Japan

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Akiu Onsen: 5 Onsen Ryokan You Have to Stay in at Least Once in Your Life That Will Move Even Onsen Lovers!

Sendai And Matsushima Hot Springs (Onsen) & Bath Houses (Sento)

Akiu Onsen, located in Sendai City, is a popular sightseeing and hot springs resort area found in the northeastern part of Japan. The quality of the spring waters is of course superb, and with well-acclaimed cuisine and rooms with private open-air baths, any ryokan you choose will be bursting with personality. It’s conveniently located for a day trip from JR Sendai Station, which is a real draw too. Out of the numerous onsen hotels sequestered away, our local writer from Miyagi will be introducing their top five picks. *All ryokan introduced have measures in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19 Main image provided by Kagaribi-no-Yu Ryokusuitei

Top 10 Fun Things to do in Dotonbori Osaka - Recommended by Die-Hard Fans!

Namba, Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi Other Sightseeing
Sanrio Cafe Ikebukuro Opens in Tokyo! We're In Love With the Sweets & Original Merch

Ikebukuro
Traditional Japanese or Western Fusion? Cheap & Tasty Dinners at Japan’s 7-Eleven!

Convenience Stores
Fun in The Sun! Top 10 Things to do in Summer in Osaka

Namba, Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi Summer
Gion Matsuri Guide (July 2021): Access and Tips on Enjoying One of Japan’s Three Great Festivals

Gion, Kawaramachi, Kiyomizu-dera Temple Japanese Festivals (Matsuri)
5 Best Souvenir Shops Near Kyoto's Fushimi Inari Taisha

Fushimi, Uji Gift Shops

Loft Japan Announces Masks and Hay Fever Products for 2020

Tokyo Station Household Goods Stores

From January 2020, one of Japan’s most well-known lifestyle shops, Loft, is expanding its measures against hay fever.

Japan Has An Incredible Traditional-Style Starbucks in This Rustic Town

Saitama Suburbs Other Cafes and Sweets
Calling All Japanese Curry Lovers! Nails Almost Good Enough to Eat

Tokyo's Surrounding Areas Other Shopping
Super Nintendo World Osaka Will Open in Spring 2021 at Universal Studios Japan!

USJ, Nanko Port Theme Parks
Christmas Colors: 5 Popular Winter Illuminations in Yokohama's Minato Mirai district (2019 Edition)

Yokohama Winter
Geisha in Kyoto Struggle to Protect Traditions in Face of Coronavirus

Gion, Kawaramachi, Kiyomizu-dera Temple Other Traditional Culture
Japanese Housewife Shares Her 9 Favorite Cooking Shortcuts

Harajuku Other Restaurants

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.

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

Arcades
[MOVIE] Navigating Virtual Airspace with Skyart JAPAN

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

Shibuya Other Sightseeing
Purikura: Change Yourself Up with Photo Booth Fun!

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

Akihabara Culture Experience
[MOVIE] DRUM TAO’S MANGEKYO – a Kaleidoscope of Taiko Drums

Shinagawa Shows

Better Than Osaka? Finding Kobe's Best Okonomiyaki Shops!

Kobe, Sannomiya, Kitano Okonomiyaki, Monja & Takoyaki

When most Japanese people hear the word ‘okonomiyaki’, they think ‘Osaka’. But a secret that Kansai residents want to keep to themselves is that Kobe has a wealth of great okonomiyaki restaurants too! With a huge variety of flavors you just can’t get in Osaka, it’s worth going to Kobe just for this traditional treat.

Tokyo Station’s Souvenir Sales Ranking – Most Popular Items Under $10!

Tokyo Station Other Shopping
Kobe Beef in Kobe: 3 Best Restaurants Near Sannomiya Offering Affordably Priced Kobe Beef!

Kobe, Sannomiya, Kitano Teppanyaki
Perfect for Families on a Budget! Top 5 Places in Shibuya you Can Enjoy For Free

Shibuya Other Sightseeing
"Is Hokkaido for Me?" Top Hokkaido Cities, Places to Visit, and How to Get There!

Sapporo / Chitose Other Sightseeing
From Tourist to Foodie Explorer: 15 Important Phrases to Know Before Going to Eating Out in Japan

Japanese cuisine
How to Eat Sushi: the Complete Guide to Japan’s Most Famous Food

Sushi

'Don't be a Cat Pooper!' Weird & Hilarious Japanese Animal Phrases We Don't Have in English

People all over the world love to come up with expressions and phrases that use animals and their behavior as a handy metaphor for something else. Let’s just take English as one example. The phrase “cat got your tongue” isn’t a literal commentary on an animal swiping a vital muscle from your body. Rather, it is an idiom used when someone has nothing to say in response to something. Languages all over the world have similar ideas. Same goes for Japanese. Many expressions make use of animals, animal-related things or animal actions. Some of them are lighthearted and fun, while others can be surprisingly negative. Besides offering some insight into one critters were roaming around in ancient Japan — cats were every bit as prevalent as they are today, it seems — these phrases offer a nice chance to learn some unique phrases you can use in Japan.

30 Cool & Quirky Things to Do in Shibuya, Tokyo’s Iconic Area!

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

Harajuku Tea Ceremonies
'Japanese Drivers...' 5 Weird Things That Shocked a Veteran Taiwanese Traveler About Japan!

Tokyo Station
The 'Obligatory Chocolate' of Japan: The Quirks of Valentine's Day and Other Adopted Western Celebrations

Tokyo's Surrounding Areas
The Suntory Yamazaki Distillery Tour: Completely Immerse Yourself in the World of Whisky

Fushimi, Uji Other Activities
Night Out in Osaka: Drinking, Dancing, and Udon Nightlife in Japan's Wild Gourmet Capital!

Namba, Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi Clubs

Autumn in Japan 2020: Fall Foliage Forecast

Autumn

Autumn in Japan is almost as popular as spring, as visitors can't get enough of the Japanese maple leaves and other vivid fall foliage colors! Plan a trip to Japan between October and December, and you will be absolutely in love with the many beautiful spots for autumn leaves. The peak season for autumn leaves in Japan varies by region. Check our fall foliage forecast and make the most out of autumn in Japan!