Journal

  1. The History and Significance of Torii Gates at Fushimi Inari ShrineFushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto is one of Japan’s most recognizable Shinto sites, known for the seemingly endless path of vermilion torii gates climbing Mount…
  2. How to spend a weekend in Kanazawa: geisha, gold leaf, and KenrokuenKanazawa is one of Japan’s best cities for a compact cultural escape. Its historic districts, refined gardens, samurai residences, traditional crafts, and…
  3. A practical guide to Japan’s department store food hallsA depachika is the food floor found in the basement of many Japanese department stores. The name combines depāto (department store) and chika (basement),…
  4. Japan’s typhoon season: travel tips and safetyJapan’s typhoon season generally runs from June through November, although the greatest activity usually occurs between August and September. A typhoon can…
  5. Quiet cherry blossom escapes in KyotoKyoto’s famous sakura landmarks are beautiful, but they can become difficult to enjoy when tour groups, buses, and early-morning queues fill the most popular…
  6. How to enjoy a Japanese public bath without the crowdsA sento is one of the most approachable ways to experience everyday Japanese culture. Unlike a hot spring resort, a neighborhood public bath is designed for…
  7. Japan’s Most Scenic Train Journeys from Coast to MountainJapan’s railways do more than connect major cities. They climb narrow valleys, trace remote coastlines, cross deep forests, and reveal landscapes that are…
  8. A beginner’s guide to Japanese calligraphy: where to try shodoJapanese calligraphy, or shodō, is more than writing beautiful characters with a brush. It is a quiet art shaped by posture, breathing, rhythm, and…
  9. Why You Should Visit the Tottori Sand Dunes in JapanJapan is often associated with mountain villages, neon city streets, ancient temples, and lush forests. In Tottori Prefecture, however, the landscape changes…
  10. The Best Rooftop Bars in Osaka for Night ViewsOsaka becomes especially atmospheric after dark. Train lines glow beneath the towers, neon signs brighten the busy streets, and the Yodo River reflects the…