Two UNESCO World Heritage Sites worth seeing in Japan are Shirakawago and Gokayama. They are secluded in the nation’s majestic Hida mountain range and feature some of the most breathtakingly gorgeous villages on earth. To… Read More
The Japanese love festivals and the nation’s summer celebrations are some of the most colorful and well-attended. Like so much else in Japan, festivals are often tied to important historical events and spiritual concepts. Depending… Read More
Japanese pottery is one of the local art forms that the people are very proud of. Several towns have established their own identity as “pottery centers,” and draw thousands of local and international tourists each… Read More
Winter Illumination: What’s It All About? Looking for an effective way to make your winter in Japan a memorable one? Take an “off-season” trip and enjoy the incredible winter illuminations. Many tourists and even a… Read More
Basics: What’s What at Japanese Temples? Knowing your way around the average Japanese temple is a valuable skill to have. Before you go to Japan, check out the basic temple facts below and learn what’s… Read More
Why is it so important for tourists and long-term visitors to Japan to know about table manners? That question has a simple answer: it’s because the Japanese put much more emphasis on formality and proper… Read More
What is the best way to spend time in Osaka on a trip to Japan? The answer is simple: go to the Dotonbori area of the city and take advantage of all the fun things… Read More
Who are the Ainu? Who are the Ainu, sometimes called “the hidden people of Japan”? The Ainu live in Hokkaido and have been the subject of many academic studies because of their mysterious origins. In… Read More
What are natural spring hot baths (known as “onsen” in Japanese) and why are there so many of them in Japan? That’s the question tourists often ask. One of the amazing things about Japan is… Read More
Cherry Blossom Basics: What You Need to Know When you travel to Japan during cherry blossom season, there are a few essential facts you’ll need to know about. First, cherry blossoms, called “sakura” in Japanese,… Read More
