Japan's unique, colorful New Year dishes are part of the traditional celebration of this auspicious day. Here's the story behind the holiday and the dishes that are enjoyed throughout the country.

Studying 'kanji,' Chinese characters used in Japanese, can be time-consuming and difficult for many learners. The sheer amount of characters is intimidating—combine that with multiple readings, and it's hard to know where to start! We're here to help.

Although sushi might be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about Japanese food, it's actually an irregular part of the Japanese diet. The following five foods are consumed far more frequently. Have you tried them all?

Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ginza, Asakusa and Akihabara are incredibly popular areas, and at the top of many traveler's 'To See' lists! Learn how these famous Tokyo neighborhoods got their names.

Hida Takayama and Hida Furukawa may be close to each other, but they both have unique charms. We'll compare them on four key points for travelers so you can see which destination is right for you!

Major cities in many regions of Japan operate highway bus terminals, which are a great way to save time and money on your way to Hida Takayama.

A little known fact about Japan: there is a long road between Toyama and Hida Takayama that just happens to be the connecting thread between five Nobel laureates, which has earned this stretch of highway the nickname of "Nobel Prize Road".

If you live in Japan, there's a good chance you'll eventually have to sit on a Japanese cushion, or 'zabuton.' So how do you do it? There's more to it than just plopping down your bum!