Okinawa's Top 5 Wellness Oils: Nature's Best-kept Secrets
Introducing some lesser known essential oils of the island of Okinawa, where the locals have long known that health is a harmonic state of body, mind and spirit.
The Most Important Japanese Shine You've Never Heard Of
While Usa Jingu Shrine is the most prestigious shine of the Shinto religion after Ise Jingu Shrine, it is little known, even among many Japanese. But it is an important part of Japan's religious history, and gateway to the fascinating Kunisaki peninsula.
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.
Bamboo: the Secret to Takachiho’s Iconic Cuisine
The scenic valley of Takachiho in Miyazaki Prefecture is known for its bamboo cuisine. Here are three of the most popular dishes.
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.
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
How I Learned to Wield a Samurai Sword
Spending a few hours, or even a day, at Meihodo, a complex of Edo-style buildings and gardens in the Mt. Aso caldera of Kyushu's Kumamoto Prefecture, is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in samurai culture.
A Day Trip Exploring Japan's Feudal History in Mito City
The city of Mito is within easy access of Tokyo or Narita Airport, perfect for a day trip.
Making Herbal Tea at Oyakuen Medicine Garden
Herbs and other botanicals with healing properties have been used for medicinal purposes in Japan for centuries. I had a chance to learn more about the historical cultivation of such plants, and make my own blend for tea, at Oyaku-en in Aizu Wakamatsu.
Learning Japan's Ancient Horseback Archery
Yabusame is a traditional samurai martial, involving shooting an arrow at a target from the back of a horse galloping at full speed. I attempted to learn this in one day. And so can you.
In the Footsteps of Japan’s Yamabushi Ascetics
Visit this isolated village in central Japan for a glimpse of Japan's ancient ascetic traditions that are still being practiced today.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Nostalgic Trip to a Beloved Tokyo Neighborhood
The Shibamata neighborhood on the outskirts of Tokyo retains the essence of the city’s “everyman” past. An iconic films series has helped to preserve its charms.
Japan's Open Air Folk House Museum: Fascinating, Photogenic, Foreigner-Friendly
Historic homes and rural lifestyles are the focus of this sprawling outdoor museum near Tokyo.
Time Travel with Japan's "Warlord" Clocks
Tokyo's Daimyo Clock Museum showcases unique Japanese clocks and the old way of measuring time used in the Edo period.
Japan’s Ancient UFO: The Tale of Utsuro-bune
The utsuro-bune legend has has been a source of intrigue in Japan for over 200 years. Read on to discover what is behind the legend.
