20,000 Bamboo Lanterns Light Up Oita
As the sun set on Taketa City last month, tourists and locals alike gathered together near the Oka Castle ruins to be amazed by the Chikuraku Festival.
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.
Toshogu Shrine: Lavish Tomb of Tokugawa Ieyasu
Nikko's top attraction, UNESCO World Heritage Site Toshogu Shrine, also serves as the extravagantly embellished tomb of historical shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, ruler of Japan for over 250 years.
Explore the Sumo World at Kokugikan Street
The best place to experience authentic sumo wrestler culture is at Kokugikan Street in Ryogoku. You can learn about sumo wrestling, watch a sumo match, and even eat like a sumo wrestler.
Imperial Couple Visits Ise Jingu
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako visit Ise Jingu Shinto shrine to mark the completion of enthronement ceremonies including November's Daijosai.
Henro: A Mystical Pilgrimage Through Shikoku
Learn more about the Henro, a sacred pilgrimage that takes travelers deep into the heart of Japan's smallest island, Shikoku.
Meguro River Cherry Blossom Viewing
Enjoy Tokyo's most acclaimed cherry blossom viewing destination where you can see beauty in its highest form at day or night, but only for a couple weeks in spring.
Asakusa's Sanja Matsuri Carrying on Tradition
Join a party of 1.8 million people in this giant festival in the third week of May that parades through the streets of Asakusa.
