Nicholas Rich
Top 10 Zoos in Japan
Get your fill of Japan's wildest and cutest animals courtesy of these excellent zoos.
10 of Japan's Oldest Confection Shops
The sweet treats offered by these long-lived establishments have more than withstood the tests of time. Each shop is at least 350 years old!
Top 6 Beaches in Japan
Summer is here, which means it's time to hit the beach! These six beaches will make you wish the season never ends!
4 Incredible Summer Fire Festivals
Temples & Shrines Summer Festivals
These incredible events are sure to get you fired up about summertime in Japan!
Japan's 8 Big Burger Chains
Sure, traditional Japanese food is world-famously delicious. But when that burger craving hits you, it simply can't be ignored!
Tsukuba: City of Science & Nature
In addition to being a 'science city,' Tsukuba is also home to one of Japan's oldest shrines, located at the foot of a twin-peaked mountain associated with the origins of the Japanese people.
4 Great Reasons to Visit Sendai
The largest city in Tohoku, Sendai is steeped in the history of Date Masamune, known as the 'one-eyed dragon.'
The 6 Weirdest Cafés in Tokyo
As much fun as it is to gawk at Tokyo's shops and sky rises, it’s just as much fun to stop into a themed café to wet your whistle and enjoy an immaculately presented bite to eat.
Essential Tips for Navigating Trains
Day-to-day transit in Japan can be confusing for the uninitiated. Don't worry! We're here to help.
Don't Be Too Proud to Ask
Learning Japanese First Time in Japan
Learning a new language has its own lessons in humility. AAJ writer Nicholas Rich learned the tough way why he shouldn't be too proud to say, "Once more, please."
Teaching at a Junior High School in Japan
Get all the info you need to decide if teaching at the junior high school level is right for you.
6 Ways to Be an ALT
Teaching in Japan is a big decision, and there are a lot of options available. If you decide ALT is the way you want to go, we're here to help you figure out the path that's best for you.
All About Gachapon
Get all the info you need to understand Japan's popular capsule toy machines.
5 Ninja-Related Spots in & around Tokyo
No trip to Japan is complete without celebrating its signature order of clandestine spies and assassins! These five spots will give you your ninja fix while exploring Tokyo and beyond!
The 10 Best Craft Beers in Japan
Looking to move beyond the 'Big 4' of Asahi, Kirin, Sapporo and Suntory? Check out these artfully brewed craft beers!
Central Japan's 11 Best Edible Souvenirs
Chubu is the central region of Japan's main island, Honshu. No visit to the beautiful, historic region is complete without bringing home some of its most delectable souvenirs.
How Japan Deals with Digestive Problems
Even the land of the rising sun occasionally has stomach problems. Between the language barrier and the sheer amount of medicines available, such delicate situations can be a lot to digest. We're here to help!
The Biggest Temple You've Never Heard Of
While many regions of Japan are world-renowned for their shrines and temples, sometimes it's the ones you've never heard of that leave the biggest impression.
A Great Burrito in the Tokyo Desert
Forget Taco Bell—a small restaurant is doing authentic, Southern California-style burritos a stone's throw from Tokyo!
3 Cool Countryside Day Trips from Tokyo
World Heritage Japanese Countryside
We all need a break from the city sometimes. Experience the other side of Japan with these three day trips to the countryside right outside Tokyo.
