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 con...
Swede Peo Ekberg is a Fair Trade Leader in Japan
Working in Japan Sustainable Development Goals
The Director of One Planet Cafe shares his insights on Fair Trade and why it's a win-win for everyone.
A Perfect Weekend in Kobe
Kobe is Kansai's best-kept secret. Its foreign influence is a great attraction, while often overlooked is its ancient history and natural beauty. This guide sets you on track for a...
Japan's "Table" Sake Is Anything but Ordinary
Learn how to spot the treasures hidden in futsushu--the “table wine” of the sake world!
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 th...
Summer In Japan: Make Your Own Fruit Liqueur
A Step by Step Guide to Making Japanese Fruit Liqueur
Japanese Sword Expert Paul Martin and his "Demon Slayer" Project
Paul Martin is the first foreigner recognized as a Japanese sword expert by the Japanese Government and the first foreigner to be appointed as a trustee for a major Japanese sword...
Travel Back to Feudal Japan at this Private House Complex
NEOLD Private House is exactly what it says on the label: It’s new, it’s old, and it’s private. It’s also quite a bit more, as I discovered when I was lucky enough to stay there.
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 wher...
Learning to Make Japan's Most Durable Washi Paper
The Kaminosato Museum in Hitachiomiya has a gallery of products made with Nishinouchi Washi and offers workshops for visitors who want to try their hand at papermaking or learn mor...
Getting Your Matcha Fix in Tokyo
If you're a fan of tea's most intense flavors, then here is a list of places where you can get your fix of Japanese matcha tea. From the simple to the fancy, these places will sati...
7 Must-Visit Spots in and around Matsue
Experience Japan's rich culture and history without the crowds of major tourist destinations in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture.
Delicious Wagyu in Japan’s Volcanic Heartland
Known for its smoldering craters, Aso also offers an exotic stop-over for the gourmand seeking to experience the best Japanese ingredients.
Ketchup and Cabbages: In Search of Japan’s Most Unusual Monuments
Should there be a monument to cabbages? How about eyeglasses? Well they already exist in Japan, along with many other unusual tributes.
Warrior Portfolio: From “An Illustrated Guide to Samurai History and Culture”
With the vividly illustrated pages of this new book, author Gavin Blair takes a deep dive into depictions of the legendary samurai warrior class.
Meet One of Tokyo's Coolest Neighborhoods: Meguro
Coffee culture, antiques . . . even a Pig Cafe: Tokyo's Meguro is definitely worth a train stop.
The Perfect Weekend Tour of Fukuoka City
A long-time resident shares her knowledge of mouth-watering local food spots, great shopping and open green space in one of Japan's most fascinating regional capitals.
Spend a Memorable Night at Nintendo's Former Headquarters
Nintendo's old headquarters, first built in 1930, has been renovated, revamped and turned into a hotel!
Five Otaku Things to Do at Japan’s Nijigen no Mori Theme Park
There’s plenty to keep you busy at the eclectic Nijigen no Mori Theme Park on Awaji Island.
Highway to the Gods: In the Footsteps of Oyama Pilgrims
Mt. Oyama, a peak to the southwest of Tokyo, has long been the goal of pilgrims eager to pay their respects to the gods. Today, visitors can follow in their footsteps on a short, f...
