'Undo-kai': Sports Day
The opening ceremony of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics was held on October 10, which in 1966 became a national public holiday known as Health and Sports Day. Many schools hold athletic events and sports meets on this day.
Curious About Buddhist Cuisine?
Temples & Shrines Healthy Japanese Food
If you've ever wanted to try 'Shojin Ryori' and experience the way monks eat in Japan, we know just the place!
Tofu: The Hard (& Soft) Facts
Japanese Food Healthy Japanese Food
Ready to become an expert on the white, fluffy deliciousness that is tofu?
The Power of Soybeans
Deeper Japan Healthy Japanese Food
Soybeans are one of the most-used plants in Japan, with countless recipes calling on one or several soy products. Here are 10 things made from soybeans you'll surely encounter while you're in Japan.
Ichinoyu Ryokan: The Hot Choice for Hakone
The Ichinoyu Group's Japanese-style inns, or 'ryokan,' can be found throughout the Hakone area, offering half a dozen luxuriously different ways to experience this famed hot spring region. Find out why they're hot, and which one suits you best!
Geisha & Handicraft Experiences in Hakone
Looking for things to do around Hakone? If you want to get into traditional Japanese culture, two popular activities are geisha performances and traditional local handicrafts.
All About the Hanshin Tigers
Tokyo may have the Giants, but nothing beats a game with the Hanshin Tigers! With a rivalry as famous as the Yankees and Red Sox, the Tigers have been around almost as long as the Giants and their games and fans are a sight to behold.
US vs. Japan: 6 Key Halloween Differences
What's the difference between Halloween in the U.S. and Halloween in Japan? Grace and Ryosuke from Texan in Tokyo give us the grisly goods!
The Meiji Restoration in Kitakyushu
Learn all about the Meiji Restoration in the city of Kitakyushu.
A Day at the Sumo
Like visiting Kyoto, climbing Mount Fuji and catching a Japanese baseball game, watching a live sumo match is one of those things that 'must be done' while in Japan.
A New Wave of Folk Music
Breathing new life into traditional Japanese folk music, Aragehonji has a unique take on Japanese music.
9 Classic Yugawara Ryokan with Private Baths
Traditional 'ryokan' (Japanese-style inns) are the epitome classical of Japan, and they're the backbone of the hot spring town of Yugawara. Here are nine great picks in Yugawara, each with a private bath!
Cursed Swords on Display at Kuwana Museum
Don’t forget to purify your soul before heading to this museum’s display of samurai swords that were designed to do just one thing: kill.
The Rise of Halloween in Japan
How did Halloween go from an unknown word to a month-long festival of freaky fun all over Japan?
The Past and Future of Japanese Sports
Professor Lee Thompson examines how media narratives have shaped the public’s view of Japanese athletics from the postwar period to the present.
8 Things You Didn't Know About Sports in Japan
How often does a sumo wrestler wash his loincloth?
A Traditional Twist on Nintendo Characters
Mario, Pokémon, Link, Star Fox and more are brought to life artistically through the same process used 200 years ago.
Cosplay as Samurai & Walk through Kamakura
When you visit Kamakura, you can not only look like a samurai—you can also eat like one!
5 Cool Events at the Nagasaki Kunchi Festival
While the festival itself is well known in Japan, even most Japanese people aren't familiar with the various performances to be seen at Nagasaki's raucous Kunchi Festival.
The Coexistence of Old & New
One unique aspect of Japan is to respect traditional culture and let it grow alongside new customs in today’s society. And Kamakura is a great place to see both.
