Geisha in Kyoto Prepare for New Year
Geisha in Kyoto's Gion district begin their traditional New Year’s rituals. Click to learn more about the <i>koto hajime</i> ritual.
Mixed Reactions Over End of State of Emergency
People in Osaka, Hyogo and Kyoto in western Japan where the coronavirus state of emergency was lifted show mixed reactions over the move.
Kyoto's Top 5 Photogenic Temples & Sanctuaries
Kyoto is full of jaw-dropping and historic temples, so narrowing down a list to only five was quite the challenge! Our friends at Trip101 present Kyoto's top 5 photogenic temples!
Kyoto’s Top 5 Photogenic Shrines
Take in the rich history and culture when you make a visit at Kyoto's top 5 photogenic shrines!
Takeda Castle Floating in the Sky
Thanks to a natural phenomenon, the ruins of Takeda Castle (in Hyogo Prefecture) often appear to be floating in the sky!
All-Star Kabuki at Kyoto's Minamiza Theatre
Yearly Kabuki event "Kaomise Kogyo," a series of plays with several famous performers in the cast, has begun at Minamiza Theatre in Kyoto.
Osaka's Incredible Danjiri Kishiwada Festival
Nippon TV takes a behind-the-scenes look at Osaka's high-speed Kishiwada Danjiri Festival.
Wheelchairs for Dogs Rolling out in Osaka
A couple in Osaka is making custom-built wheelchairs for handicapped dogs.
Crowning This Year's 'Luckiest Man in Japan'
Men from around Japan take part in a race at Nishinomiya Shrine in a bid to become this year’s "Luckiest Man."
Kemari: Japan’s Ancient Ball Game
People in Kyoto are reenacting an ancient type of Japanese football that was played by nobles centuries ago.
Marvelously Modern Metal Company's Work Space
Located in one of Japan’s industrial hubs of Osaka is Nakanishi Metal Works, a company that manufactures metal components. And it's about time the 95-year-old metalworking company got a makeover of its own.
Fushimi: Come to the Shrine, Stay for the Sake
Most famous for the iconic Fushimi Inari shrine, Kyoto’s Fushimi district is also one of Japan’s top sake-producing regions. Be sure to make the most of your visit by taking a look around its historic brewing district. Kanpai!
A Taste of the Kumanokodo Pilgrimage
Join the runAway Japan team as they take on the Magose Toge Trail, the most popular portion of the UNESCO-recognized Kumanokodo Pilgrimage.
Japan's State of Emergency: What Does It Mean?
If you were thinking of traveling to Japan, there are new restrictions to heed.
Ghosn’s Escape from Japan: How Did He Do It?
The details of how former Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn escaped from Japan in violation of his bail have emerged, and it's a pretty unbelievable story!
Kyoto Ducklings' Annual Temple to River Trip
Ducklings born at a temple in Kyoto move to a nearby river in what has become an annual event. The move has become an annual event since a pair of ducks came to the temple and had babies in a pond 15 years ago.
State of Emergency Will Not Disrupt Services
Japan declares a state of emergency, but it will be business as usual for public infrastructure, major banks, and convenience stores.
New Osaka Louis Vuitton Resembles Sailing Ship
On February 1, 2020, Louis Vuitton opened its new Osaka Midosuji store. Although not necessarily a flagship, it certainly resembles a sailing ship!
Tokyo & Osaka Among Top 3 World Safest Cities
"The Economist" published the latest iteration of its Safe Cities Index, which ranks 60 major urban centers from around the globe. Asia-Pacific metropolises had a strong showing in 2019, accounting for six of the top 10 slots and sweeping the top three.
The Most Luxurious 13-Layer Green Tea Parfait
Nakamura Tokichi is a popular Japanese specialty tea store and café serving high-quality green tea sweets, and if you're a true green tea connoisseur, you need to try the Ginza-exclusive 13-layer Premium Maruto Parfait.
