Japan's Vaccination Drive Is Underway
Japan began its coronavirus vaccination drive on February 17, starting with frontline medical workers. The central and local governments and medical workers are coordinating efforts to that end.
How I Learned to Wield a Samurai Sword
Spending a few hours, or even a day, at Meihodo, a complex of Edo-style buildings and gardens in the Mt. Aso caldera of Kyushu's Kumamoto Prefecture, is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in samurai culture.
Closures Over COVID Continue in Japan
An increasing number of businesses across Japan permanently close their doors amid the ongoing coronavirus epidemic.
Ticket Holders React to Olympics Announcement
People abroad who have tickets to the Tokyo Olympics express understanding over the Japanese government’s plan not to allow spectators from overseas to visit and take in the competition at venues.
Making Herbal Tea at Oyakuen Medicine Garden
Herbs and other botanicals with healing properties have been used for medicinal purposes in Japan for centuries. I had a chance to learn more about the historical cultivation of such plants, and make my own blend for tea, at Oyaku-en in Aizu Wakamatsu.
Pilgrimage Temples & Sake Brewers Join Forces
Buddhist temples that are part of the Shikoku Pilgrimage and local sake makers in southwestern Japan cooperate to overcome difficulties they face amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Drone Captures Pair of Humpback Whales
Drone footage was able to pick up a pair of humpback whales swimming off coast of Okinawa Prefecture.
The Road Less Traveled in Tohoku
Yet the sheer size of Tohoku means that there are still plenty of discoveries to be made. On this trip, I set out to explore some lesser-known wonders in Miyagi, Iwate, and Aomori Prefectures.
Olympics Torch Kickoff Won't Allow Spectators
Sources reveal that the kickoff ceremony of the Olympics torch relay will be held without spectators.
“Chibafornia” : Japan’s hottest surfing coast
Chiba’s Pacific coast was chosen as the very first site for Olympic surfing for some perfectly good reasons: its surfing culture, its location not far from Tokyo, and very consistent waves.
A Visit to Japan's Keith Haring Collection
The only museum in the world dedicated to the works of Keith Haring, the legendary king of 1980's New York City street art, is is nestled in the forests of Yamanashi Prefecture.
Super Mario Arrives at USJ!
The Super Nintendo World featuring Mario and related characters opens at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka following two postponements due to the coronavirus.
25 Best Things To Do In Sapporo, Japan
Hokkaido's cultural, political, and economic center attracts millions of visitors every year. Here's a list of the 10 best things to do in Sapporo, Japan.
Vaccination of 40,000 Medical Workers Underway
Pfizer vaccines arrive in hospitals in Tokyo ahead of inoculation which is set to start on February 17.
Discover Gems of Japan in the Mount Fuji Area
Mount Fuji peeks between high-rises across the Greater Tokyo Area. Though magnificent even from afar, the sacred mountain begs a closer look! One of the best ways to explore it is by roaming around Shizuoka, Yamanashi, and Kanagawa prefectures.
Train Services to End Earlier in Greater Tokyo
Railway companies serving the greater Tokyo area move up the times of their last train amid the state of emergency over the coronavirus.
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Restoration Update
World Heritage Hiroshima Peace Memorial
The press got to see the interior of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial that has been undergoing preservation work since last September. The structure is a symbol of the devastation of the 1945 atomic bombing of the western Japanese city.
New Library Dedicated to Haruki Murakami
Everything you want to know about author Haruki Murakami's new Kengo Kuma-designed, Uniqlo-funded library
Snowshoe Adventures in Japan’s Powder Snow
Looking for a way to enjoy Japan’s winter wonderland besides skiing? Snowshoe trekking offers you the freedom to leave the trails and explore Japan’s unspoiled mountain landscapes.
The Perfect Weekend in the City of Niigata
The first of a series introducing a local insider’s ideal weekend in their home town.
