7 Must-Visit Spots in and around Matsue
Experience Japan's rich culture and history without the crowds of major tourist destinations in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture.
Meet One of Tokyo's Coolest Neighborhoods: Meguro
Coffee culture, antiques . . . even a Pig Cafe: Tokyo's Meguro is definitely worth a train stop.
Takigyo: Japanese Waterfall Meditation
Takigyo, or waterfall meditation, is a rare practice that samurai and ascetic Japanese Buddhists and Shintoists engaged in for centuries. There are several places around Japan where visitors can join the breath-taking training.
Spend a Memorable Night at Nintendo's Former Headquarters
Nintendo's old headquarters, first built in 1930, has been renovated, revamped and turned into a hotel!
A Walk Through Tokyo History: Yotsuya to Shinjuku on the Koshu Kaido Road
Historical Site Tokyo Day Trips
A guide to walking through the center of Tokyo on the course of the Koshu Kaido road, one of the five routes that connected the old city of Edo with the provinces. Among the modern buildings and bustling streets are remnants of a remarkable past.
Learning to Make Japan's Most Durable Washi Paper
The Kaminosato Museum in Hitachiomiya has a gallery of products made with Nishinouchi Washi and offers workshops for visitors who want to try their hand at papermaking or learn more.
Celebrate Summer in Japan Like a Local: Bon Odori Dances and Fireworks Festivals
Discover the magic of summer’s fabulous Bon Odori festivals and hanabi taikai fireworks festivals!
Ketchup and Cabbages: In Search of Japan’s Most Unusual Monuments
Should there be a monument to cabbages? How about eyeglasses? Well they already exist in Japan, along with many other unusual tributes.
Travel Back to Feudal Japan at this Private House Complex
NEOLD Private House is exactly what it says on the label: It’s new, it’s old, and it’s private. It’s also quite a bit more, as I discovered when I was lucky enough to stay there.
Why I Love Nihonga (and Want You to Love It Too)
Nihonga is a genre of modern Japanese painting that uses natural materials and draws inspiration from nature and traditional themes in Japanese culture. Find out more, including the best museums in Japan to experience the unique beauty of nihonga.
Savor Local Japanese Life in Hiroshima
Attractive accommodation options in nature-rich Shobara and the port city of Onomichi make ideal bases for savoring the charms of Hiroshima prefecture at a leisurely pace while connecting with the local culture.
A Perfect Weekend in Kobe
Kobe is Kansai's best-kept secret. Its foreign influence is a great attraction, while often overlooked is its ancient history and natural beauty. This guide sets you on track for an awesome weekend getaway.
Japan's "Table" Sake Is Anything but Ordinary
Learn how to spot the treasures hidden in futsushu--the “table wine” of the sake world!
Tokyo Corners: The Unique Style of Sculptor Asakura Fumio's Museum
A visit to sculptor Asakura Fumio's former studio and residence, now a museum, in historical Yanaka, offers a look at one man’s vision of art and life
My Perfect Weekend in the City of Sapporo
Delaina Miyazaki shares her unique insider perspective on how to really make the most of a weekend in her adopted hometown of Sapporo
Spend Your Summer in Japan in Cool, Cool Hakuba
Temperatures sizzling hot? Here’s how to plan a nature-filled getaway to Hakuba in the summer.
Have Fun Surviving Japan's Hot Summers!
Here are a few ways to stay cool and have fun while surviving the high temperatures that mark Japan's summers!
Warrior Portfolio: From “An Illustrated Guide to Samurai History and Culture”
With the vividly illustrated pages of this new book, author Gavin Blair takes a deep dive into depictions of the legendary samurai warrior class.
The Perfect Weekend Tour of Fukuoka City
A long-time resident shares her knowledge of mouth-watering local food spots, great shopping and open green space in one of Japan's most fascinating regional capitals.
Five Otaku Things to Do at Japan’s Nijigen no Mori Theme Park
There’s plenty to keep you busy at the eclectic Nijigen no Mori Theme Park on Awaji Island.
