The Porcelain Legacy of Arita’s Kilns
Japan's porcelain industry was kickstarted by events that shook the country 400 years ago. Andrew Lee visited Saga Prefecture and discovered the history of the region's ceramics.
Shodoshima: Fermentation, Art, and an Island Shaped by Time
Floating in the calm waters of the Seto Inland Sea, Shodoshima is a place shaped by climate, by centuries of small-scale industries, and most of all by the people who live here. It is often associated with olives or soy sauce, but offers much more: unique sake, a revival of almost lost traditions, and a quiet but growing reputation for contemporary art.
Seeker of Japanese Spooks: Lafcadio Hearn’s Life in Matsue
The Greco-Irish writer became Japan’s master of macabre storytelling—and the city of Matsue is the perfect place for a close encounter.
Autumn Colors and Culture: Special Seasonal Events at Sankeien Garden
From November 21 to December 14, 2025, Yokohama’s Sankeien Garden will open the path behind the Choshukaku Pavilion to the public for a limited time at the peak of the autumn foliage season. Golden ginkgo leaves and crimson maples surround the garden’s historical buildings, bathing the grounds in the rich colors of fall. Visitors can also enjoy a wide variety of seasonal events—including exhibitions, lectures, nature observation sessions, traditional sarumawashi (monkey performances), and cafés—making it a terrific place to experience autumn.
Christopher Harding: Bringing Japan’s History and Culture to a Wide Audience
An interview with Christopher Harding, historian and author, who explores Japan’s culture and history through books that blend narrative flair with scholarship.
Kobe's Ijinkan: An Eclectic European Enclave
The city of Kobe's Ijinkan-gai (foreigners' house district) is a hillside neighborhood featuring European-style houses built for foreign residents more than a century ago. They are now a prime tourist destination for history and architecture buffs.
Matsuyama Treasures: Historical Hot Springs and a Mountaintop Castle
The town of Matsuyama, on the island of Shikoku, is a gem for the adventurous traveler. It hosts one of Japan's most photogenic castle keeps and a newly restored traditional onsen bathhouse with a rich historical heritage.
Hiking Tokyo’s Active Volcano: The “Sacred Fire” of Oshima Island
Mt. Mihara is an active volcano on a nearby island with a fascinating history, superb seafood, hot spring baths, and welcoming local people. It can be climbed on a day trip from central Tokyo, but you should at least plan on staying overnight.
