Coming soon!: Bizen Pottery Festival in Okayama
Many fans and afficionados of Japanese culture enjoy the traditional arts, pottery being one of them. Many people are aware of beautiful Kyo-yaki from Kyoto or Kutani-yaki from Ishigawa Prefecture, but did you know that Okayama Prefecture boasts THE oldest pottery kiln in Japan?Bizen-yaki began…(404 words)
Andrea Miyata
Okayama festival Pottery Visit Museum Art Autumn Japanese Culture
Road Trip Diaries #2: Nakaizu Hills Winery (In vino, veritas)
Many people think of France, Spain, Italy, California or, more recently, Australia and Chile, when thinking about wine, and Japan is often thought of as a place where you make Japanese sake or beer. But, did you know that Japan has a winery in the Nakaizu area of Shizuoka prefecture? Nakaizu Wi…(907 words)
jdlawrence
Trip Visit Wine Tokyo Drink Hotel Building Sake (Rice wine)
Football?
Football season has officially begun. If catching up on the latest scores online, or watching games on cable television aren't enough to satisfy your fix there is good news. It is possible to watch live games here in Japan. "Live" as in, actually being able to attend games in person. "Football?…(345 words)
KJ
Sport Game American football History Play Live Television August Soccer January
Where to visit in Fall?
For people living in Tokyo, visiting Yamanashi prefecture in September is a great choice! You can try grape picking there.All the grapes are delicious. Especially, Shine Muscat is one of the best fruits I've ever ate in my life.It tastes like something different from grapes but extremely …(62 words)
KoheiM
Visit Tokyo Live Yamanashi Grape
Kirin Yokohama Beer Village
Yokohama is renowned as the home of the Japanese beer industry. You can learn - and taste - all about it at the Kirin Yokohama Beer Village. The Kirin Brewery Company, one of Japan's big four beer breweries, was founded in Yokohama in 1907.Located in North Yokohama near Shinkoyasu Station (JR K…(201 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Yokohama Beer Kirin History New year Holidays Express train Tohoku Negishi Line Negishi
Dance Like Fools
Awaodori is a dance that is performed in summer festivals throughout Japan, but originating in Tokushima Prefecture in the southwestern island of Shikoku. Shikoku is one of the four main islands of Japan, but the one that is often forgotten, because it does not have a major city like Fukuoka or Na…(778 words)
mikekato
dance Event festival Tokyo Summer Drink Music Food Beauty
Hiroshima Landslide - visiting & volunteering
As many of you have heard, there was a horrible landslide triggered by a severe thunderstorm that hit Hiroshima city in the early morning of 8/20/2014. As of 9/10/2014, 72 people were killed and 2 remain missing and over 830 people have lost their homes. The city center did not have any serious…(304 words)
jjwalsh
Hiroshima Visit Disaster Train City Summer Hotel Train station English Zone
Yokohama China Town : A Great Mixture of New and Old
Yokohama China Town, which has a long history, is a place where old traditions and new styles coexist. Just last week, they opened another new restaurant specialized in Peking duck. They look very clean and fancy. I need to check it out sometime.On the other hand, there are some very old hi…(203 words)
Suetsumuhana
Yokohama Hotel china town Restaurant History Stay Futon
Enjoy Autumn in Asakusa
Asakusa Touroue is held from September 13 through 27. Many Tourou (lanterns) light up the alleys in Sensoji. Visit at night. You can see a dance by Geisha at Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center on Saturdays (see below). The tickets will be available at the Center from 10:00 each day on a fir…(161 words)
Keiko, OTT
Asakusa Restaurant Event Visit Food Tempura Ueno Eat dance Lantern
Hamamatsu City, Japan: Birthplace of the Big Corporation, Yamaha
I often wondered about Hamamatsu City in Shizuoka Prefecture as I watched it slip by during my bullet train rides from Tokyo to Osaka. A very good friend of mine is from Hamamatsu and would tell me about his father’s company. He himself towered over most Japanese men at just under six feet tall and…(873 words)
Music
yamaha
Tokyo
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Kyoto
Hamamatsu City
The Most Advanced Music Technology Right in Hamamatsu City, Japan
Torakusu Yamaha was born just two years before Perry’s Black Ship anchored off the coast of Japan. After learning how to repair European clocks in Nagasaki and a stint doing medical device repair in Osaka, Mr. Yamaha started his Organ Manufacturing Corporation after successful repair of a broken or…(373 words)
City
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Oktoberfest in Japan: Starting in Odaiba this Friday!
It's been 12 years already since Japan started the Bavarian beer festival, Oktoberfest in Yokohama for the first time. You can now enjoy the Munich's notorious beer festival throughout Japan such as Tohoku, Nagasaki and Tokyo (Odaiba, Hibiya, Yoyogi and Akihabara, etc.) Today I had a chance to go t…(269 words)
EmiOnishi
Odaiba Beer Drink Event festival Autumn Tokyo Park Yokohama
Tokyo Skytree Changing the City's Landscape
Tokyo Skytree has changed the landscape of Tokyo. The tall tower is overlooking everything else in Tokyo. From the park along Sumida river in Asakusa you have a good view of Skytree and it is a popular spot for visitors to take pictures. Another spot for Skytree pictures is the Tourist Center in As…(299 words)
David
Tokyo Tokyo Skytree Photography Light-up Building
Toyota Mega Web / Theme Park
For all of you car enthusiasts out there, and even if you are not one, the Toyota Mega Web and self proclaimed theme park must be put on your list of things to experience while in Tokyo. Located in the middle of the Odaiba’s waterfront attractions, this exhibition offers hours of free entertainmen…(400 words)
Alex
Odaiba Amusement park Entertainment Park Tokyo Transportation Exhibition Mega Web Toyota Cars
Cupnoodles Museum
If you are like me and you have an affinity for one of the best inventions ever bestowed upon mankind, yes, I’m talking about instant noodles, you will love hearing about this must-see, one of a kind museum! The Cupnoodles Museum in Yokohama is a tribute to this delicious meal, as well as to its fo…(325 words)
Alex
Museum Yokohama Cup Noodles Soba noodles History Eat activities Ramen noodles Momofuku Ando
Street Performers, Arts & Entertainment in Asakusa - Local Tokyo
Senso-ji temple is the most famous spot in Tokyo's Asakusa district, but there is more to see. Performers and performing arts are also part of Asakusa’s heritage. So when you come to Senso-ji and look at the temple’s buildings, statues, and big gates don’t stop there. Please take a walk around …(623 words)
David
Asakusa Art Japanese style shopping arcade Tokyo Walk Senso-ji Temple Theater
JAMSTEC Should be a first Choice for a Visit During Your Japan Travel
JAMSTEC stands for Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology was renamed from Japan Marine Science and Technology Centre in April 2004.http://www.jamstec.go.jp/chikyu/eng/ChikyuImages/video2.htmlJAMSTEC’s main objective is “to contribute to the advancement of academic research re…(788 words)
AustinA
Visit Japan Travel Travel Technology Train Summer Event History Train station English
Lights, Camera, Attraction!
There's no shortage of holiday blessings in Japan. Not being a Christian nation has never stopped Japan from adopting this holiday as its own. And while Christmas caroling has not yet become a holiday pastime, it has joyously adopted the tradition of celebrating Christ's birthday with a cake, alb…(763 words)
mikekato
Christmas Marunouchi illumination Tokyo Winter Castle Building Art Star Wars
Mt. Hanamiyama - Hanamiyama Park - Fukushima City
Mt. Hanamiyama is a park on the slopes surrounding a rural farming neighborhood just outside of central Fukushima. It is a satoyama, a forested hill district close to a rural community. This is a wonderful setting where you can enjoy a hike or a leisurely stroll among the cherry trees and colorfu…(190 words)
Dolores
Cherry blossom Nature Walk City Fukushima Beauty Cherry Flower Mountain
Going to Kamakura, Japan? My experience for you!:)
Today I visited Kamakura, a city rich in history, which was once the capital of Japan from 1185 to 1333. There are several well-known historical locations in Kamakura, such as the statue of Amida Buddha and the Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū shrine. However, rather than exploring these popular areas, I dec…(487 words)
hanavictoria
Kamakura
Toyota started by the name of Toyoda making loom
Relatives came to Nagoya from out of town.Wanted to give an experience of Nagoya.What comes to mind…Nagoya Castle, Osu shrine, TV tower, Yamachan . . .My relatives is interested in history and has seen Nagoya Castle in the past.So we decided to go to Toyota Commemorative Museum of Ind…(301 words)
Yuuki I
Toyota Event Museum History English Nagoya Exhibition
Island Coffee to Lighten Your Heart
I currently work on Enoshima, a small offshore island home to some of the closest sandy beaches to Tokyo and Yokohama and run a café inside Enoshima Island Spa. Enoshima island is a popular destination for both international tourists and Japanese residents. There is a lot to see around the isla…(317 words)
Hocchi
Coffee Enoshima Island Cafe
World heritage Shirakawa Go is the place to Go
I lived in Tokyo Ebisu for short 6 months back in 2010.Looked forward in making many new friends and meeting interesting people that you can’t find in other cites.Which was true also at the same time, it was easy to feel lonely and lost with all the people you pass daily that I’ll never have a …(496 words)
Yuuki I
Winter Nature Live Fish Snow Work Gifu Historic Villages of Shirakawago and Gokayama
Wild Rides in Kamakura
If you are ever looking for that ultimate traditional Japanese experience, look no further than a trip to Kamakura. There are countless activities to fill your interests in Kamakura, including experiencing the outstanding larger than life Buddha, walking amongst the time-honored temples, sampling t…(268 words)
Alex
Transportation Kamakura rickshaw Traditional Food Trip Region activities
Tourist Tip #8: How to Pray at Temples and Shrines
Whether a tourist or native, visits to temples and shrines are par for the course while in Japan. While there are – usually – no strict rules aside from using common sense and exercising common courtesy (be considerate to others, mindful of property, no smoking, respect no photographing signs, …(352 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Tourist Tip Tera (Temple) Jinjya (Shrine) Praying Drink Coin Bowing
Have you heard of the National Defense Academy of Japan?
It is located at Obaradai in Yokosuka and young men and women are studying and getting trained to be future Self-Defense Forces (SDF) officers. The school holds an anniversary festival every year and their 62nd anniversary will be celebrated on 8-9th of November this year. It's open to public.T…(142 words)
Kim-san
Event Yokosuka festival Tokyo Tokyo Bay
Do you like Ukiyoe ? A day tour with Ukiyoe prints with a Japanese bilingual guid!
10:00 am Gather at KataseEnoshima Station of the Odakyu Enoshima Line. ▶Walk to Enoshima Shrine. ▶Have Japanese Sweet then lunch at Restaurant. ▶Explore …(62 words)
sushiyanotsuma
Ukiyoe Etiquette Sushi Restaurant Visit Tera (Temple) Jinjya (Shrine) Walk Dinner Lunch
History in Iron and Steel at Saitama's Railway Museum
If your kids love trains or if you're a railway buff at heart, look no further. Have I got the museum for you! Located in Saitama, Saitaima, Japan, the Railway Museum （鉄道博物館） is a treasure trove of all things related to Japanese trains - past, present, and future.The museum opened in 2007 …(220 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Museum History Railway Museum Railways Saitama Train
Torinoichi (or Otorisama)
Torinoichi is held at Ohtori Shrine and Chokokuji Temple, next to each other. This year (2014), the event is on November 10 and 22. As people buy a little bigger Kumade, called Kakkome, every year, the Kumade is going to be huge. It is interesting that this festival starts at midnight (0:00) and en…(98 words)
Keiko, OTT
year-end Tokyo Event Tera (Temple) Jinjya (Shrine) festival Horse Decorated Asakusa
Tokyo Skytree Cake Factory - Projection Mapping at Dream Christmas 2014
This evening I visited Tokyo Skytree to see the Cake Factory projection mapping for Dream Christmas 2014. It was crowded tonight with people waiting to see where Santa’s sweets are made.We went outside on the 4F Sky Arena to the Christmas market. Exactly at 20:00 the projection started with Santa o…(223 words)
David
Tokyo Skytree Projection Mapping illumination Christmas Winter Children
Social Innovation and Smart Cities are about the Present and not the Future
For the past 4 years, Nikkei Business Publications, Inc. (NikkeiBP) has organized a Smart City Week event in Yokohama. The first event, in 2011, was primarily a conference, with 5000 participants. In 2012 and 2013, the conference and exhibition expanded, with the number of attendees growing to 22…(838 words)
mikekato
Smart Cities Yokohama Exhibition City Event Business Tourism Smart City Ecology sustainability
Glocal is Critical for Sustainable Social Innovation
Social Innovation/Smart City Week 2014 (I wrote about the event in another article in this site) was held on October 29-31, 2014. The event was the 4th edition of what is becoming a very important event for the promotion of activities that can help cities throughout the world adopt more sustainabl…(839 words)
mikekato
Yokohama Event Smart City Tokyo Convenience store Business
Interpreting Japan’s Iconic Bridges
During your time in Japan you will most certainly come across many bridges within this tranquil island country, both new and old. With magnificent structural and ascetic beauty, you might wonder how the concept for some of these came about. Just like every human has their story, every bridge has it…(260 words)
Alex
Beauty Buddhism Bridges Walk
2.5 Jigen Kamimatsuri: Anime/Subculture Event
Video coverage by Subtokyo:http://youtu.be/LMFhlqb9JbwI've been to many Anime or Subculture related events during my past 5 years in Japan and even before that when I was back in America. While the most exciting of events usually happen at giant convention centers like Tokyo Big Sight and Mak…(594 words)
Alex Kobayashi /Subtokyo
Tokyo Yokohama Event Music Kanagawa Japanese festivals Children Anime
Japanese Royalty and Imperial Palace
When you think of Japan, many things might come to mind like bright glimmering streets full of light up signs and billboards, mystic temples, busy street crossings, or even delicious sushi fresh from the source. Often over looked by outsiders, is the fact that like in many western nations who have …(257 words)
Alex
Imperial Palace running Emperor Tokyo City Event Sushi Kyoto New year Castle
Kanagawa Government Office: “King” a Great National Historical Building to See
One of my absolute favorite places in Yokohama is the Kanagawa Prefecture Headquarters, called “Kanagawa Ken Hon-cho”. Until air travel allowed visitors to come via airports, Yokohama was Japan’s front door to the world. Officials wanted this building to have a view of the ocean and to showcase Jap…(822 words)
Building
Kanagawa
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Cat Café Nekorobi
With such rich diversity residing within Tokyo, this makes the city a true melting pot of ideas, culture, and concepts. One of the most novel and cutest café concepts that I have seen here is called the Cat Café Nekorobi which is located in Ikebukuro Tokyo. This is not just a place decked out in c…(338 words)
Alex
Ikebukuro Nekorobi Cat cafe Tokyo Wii Kitten Cafe
Ushimado Olive Garden
When you think of Japan olives might not be the first thing that comes to mind but in fact they are widely produced in the south western part of the country. The Olive Garden in Ushimado, Setouchi City, Okayama, has the largest olive tree orchard in Japan. After World War II, many Japanese comp…(304 words)
Kenji
Garden City Visit Summer Food Building Sea Shop Business Eat
The Birthplace of Yumeji
Do you know Yumeji Takehisa? Even if you don’t know the name you are probably familiar with the work of this artist from the early 20th century. Sometimes referred to as Japan’s Toulouse Lautrec, Yumeji was active during the Belle Epoque of the Taisho era during which the nation lived in relative p…(315 words)
Kenji
City Park Art Souvenir Walk Kimono Children style Okayama Work
Enjoy rich hot-spring of Kusatsu Onsen and visit public bathhouses like the locals do.
Kusatsu Onsen（草津温泉）, or Kusatsu Hot Spring is one of the most renowned hot-spring resort in Japan, located in the Tochigi Prefecture, about 100km north of Tokyo. Tochigi is rich in hot-spring resorts including Kusatsu, Ikaho, Shima, Minakami and Manza. Above all Kusatsu is highly evaluated with…(350 words)
Hagi
Onsen Kusatsu Onsen Train Bus Japanese inn