All About Japan

Exploring the Culture of Miyagi

Miyagi is a place where traditional Japanese culture is still alive with wooden kokeshi dolls to mountain hot spring towns there is something for everyone.

Noge: Yokohama's Hub for Cheap Drinks

With some 500 drinking establishments just 10 minutes south of Minato Mirai, the Noge area is 'the' spot to hit for a cheap drink in Yokohama.

How to Get the Most out of Senso-ji Temple

Senso-ji is the oldest temple in Tokyo, and an essential part of any visit. But it's easy to feel a little underwhelmed—like you're just scratching the surface. Here's how to make sure you get the most out of this hot tourist spot!

Catch a Glimpse of 'Sakura' in the Winter

One popular cherry blossom viewing spot in Tokyo has transformed its riverside property into a sakura tree light display.

Taiko-Lab: Learn to Drum in 60 Minutes

Located just north of Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, Taiko-Lab offers a chance to learn the basics of 'taiko' drumming in about 60 minutes—an essential part of any Japan experience!

Top 5 Shopping Streets in Tokyo

While you can stay home and do online shopping until your fingers fall off, some of the best deals to be had are out on the streets. Here are five of the best shopping streets in Tokyo, offering you everything you could ever need in the big city.

The 21 Best Places to See Mount Fuji

We take a stab at answering the perennial question, 'Where can I get the best view of Mount Fuji?' Here are our 21 best answers.

A Village Made Entirely Out of Snow?!

On Shikaribetsu Lake in Hokkaido lies a gorgeous village that you can only see for about two months out of the year before everything melts away.

Shin-Yokohama Raumen Museum

The Shin-Yokohama Raumen Museum is less a museum than a Disney-like experience of ramen!

AAJ Adventures: Shibuya's Cutest Hedgehog Café

Play with hedgehogs in this new custom-designed mini hedgehog village just two minutes from Shibuya Station.

Kitchen-Haven Kappabashi Has More Than Knives

Previously, we've published articles about buying knives in Kappabashi, but this 'shotengai' has more on offer than just cutlery! Let's take a tour together and see a sharper side of this shopping street.

Experience Being a Temple Maiden for a Day

Ever wondered what it would be like to do the work of a shrine maiden? Well, at a shrine in Hyogo Prefecture you can actually dress up and experience all the work 'miko' do!

Get Immersed in VR Park Tokyo

VR Park Tokyo presents an entire floor of immersive VR games you can play at your leisure for 90 minutes at a time.

Sampling the Food of Miyagi

Miyagi is home to some of the best seafood in Japan with fresh oysters and fish along with other mouthwatering delicacies such as grilled beef tongue and 'zunda.' Come along with us on a tour of the best of the best dishes!

Onagawa: A Lesson in Recovery

After almost being completely wiped out by the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of 2011, Onagawa is a shining light of how to recover from disaster.

Autumn Journey to Oku-Aizu on the Tadami Line

Operating between Aizu-Wakamatsu Station in Fukushima Prefecture and Koide Station in Niigata Prefecture from 1971, the Tadami Line treats passengers to peerless natural scenery drifting past the window.

A Stay in Yokohama Landmark Tower

Standing at 296.3 meters, Yokohama Landmark Tower was the tallest building in Japan when it opened in 1993. While its lower half is full of shops, restaurants and offices, the 49th to 70th floors are occupied by a five-star luxury hotel!

Catch a Glimpse of the Sailor Moon Ride at USJ

Set to open March 16, 2018, the Sailor Moon 4-D attraction is sure to draw Sailor Moon enthusiasts to Universal Studios Japan.

Hakone Yosegi Zaiku: World of Woodcraft

Hakone 'yosegi zaiku' is a kind of woodworking technique typically used to make puzzle boxes with elaborate opening mechanisms. Not only do they make a great gift—at the Hakone Trick Museum you can even make one of your own!

5 Ways to Get Active in Japan's National Parks

There's more to do in Japan's national parks than simply look at nature—lovely as it may be. There are plenty of ways to get your hands dirty and your feet wet as well!

know-before-you-go