All About Japan

Good Reads: A Passion for Japan

In this new book, 31 foreigners who have made Japan their long-term home share their passions, from sumo to baseball, traditional festivals, martial arts, the tea ceremony, and many more.

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!

Hiking Japan's Michinoku Coastal Trail: 4-Day Itinerary in Iwate

This section of Japan's 1,000-kilometer trail down the northern Pacific coast offers great hiking, spectacular views of the rugged coast and insights into the devastation caused by the 2011 tsunami.

A Pilgrimage to Japan’s Remarkable Zero-Waste Town of Kamikatsu

This secluded mountain town in central Shikoku has been an inspiration to people from around the world who come to experience its innovative programs and world-class sustainable travel choices.

A Walk Through Tokyo History: Yotsuya to Shinjuku on the Koshu Kaido Road

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.

6 of Japan's YouTubers that Will Have You Hooked

These Japan-based Youtubers have become global phenomenons, with a spicy mix of day-in-the-life stories, travel tips, and plenty of insight into all things Japanese. Find out why they're being watched by millions of fans worldwide.

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.

7 Wild Winter Adventures in Japan's Outdoors

When winter sends temperatures plummeting, Japan's outdoors are full of fun things to do, from the usual skiing and snowboarding to ice fishing, ice climbing and even dog sledding or bicycling through the snow.

Discover Japanese Woodwork Traditions at Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum

This Kobe museum features the traditions and technology of Japanese carpentry and tool artisanship that are used in buildings from simple tea houses to complex temple designs.

Hiking Japan’s Michinoku Coastal Trail: 2-Day Model Itinerary

Here’s an easy-to-follow itinerary for hiking the northernmost part of the Michinoku Coastal Trail, accessible to beginners and long-trailers alike.

The Japanese Island that Inspired the Action-adventure Game: "Ghost of Tsushima"

A visit to the remote border island of Tsushima, a place full of fascinating history and natural beauty that inspired the Ghost of Tushima video game.

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.

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.

A Perfect Weekend in Tokushima City

In this second of a series on perfect weekends in Japan, an insider offers hints for enjoying this picturesque riverfront city.

Meet One of Tokyo's Coolest Neighborhoods: Meguro

Coffee culture, antiques . . . even a Pig Cafe: Tokyo's Meguro is definitely worth a train stop.

Be the Lord of the Domain with a Luxury Stay in a Japanese Castle!

Two unusual programs offer accommodations that are fit for nobility—or an Edo-period ruler of one of Japan’s feudal provinces.

Pioneers of Sustainable Living in Japan: The Remarkable People of Kamikatsu

The second of a series about the inspiring zero-waste Japanese town of Kamikatsu. Joy Jarman-Walsh introduces the people who want to make sustainability compatible with a good life.

The Old Town of Sawara: The Ideal Day Trip from Narita Airport

From centuries-old buildings to botanical gardens and picturesque canals, the Edo-era town of Sawara is a joy to discover—and a short distance from Tokyo’s Narita Airport.

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.

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.

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