4 Incredible Summer Fire Festivals
Temples & Shrines Summer Festivals
These incredible events are sure to get you fired up about summertime in Japan!
No Need to Wait for These Noodles to Cool Down
At the Tempura Matsu restaurant you can slurp on noodles chilling in ice cubs, or bite into translucent crab rice.
4 Phrases to Help You Speak 'Kansai-Ben'
Speak like a local in Osaka, Kyoto or Kobe with these four simple phrases from the Kansai Dialect.
5 Things You Should Know about Kiyomizu Temple
From Kiyomizu's amazing architectural feats to the meaning behind its name, there are a few interesting facts about this famous Kyoto temple you might want to know before you visit!
54 Fun Things to Do in Japan!
Japan is filled with quirky and fun bucket-list-worthy things to do, with countless sights, shrines, parks, gardens, restaurants, museums and neighborhoods to explore. Here are the 54 fun things to do in Japan!
Saiho-ji: Kyoto's Rainy Season Gem
The rainy season brings gray clouds and inclement weather to Kyoto each June, but all that moisture leaves Saiho-ji moss temple glimmering like an emerald!
Gion Matsuri: A Party Worthy of the Gods
Held throughout the entire month of July, Kyoto's Gion Matsuri is the most famous festival in all of Japan.
Cool Off by the River & Order Some Drinks
If you find yourself needing a pick-me-up, yet still wanting to take in the views of Kyoto, stop by this Starbucks café!
Daimon-ji Festival & Floating Lantern Tour
Spend your summer the Kyoto way by participating in two traditional summer events with great cultural significance!
7 Matcha Sweets to Die for in Kyoto!
Love matcha? Then you have to try these seven unique sweets from seven hot Kyoto shops!
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.
9 Unconventional Burgers We Wish Were Back
Though these unique Japanese burgers came and went as quickly as the seasons, we'd be happy to see them make a comeback!
Light Festival in Kyoto's Shimogamo Shrine
Enjoy a brilliant light festival in 'Tadasu no Mori' at Shimogamo Shrine!
The Oldest Paper Company in Japan
Founded in 771, Genda Shigyo makes 'mizuhiki,' the multicolored cords used to decorate envelopes for weddings, funerals and other major life events.
Top 5 Green Tea Parfaits in Kyoto
While the Kyoto area is known for its green tea, why not take it to the next level with a green tea parfait?
Transform Tableware into a 5-Story Pagoda
What better way to dish out your homemade Japanese food than to serve it on dishes designed to look like Japanese-style architecture?
Toro Nagashi: Floating Lanterns for the Dead
'Toro nagashi' is a ceremony in which paper lanterns are released into the water, typically floating down rivers to guide the spirits of the dead back to the other world.
Top 10 Best Ryokan of Japan
If you're looking for traditional Japanese-style lodging, look no further than these ten Japanese inns.
5 Can't-Miss Hikes Around Kansai
The Kansai region is famous for its tasty food, historic sights and fun dialect, but this amazing area also boasts plenty of awe-inspiring hikes.
Step into a Japanese Classroom at This Izakaya
With themed rooms and waiters who act as teachers and nurses, you’ll never want to leave elementary school again!
