Exploring Azabudai Hills, Tokyo’s Latest Luxe Urban Microcosm
Mixing office, residential, retail and culture, Azabudai Hills is a bid to enhance Tokyo’s status as a competitive global city and a remarkable gamble in an era when remote work ha...
Recent Non-Fiction Books About Japan That You Must Read
Looking for your next great read about Japan? Here's a selection of some of the best non-fiction books—from memoirs to culinary explorations—published in the 2020s.
Fukui: A Self-Care Sanctuary Just A Train-Ride Away from Tokyo
With the post-Covid travel boom, Kyoto has become too crowded for temple-trotting and Wakayama's Koyasan is too far from a Tokyo travel base. Good thing that Fukui, Japan's ultimat...
Abroad in Japan: A Book Review
Influencer Chris Broad's chronicles his experiences in Japan—and his immensely popular Youtube channel—in a new, best-selling book.
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.
Trekking Ancient Trails Along Tokamachi's Amazing Rice Terraces
The terraced rice fields of Tokamachi Tanada have been called one of the most beautiful scenic spots in Japan. Here's a hike that follows ancient trails through the spectacular lan...
A Perfect Weekend in Gifu
Itinerary Japan Tips From Locals
Easily accessible from Tokyo, Kyoto, Nagoya and Osaka, Gifu is the perfect location for a perfect weekend. Enjoy this local expert's tour itinerary to the unique art of cormorant f...
Worms, Sewers, and Mummies! Tokyo’s 7 Weirdest Museums
In a city with hundreds of museums, it's easy to overlook Tokyo's smaller museums. But bigger doesn't always mean better! From parasites to sewer pipes, Tokyo's museums offer somet...
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.
The Shonan Coast's Best Brew Pubs and Taprooms
The scenic stretch of shoreline just southwest of Tokyo has become a significant center for craft beer. Here are some of the best.
More Autumn Colors: Glorious Rose Gardens Near Tokyo
As the leaves of trees all over Japan begin to change colors, don't forget to also check out these autumn roses coming into full bloom!
Jindaiji Temple and Environs: Hidden Historical Gem Not Far From Central Tokyo
A short hop from central Tokyo is the neighborhood of Jindaiji, a pleasant green area with Tokyo's second oldest temple, appealing soba shops, and a shop celebrating the beloved ar...
The Nada District: Historic Gateway to Japanese Sake
The sake brewing district of Nada, 30 minutes from central Kobe or Osaka, is Japan's top sake-producing region with 25 breweries, over a dozen of which welcome visitors. Exploring...
Running an Innovative Guesthouse in Japan's Mountain Sanctuary
An interview with Ryochi Takai, the owner of a guesthouse in Koya-san, the renowned Buddhist temple sanctuary in the mountains of Wakayama prefecture.
The Mesmerizing Art of Munakata Shiko
A major retrospective looks at how "time" and "place" shaped famous 20th c. printmaker Munakata Shiko.
All About Japan’s Top Five Tea-Producing Regions
Japanese tea, well-known worldwide for its delicate taste and health benefits, hails primarily from five Japanese prefectures. Get to know their different characteristics.
Onomichi: The Japan Inland Sea Town That Saved Its Own Life, Part II
The second part of a series on a Japanese town and the citizens that have used innovative sustainable lifestyle choices to revitalize the community for residents and visitors.
A Samurai History Tour: Japan’s Most Famous Battlefield and a Remarkable Castle
The Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 was a decisive clash of warlords that led to the unification of Japan. Today, you can visit significant historical spots, including a state-of-the...
Small Spaces, Part III: Japanese Ideas for Small and Tiny Homes
The third of a series on innovative, space saving methods from Japanese architecture that can be used in any home. The theme is bringing the exterior into the interior to broaden h...
Small Spaces, Part II: Japanese Ideas for Small and Tiny Homes
Traditional Japan Architecture
The second of a series on innovative, space-saving methods from traditional and modern Japanese architecture that can be used in any home, regardless of size.
