All About Japan All About Japan

Fresh start every Monday!

Akita Confectioneries Celebrate New PM

Confectionery stores in Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide's home prefecture have started to sell sweets modeled after him.

Catch These Hunky Fisherman Trading Cards

Aomori Prefecture wanted to boost the value and attractiveness of their fishery industry. And to them, there's apparently no better way than with wet, toned fishermen on trading cards.

Hakkoda's Crystal Clear Foliage Reflection

Autumn colors at Tsutanuma Lake in northern Japan are enchanting visitors from all around.

The Road Less Traveled in Tohoku

Yet the sheer size of Tohoku means that there are still plenty of discoveries to be made. On this trip, I set out to explore some lesser-known wonders in Miyagi, Iwate, and Aomori Prefectures.

Aizu Wakamatsu Lives by the Code of its Samurai Past

A visit to Aizu Wakamatsu is a chance to study the samurai code that emphasized honor, respect and ethical behavior.

Hiking Japan’s Michinoku Coastal Trail: 2-Day Model Itinerary

Here’s an easy-to-follow itinerary for hiking the northernmost part of the Michinoku Coastal Trail, accessible to beginners and long-trailers alike.

4 Days in Tohoku's Treasureland

Japan's northeastern region of Tohoku is full of incredible cultural traditions, breathtaking landscapes, mouth-watering cuisine, and more. Join Noam as he makes his way through this beautiful treasure land.

Patients With COVID-19 Antibodies Found Immune

The results of Japan’s large-scale antibody test show all eight patients who had antibodies against the novel coronavirus were immune to COVID-19.

Travel by Train to Superb Sakura Viewing Spots

Some lesser-known but magnificent hanami spots in Japan’s eastern and northern regions and tips on how to reach them using the excellent railroad passes.

The Association of the Most Beautiful Villages

The Association of the Most Beautiful Villages in Japan is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and preserving the most interesting and beautiful rural towns in Japan. There are truly some hidden gems on this list!

Walk Tohoku's Historic Michinoku Coastal Trail

Michinoku is an old name for the Tohoku region, and means "the end of the road." The Michinoku Coastal Trail in Tohoku is a 1,000+ kilometer walking route along the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Japan's rustic north.

Record 1,000 New Coronavirus Cases in Japan

Japan sees a record number of new cases of novel coronavirus in one day, hitting over 1,000 for the very first time.

Walking Japan's 1,000km Michinoku Coastal Trail

Ten years after one of Japan’s most deadly disasters, a region is reborn--and it is home to the best hiking trail you’ve never heard of.

Violin Made from Iwate's 'Miracle Pine Tree'

A violin made from the lone pine tree that survived the March 2011 tsunami in Iwate Prefecture is featured at a memorial concert held in Tokyo on the 10th anniversary of the disaster.

Hope for Fukushima’s Hamadori: Preserving the Past for the Sake of the Future

The coastal area of Fukushima is undergoing a resurgence of hope with the return of displaced residents. We take a look at memorials to the disasters of March 2011 in this first part of a two-part series.

Get Hands-on in Rural Japan: Akita Farm Stay

By giving people unique first-hand experiences, green tourism can help revitalize and re-popularize the lifestyles and customs of rural Japan.

Hope for Fukushima’s Hamadori Coast, Part II: New Ventures Bring Vitality

Fukushima Prefecture’s Hamadori region, which faces the Pacific Ocean, suffered greatly from the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and the resulting tsunami and nuclear disaster. Those living within a 20 km radius of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Powerplan

Touring the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant

As TEPCO struggles to decommission the nuclear power plant wrecked in the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, visitors can safely tour the facility on regularly scheduled tours.

Global Warming Behind Japan’s Extreme Weather

A panel of experts at the Japan Meteorological Agency say global warming is contributing to torrential rain, flooding and heat waves in the country.

An Inside Look at the Next-Gen Bullet Train

The press got to join a test-run of East Japan Railway Company's next-generation bullet train, ALFA-X, on October 27.

know-before-you-go