All About Japan

Enjoy Seaside & Flowers in Ibaraki

Sakura season may be over, but the floral fun is just beginning at Hitachi Seaside Park, where the Nemophila are already in bloom for 2018!

Japan's Top Music Festivals

Summer is upon us, and that means one thing—the country is rocking with a wide variety of awesome music festivals!

Bungee Jumping into Adulthood

Some of Japan’s new adults celebrate their coming of age this year with bungee jumping.

Where to Avoid the Crowds Near Tokyo

Tokyo may be one of the busiest cities on the planet, but veer slightly beyond the prefectural borders and you'll find all sorts of less-charted regions, free from the crowds.

Learning Japan's Ancient Horseback Archery

Yabusame is a traditional samurai martial, involving shooting an arrow at a target from the back of a horse galloping at full speed. I attempted to learn this in one day. And so can you.

Take Your Prefectural Pride on the Road

These stylish license plates feature iconic imagery from prefectures throughout Japan, so you can show off your prefectural pride every time you hit the road!

13 Places to Paraglide in Japan

There are over a dozen places where you can paraglide across Japan. Most are located in the central regions, but there are also paragliding options in Hokkaido and the southern islands if you know where to look!

Japan's Fabulous Fall Colors Guide by Month

Forget cherry blossom season, fall is the best time to visit Japan and enjoy the scenery! From September to December, check out the best spots to visit to experience the burst of color.

The World’s Stinkiest Flowers Bloom in Ibaraki

Japan is known for many clean, delicious and tantalizing smells, but Tsukuba Botanical Garden just bloomed a 2-meter tall corpse flower, titan arum, that gives off a foul odor.

5 First-Time Family Trips in 5 Prefectures

Tokyo is not the only best thing about Japan. Japan has 47 prefectures, each possessing a unique charm of its own. For families exploring outside of Tokyo for the first time, here are some tips for trips to take in five different prefectures.

4.5 Million Flowers Keep This Park Blue

Even if you missed the cherry blossoms, you can still catch the powdered blue fields of Hitachi Seaside in Ibaraki.

Muji Huts Are Back & Ready for Purchase

Previously only available to other businesses, these tiny Muji homes can now be purchased by anyone.

Things to Do on 5 Key Japanese Holidays

Japan has a worldwide reputation as a workaholic nation. But little do people know that Japan offers days off on holidays that don't exist anywhere else in the world. Here are some ideas for things to explore on those days!

13 Budget-Friendly Tokyo Day Trips

When we say budget-friendly, we mean it! All of these trips will cost less than ¥5,000 round-trip on Japan's extensive railway network, and will show off another unique aspect of the country.

Introducing Flood-Resistant Floating Homes

A Japanese homebuilder has developed a house that floats during flooding as a measure to prevent permanent structural damage.

Enjoy Hitachi Seaside Park From Home

Hitachi Seaside Park contains some of the country's most beautiful flower fields, especially in spring. While spring viewing season was put on hold due to COVID-19, the park has created online tours to let viewers gaze at the beautiful blooms from home!

Japan's Top 10 Aquariums

As an island nation, Japan’s history and culture are tied to the sea and the animals within. To get a good glimpse of the deep blue from dry land, check out the Top 10 aquariums scattered across the country!

Diamond Route Japan Shows Off Hidden Treasures

This stunning video tourism project will leave you ready to plan your next trip north of Tokyo!

Japan’s 8 Most Gorgeous Ryokan Hot Springs

The central feature of a traditional Japanese inn—or 'ryokan'—is the communal hot bath.

A Day Trip Exploring Japan's Feudal History in Mito City

The city of Mito is within easy access of Tokyo or Narita Airport, perfect for a day trip.

know-before-you-go