Gion
Specialities Traditional - The original Japanese pleasure quarter, Gion is Kyoto condensed into a scene straight out of Memoirs of a Geisha. This is where you might just...
Ryogoku
Specialities Traditional - The spiritual and physical home of sumo, Ryogoku is where centuries of Japanese tradition continue to live and breathe right in the whirl of modern...
Meguro
Specialities Neighborhoods - Often overlooked for its more show-stopping next door neighbour, Shibuya, Meguro’s mix of seasonal scenes, traditional festivals and highbrow culture ...
Kawagoe
Specialities Cities, Traditional - A picturesque old merchant town within 30 minutes train ride of Tokyo, Kawagoe is a great way to swap the frenzy of the capital for...
Otaru
Specialities Cities - Elegantly picturesque with its old-fashioned street lanterns and European-style buildings, Otaru is a charming port city flush with nostalgia that is ...
Otoyo Shrine
Specialities Culture, Traditional - Otoyo Shrine is easy to walk past but that would be a big mistake. With an unassuming entrance at the south end of the Philosopher’s...
Shimabara Castle
Specialities Culture - Perched on the eastern edge of the Shimabara Peninsula, this five-storied, white castle is a key feature of Shimabara city. What most don’t realize...
Yokohama
Specialities Cities - Although only a short train ride away from each other, Yokohama offers a much more relaxed atmosphere than Tokyo with all the charm of a...
Aomori City
Specialities Cities - Though Aomori Prefecture’s most beautiful sights are found in its extensive natural environment, don’t underestimate its small but fierce capital city...
Tsuboya Pottery Street
Specialities Culture, Traditional - It’s no exaggeration to say that Tsuboya Pottery District is the bona fide birthplace of yachimun - a regional word describing all pottery made by...
Shuri Castle
Specialities Landmark - Inscribed on the World Heritage list in 2000, the red Shuri Castle is a reminder of the flourishing Ryukyu Kingdom, when overseas trade networks linki...