All About Japan All About Japan

Fresh start every Monday!

All About's Guide to Sendai

If you're looking to explore a different side of Japan, there's no better place to visit than the northern region of Tohoku! As the region's largest city, Sendai has something to offer every type of traveler.

Aomori Nebuta Festival

The Aomori Nebuta Festival enthralls millions of visitors every year from August 2 to 7, with brightly lit, intricate and boldly colored floats known as nebuta.

A Fan's Guide to the 2019 Rugby World Cup

The wait is almost over! In less than a year the 2019 Rugby World Cup will kick off, and the Land of the Rising Sun is gearing up in a big way.

Rice Paddy Art Celebrates Manga Legend

To celebrate the 90th anniversary of Osamu Tezuka, the 'Godfather of Manga,' the small village of Inakadate in Aomori has created stunning natural art depicting some of his most-beloved characters.

Tiny Island Proves Japan is Full of Surprises

This small island in Iwate Prefecture is walkable, and it's so much more than just a beautiful landmark. Home to an adorable red lighthouse and a shrine for the Shinto goddess of the sea, it's just one example of why Japan is a great place to explore!

Discovering My Inner Samurai in Aizuwakamatsu

British travel blogger and freelance writer Emily Luxton spent some time in "Samurai City" Aizuwakamatsu, in Fukushima Prefecture. There, she explored the area's rich culture and history, and discovered her inner samurai!

Take Your Prefectural Pride on the Road

These stylish license plates feature iconic imagery from prefectures throughout Japan, so you can show off your prefectural pride every time you hit the road!

Akagawa Festival Lights Up The Night

These stunningly skillful creations have some saying they look like they’re projection mapped, but it’s all master-level pyrotechnics.

Aizuwakamatsu: Japan's Samurai City

Nestled in the mountains of Fukushima Prefecture, the city of Aizuwakamatsu has cultivated a deep connection with its samurai roots. Join our writer Noam as he explores the local history and traditions of Samurai City Aizu!

A New Year, A New Character Harvest

Audrey Hepburn and Osamu Tezuka's characters get the rice paddy treatment in Aomori Prefecture as rice fields spring up in their likeness.

Men Bare Souls (& Bodies) for Good Fortune

This winter festival in Aomori sees a few dozen men strip down to pray for good health and a good harvest!

Don't Flip Out, Flip Tables Instead!

In Iwate Prefecture a surprising contest allows contestants to unleash their pent-up stress, or unrequited hopes by... flipping tables!

An Ode to Oze National Park

Oze National Park is a paradise for hikers and nature lovers, one that offers new highlights every season!

Aomori's Stunning Winter "Cherry Blossoms"

These "cherry blossoms" at Hirosaki Castle in Aomori Prefecture are bringing some much needed warmth to Japan's wintery north.

30 Spectacular Flower Spots in Japan

Seasonality is an important part of life in Japan, especially in spring. Flowers bloom throughout the country and create a colorful, unforgettable landscape for floral fans, nature enthusiasts and anyone in between!

Forgetting Time on the Resort Shirakami

The Resort Shirakami is a travel experience that combines the romance of the railways with traditional culture and beautiful scenery.

Zoo Hopes to Help Japan's Traditional Dogs

A zoo in Wakayama Prefecture will be showcasing traditional Japanese Kishu Inu in hopes of increasing owners, and keeping the breed strong.

Enter the Samurai Time in Aizuwakamatsu

Visit Aizuwakamatsu, where travelers can gain an understanding of how its rich samurai history still plays a part in almost every aspect of modern daily life. Ancient traditions, castles, martial arts, traditional food and more are waiting in Aizu!

Connecting the City with Nature in Aizu

The Aizu Railway in Fukushima Prefecture is a vital means of transportation for residents, but it offers so much more than just a way to get around.

The Last Samurai of Aizuwakamatsu

In the Japanese city of Aizuwakamatsu, the last samurai fought to defend their way of life. On a visit to Aizu, you can experience samurai life yourself. Join travel blogger extraordinaire Michael Turtle as he does just that.

know-before-you-go