Winter Tips for Visiting Japan
While Japan is famous for its stunning cherry blossoms in spring, red leaves in the autumn and countless festivals in summer, Japan is also a veritable winter wonderland! Here are some tips for making the most of your time in Japan in its coldest season.
Top 5 Winter Illuminations Outside of Tokyo!
As the year draws to a close, cities across Japan light up with some of the most spectacular winter illuminations. Here are a few of our favorite displays outside of Tokyo.
Discover 'Hell' on Earth in Kyushu
Kyushu's Oita Prefecture is home to a collection of incredible onsen that are literally too hot to handle, and referred to collectively as the "Hells of Beppu."
Photographs of Snow Covered Tokyo
Japanese photographer Yusuke Komatsu's "Snow in Tokyo" series shows the beauty of Japan's huge metropolis on the rare occasions it receives snowfall.
Johnnie Walker Gets a Japan-Only Makeover
Johnnie Walker's premium Blue Label Scotch whisky is getting a Japan-only limited edition, with bottles so beautiful you might not want to open them.
Enjoy Flower Fun at the Tanto Tulip Festival
Every April the countryside town of Tanto in Hyogo Prefecture holds the Tanto Tulip Festival, which displays over one MILLION tulips of some 300 varieties.
Experience a New Hanami in Awesome Sakura Pool
This cool sakura-themed bar is set to open on March 22, 2019, which coincides with the predicted bloom date for cherry blossoms in Tokyo!
Celebrate 2019 Cherry Blossom Season with Coke
Coca-Cola Japan unveiled new sakura-themed bottles for cherry blossom season in 2019.
Top 4 Snow Festivals in Hokkaido 2020!
Check out our guide to Hokkaido’s biggest and best snow and ice festivals—perfect for making the most of the cold weather!
The First Cherry Blossom Forecast of 2019
Just 10 days into 2019, the Japan Meteorological Agency released their first forecast for the upcoming cherry blossom season!
Traverse the Natural Wonders of Kushiro Marsh
The Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko is a popular sightseeing train that chugs along at a leisurely pace through Hokkaido’s Kushiro Marsh from spring to early autumn.
The 70th Sapporo Snow Festival Kicks Off
The Sapporo Snow Festival is underway in Hokkaido, with more than 190 snow and ice sculptures on display around the city between February 4 to February 11.
Experience the Dance of the Golden Dragon
Twice a year in Asakusa, a golden dragon appears at Sensoji Temple...
An Ode to Oze National Park
Oze National Park is a paradise for hikers and nature lovers, one that offers new highlights every season!
Updated 2019 Cherry Blossom Forecast!
According to the latest forecast by the JMC, the first blooms are only a little over one month away!
Seasonal Fire Festival Drives Demons Away
300 people gather in Fukuoka to take part in the 1,000-year-old Onisube ritual to ward away demons like illness and disaster.
Men Bare Souls (& Bodies) for Good Fortune
This winter festival in Aomori sees a few dozen men strip down to pray for good health and a good harvest!
Lantern Festival Transforms Japanese City
The Nagasaki Lantern Festival gives the city an amazing ethereal atmosphere akin to Studio Ghibli's film "Spirited Away" for just a few nights every February.
Starbucks Japan's First Sakura Drink of 2019
Starbucks Japan is always looking for ways to help people drink in the sakura during hanami season—literally! Here's the first sakura-themed drink of 2019!
Capturing the Perfect Pink of Sakura
The pastel pink of Japan's cherry blossoms paints the country for nearly a month in spring. One artisan has spent years trying to capture this color from nature and use it to dye fabrics.
