japan

Oita Prefecture in Kyushu is just one and a half hours by plane from Tokyo and is the perfect addition to a trip to the capital or as a side trip from Fukuoka. Think hot springs, the outdoors, mountains and meditation, which all meld together in a kind of harmony between nature and man. Beppu […]

Kyoto is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Japan. Often seen as the perfect counterbalance to modern and futuristic Tokyo, Kyoto is the go-to city for all things “traditional Japan” – temples, shrines, geisha, kimono and green tea. Allbethey exquisite, most people limit their Kyoto exploration to a circuit of the most famous […]

Japanese water ladles, known as hishaku, are a common sight in Japan. Traditionally made of bamboo, you can find them at the entrance of shrines to cleanse your hands and mouth before entering (temizu), as well as being used as part of Japanese tea ceremony. But one relatively unknown usage of Japanese water ladles is […]

Inu no Hi, literally meaning the ‘Day of the Dog,’ is an important pregnancy ritual and rite of passage for pregnant women in Japan. As dogs are widely believed to have easy and uncomplicated births as well as large litters, dogs are considered to be a symbol of smooth delivery and an animal deity of […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

“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 […]