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3 Karuizawa Hotels with Atmosphere!

These accommodation options embody the rustic-chic atmosphere of Karuizawa, the popular Nagano resort town just over an hour from Tokyo.

3 Pottery Trips from Japan's Biggest Cities

We've lined up three famous pottery towns that make easy day trips from Nagoya, Osaka or Tokyo.

Make Your Very Own Japanese Paper

‘Washi’ (Japanese traditional paper) is made from wood fiber, making it stronger than today’s common paper made of wood pulp. And the Uchiyama style of ‘washi’ made in northern Nagano’s Iiyama City is especially durable!

Top 10 Japanese Companies Over 800 Years Old

Just how old is the oldest Japanese company? You might be surprised to learn that most of the companies on our list date back centuries before the Black Plague!

San Grams: A Third-Wave Green Tea Shop & Café

The third-wave green tea movement is taking root right in the heart of Japan’s green tea industry.

Shimoda: Beaches, Hot Springs & Seafood

Located at the tip of the Izu Peninsula, Shimoda has something for every visitor: beaches offering beautiful views, relaxing hot springs and deliciously fresh seafood.

Japan's 3 Great 'Bon Odori' Dance Festivals

Summer is the season of the festival in Japan, and these three celebrations will have you literally dancing in the streets.

Modern Shops with a Traditional Twist

These shops near one of Shinto’s holiest shrines will make you feel as though you have slipped back into the feudal period.

Experiencing 'Overseas' Resorts in Japan

Exotic resorts abroad are popular with Japanese tourists, but not everyone can make the trip overseas. We did some sleuthing and found four faux-'foreign' resorts you can stay at right in Japan!

The Oldest 'Washi' Production Center in Japan

Explore the process of making traditional Japanese paper in Echizen City, known as the oldest producer of 'washi' in all of Japan.

Top 6 Beaches in Japan

Summer is here, which means it's time to hit the beach! These six beaches will make you wish the season never ends!

The Summer Resort Area of Lake Hamana

Lake Hamana is a popular summer resort area located on the Pacific Coast in the western part of Shizuoka Prefecture in central Japan. Take a look at the natural splendors surrounding this lake that's only two short hours away from Tokyo.

Japan’s Top 5 Resort Hotels

Resort hotels are the perfect destination for any vacation, catering for all your needs while offering you luxury and grandeur in style. Here are our Top 5 picks throughout Japan!

Shunkado: 130 Years of Sweets

Shunkado's flagship confection, the Unagipie Pastry, has been known for over 50 years as the signature souvenir of Shizuoka Prefecture. Eel extract never tasted so good!

2 Incredibly Secluded 'Ryokan' in Toyama

These traditional inns go beyond just being secluded—they can only be accessed by boat or tram!

Karuizawa Resort Region Guide

Kariuzawa is a popular mountain resort escape for Tokyoites, and a chic getaway for Naganoites. Its forests, lakes and waterfalls attract many for relaxing in the woods, while others come for the trendy shops and restaurants.

Yokokan Teien: A Splendid Secret Garden

One of the three best Japanese gardens as selected by the U.S.-based Sukiya Living Magazine (The Journal of Japanese Gardening), this is a pleasant gem hidden in Fukui City.

It's Easy to Discover the History of Takayama

Ranked as a three-star Michelin destination, Takayama's ancient streetscapes are full of traditional shops, while its Takayama Matsuri is known as one of Japan's top three most beautiful festivals.

7 Stellar Izu Hotels

Located roughly two hours southwest of Tokyo, the Izu Peninsula offers everything from modern seaside resorts to secluded hot springs with over 1,000 years of history—not to mention a few stunning views of Mount Fuji!

5 Childhood Fantasies Come to Life in Japan

Tooth fairies, gingerbread houses, chocolate factories... your childhood fantasy may exist somewhere in Japan.

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