All About Japan All About Japan

Fresh start every Monday!

7 Matcha Sweets to Die for in Kyoto!

Love matcha? Then you have to try these seven unique sweets from seven hot Kyoto shops!

9 Unconventional Burgers We Wish Were Back

Though these unique Japanese burgers came and went as quickly as the seasons, we'd be happy to see them make a comeback!

Light Festival in Kyoto's Shimogamo Shrine

Enjoy a brilliant light festival in 'Tadasu no Mori' at Shimogamo Shrine!

Top 10 Best Ryokan of Japan

If you're looking for traditional Japanese-style lodging, look no further than these ten Japanese inns.

5 Things You Should Know about Kiyomizu Temple

From Kiyomizu's amazing architectural feats to the meaning behind its name, there are a few interesting facts about this famous Kyoto temple you might want to know before you visit!

Daimon-ji Festival & Floating Lantern Tour

Spend your summer the Kyoto way by participating in two traditional summer events with great cultural significance!

Top 5 Green Tea Parfaits in Kyoto

While the Kyoto area is known for its green tea, why not take it to the next level with a green tea parfait?

5 Can't-Miss Hikes Around Kansai

The Kansai region is famous for its tasty food, historic sights and fun dialect, but this amazing area also boasts plenty of awe-inspiring hikes.

Toro Nagashi: Floating Lanterns for the Dead

'Toro nagashi' is a ceremony in which paper lanterns are released into the water, typically floating down rivers to guide the spirits of the dead back to the other world.

Gion Matsuri: A Party Worthy of the Gods

Held throughout the entire month of July, Kyoto's Gion Matsuri is the most famous festival in all of Japan.

4 Phrases to Help You Speak 'Kansai-Ben'

Speak like a local in Osaka, Kyoto or Kobe with these four simple phrases from the Kansai Dialect.

4 Incredible Summer Fire Festivals

These incredible events are sure to get you fired up about summertime in Japan!

Transform Tableware into a 5-Story Pagoda

What better way to dish out your homemade Japanese food than to serve it on dishes designed to look like Japanese-style architecture?

Hike the Mackerel Highway

Back in the day, getting ocean fish to Kyoto was back-breaking work. You can still hike the 1,300-year-old path that brought mackerel to the ancient capital.

The Oldest Paper Company in Japan

Founded in 771, Genda Shigyo makes 'mizuhiki,' the multicolored cords used to decorate envelopes for weddings, funerals and other major life events.

54 Fun Things to Do in Japan!

Japan is filled with quirky and fun bucket-list-worthy things to do, with countless sights, shrines, parks, gardens, restaurants, museums and neighborhoods to explore. Here are the 54 fun things to do in Japan!

Saiho-ji: Kyoto's Rainy Season Gem

The rainy season brings gray clouds and inclement weather to Kyoto each June, but all that moisture leaves Saiho-ji moss temple glimmering like an emerald!

No Need to Wait for These Noodles to Cool Down

At the Tempura Matsu restaurant you can slurp on noodles chilling in ice cubs, or bite into translucent crab rice.

Cool Off by the River & Order Some Drinks

If you find yourself needing a pick-me-up, yet still wanting to take in the views of Kyoto, stop by this Starbucks café!

Step into a Japanese Classroom at This Izakaya

With themed rooms and waiters who act as teachers and nurses, you’ll never want to leave elementary school again!

know-before-you-go