All About Japan

First Look at the Tokyo Olympic Village Plaza

The plaza of the Tokyo Games athletes’ village has been unveiled ahead of the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics.

Japan Cultural Expo

The Japan Cultural Expo coinciding with the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics will showcase the country’s traditional arts starting mid-March.

Get a Local Resort Experience at OMO5

Don't choose between a resort experience and a cultural experience. Get the full experience at the Hoshino Resorts OMO5 Tokyo Otsuka, a chic hotel that focuses on connecting its visitors to the local environment.

Olympic Torch Relay Rehearsal

A rehearsal for the Tokyo Olympic torch relay took place about seven weeks before its planned start in late March.

Happo-en: a Japanese Garden Hidden in Tokyo

Happo-en is a hidden gem featuring a traditional tea house, koi pond, bonsai, cherry trees, and everything else a Japanese garden should have.

Tiny Tokyo Apartments Are Surprisingly Popular

Ququri studio apartments offer just 4.64 square meters (49.94 square feet) of usable floor space, but with prices this low, it’s all some people need.

Cashless Payment at Japan’s Post Offices

Starting with 65 branches, cashless payment is coming to the Japanese postal service. Japan Post plans to expand the service to 85,000 post offices in May, and to all branches in the future.

Harry Potter Studio May Come to Tokyo

Warner Bros hopes to open a Harry Potter Studio in Tokyo after a famous amusement park closes.

Kagurazaka: Fusion of Kyoto and Paris in Tokyo

Kagurazaka is an eclectic mix of Edo Japan and French influences. Although originally known for geishas in the Edo era, it is now a hub for fine dining and delicious street food.

Government: Japan Has Enough Toilet Paper

Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hiroshi Kajiyama says Japan has enough toilet paper and urges people to stop hoarding.

Deep Dive Kanto Day Trips

More than just the beloved mega metropolis, Tokyo, the Kanto region is home to many local areas, each with their own unique charms. If you want to explore another side of Japan, these day trip ideas from Tokyo are the perfect way to do it!

Snow Falls West of Tokyo

Some parts of Japan's Kanto and Koshin regions, west of Tokyo, were hit with over 30 cm of snow this past week!

Lawson’s First Register-Free Store

Convenience store giant Lawson will open a store this month with no cash registers, and plans to more in the Tokyo area by summer 2020.

JNTO Multilingual Coronavirus Hotline

Japan National Tourism Organization has a visitor hotline at 050-3816-2787 that accepts inquiries about coronavirus in English, Chinese and Korean.

Catch Some Waves with Pikachu at LaLaport

In Chiba, not far from the heart of Tokyo, the LaLaport in Tokyo Bay is a popular shopping destination with more than 400 shops ranging from fashion to homeware to specialty stores.

A Luxury Train From Tokyo to Izu

JR East unveils the Saphir Odoriko, a luxury train connecting Tokyo with Izu, a popular tourist destination in Shizuoka Prefecture, starting March 14.

Dine & Drive Around Tokyo with Willer Bus

Anyone looking to travel around Japan on the cheap knows and loves Willer, and their highway buses! But did you know that they have a sightseeing restaurant bus?

Japan’s Government Policy Regarding Corona

Japan’s government adopts a basic policy to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Lay Around in Landabout Hotel in Uguisudani

A new hotel in the area of Uguisudani is bringing stylish charm and simplicity to its little part of Tokyo.

From the Mountain to the Sea

Fuji-Hakone-Izu is the most popular national park in Japan by far, receiving over 100 million visitors every year. Unlike most of Japan’s national parks, it consists of four distinct areas united by the volcanic activity.

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