” 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…
If you’re looking for delicious tea during your trip in Japan, head to the #1 producer of Japanese green tea, Shizuoka, only a short trip from Tokyo. You can conveniently enjoy Japanese…
Okinawa, along with Hokkaido, is one of the most popular travel destinations for Japanese people. It is a tropical place with beautiful coral reefs and a collection of resort hotels ranging from…
One of Yamagata’s sacred sites, a collection of three mountains collectively named Dewa Sanzan, has been worshipped for ages. It’s said “If you make pilgrimage to Ise in the West, you must…