Journal

  1. A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Tokyo’s Ginza DistrictGinza is one of Tokyo’s most polished neighborhoods, known for luxury department stores, independent boutiques, art galleries, historic cafés, and striking…
  2. Why Sado Island Belongs on Your Japan ItinerarySado Island sits off the coast of Niigata Prefecture in the Sea of Japan, yet it feels far removed from the pace of Japan’s major cities. Ferries cross to a…
  3. The Best Books About Japan for Travelers: Local PicksA good book can change the way you move through Japan. Instead of treating a shrine, market, train station, or neighborhood as a photo stop, you begin to…
  4. How To Attend A Tea Ceremony In Tokyo As A BeginnerA Japanese tea ceremony offers a quieter way to experience Tokyo. Instead of simply tasting matcha, you enter a carefully arranged space where the host,…
  5. A Guide to Japanese Onsen Types and Mineral-Rich SpringsJapan’s hot springs, or onsen, are shaped by volcanic activity, deep groundwater, and the minerals carried through rock. The water can be clear, cloudy,…
  6. Exploring Nanzoin Temple and Fukuoka’s Reclining BuddhaNanzoin Temple is one of the most memorable places to visit near Fukuoka. Set in the forested town of Sasaguri, the temple is best known for its enormous…
  7. Japan’s Most Instagrammable Vending Machine LocationsJapan’s vending machines are far more varied than the familiar drink dispensers found beside train stations. Alongside coffee, tea, and bottled water,…
  8. How to plan a winter trip to HokkaidoHokkaido in winter is a destination of dramatic contrasts: powder snow on volcanic mountains, lantern-lit canals, frozen lakes, drifting sea ice, and wildlife…
  9. A beginner’s guide to Japanese fermented foodsJapanese cuisine is shaped by fermentation. Before refrigeration and modern food processing, preserving soybeans, grains, vegetables, and seafood helped…
  10. Japanese Bath Salts for a Calmer Home BathA Japanese bath is more than a quick wash. In many homes, bathing is a daily ritual for warming the body, relaxing tired muscles, and creating a clear boundary…