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Discover the Beauty of Tohoku

Japan's northeastern Tohoku region offers the comforts of refreshing nature, beautiful scenery and time-tested traditions—concentrating the best of Japan into a single incredible area!

Light Festival in Kyoto's Shimogamo Shrine

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

9 Tips for Surviving Crowded Trains

Trains in Japan can become extremely packed—to the point where they feel like they're bursting at the seams! But if you follow these tips, you'll learn how to ride those crowded trains like a pro!

Explore Kyushu on a Sightseeing Train

There are many sightseeing trains in Kyushu, with a wide variety of entertaining events going on in the trains and around the stations. We'll show you how to have much more fun than just looking out the window!

20 Meters of Snow in Toyama

Every spring, 30-ton snow cutters carve through some of the deepest snow accumulations in the world to create the Snow Wall, or 'Yuki-no-Otani.'

Visiting 5 Landmarks of Haruki Murakami

Explore five Hanshin-area locations that appear as settings in Haruki Murakami's novels, as well as the landmarks of his life.

Get the Best Seats on the Shinkansen

Japanese bullet trains, or Shinkansen, offer three types of seats for your traveling ease. Check this out for a helpful description of each as you plan your next train trip around Japan!

Top 10 Best Ryokan of Japan

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

7 Great Train Passes to Save Money on Transit

There are a number of passes you can buy to get unlimited transit in popular tourist areas. Here are seven great picks, with a focus on the Tokyo and Kyoto areas!

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!

Tottori's Amazing Sand Sculpture Museum

Picture the Sapporo Snow Festival, just a little sandier.

16 Superb Views Found in Kyushu

Introducing the natural landscapes and gorgeous harmony you'll find only in Kyushu!

6 Sublime Views in Tohoku

The northeast region of Honshu, Tohoku, is a destination for all seasons. If you're looking to see nature at its finest, head north!

6 Geothermal Days in the 'Land of Fire'

Spend a day hugging the edge of one of the world's largest calderas, meander through eight boiling 'hells,' let yourself get buried in steaming hot sand, and even visit Hello Kitty—there's an incredible array of things to be done in Kyushu!

Embracing the Warmth of Tohoku in Hachinohe

My journey to northern Japan led to an immersion in the rich culture and hospitality of the residents and regions of Hachinohe, Aomori.

Akita Nairiku Line: Winter Wonderland by Rail

Through the heavy Akita snowfall, a train with one or two cars makes its way across bridges that span deep valleys and through tunnels that burrow into the heart of the mountains of the region.

All About Gachapon

Get all the info you need to understand Japan's popular capsule toy machines.

Merry Melodies for Train Departures

After taking into account suggestions from the public, Tokyo Metro has finally settled on some J-Pop jingles for train departures.

Japan's First Hedgehog Café has Arrived!

You can now add hedgehogs to the list of cute animals to visit on your next trip to the Japanese capital.

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