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Japan's Top 5 'Hanami' Hikes

Japanese culture is deeply tied to nature, and there's no better time to appreciate the Japanese wilderness than cherry blossom season.

Akiu Crafts Park in Miyagi

Get a hands-on experience with nine different tradition crafts from Miyagi Prefecture.

Sakura & Samurai Houses in Kakunodate

Check out one of the Three Famous Cherry Blossom Spots of Michinoku, including the centuries-old weeping cherry blossoms of Kakunodate's samurai district.

3 Top-of-the-Line Kokeshi Dolls

Kokeshi are traditional Japanese dolls expertly carved from wood. You’ve probably seen them around Japan, and after reading this article, you may want to start your own collection!

This is Actually an Ultramodern Train Station!

Despite appearing to be an incredibly spooky abandoned warehouse, this hollow station has one of Japan's most modern trains passing through it every day.

Recovery Five Years After 3.11

As March 11, 2016 marks the fifth anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake, Highlighting Japan offers an update on the results and challenges of recovery efforts in the Tohoku region.

10 Amazing Photos of Japanese Trains

Japan has some beautiful trains that pass through some incredible locations. And sometimes the train itself is the marvel!

Ishinomaki Stone Memorial for Victims of 3.11

The Ishinomaki Stone Memorial pays homage to the lives lost in the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011.

The Shinkansen Network in Japan

A visit to Japan is incomplete without some travel on the Shinkansen, Japan’s bullet train network. With a new line connecting Hokkaido, there isn’t a better time to see all of Japan in the blink of an eye!

Putting a Vital Railway Back on Track

Despite suffering massive damage in the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, the Sanriku Railway Company swiftly restored its services and has become a pillar of support for the region.

The 3 Great Cherry Trees of Japan

The only thing more jaw-dropping than their beauty is just how long these cherry trees have been around!

Wonders of Japan: Activities Amidst Nature

Experience a variety of sports activities carried out amidst nature.

Magical Photos of Ginzan Onsen in the Snow

Ginzan Onsen is an achingly photogenic hot spring town in the Yamagata region of northern Japan. And it looks even better in the snow!

Aomori's Stunning 'Tsugaru-nuri' Lacquerware

Looking for a unique souvenir from Japan that isn’t food? Tsugaru-nuri, a type of lacquerware local to Aomori Prefecture, may be the elegant souvenir you’ve been waiting for.

Residents Return to Fukushima Exclusion Zone

The catastrophic event that took place on March 11, 2011 left a scar in the hearts of many. These haunting photographs of former residents returning to the Fukushima Exclusion Zone remind us all of what was taken and forever lost.

13 Tantalizing Tohoku Treats

Tohoku has a giant selection of sweet traditional treats to choose from. We've selected 13 of the best!

Akita Nairiku Line: Winter Wonderland by Rail

Through the heavy Akita snowfall, a train with one or two cars makes its way across bridges that span deep valleys and through tunnels that burrow into the heart of the mountains of the region.

Top 9 Sakura Spots in Tohoku & Hokkaido

Since northern Japan gets its cherry blossoms later than the rest of the country, even if you've missed the first round of 'sakura' to the south, you can often catch late blooms in Tohoku and Hokkaido as late as the end of April or even early May.

Sakura in Hirosaki City

Hirosaki is a city in western Aomori Prefecture known for its beautiful castle and cherry blossoms. The city holds a Cherry Blossom Festival every year from April 23 to May 5.

Ride 10 Gorgeous Steam Locomotives in Japan

Japan is famous for its modern trains, but it's also a great lover of traditional steam engines.

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