All About Japan All About Japan

Fresh start every Monday!

Top 20 Most Popular Castles of 2016

TripAdvisor has revealed its Top 20 best Japanese castles for 2016 based on commentary from domestic travelers—can you guess which castle is number one?

Top 6 'Hanami' Spots in Kyushu

Kyushu is where you can see some of the earliest cherry blossoms in full bloom!

Shoryudo: Knockout Destinations

From ropeways and waterfalls to castles and historic gardens, the 'Rising Dragon Road' through central Japan does everything to catch your eye!

11 Record-Setting Sites in Japan

Venture out and discover these 11 spots that break records in Japan, from the tallest building to the deepest lake. Or how about the city that eats the most ice cream?!

Superb Night Views atop Gifu's Mount Kinka

The night view from the top of Mount Kinka in Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture is one of the most spectacular in all of Japan, on a par with some of the country's most popular night views!

Kanazawa Castle & Kenrokuen Garden

Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Garden were emblematic of the power of the Maeda Clan, which dominated the Kanazawa region throughout the Edo Period.

Top 10 'Hanami' Spots in Japan

The transient nature of cherry blossoms is an essential part of their beauty, but no one wants to be left in the dark when it comes to finding the perfect spot to see them.

Aizuwakamatsu: Modern City, Samurai Spirit

Join our writer Nick as he travels to Aizuwakamatsu, in Fukushima Prefecture, to get a deeper look at the rich history and culture the city has to offer.

East Japan Shines in 5 Videos of Wintry Wonder

If you can't make your way out to Fukushima, Tochigi or Ibaraki Prefectures, Diamond Route Japan is bringing their majesty to your screen in five breathtaking videos that will have you packing your bags immediately!

Shoryudo — Rising Dragon of Japan

Have you ever made soy sauce by hand? Neither had Rachel! Follow her journey through the 'Rising Dragon' of Japan, a route that travels through Shizuoka, Aichi, Ishikawa, Gifu and Nagano Prefectures.

Stunning Photos of Japan That Are Free to Use

Whether you need to find breathtaking visuals for a website or pamphlet, or just want to lose yourself in the natural beauty of Japan, this is the place to do it!

5 Must-See Castles in Autumn

Japanese castles are great at any time of year, but these five truly shine in the fall!

8 Amazing Days on a JR Kyushu Rail Pass

Discover the beauty of four Kyushu prefectures by rail! Wander castle towns, stroll through samurai residences and visit historic shrines tied to the founding of Japan, all surrounded by delicious local cuisine!

Celebrating a 410-Year-Old Castle in Style

After watching this video, we are ready to pack our bags and head over to Hikone Castle to celebrate 410 years of history!

8 Gorgeous Japanese Lantern Festivals

Japanese lantern festivals are held to ward off evil or send off the dead, or just to warm up a chilly winter.

Top 4 Fall Foliage Spots around Takayama

Fall in love with the stunning fall foliage of Hida Takayama, a beautifully preserved castle town tucked in the remote mountains of Gifu Prefecture.

Save up to 86% with Advance Airfare!

Want to travel Japan, but worried about the cost? JAL’s ‘Sakitoku’ advance fares lets you save up to 86 percent on airfare if you book at least 28 days in advance on domestic flights! Here are 12 ideas for places you can go!

Japan's 20 UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Every traveler to Japan should be sure to visit at least a few of the nation's stellar World Heritage Sites, ranging from 1,000-year-old temples and shrines to breathtaking natural biospheres.

Top Places to Visit in Each Prefecture (Pt. 2)

The saga continues for the best places to visit in Japan, as complied by our friends at RocketNews24.

8 Real 'Laputa'-Like Locations in Japan

Immerse yourself in sites that look like they could be straight out of Ghibli's classic film 'Castle in the Sky.'

know-before-you-go