A Walk Through Tokyo History: Yotsuya to Shinjuku on the Koshu Kaido Road
Historical Site Tokyo Day Trips
A guide to walking through the center of Tokyo on the course of the Koshu Kaido road, one of the five routes that connected the old city of Edo with the provinces. Among the modern buildings and bustling streets are remnants of a remarkable past.
A Visit to Japan's Keith Haring Collection
The only museum in the world dedicated to the works of Keith Haring, the legendary king of 1980's New York City street art, is is nestled in the forests of Yamanashi Prefecture.
How I Learned to Wield a Samurai Sword
Spending a few hours, or even a day, at Meihodo, a complex of Edo-style buildings and gardens in the Mt. Aso caldera of Kyushu's Kumamoto Prefecture, is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in samurai culture.
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.
Travel Back to Feudal Japan at this Private House Complex
NEOLD Private House is exactly what it says on the label: It’s new, it’s old, and it’s private. It’s also quite a bit more, as I discovered when I was lucky enough to stay there.
Learning to Make Japan's Most Durable Washi Paper
The Kaminosato Museum in Hitachiomiya has a gallery of products made with Nishinouchi Washi and offers workshops for visitors who want to try their hand at papermaking or learn more.
6 of Japan's YouTubers that Will Have You Hooked
These Japan-based Youtubers have become global phenomenons, with a spicy mix of day-in-the-life stories, travel tips, and plenty of insight into all things Japanese. Find out why they're being watched by millions of fans worldwide.
Making Herbal Tea at Oyakuen Medicine Garden
Herbs and other botanicals with healing properties have been used for medicinal purposes in Japan for centuries. I had a chance to learn more about the historical cultivation of such plants, and make my own blend for tea, at Oyaku-en in Aizu Wakamatsu.
Takigyo: Japanese Waterfall Meditation
Takigyo, or waterfall meditation, is a rare practice that samurai and ascetic Japanese Buddhists and Shintoists engaged in for centuries. There are several places around Japan where visitors can join the breath-taking training.
Hiking Japan's Michinoku Coastal Trail: 4-Day Itinerary in Iwate
This section of Japan's 1,000-kilometer trail down the northern Pacific coast offers great hiking, spectacular views of the rugged coast and insights into the devastation caused by the 2011 tsunami.
Be the Lord of the Domain with a Luxury Stay in a Japanese Castle!
Two unusual programs offer accommodations that are fit for nobility—or an Edo-period ruler of one of Japan’s feudal provinces.
Meet One of Tokyo's Coolest Neighborhoods: Meguro
Coffee culture, antiques . . . even a Pig Cafe: Tokyo's Meguro is definitely worth a train stop.
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.
Discover Japanese Woodwork Traditions at Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum
This Kobe museum features the traditions and technology of Japanese carpentry and tool artisanship that are used in buildings from simple tea houses to complex temple designs.
The Japanese Island that Inspired the Action-adventure Game: "Ghost of Tsushima"
A visit to the remote border island of Tsushima, a place full of fascinating history and natural beauty that inspired the Ghost of Tushima video game.
Spend a Memorable Night at Nintendo's Former Headquarters
Nintendo's old headquarters, first built in 1930, has been renovated, revamped and turned into a hotel!
Spend Your Summer in Japan in Cool, Cool Hakuba
Temperatures sizzling hot? Here’s how to plan a nature-filled getaway to Hakuba in the summer.
Five Otaku Things to Do at Japan’s Nijigen no Mori Theme Park
There’s plenty to keep you busy at the eclectic Nijigen no Mori Theme Park on Awaji Island.
The Old Town of Sawara: The Ideal Day Trip from Narita Airport
From centuries-old buildings to botanical gardens and picturesque canals, the Edo-era town of Sawara is a joy to discover—and a short distance from Tokyo’s Narita Airport.
A Perfect Weekend in Tokushima City
In this second of a series on perfect weekends in Japan, an insider offers hints for enjoying this picturesque riverfront city.
