Journal

  1. The best local foods to try in Hiroshima beyond okonomiyakiHiroshima is famous for its layered, generous style of okonomiyaki, but stopping there means missing much of the prefecture’s food culture. The Seto Inland Sea…
  2. How to Plan a Hiking Trip in the Japanese AlpsThe Japanese Alps offer some of the country’s finest mountain scenery, from sharp ridgelines and alpine lakes to cedar forests, hot springs, and traditional…
  3. Jigokudani Snow Monkeys: A Winter Wildlife ExperienceFew Japanese winter scenes are as memorable as a troop of wild macaques sitting in a steaming hot spring while snow falls around them. At Jigokudani Yaen-Koen…
  4. A guide to the different types of Japanese mochiMochi is one of Japan’s most familiar traditional foods, yet the word covers a surprisingly wide range of textures, fillings, shapes, and regional customs. At…
  5. 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…
  6. 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…
  7. 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,…
  8. 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…
  9. 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…
  10. 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,…