World Bonsai Convention in Saitama
The World Bonsai Convention returns to Japan for the first time in 28 years.
Meet a Giant Panda at Kobe Oji Zoo!
Kobe has plenty of tourist attractions, but how many people know where to meet a panda face-to-face in the city?
Japan's Oldest Theme Park: Asakusa Hanayashiki
Asakusa is about more than just Senso-ji Temple—Japan's oldest theme park is right in the area! You'll be surprised by what this quirky, classic park has to offer!
Hikone Castle: A National Treasure at 410
2017 marks the 410th birthday of Hikone Castle, one of just 12 remaining original-construction castles in Japan. Join us as we take a look inside!
Tokyo Marathon: From Start to Finish
Runners from all corners of the globe come to participate in the Tokyo Marathon in February each year. In 2016, AAJ contributor Jinichi Segawa set out to run the course with camera in hand.
Kobe Luminarie 2016
The Kobe Luminarie is held every year to commemorate the victims of the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995.
Tokyo Midtown Starlight Garden 2016
2016 marks the 10th year of the Starlight Garden illumination event at Tokyo Midtown, where you can catch a visualization of the Big Bang created by 180,000 LED lights!
5 Pro Tips for Great Autumn Shots
Assessing the lighting and composition while capitalizing on your camera’s functions will enable you to take impressive shots of autumn leaves.
The Big Catch is Cutlassfish
Delicious to eat and fun for anglers on the lookout for something with more than a bit of heft, cutlassfish are a great target for fishing enthusiasts!
Hiroshima Has Pennant Fever!
For the first time in 25 years, the Hiroshima Carp have won the Central League title. It's a long-awaited reward for a city that has had an abiding love affair with these red-capped champions.
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.
3 Old-Timey Snacks with Special Prizes
Who doesn't love finding a prize in their candy box? These classic Japanese snacks and sweets give you a chance to find everything from toys to baseball cards!
Experience the Fervor of High School Baseball!
The National High School Baseball Championship—better known as Koshien—isn't just a tournament for high school students. It's a nationally beloved summer tradition that can also open a direct door to the big leagues!
Nagasaki Champon — A Different Kind of Ramen
Dating back to the Meji Period (1868-1912), Nagasaki 'champon' ramen is a special twist on ramen that has now spread all throughout Japan!
Go for a Home Run at a Batting Center in Japan
Whether you're an aspiring pro or just looking for a way to erase stress from your day, why not give one of Japan's ubiquitous batting centers a try!
How to Do Same-Day Sumo
With its popularity resurgent, sumo tickets are getting harder to come by. But did you know there's always a set of tickets set aside for same-day purchase? Here's how to get them!
Can You Survive Aomori's Summer Stove Train?
Looking for a steamy train experience? Head up to Aomori for a stove train that's heated to 50°C in the middle of summer!
Gruesome Floats from the Neputa Festival!
Hirosaki's Neputa Festival is known for its gigantic, illuminated floats. But did you ever notice the gruesome details hidden in the art?
See Samurai Up Close—On Horseback!
Samurai aren't just in the movies! The spirit of the samurai lives on at the Soma-Nomaoi festival, featuring a horde of armored warriors on horseback!
Yokokan Teien: A Splendid Secret Garden
One of the three best Japanese gardens as selected by the U.S.-based Sukiya Living Magazine (The Journal of Japanese Gardening), this is a pleasant gem hidden in Fukui City.
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