Bamboo: the Secret to Takachiho’s Iconic Cuisine
The scenic valley of Takachiho in Miyazaki Prefecture is known for its bamboo cuisine. Here are three of the most popular dishes.
Tokyo's Coolest Farmers Market: A Sustainable Community at UN University
Food & Drink Local Creators' Market
Tokyo's largest farmers market is a hub for regional produce, tasty street food . . . and ideas for building a better future
The Shonan Coast's Best Brew Pubs and Taprooms
The scenic stretch of shoreline just southwest of Tokyo has become a significant center for craft beer. Here are some of the best.
Tokyo's 10 Best Outdoor Dining Spots
Noted food critic Robbie Swinnerton picks his favorite places in Tokyo where you can enjoy the outdoors and dine extremely well.
Japan's Amazing DIY Superstores: From Cheap Urban Farming to Building a Home
Information Local Creators' Market
DIY has always been big in Japan. Now a number of stores cater to the creative in all of us, whether its gardening, interior renovation, crafts or even building your own house.
The Nada District: Historic Gateway to Japanese Sake
The sake brewing district of Nada, 30 minutes from central Kobe or Osaka, is Japan's top sake-producing region with 25 breweries, over a dozen of which welcome visitors. Exploring Nada is a great way to learn about and taste Japan's most famous drink!
The Perfect Weekend in Okayama
One of a series of Perfect Weekends in Japanese cities. Lovers of art, food, history, and nature will all find something to help them spend a fantastic weekend in Okayama.
Kumamon Invites You to The Perfect Weekend in Kumamoto City
A insider's guide to the perfect weekend in this vibrant and fascinating city, home to Kumamon, the celebrity character.
Tokyo Midtown Yaesu: The City's Trendy New Dining/Shopping Spot
This new complex boasts high-end shops, gastronomic delights, prime office space and the first Japan outpost of Bulgaria Hotel.
My Bucket List of 5 Favorite Tokyo Restaurants
Food critic Robbie Swinnerton picks five restaurants from the thousands of places he's covered in his years as food writer for the Japan Times. The selection includes sushi, tonkatsu, soba and more . . .
Great Kansai Craft Beer Breweries and Taprooms
The Kansai region of central Japan is enjoying a craft beer boom. Here is a six-pack selection of some of the best local breweries and taprooms.
All About Japan’s Top Five Tea-Producing Regions
Japanese tea, well-known worldwide for its delicate taste and health benefits, hails primarily from five Japanese prefectures. Get to know their different characteristics.
Three of Japan's Wine Regions You Need to Visit
With around 350 wineries now scattered across Japan, crafting a travel itinerary around some of them is a wonderful way to experience the country. Exploring three of Japan’s most celebrated wine regions.
5 Great Tokyo Cocktail Bars
Tokyo is known for its vibrant cocktail scene, with numerous bars offering unique and creative drink experiences. Here is our expert’s list of the city’s top 5 bars!
Sweet, Sour, and Everything In Between: The Aromatic World of Japanese Citrus
Get a primer on Japanese citrus beforeWith over a hundred varieties grown throughout the country today, citrus has plenty of uses in Japan, from fruit snacks to alcoholic drinks.your next trip to the supermarket!
Tokyo's Yokocho: Great Alleyways Old and New
Yokocho are backstreets and alleyways lined with drinking dens, taverns and restaurants, and Tokyo has a number of them, both classic and modern.
Recent Non-Fiction Books About Japan That You Must Read
Looking for your next great read about Japan? Here's a selection of some of the best non-fiction books—from memoirs to culinary explorations—published in the 2020s.
Hakko Department: One-Stop Shop for All Things Fermented in Trendy Shimokitazawa
How one man is aiming to change the world with Japan's fermentation culture.
Tokyo's Best Afternoon Tea Spots
Don your best frock and put your pinkies up! Here are some of the best places to have afternoon tea in Tokyo.
This Sushi Ambassador Promotes Japanese Culture
Matsunozushi is a historic sushi shop located near Tokyo’s Omori-Kaigan Station. From behind the counter, its fourth-generation chef Yoshinori Tezuka can explain in detail about the sources of the ingredients and the food preparation methods.
