Kawagoe
Specialities 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...
Noboribetsu
Specialities Hot springs - In the heart of Japan’s wildest prefecture lies a sleepy onsen (hot spring) town guarded by ferocious demons. Thick clouds of smoke gush out from Jigo...
Otoyo Shrine
Specialities 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...
Yokohama Cup Noodles Museum
Specialities Museums - Cup Noodles are the holy grail of fast food, loved by college students and busy full-timers everywhere. Unlike the holy grail though, the origin of...
Unzen Onsen
Specialities Hot springs - Today, Unzen Onsen is regarded as an onsen (hot springs) paradise, with public and private baths available at ryokans and hotels that are sprinkled ar...
Shimabara Castle
Specialities Castles - 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...
Nagoya Castle
Specialities Castles - If you’re into your samurai history (or you’ve just watched History of Japan on YouTube too many times) then you’ll be excited to know that one...
Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum
Specialities Museums - Nestled near Nagasaki Bay, the Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum opened in 2005, offering visitors the chance to see a mixture of classic to modern art....
Tsuboya Pottery Street
Specialities 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 Castles, 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...
Tokyo Imperial Palace
Specialities Landmark - On the 23rd December, in the return up to Christmas, Japan celebrates the Emperor’s Birthday. Crowds flock from Tokyo Station to the Imperial Palace w...