Calm Comfort: A Temple Stay at a Zenkoji Shukubo
Certain temples around Japan offer accommodation to pilgrims and other guests who would like to experience a slower, quieter encounter with the country's spiritual heritage.
Get Thunderstruck at a Sumo Training Session
Japan’s titans of the ring live and train at roughly 40 sumo stables, with the majority located in Tokyo. A visit to one of these grappling incubators will give you a closeup look at how these giants train and what their lives are like.
The Wisdom of Wood: Why Japan’s Old Farmhouses Matter More Than Ever
A look at the traditional farmhouses now commonly called kominka—“old folk dwellings”—a name that underscores their age. They were built for living, working, and passing knowledge from one generation to the next.
Exploring Traditional Japanese Elegance Through Seiko Presage
A journey that links the bustling heart of Tokyo with a small community on the city’s mountainous western fringe reveals the story of a pioneering watch company and the traditional artisanship that helped inspire one of its latest collections.
Chiba's Secret: Unspoiled Beaches and Lush Forest Hills
Not far from Tokyo's Narita Airport, Chiba's east coast is a beautiful area of beaches, forests and unique accommodations.
Awaji Island Blue: Cycling Japan's Island Birthplace
Awaji Island is an ideal cycling destination located in Japan's picturesque Inland Sea. It is the legendary birthplace of Japan, and present home to a grassroots movement that includes indigo dyers, farm-to-table restauranteurs, unique local potters, and friendly cafes.
Kobe's Ijinkan: An Eclectic European Enclave
The city of Kobe's Ijinkan-gai (foreigners' house district) is a hillside neighborhood featuring European-style houses built for foreign residents more than a century ago. They are now a prime tourist destination for history and architecture buffs.
Steeped in Tradition: The Tea Culture of Shigaraki
Shigaraki, renowned for its pottery, is also the home of one of Japan's oldest tea-growing traditions. Meet two dedicated tea producers who honor centuries-old methods while embracing innovation in cultivation, marketing and brewing. Discover how Shigaraki’s rich tea culture continues to thrive—and how you can experience it firsthand.
