Journal

  1. How to learn basic Japanese phrases for travel before you goLearning a few Japanese expressions before a trip can make everyday encounters smoother and more personal. You do not need to become fluent to order food, ask…
  2. The top five regional festivals in Japan you shouldn’t missJapan’s regional festivals bring local history, craftsmanship, music, and community spirit into the streets. While Tokyo and Kyoto attract much of the…
  3. What to expect from a Japanese love hotelA Japanese love hotel, or rabu hoteru, is a short-stay accommodation designed primarily for privacy and couples. These hotels are common in cities,…
  4. A Local Guide To Japanese Convenience Store Coffee And SnacksJapan’s convenience stores, known locally as konbini, are practical places to refuel during a busy day of sightseeing. Open around the clock, they offer…
  5. How to rent a bicycle in Kyoto and explore like a localKyoto is compact enough to explore by bicycle, yet spread out enough that walking between every major sight can become tiring. A rental bike gives you the…
  6. The Best Places to See Fireflies in Japan During SummerFireflies transform quiet Japanese waterways into living fields of light. For a few weeks each year, tiny flashes appear above rice paddies, forest streams,…
  7. Why you should try a temple stay in KoyasanHigh in Wakayama Prefecture, Koyasan offers a slower and more reflective side of Japan. The sacred mountain town is home to more than 100 Buddhist temples,…
  8. A guide to Japanese street fashion in HarajukuHarajuku is one of Tokyo’s best places to see Japanese street fashion in motion. Rather than following a single trend, the neighborhood brings together playful…
  9. How to Visit a Japanese Castle: Himeji and MatsumotoJapan’s historic castles offer more than impressive architecture. They reveal how regional lords defended their domains, how samurai families lived, and how…
  10. Beautiful Free Gardens and Green Spaces in TokyoTokyo may be famous for neon streets, department stores, and crowded train stations, but the capital also has peaceful gardens hidden between office towers and…