All About Japan All About Japan

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Cradles of Subculture

Let's take a quick look at some trivia about various regions in Japan that are known as subculture hotbeds!

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.

Gazing Across the Sea into Japan’s Past

Two castles peer out into the sea from Saga Prefecture’s picturesque coastal city of Karatsu.

Tour Ise-Shima with the KINTETSU RAIL PASS

While the Ise-Shima area is best known for Ise Jingu, the area also offers picturesque scenery and gourmet food. And you can access this resort region easily from Osaka using the KINTETSU RAIL PASS!

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.

3 Earthy Things to Do in Kumamoto

Here are three great options in the Kumamoto area if you're looking to reconnect with creatures past and present, as well as the earth below!

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.

5 Things to Expect from Japan’s Countryside

Countryside Japan is quite different from cosmopolitan areas like Tokyo or Osaka. We'll help you get out there, get off the Shinkansen and go exploring!

9 Gorgeous Out-of-the-Way Spots in Kyushu

Kyushu is home to beautiful beaches, smoking volcanoes, bubbling hot springs—and a whole lot more!

A National Who’s Whooo of Owl Cafés

Who wouldn’t want to snuggle up and nestle down in an owl café? We’ve lined up eight adorable and outstanding branches where you can unruffle in peace.

Japan’s Three Famous Castles

Called 'sanmeijo' in Japanese, the three castles on this list have been chosen based on their significance to history and culture, as well as their scale and grandeur.

American Photographer Promotes Island with Art

American photographer Patrick Tsai is part of a team helping to internationalize and revitalize the island of Shodoshima in the Seto Inland Sea.

5 Reasons to Go Off-Season Camping in Japan

With more than 3,000 campsites in Japan, there's every reason to get out of the city and find your new happy place. Even—or especially—if it's out of the official camping season.

Inuyama Castle: King of the Hilltop

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

Castles, Gardens & Peach Boys—Oh My!

From Okayama Castle's rare black walls to the charms of Okayama Korakuen Garden, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, there's plenty to see and do in Okayama.

All the Best Fall Color Spots in Tohoku

Check out these famous fall color spots and their nearby hot springs in each of northeastern Japan's six prefectures.

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?

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

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

Budgeting for a Weekend Away from Tokyo

Tokyo’s great, but it’s nice to get away from time to time. Fortunately, from the capital, the short-trip traveler has access to some great weekend-away spots. We've selected some of the classics, and assess their travel budgets.

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!

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