All About Japan All About Japan

Fresh start every Monday!

Yufuin: The Quintessence of Hospitality

Nestled in the shadow of Mount Yufu, Yufuin is a compact hot spring town where quaint inns are mixed with regular houses and rice paddies—as well as lots of unique cafés and galleries.

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!

Fukuoka's Fab Four Edible Omiyage

If you can't make it out to Kyushu yourself, maybe you can get a friend to bring back one of these four famous confections from Fukuoka!

The Shinkansen Network in Japan

A visit to Japan is incomplete without some travel on the Shinkansen, Japan’s bullet train network. With a new line connecting Hokkaido, there isn’t a better time to see all of Japan in the blink of an eye!

4 Fun & Weird Ways to Use the Train

Japanese trains are fast and efficient. But have you ever seen one used as a rolling showroom? Or how about having a concert at 260 kilometers per hour?

Gazing Across the Sea into Japan’s Past

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

Spend a Star-Studded Evening at Kurokawa Onsen

Awarded two stars by the Michelin Green Guide Japan in 2009, Kurokawa Onsen Town is an amazing place to unwind with 24 hot spring baths you can enjoy even as a day visitor, some with very surprising features.

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!

5 Tasty 'Omiyage' Worth Lining Up For

Orderly lines outside everything from chic coffee shops to blue-collar ramen shops are a common sight in Japan, and food-based specialty 'omiyage' (souvenir) stores are no different. But are these snacks really worth lining up for?

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.

Book an Island for an Overnight Stay

Sleep in a traditional Japanese house while surrounded by rice paddies, beaches, tree-houses, zip lines and a lighthouse on your very own private island.

The 11 Spookiest Spots in Japan

Whether they’re haunted, abandoned or just plain old creepy, these spots will definitely show you a chilly side of Japan you may never yet have known.

47 Souvenirs from All 47 Prefectures!

Traveling around Japan but don't know what souvenir to buy from each region? We've got you covered with this crazy list of our Top 47 'omiyage' from each of the nation's 47 prefectures!

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.

Riding the Rails from Top to Bottom

You'll never believe how long it takes to travel from the northernmost Shinkansen station to the one furthest south.

How Kitakyushu Brought Water to Cambodia

For more than a decade, Kitakyushu's Water and Sewer Bureau has worked with Phnom Penh's Water Supply Authority to bring sustainable, drinkable water to the people of Cambodia's capital.

Kyushu National Museum

Visit Japan's first new national museum in more than 100 years, and see through a stunning range of exhibits how Asian cultures influenced the development of Japan.

The 4 Best Burgers in Kyushu

Japan has been contributing to burger lore since the 1950s—and it started in Kyushu.

'Henn-na Hotel': Smart, Weird & Wonderful

The Henn-na Hotel has garnered global interest because robots handle many of its services.The hotel’s management concept is also designed to trim labor costs and conserve energy as well!

Tour Miyazaki through 6 Incredible Videos

Ancient shrines, traditional crafts, horseback riding, surfing, golf, great food and more all crammed against some of the most picturesque coastline you could hope to see. This is Miyazaki!

know-before-you-go