Journal

  1. Best places to try Japanese curry across JapanJapanese curry is one of the country’s most comforting everyday foods. It is thicker, sweeter, and usually milder than many South Asian curries, with a rich…
  2. A guide to Japanese paper workshops and souvenir shoppingWashi, the traditional paper of Japan, is valued for its strength, texture, and quiet beauty. Made by hand from plant fibers such as kōzo, mitsumata, and…
  3. How to Experience Traditional Kabuki in Tokyo or KyotoKabuki is one of Japan’s most distinctive performing arts: vivid costumes, stylized movement, dramatic music, and stories shaped by centuries of tradition. For…
  4. Japan’s most scenic cycling routes: Shimanami Kaido, Lake Biwa, and YatsugatakeJapan is a rewarding country to explore by bicycle. A short ride can move from a lively station town to quiet rice fields, forest roads, fishing villages, or a…
  5. Why Chichibu’s Night Festival Belongs on Your Japan ItineraryJust a short journey from central Tokyo, Chichibu offers a very different atmosphere from the capital’s busy shopping districts and illuminated skyscrapers.…
  6. A winter guide to Japanese convenience store odenWhen temperatures drop in Japan, convenience stores fill their heated counters with oden. This comforting dish consists of ingredients simmered in a light,…
  7. Japan’s best stargazing: Bisei, Aogashima, and IriomoteJapan’s night sky changes dramatically from one region to another. In major cities, tall buildings and bright signs hide most stars, but rural observatories,…
  8. How to Use a Japanese Kōban for Directions and Lost ItemsKnowing how to use a Japanese kōban (police box) for directions and lost items can make travel in Japan much less stressful. These small neighborhood police…
  9. Japan’s most unusual shrines and sacred sitesJapan’s sacred places range from grand Shinto complexes beneath vermilion torii to tiny neighborhood sanctuaries with remarkably specific purposes. Some are…
  10. What to eat in Kobe beyond Kobe beefKobe is famous worldwide for its finely marbled beef, yet the city’s food culture is far broader. Its port history, international connections, nearby farms,…