Hike the Mackerel Highway
Back in the day, getting ocean fish to Kyoto was back-breaking work. You can still hike the 1,300-year-old path that brought mackerel to the ancient capital.
7 Next-Level Soy Sauce Options
Everybody knows Japanese soy sauce, but did you know there's more than Kikkoman? Here we take a look at seven premium options from all around Japan.
Slice & Dice with a Personally Engraved Knife
Why settle for just a plain old generic knife when you can get one engraved with a personal message?
Dyeing Technique Originated with Edo Lords
Along with Kyoto and Kanazawa, Tokyo is one of Japan’s three major traditional kimono-dyeing regions. Find out how the technique Tokyo Some Komon been passed down from the Edo Period to the present day.
A Historical Walk Through Japanese Tea
Take a stroll through Kyoto’s Yamashiro region, the historical nexus of Japanese tea production, with a history dating back some 800 years.
The Salt of Life
Salt from the sea and other essential goods were hauled along Salt Road from Japan’s coastal areas to the mountainous territories inland—and delivered even to mortal enemies in need.
4 Notable Tokyo-Centric Omiyage
Tokyo is an international metropolis and the buzzing center of Japan. While there's lots to choose from, here are some interesting 'omiyage' (souvenir) ideas that exemplify the big city!
Treasures on Land, Riches from the Sea
Studded with small bays and inlets, the peninsula known as Ise-Shima—the venue for the 2016 G7 Summit—is a utopia for those seeking a glimpse of classical Japan, from the expansive environs of the sacred shrine of Ise Jingu to the bounty of the ocean.
10 Historical Sweets from Hokuriku
Hokuriku has various wonderful 'omiyage' (souvenir) sweets for travelers. Here we outline 10 historical souvenirs you simply have to buy on your next Hokuriku trip!
8 Japanese Sweets Too Beautiful to Eat!
Some Japanese sweets are so beautiful they can only be called 'art'!
Kyoto's 1,000-Year-Old Hand Embroidery
This shop in Kyoto carries on a tradition of silk embroidery that dates back to the Asuka Period (592-710).
7 Premium Dashi Ingredients
’Dashi' soup stock comes in several flavors and varieties. Here's a great selection of ingredients to help you create the real taste of traditional Japanese soup in your own kitchen!
Traditional Shopping in Ise
Oharai-machi and Okage-yokocho are two fantastic places that transport you back in time along the bustling shopping streets of Ise Grand Shrine.
750 Years of Soy Sauce Tradition
With a tradition dating back more than seven centuries, Yuasa soy sauce has taken to the tables of Europe's finest restaurants.
Wonder at These 7 Exquisitely Designed Sweets!
Mastering the art of making perfectly crafted items is something synonymous with Japan. And here, even in sweets, that excellence continues.
A Picturesque Glimpse into the Past
This collection of postcards, dating back to the early 1900s, provides a beautiful snapshot of Japanese history.
Tokyo's 400-Year-Old Sake Brewery
Check out this gorgeous 4K video and take a look at what it means to have four centuries of passion for sake!
Top 6 Souvenirs to Take Home from Kyoto
Kyoto's deep history makes it one of the best places in Japan to find old-fashioned crafts and handmade goods you won't find anywhere else.
Where Studio Ghibli's Paint Comes From
Founded in 1950, this 17-person paint company has colored the works of anime geniuses from Osamu Tezuka to Hayao Miyazaki.
300-Year-Old Hemp Makes a Modern Comeback
Founded in Nara in 1716, Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten is finding new ways to bring its traditional textiles to a modern market, both domestically and overseas.
