Hanagasa Matsuri: Grab Your Flower Hat!
While Yamagata Prefecture may be locally known as the land of cherries, it's also home to a rather unique flower hat festival!
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!
Stay in 'Real Japan' at this Traditional Home
If you want to set foot in 'real Japan,' the ideal accommodation is waiting for you in Inami, a small rustic town in Toyama Prefecture where more than 200 active carvers chisel wood.
Enter the 'Womb' of Mount Fuji
This system of caves beneath the surface of Mount Fuji are believed to represent the womb of Konohana Sakuya-hime, the goddess of the mountain. And you can climb right inside!
The 5 Biggest Snow Festivals in Tohoku
Check out Tohoku's Five Great Snow Festivals and see how the region's long history of culture and tradition brings the frozen to life!
TripAdvisor's Top 10 Ryokan of 2017
Looking for a more traditional place to stay in Japan? Well, look no further than this listing from TripAdvisor!
Shrine Maidens Turned Off-Road Racing Queens
Shrines , Japanese Commercials
In this newest commercial from Toyo Tires, these girls literally drive away ogres during Japan’s annual Setsubun bean-throwing festival.
360° VR Video Transports You to Japan
Swish the camera around and take a virtual tour of famous sightseeing spots as if you were in Japan, all in the comfort of your own home.
Japan vs. China — Preserving Traditional Roots
Japan and China share traditional roots, but Japan preserves those roots to the present day.
Capturing Tohoku's Summer Passion
In 2017, All About Japan sent a team up to Tohoku to capture some this northern region's summer vibe. From its craggy coasts and crater lakes to plunging falls and samurai festivals, there was plenty of energy to go around!
Togawa Oshi House: Lodging for Fuji Pilgrims
'Oshi' houses traditionally provided lodging for worshippers preparing to ascend Mount Fuji. Reaching their peak in the 19th century, a number of these houses can still be seen in Kamiyoshida in Yamanashi Prefecture.
5 Reasons to Visit Tohoku in Summer
Life in Japan , Summer in Tohoku
Summer is the season where things really heat up in Japan's northern region of Tohoku. Here's why you definitely don't want to miss it!
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!
Students Get Choices For Their Uniform
One brand new middle school is letting students of any gender wear whatever uniform components they feel comfortable in out of consideration to LGBT+ youths.
Drink With Geisha For an Affordable Price
Foreign guests welcome at lobby lounge function that sidesteps the cost and pretense of orthodox geisha services.
Zuzuya: Ink Talismans at a Fuji Pilgrim's Inn
With a history of some 400 years, Zuzuya is one of only two pilgrim's lodgings in Kamiyoshida still offering rooms to Fuji worshippers preparing to climb their sacred mountain. It's also a great spot to make an ink talisman from an Edo Period wood block!
16 Authentic 'Japan' Experiences around Tokyo
How do you get an 'authentic Japan' experience in the Tokyo area? It depends on what you mean by 'authentic,' and what you mean by 'Japan!' Here are 16 'real Japan' options around Tokyo, running the gamut from the very old to the very new!
Kaya no Sato: Life in Thatch
This association on the edge of Mount Fuji is working to preserve the thatching techniques needed to preserve many of Japan's historic structures, including the 'praying hands' houses of Shirakawa-go.
Global Stars Shine Light on Tohoku-Made Goods
Yamagata casting is considered one of the national treasures among traditional Japanese crafts, as seen on the TV program 'Streets to Tohoku and Hokkaido, Japan.' But thanks to online shopping, you don't have to fly to Japan to own a piece of history.
Traditions in Tokushima
Join our writer Nick down in Shikoku as he takes a deeper look at some of Tokushima Prefecture's most enduring pieces of history.
