While many people spend the majority of their Japan holiday time in Tokyo, most don’t realize that there are a whole host of amazing attractions they’ve never heard of just a train ride away. Ibaraki is only around two hours north-east of Tokyo and it’s packed with culture and nature, and some incredible spots that […]
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Saying goodbye to the Heisei era – what happened and why it’s significant
Today marks the final day of the Heisei era in Japan. It’s a rainy day here in Tokyo, which some might say is a shame, but in a way it’s the perfect ending – a nice excuse to slow down, stay indoors and reflect on the occasion. Era names assigned to periods of time have […]
5 Reasons you Should Visit the Sanriku Coast of Iwate in 2019
If you’re looking for the perfect place for a little Japanese seaside getaway with great food, a dramatic coastline and the friendliest locals, the Sanriku coast of Iwate is not only largely undiscovered by foreign tourists, it’s got a heart that you’ll remember long after your trip. The kind you find beating in the inaka […]
Toyota City Guide: Top Things to do in Toyota, Japan
“If Toyota catches a cold, Nagoya does.” This local saying expresses just how much influence Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture’s second largest city with around 420,000 residents, has on the prefectural capital’s financial health and well-being, and indeed on the entire country’s. So, what makes Toyota so vital to regional and national economic success? Well, it’s […]
How to Read a Japanese Calendar
Understanding how to read a Japanese calendar is an important part of life in Japan. While it may seem intimidating at first when you see a combination of letters and numbers, luckily the Japanese date system is extremely easy to master once you understand a few basic concepts. First of all, we need to understand […]
Ao no Dokutsu: Blue Cave Shibuya Illumination 2018
The Shibuya Ao no Dokutsu, meaning the ‘Shibuya Blue Cave,’ is the closest and most spectacular winter illuminations near Shibuya Station. The event started in Nakameguro along the banks of the Meguro River in 2014, and was moved to Shibuya in 2016. Due to popular demand, it’s now in its third year in Shibuya, and […]
15 Top Places to see Christmas lights in Tokyo 2018-19
Are you looking for places to see Christmas lights in Tokyo? Well, you’re in luck because the Japanese are all on board with it, and the displays are increasing in number and wow factor every year. Here are 15 places to see Christmas lights in Tokyo in 2018! Where to see Christmas lights in Roppongi […]
5 of the best German Christmas markets in Tokyo in 2018
The Japanese seem to be taking Christmas to a whole new level every year. Of course, being a non-traditional holiday, adopting celebratory practices from other cultures is somewhat of a given. One of the most trending adoptions of the past couple of years is German Christmas markets, where the Japanese trade grilled fish for bratwurst […]
Tokyo Christmas Market 2018: Tokyo’s Answer to a European Christmas
If you’re looking for a European Christmas market in Tokyo to put you in the mood for the holidays, then the Tokyo Christmas Market in Hibiya has got you sorted. Given that Japanese celebrations of Western holidays usually come with a distinct Japanese twist, I was surprised at just how authentic the Hibiya Christmas market […]