Sushi. The word alone conjures images of meticulously crafted nigiri, gleaming fish atop perfectly seasoned rice, and perhaps, a hushed, high-end restaurant experience. For many outside Japan, this is the primary lens…
Valentine’s Day, a holiday typically associated with romantic gestures in the West, takes on a decidedly different form in Japan. Here, the day is characterized by a unique tradition in which women…
It came as a surprising piece of news to many Japanese when Morioka secured the No. 2 spot on the New York Times’ 2023 list of 52 Places to Go. “Why Morioka?”…
” I can’t believe these pictures were shot in Japan!” One of my friends from Europe said. The Oki Islands encompass four inhabited and many uninhabited islands located in the Sea of…
I suppose “Urabandai” is still a hidden gem for foreign tourists. It is located in northern Fukushima, in the Tohoku Region, with an elevation of 800 m above sea level. About 3-hour…
Japanese wine is often talked about, such as when it was served to dignitaries at the Ise-Shima Summit. This all started in the Meiji era (1868-1912). Although its history is quite young,…
Sake is loved all over the world – even in France, a global center for fine foods. A lot can be hidden in a drop of sake, not least the history and…
Tokyo, a battleground where a fight to reach the summit takes place every day, with the ultimate noodles and soup as the weapons. The latest trends? The best shops in the spotlight…
Have you ever paid attention to the komainu (狛犬 guardian dogs) at shrines? Ms. Takako Minoshima is so fascinated by these stone guardians that she even published a book on them. We…
Tamba-Sasayama is a peaceful rural area, only about an hour and a half drive from Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe. It is not so well known in the Tokyo metropolitan area, but it…
Welcome to a peaceful and holy place where railroad fans also enjoy riding the local Iida Line. Avoid the crowds and enjoy hot springs and hiking here. Mt. Horaiji, in Aichi Prefecture,…
Togo Murano(村野藤吾 1891 -1984) , the architect, with his strong commitment to excellent craftsmanship, has many fans especially among Japanese people. He was a master of the craft who ruled over the…