All About Japan

16 Splendid Shikoku Castles

The island of Shikoku may be small, but who would've guessed it once contained 16 amazing castles, all in various shapes and forms!

7 Incredible Events at Japanese Castles

The castles dotting Japan's landscape no longer host battles and political upheavals, but they're not boring relics. Many were the backdrop to some pretty unbelievable stories!

The Ise-Shima G7 Summit Regions

10 cities around the country were selected to host ministerial meetings surrounding the 2016 G7 Summit in Ise-Shima. From education to IT and agriculture, each was selected for a very specific reason!

5 Key Sights to See in Kobe

Kobe is a lovely, cosmopolitan city with a fascinating international past. Don't miss these top sites in Kansai's famous port city!

Full List: Japan’s UNESCO Shrines & Temples!

Japan is home to thousands of historic shrines and temples, and a good few of them are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. A visit to just one can give insight into Japanese culture.

9 Castles to Hit in Hyogo after Himeji

What do you do once you've seen the big attraction and still want more castle action? We've got nine answers right here!

Ise Azuchi Momoyama Bunkamura

Check out this historical theme park that recreates the golden age of samurai!

Hakodate: Gateway to the Northern Island

Now connected to Japan's main island by Shinkansen, Hakodate offers a scenic waterfront, historic buildings, a star-shaped fort—and one of the three greatest night views in Japan!

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!

Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter

The immaculately preserved Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter is recognized as one of the most charming merchant’s quarters in all Japan. Located in Okayama Prefecture, local museums also feature masterpieces by El Greco, Monet and Picasso.

How to Ninja-Proof Your Castle

Ninja and other assassins were a serious problem for high-ranking officials and royalty back in the day. Here we take a look at how they managed to thwart these silent killers.

Sakura & Samurai Houses in Kakunodate

Check out one of the Three Famous Cherry Blossom Spots of Michinoku, including the centuries-old weeping cherry blossoms of Kakunodate's samurai district.

Time Travel in Kitakyushu

The varied history of this port town has endowed it with a unique combination of ancient castles, modern gardens, and elegant turn-of-the-century architecture.

Japan's 12 Best Keepless Castles

These castles may not have keeps, but many of them are much older than any of Japan's so-called "original construction" castles.

Japan's Top 4 'Best 3' Sightseeing Spots!

Witness the best sightseeing spots Japan has to offer in four official, comprehensive lists.

Spend a Night in a Historic House

Built to withstand and even take advantage of their environment, these singulse structures known as gassho-zukuri can only be found in two villages in Japan. So why not spend the night in a UNESCO-recognized farmhouse?

Niigata: The 'Ricebasket' of Japan

Located on the Sea of Japan in northwest Honshu, Niigata City is one of Japan’s most fertile farming areas. But there are plenty of things to see other than rice!

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.'

Inuyama Castle: King of the Hilltop

Inuyama Castle is a National Treasure, and one of the oldest original castles still standing in Japan.

Top 3 Things to Experience in Takamatsu

From art islands to ancient gardens and intricate traditional lacquerware, there's plenty to enjoy in and around this Shikoku city.

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