All About Japan All About Japan

Fresh start every Monday!

9 Tips for Surviving Crowded Trains

Trains in Japan can become extremely packed—to the point where they feel like they're bursting at the seams! But if you follow these tips, you'll learn how to ride those crowded trains like a pro!

4 Tokyo Area Restaurants to Enjoy with Sakura

Savor fantastic meals along with beautiful cherry blossoms!

Discover High Art at Tokyo Fashion Stores

Fashion houses are natural art lovers, and many are happy to share their love with Tokyo shoppers. Maybe the following suggestions will give you some tips on how to appreciate your luxury shopping just a little more.

5 Tasty 'Omiyage' Worth Lining Up For

Orderly lines outside everything from chic coffee shops to blue-collar ramen shops are a common sight in Japan, and food-based specialty 'omiyage' (souvenir) stores are no different. But are these snacks really worth lining up for?

Take the Chichibu 34 Kannon Pilgrimage

The Chichibu Valley is home to beautiful mountains and rivers—and a centuries-old temple pilgrimage unlike any other in Japan.

Where to Buy Cheap Stuff around Tokyo

Because shopping in Tokyo isn't only for the spendthrift, but also for the budget-conscious buyer, we give you a lowdown on where to get good stuff and great deals in and around Japan's capital city.

4 Fun & Weird Ways to Use the Train

Japanese trains are fast and efficient. But have you ever seen one used as a rolling showroom? Or how about having a concert at 260 kilometers per hour?

5 Lesser-Known Sakura Spots Around Tokyo

There are a number of gorgeous cherry blossom spots just waiting to be enjoyed in the greater Tokyo area that are virtually unknown to visitors.

5 Must-Buy Omiyage at Tokyo Haneda Airport

If you can’t decide what to buy for your friends and family, or if you forget to visit gift shops during your travels, Haneda Airport is here to save the day on your way out the door!

Neighborhood Styles in Tokyo

Which Tokyo style fits you best?

10 Top Nighttime Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots

Between March and April, people flock outdoors to enjoy the brief life of Japan's blooming cherry blossoms. But just because the day ends doesn't mean the 'hanami' (flower viewing) has to as well. Take a look at our 10 recommended night viewing spots!

The 11 Spookiest Spots in Japan

Whether they’re haunted, abandoned or just plain old creepy, these spots will definitely show you a chilly side of Japan you may never yet have known.

4 Spots for Sakura Along the Water in Tokyo

If you want ideas besides picnics for your cherry blossom viewing, how about walking along the river? You'll definitely appreciate the beauty of sakura from another angle!

The Origin of the Maneki Neko

The Maneki Neko, literally the "beckoning cat,"is a very common Japanese figurine. Although there are several possible stories behind its origin, the one revolving around Gotokuji Temple probably has the most veracity to it.

The Bilingual Epic of a Ramen Adventurer

Brian MacDuckston has devoured more than 1,000 bowls of ramen since arriving in Japan in 2006.

A Gamer's Approach to Tokyo's Trains

Tokyo's train system is challenging! So why not view it like a game to be won?

Regional Station Souvenirs You Can't Miss!

Don't let these yummy station souvenirs pass you by on your next Shinkansen ride!

10 Intricate Ins & Outs of Train Etiquette

Japan is well-known as a polite society, and knowing the rules of etiquette is important to getting around Tokyo. With these 10 tips, you'll be commuting like a local.

How to Survive the Last Train in Tokyo

Despite being Japan's most populated city, trains still stop around 1 a.m. in Tokyo. So how do you survive the crowded crush on that final train home?

World's First Snoopy Museum Opens in Tokyo

Get your dancing paws ready for a Snoopy-tastic experience in Tokyo's Roppongi district!

know-before-you-go