Do's & Don'ts: Japanese New Year
Ringing in the New Year in Japan is an awesome experience, but it does come with some unique challenges. If you're going to be here over the winter holiday, find out what to expect!
The Intricate Detail of Kirie Paper Cutting
The Japanese artist Masayo Fukuda has practiced 'kirie,' the art of cutting pictures from paper, for over 25 years. Take a look at her self-proclaimed greatest masterpiece from 2018, an incredibly detailed octopus cut from a single piece of paper.
Tourists Flock for a Glimpse of Old Japan
Townscapes that preserve the atmosphere of Japan's yesteryear are attracting more international visitors than ever before.
8 Ways Japanese Christmas is Weird
Christmas is celebrated in different ways all around the world, but even looking beyond KFC and its status as a couples' night, Japan has picked up some traditions that warrant a few extra raised eyebrows.
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.
Omotenashi of English-Speaking Geisha in Kyoto
The “flower town” district of Gion in Kyoto is where geiko and maiko in glamorous kimono enchant people with their talents, elegance and grace. One geiko in particular shines through her use of two languages; a unique dialect of Japanese, and English.
New Wave Japanese Tea Shops in Tokyo
Although tea has always been a big deal in Japan, recently there's been a boom of new ways to enjoy it. Here are some new, modern shops in Tokyo that specialize in Japanese Tea!
Experience the Dance of the Golden Dragon
Twice a year in Asakusa, a golden dragon appears at Sensoji Temple...
Samurai Clean the Mean Streets of Tokyo
A trio of samurai armed with tongs perform as they fight to keep the streets of the metropolis free from litter.
6 Tohoku Festivals in 1!
Tohoku's Kizuna Festival takes place in one of its six prefectures every year in the hopes of a full recovery from the 2011 disasters.
Stay at a Machiya-Style Hostel in Kyoto
Utsuwa is a designer hostel in Kyoto that provides visitors with an affordable way to get an authentic, local experience in Japan's ancient capital!
5 Places to Experience Zen Meditation in Japan
Looking to get hands-on with some of Japan's oldest traditions? Zen meditation is a great way to practice mindfulness and relax, and there are plenty of great places around the country where visitors can enjoy it!
Where to Enjoy International Theater in Tokyo
Tokyo is chock-full of places were you can get your theatrical fix, even if you don't speak Japanese. With live performances, broadcasts, translated theater, non-verbal shows and improv groups, the options go on and on! Here's what you need to know...
The Downtown Osaka Onsen of your Dreams
The newly-opened Solaniwa Onsen Osaka Bay Tower is right in downtown Osaka, which means you can enjoy a luxurious soak on top of all the rest of the city's highlights!
ANA Amps Up Emergency Procedures with Kabuki
The Japanese airline ANA has upped their pre-flight safety game with videos that utilize an essential and unforgettable Japanese art.
Tokyo Capsule Hotel Can Help You Find Your Zen
ZenTokyo aims to fuse the capsule hotel experience with traditional Japanese tea house architecture, so that you can enjoy Zen-like tranquility while you catch your Zs.
Japan's First Foreign Female Shogi Pro
Traditional Japan Highlighting Japan
A chat with Karolina Styczynska, Japan's first professional foreign-born female shogi player.
Getting the Great Buddha Ready for Summer
Watch as Nara's Great Buddha, in Todai-ji Temple, gets cleaned before the Obon summer holiday.
Telling the Tales Behind Historical Sites
Historical Site World Heritage
World Heritage Site listings and the designation of Cultural Properties are primarily intended to protect sites. But Japan Heritage introduces the stories and historical context behind local Tangible and Intangible Cultural Properties.
Huge Hot Spring Theme Park Coming to Osaka
Customers will get to enjoy four floors of steamy hot baths, exquisite restaurants and fun activities right in the heart of Osaka!
