All About Japan All About Japan

Fresh start every Monday!

8 Gorgeous Japanese Lantern Festivals

Japanese lantern festivals are held to ward off evil or send off the dead, or just to warm up a chilly winter.

Learn Japanese on Instagram?!

If you're trying to learn Japanese but always on the go, this Japanese Instagram account might be just for you!

15 Ways to Beat the Summer Heat & Humidity

Can't take the heat? Here are 15 ways to change your situation!

20 Free Things to Do in Japan This Summer

Japan has a host of things to do for budget tourists, and we've compiled our list of the best free things to do. Enjoy!

See Fireworks from Ganryu Island

Watch fireworks while comfortably sprawled on this small island, where Musashi Miyamoto fought his most famous duel!

How to Properly Wear 'Geta'

Do you know the real Japanese technique for wearing traditional footwear?

4 Incredible Summer Fire Festivals

These incredible events are sure to get you fired up about summertime in Japan!

The Meiji Restoration in Kitakyushu

Learn all about the Meiji Restoration in the city of Kitakyushu.

Can You Survive Aomori's Summer Stove Train?

Looking for a steamy train experience? Head up to Aomori for a stove train that's heated to 50°C in the middle of summer!

Gruesome Floats from the Neputa Festival!

Hirosaki's Neputa Festival is known for its gigantic, illuminated floats. But did you ever notice the gruesome details hidden in the art?

Hunt Through 2 Million Handmade Items!

HandMade in Japan Fes presents a weekend full of crafts, music, performances, food, drinks and farmers markets conveniently packed in one venue.

A New Wave of Folk Music

Breathing new life into traditional Japanese folk music, Aragehonji has a unique take on Japanese music.

'Nassyi Fes' Coming to Tokyo & Osaka

Funassyi is hosting two big concerts in August!

Survival Japanese for Concerts & Events

So you've decided to attend an event from your favorite idols or artists, but how ready are you really? Here are some often-used terms you should check out to navigate your way!

Spectacular Handheld Bamboo Fireworks Photos

This Aichi-area festival features geysers of light exploding from handheld bamboo cannons!

4 Useful Supplies for Summer Festivals

You've got your 'yukata' on and you're ready to roll—but don't leave the house before you've grabbed these useful festival items too!

Make Your Very Own Star Festival Raindrop Cake

Want to make your own raindrop cake? All you need is a yellow peach, pearl agar, water, a bamboo leaf, toasted soybean flour, brown sugar syrup, a microwave and a fridge—and some edible gold powder!

Light Festival in Kyoto's Shimogamo Shrine

Enjoy a brilliant light festival in 'Tadasu no Mori' at Shimogamo Shrine!

A J-Pop Tribute to Summer Festivals

Hakata Reboot (a.k.a. HR) celebrates summer with 'mikoshi,' beaches and festivals—and a whole lot of love for Hakata!

The Japan Summer Experience Exhibit

This exhibit has it all if you want to experience a Japanese summer: festivals, a haunted house and even traditional bathhouse murals.

know-before-you-go