All About Japan

Take Your Prefectural Pride on the Road

These stylish license plates feature iconic imagery from prefectures throughout Japan, so you can show off your prefectural pride every time you hit the road!

2 Modern Masters of Woodwork & Lacquer

Working by hand at scales that can at times only be seen with a magnifying glass, these two artisans are heirs to a 400-year-old legacy of woodworking in Ishikawa Prefecture.

Things to Do Around Hakone-Yumoto Station

Visitors to Hakone have to change trains at Hakone-Yumoto Station, meaning you always have a bit of time to kill. With temples, forest adventures, souvenir shopping and the Eva store, there's plenty to do while you wait!

Ceramics Workshop Designed by Kengo Kuma

Star architect Kengo Kuma puts his signature stamp on yet another building with this ceramics museum and workshop in Komatsu.

Exploring Japan's Three-Star Road

Japan's Three-Star Road is home to a host of Michelin-recognized sites and wonders, comprising a compact area that covers four prefectures. With the new Three-Star Ticket option, exploring this stretch of Japan is easier than ever before.

See How Trees Get Their Winter Rope Umbrellas

Have you ever wondered how the gardeners at Kenroku-en put up ropes on the trees to protect them from snow this winter? We've got just the video for you.

12 Great Hikes in Japan's National Parks

You can follow the trails through Japan's national parks to mountain peaks and coastal views—and sometimes both at the same time!

12 Amazing Mountains in Japan's National Parks

Many of Japan's most beautiful mountains can be found in the nation's 34 national parks.

12 Things to Do in Charming Kanazawa

Kanazawa, the capital city of Ishikawa Prefecture, sits on the Sea of Japan, bordered by scenic mountain ranges and national parks, has well-preserved art and culture. Read on for a list of 12 things you can do in Kanazawa.

12 Female Sake Brewers Concoct a Bold Project

As fewer than 50 sake breweries in Japan are female-owned, one crowdfunding project is offering a chance to sample brews from a dozen of them.

TripAdvisor's Top 10 Japan Spots for 2018

Debating where to go in Japan? We break down TripAdvisor's Top 10 choices for 2018!

10 Snow Spots in Japan Perfect for Instagram

If you want to get your 'Gram game going while traveling in the land of the rising sun in winter, make sure to keep in mind these Instagram-worthy spots for your itinerary.

Roadtrip 5 Awesome Spots on the Noto Peninsula

Discover the secrets of the Noto Peninsula, situated on the wild northwestern coast of Honshu. Although remote, this area has it all; beautiful natural sights, historical architecture, fine handicrafts and relaxing hot spring resorts!

Kanazawa Geisha Training

Tourists get a glimpse of the training regimen of Kanazawa geisha.

Katamachi: The Oldest Shopping Street in Japan

Kanazawa has attracted a vast amount of international tourists since the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen. It has lots of scenic sites including Katamachi, the oldest shopping street in Japan.

Persimmons: Only $1,000 Each!

One of the weird and fun things about Japan are insanely expensive fruits. Including a box of persimmons that fetched 100,000 yen in the season’s first auction in Ishikawa Prefecture.

The Organic Beauty of Kaga Lacquerware

A mountainous land dotted with hot springs, Yamanaka in Ishikawa Prefecture is a major center of lacquerware production, thanks to woodturners who emigrated to this area 400 years ago.

All About the Local Creators' Market

Launched by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the Local Creators’ Market focuses on five Japanese locales noted for producing exquisite traditional handicrafts.

Garden Opened to Public Despite Outbreak

A private garden in central Japan opened its doors to tourists for free, while other gardens in Tokyo shut its doors due to the growing coronavirus pandemic.

Cool Kanazawa Hotel Connecting People & Places

Kumu opened during the summer of 2017 in a building renovated by architect Yusuke Seki, who set out to design a space that is both inclusive and engaged with its context. Spoon & Tamago has the full story.

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