsen

The rejuvenating waters of Dogo Onsen have been drawing people to this famed location for 3,000 years.

4 Relaxing 'Ryokan' in Busy Tokyo

Traditional Japanese inns are usually located in quiet and remote places far away from busy cities. However, did you know there are quite a few 'ryokan' within Tokyo too? Some of them are even hiding in the middle of the city!

5 Nostalgic 'Dagashi' Treats

Cheap 'dagashi' snacks were produced for a time when kids used to count their pocket money instead of their Facebook likes. And they're still kicking!

Step into Japan's Photographic Past

Travel back in time to an era of Japan where trains were just starting to pop up and skyscrapers didn't yet dot the landscape with these late 19th century photographs.

  • 1
  • 2
  • 1
  • 2
  • 1
  • 2
know-before-you-go