Journal

  1. Nikko in autumn: a day trip through Japan’s brightest foliageNikko is one of the easiest places near Tokyo to experience Japan’s autumn colors in a single day. Cedar forests, mountain roads, temple grounds, waterfalls,…
  2. A practical guide to Japanese postal servicesJapan’s postal system is reliable, easy to use, and useful for more than sending postcards. Travelers can mail souvenirs home, move luggage between hotels, buy…
  3. What to eat in Sapporo: from soup curry to jingisukanSapporo is one of Japan’s best cities for eating well. Hokkaido’s cold climate, wide farmland, rich dairy production, and surrounding seas have created a food…
  4. Exploring Aomori’s Nebuta Matsuri Through Light and Local SpiritEvery August, the streets of Aomori City fill with enormous illuminated floats, powerful taiko rhythms, dancers, and the repeated cry of “Rassera!” The Aomori…
  5. Japan’s Best Scenic Drives: Coastlines, Islands, And Iroha-zakaJapan reveals a different character from behind the wheel. A road can move from cedar forest to a mountain lake, cross island-dotted inland seas, or follow a…
  6. How to survive a Japanese summer with local know-howJapanese summer is intense, colorful, and highly rewarding. From June through September, visitors can experience lantern-lit festivals, riverside fireworks,…
  7. Japanese green tea and where to taste it in JapanJapanese green tea is far more varied than the familiar cup of sencha served after a meal. Shade-grown leaves, roasted stems, powdered tea, and rice-blended…
  8. Why a Japanese bento class belongs on your Tokyo itineraryA Japanese bento is much more than a packed lunch. Its carefully arranged rice, vegetables, fish, meat, and side dishes reflect seasonal ingredients, practical…
  9. The Best Museums for Samurai and Ninja History in JapanJapan’s samurai and ninja heritage is preserved in far more than castles and battlefields. Museums display armor, swords, household objects, written records,…
  10. Japanese Gift-Giving Culture: Omiyage and Seasonal PresentsGift-giving in Japan is closely connected to gratitude, social harmony, and consideration for other people. A present does not always need to be expensive or…