Japan

Business hours for facilities may be affected by COVID-19. Shop websites may not be updated with the latest information, so please use caution when visiting.

Announcement from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19)

10 Picturesque Sights in Hokkaido From Spring to Early Summer Too Beautiful to Miss

Niseko / Rusutsu Spring

Nature in Hokkaido comes to life when the warmer seasons of spring and summer roll around between April to June. Colorful flowers cover the land and animals start becoming more active, filling the region with renewed vibrancy. With so many places of interest to cover, visitors often wonder how to start planning. Check out this handy guide of 10 must-visit scenic spots that have been hand-picked by a local writer who knows where to find the best sights Hokkaido has to offer. Get yourself ready for a fantastic journey through Japan's northernmost prefecture!

Seven Minute Miracle?! What Shocked An American About Riding the Japanese Bullet Train

Aomori, Hirosaki And Hachinohe Other Sightseeing
10 Japanese Goods to Beat Hay Fever in 2021 - Carefully Selected by LOFT Umeda Staff!

Umeda, Osaka Station, Kitashinchi Household Goods Stores
3 Selected Kobe Izakaya in Sannomiya with Private Seating

Kobe, Sannomiya, Kitano Izakaya
10 Activities and Breathtaking Places of Interest in Furano, According to a Singaporean Expat!

Furano / Biei / Sounkyo Rivers, Lakes & Canyons
Loved in Japanese Kitchens: 12 Curious Local Foods and Condiments You Can Find in Kyoto!

Gion, Kawaramachi, Kiyomizu-dera Temple Grocery Stores
3 Featured Tokyo BBQ Spots: Enjoy Outdoor Eats Right In Town

Ningyocho / Monzen-Nakacho / Kasai Other Restaurants

Visit Japan While You're Stuck Home: 5 Breathtaking Places For Your Bucket List!

Spring

Due to the COVID-19 situation, virtually all travel plans have been put on hold. But until we can travel again, this is the perfect time to put together some travel ideas and craft the ideal itinerary for your next trip to Japan! Most outdoor places are currently closed right now, but to help you get started on planning your next trip, we have compiled five locations with breathtaking views you can visit when they reopen, with accompanying videos taken last year you can check out!

Once You Try It, You’ll Be Hooked! 3 New Products from Ministop’s Yamitsuki Kitchen

Osaka Suburbs Fast Food Restaurants
10 Must-See Hokkaido Events and Festivals (Spring/Summer 2021)

Sapporo / Chitose Japanese Festivals (Matsuri)
5 Exclusive Miyagi Snacks: Now Available at Sendai Convenience Stores!

Sendai And Matsushima Convenience Stores
5 Best Otaru Sushi Restaurants for Uni, Seafood & More!

Otaru Sushi
Top 9 Gorgeous Hokkaido Flowers Spots (Best Between June and August)

Sapporo / Chitose Landscapes
Dine With Rabbits! 9 Cute and Cuddly Animal Cafes in Tokyo

Shibuya Other Cafes and Sweets

Learn the Art of Flower Arrangement at Ohara School of Ikebana

Harajuku Other Traditional Arts

Ikebana, flower arrangement, is one of Japan’s most treasured art forms, a time-honored tradition that continues to be relevant even in today’s modern society. Beautifully arranged flowers and plants have permeated Japanese culture in a way that is seldom found in others. The Ohara School of Ikebana has played a major part in keeping the tradition alive, through its many schools in Japan, as well as its 59 chapters abroad, with over 300,000 members worldwide. The beauty of the Ohara School is not only in its floral arrangements, but its ability to share the culture of ikebana with the world. I visited the Ohara Center of Tokyo to try an ikebana class to learn more about this traditional art form.

[MOVIE] Achieve Your Cosplay Dreams at Cosplay Studio Crown!

Akihabara Culture Experience
Stringraphy at Studio EVE: A Striking and Unique Musical Experience

Shibuya Other Contemporary Arts
[MOVIE] Navigating Virtual Airspace with Skyart JAPAN

Shinagawa Adventure Activities
Become a True Gundam Pilot - Stepping into the P.O.D. at a Tokyo Arcade! (Video)

Arcades
[MOVIE] DRUM TAO’S MANGEKYO – a Kaleidoscope of Taiko Drums

Shinagawa Shows
[MOVIE] A Japanese Drum Experience at TAIKO-LAB

Shibuya Other Sightseeing

How to Choose Your Tokyo Hotel in 2021: Top 5 Neighborhoods Recommended by International Residents

Shimokitazawa Other Townscapes

In the great, widespread concrete jungle of Tokyo, it can be overwhelming for first-time visitors to choose an area or neighborhood to stay in. Here, 5 expats give insight into their recommendations for your accommodations and tell you about the quirks of the neighborhoods they chose to share.

Iconic Neighborhoods and More: Inside Tokyo's Top 10 Shopping Streets

Ueno Other Sightseeing
Ultimate Kiyomizudera Temple Guide: Visiting Kyoto's Most Famous Sightseeing Spot!

Gion, Kawaramachi, Kiyomizu-dera Temple Shrines
Rokko Garden Terrace: Magnificent Mount Rokko Night Views

Arima Onsen, Mt. Rokko Landmarks
Tokyo Station’s Souvenir Sales Ranking – Most Popular Items Under $10!

Tokyo Station Other Shopping
Perfect for Families on a Budget! Top 5 Places in Shibuya you Can Enjoy For Free

Shibuya Other Sightseeing
Day Trip Around Nikko! Get the Most out of Nikko's Famous Sightseeing Spots and World Heritage Site on the Hato Bus!

Nikko Cultural Heritage Sites

5 Reasons Why Japan Is Said To Be Beautiful

Akihabara

All foreign visitors are equally surprised by one thing – the beauty of Japanese towns. Whether day or night places like Shibuya and Shinjuku are bustling with people with the city’s central railway stations having the world’s largest number of users, but what is surprising is the almost total lack of public waste receptacles. Yet each area is always kept clean and attractive. This is especially amazing considering the high density of people going about the city every day. Are there any other cities in the world with a population of slightly less than 9.3 million that manage to stay as clean as Tokyo without waste receptacles? Let’s take a look at the secret to this phenomenon: the way people are raised in Japan.

'Way Too Sweet!' What 5 Japanese Living Abroad Really Think About Green Tea Culture

Harajuku Tea Ceremonies
'What is Tofu Anyway?' Everything You Need to Know About Tofu

Sapporo / Chitose
Ayabe Gunze Square: Here Is The Must-See Spot On a Kyoto Trek!

kyoto Suburbs Clothing Stores
Arima Onsen Day Trip: Japan's Oldest Hot Spring Town is Just Like Stepping Into an Anime

Arima Onsen, Mt. Rokko Hot Springs (Onsen) & Bath Houses (Sento)
Hokkaido Whale Watching Experience: Tour From Shiretoko World Heritage Site!

Shiretoko Outdoor Activities
The 'Obligatory Chocolate' of Japan: The Quirks of Valentine's Day and Other Adopted Western Celebrations

Tokyo's Surrounding Areas

Visiting Sendai In Spring: What You Need To Know If You Travel To Sendai Between March And May!

Sendai And Matsushima Other Sightseeing

Sendai in spring is nice and pleasantly warm in spring, when beautiful flowers like the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Spring is the best season for sightseeing in Sendai! Here, a local writer will give you tips and advice on climate, clothing, and sightseeing spots in Sendai, if you visit in March, April, or May. Be sure to use this guide to make your planning easier.