The Three Wise Monkeys
Ever since I was little, storybooks, cartoons, and popular culture, have depicted the story of The Three Wise Monkeys. You know the image, three monkeys sitting there; one covering his ears, another covering his mouth, and the third covering his eyes. In the western world, we often relate this to t…(356 words)
Alex
World Heritage Site Nikko Tera (Temple) Park Visit Jinjya (Shrine) Art Souvenir Monkey Three Wise Monkeys
2-Day Trip to Fujigoko (Five Lakes of Mt. Fuji) in winter 1/3
What do you think about visiting Mt. Fuji in winter and enjoy snow and Japanese high quality Omotenashi? Most people climb or visit Mt. Fuji during either spring or summer time. Unless you really love mountain climbing, many of you might want to have something extra besides Mt. Fuji viewing. For th…(1090 words)
ZEROIN -INTERNSHIP
Trip Winter day trip Visit Summer Spring view Mountain Stay Snow
Yokohama Hanami Hotspots
It's that time of year again, when we look forward to warmer weather and the rebirth of spring. In Japan, that also means the brief return of "sakura" (cherry blossoms) and "hanami" (flower viewing). All across the country, cherry trees will explode in whites and light-and-dark pinks, inviting peop…(227 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Yokohama Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing) City Visit Park Spring Cherry blossom Sport Flower Beauty
Must Have Japanese Souvenirs: BUNBOGU
Let me introduce Japanese Stationary as the 2nd must have Japanese souvenirs*. In Japan, girls are energetic to have cute stationary and businessmen are interested in using cool gadgets and writing materials. One of the most popular shops is LOFT. The one in Shibuya is the main store, but there a…(159 words)
Keiko, OTT
Stationery Japanese Visit Japan Shopping Shibuya Ginza Department store Cafe
Elaborate Daimyo Mansions in Japan
Although technically not a museum, there are many daimyo yashiki (feudal lord mansions) in tokyo, open to the public, where you can learn a lot about the luxurious lifestyles daimyo and their families had during the Edo Period. The Shogun Tokugawa wanted to limit the powers of the daimyo to maintai…(199 words)
GenS
History Japan Tokyo Museum River Visit
Why Visit Japan in Summer
Japan is a true "year-round" destination, but if you like the heat - and lively festivals - then summer is the perfect time for you to visit!Summer in Japan lasts from about June to mid-September. Summers are hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from approximately 70° to 90° Fahrenheit.…(320 words)
Andres Zuleta, Boutique Japan
Summer Visit Japan Travel Japanese festivals Tokyo Kyoto Japan Travel Summer Outdoor recreation Fireworks Shows Iya Valley
Anime Come To Life
Japanese pop culture, particularly anime (short for “animation”) has become one of the country’s iconic exports in recent years and many people globally have become acquainted not only with internationally famous anime as Pokemon, but also more eclectic characters as well. An entire subgenre has s…(1100 words)
jdlawrence
Anime Tokyo Visit Event Art Music English Fashion Otaku
Be a princess during the feudal era in Authentic Japanese Kimono
The kimono is famous worldwide as a national costume in Japan and many tourists who visit Japan would like to try on a kimono or purchase one. However, a genuine kimono is very expensive. Besides, the maintenance is difficult and the dressing skill is needed. Kimono Photo Studio WA offers a por…(187 words)
skymaho
Kimono Tokyo Kimono experience Visit Japan Photography Tea Visit style
Today I am in Tomakomai, Hokkaido Japan
I flew into Chitose Airport in Hokkaido and was awed by the expanse of Fall color I witnessed below. Tomakomai city (population about 170,000) is a coastal town featuring beautiful golf courses, ice hockey rinks, no-nonsense buildings and lots of great food!Being here reminds me a bit of w…(297 words)
Japan
Hokkaido
Visit
Tomakomai City
Ainu Culture
Today I am in Sakuragicho, Yokohama
I often write about Yokohama. It's difficult for me not to. I live here. I work here. And during my time as Creative Director for the Yokohama Seasider Magazine, it was my job (and passion) to learn and discover - and then write about - as much as I could about Yokohama.I love this city and am …(364 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Yokohama Visit City Japan Park Shopping Museum Walk Ramen noodles
Japan's Hidden Onsen
Japan’s Hidden Hot SpringsYokoso! Welcome!Japan is a country consisting of 4 main islands; Honshu (main Island), to the North is Hokkaido (Northern Sea Island), Shikoku (Fourth Country) and Kyushu (Nine Provinces). There are hundreds of smaller islands that lie in Japan’s territories. T…(542 words)
scramjetmach9
Japan Onsen Tokyo Visit Train City Summer English Spring Beer
Enjoy Breathtaking Mountain Scenery and Buddhist Holy Sites on Mt. Nokogiri!
Mt. Nokogiri, literally “Saw Mountain”, is located on the Boso Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture. It's only about a 1.5-hour drive, or a 2-hour train ride from Tokyo, so it's perfect if you're looking for a relaxing and worthwhile day trip. The best way to start your visit is to take the ropeway cable …(242 words)
CHIBA-KUN
Mountain Scenery holy site Japan Visit Train Trip History Chiba Tokyo
Enjoy a pleasant and relaxing lunch time at “Furusato”！
Chiba Prefecture offers tourists all sorts of sightseeing experiences, and if you're looking for a spot to avoid the crowds and enjoy the charms of the countryside, I recommend a visit to the “Furusato” restaurant in Kimitsu. I recently took a trip there to enjoy a delicious meal in a lovely rural …(509 words)
CHIBA-KUN
Lunch Restaurant Building Japan Visit Food Trip Souvenir Eat
Akihabara & Studio Ghibli Animation Movie Museum – "Pilgrimage” to both of them in one day
Animation is now recognized as one of the representative cultures of Japan globally. We have many animation pilgrimage spots throughout the country and many people visit them from all over the world. Here I would like to share the efficient route to visit such holy animation spots in one day! J…(415 words)
Eddie
Akihabara Anime Bus Museum Ticket Visit
UNKAI Sea of Clouds in Hokkaido
Unkai Terrace is located in the resort town of Tomamu in Hokkaido Japan, about a 2.5 hour drive from Sapporo. The word "Unkai" in Japanese means "sea of clouds" and the natural phenomena only occurs occasionally, typically on summer mornings. Resort Tomamu located in Shimukappu village has the unka…(313 words)
EmiOnishi
Sea Hokkaido Hotel Summer Visit Event Coffee Nature Mountain view
Anime Street! Let's go to Asagaya!
At the end of March 2014 opened a fantastic street called Asagaya Anime Street, a place where anime creators and fans of anime can come together and create an experience like no other.Located only about 4 minutes by walking from Asagaya station, Asagaya Anime Street is like a little mall design…(650 words)
Alex Kobayashi /Subtokyo
Anime Tokyo Drink Visit Event Museum Coffee Game Manga Movie
"Chinowa" - a Very special ring at shrine!
"Chinowa" is a large ring made of grass and erected on the pathway leading to a shrine on the days of purification (harae). Photos are taken at Shinagawa Shrine.At the shrine, you can pass through the ring as an act of purification from misdeeds (tsumi), impurities (kegare), or bad luck. Shinag…(170 words)
EmiOnishi
Jinjya (Shrine) Tokyo Visit Mountain Shinagawa Station Mount Fuji Shinagawa
Shibuya' Traditional Festival - Portable Shrines (Mikoshi) go along Omotesando Street
Shibuya is one of the most popular places to visit in Tokyo.What are the things to do in Shibuya?TripAdvisor recommends you to do (http://goo.gl/e1hJHq)x Meiji Jingux Yoyogi Parkx Shibuya Center Townx Shibuya Pedestrian Scramblex Omotesandox Ota Memorial Museum of Artx National Ch…(452 words)
Cecilia Reiko
Shibuya festival Omotesando Tokyo Park Visit Beer Art Museum Jinjya (Shrine)
Top 10 Things to do in Okayama Prefecture: Autumn
Just because summer is over doesn't mean there's not plenty to do and see. If you're headed to or passing through west Japan, don't miss stopping off in Okayama Prefecture and enjoying some of the best seasonal activities.1. Bizen Pottery FestivalI wrote about this festival previously in a…(1168 words)
Andrea Miyata
Autumn Okayama Visit Train City Park Summer Building Event Food
Only 2 hours from Kyoto. Enjoy snow and eating crabs in the Onsen resort founded 1,300 years ago
Kinosaki Onsen has a beautiful and nostalgic view with rows of willow trees along a little river. There are at most 7 public baths in the area and you can casually visit and enjoy them even without staying over at the local ryokan Inns. They are called "sotoyu"(open air bath) which is opposite of "…(424 words)
Eddie
kinosaki Onsen Snow City English Kyoto Spring Summer Ticket Visit
Suginami Animation Museum
This past week I visited the Suginami Animation Museum, located in Kamiogi, Suginami-ku near Nishiogikubo station. It was a wonderful 3 floored museum that all ages can go and enjoy.The museum often features an exhibition of different artists works periodically. I attended this time to check ou…(616 words)
Alex Kobayashi /Subtokyo
Museum Suginami Anime Tokyo Visit Art History activities
The mysterious statues of Sanjusangendo
In Kyoto you need to make choices. And choices are always tough.But if there is one place you should not forget to visit, this is it: Sanjusangendo.Why is it so different, or more Japanese than any other sites in Kyoto? gold pagoda, silver pagoda, Ryoanji and Kyomizudera. It's the atmospher…(288 words)
Claire
Visit Kyoto Garden
Sake Brewery Visit in Shisui, Chiba
Have you ever visited Shisui （酒々井）town near Narita city in Chiba? The place is named after a popular story about a well （井戸）where sake （酒）seemed to have sprang up. There is a long established (300 years old) sake brewery in the beautiful rice field countryside. Please visit the brew house …(189 words)
Hatha Yoga Lover
Visit Sake (Rice wine) Chiba City Spring Walk Lunch Cafe style Eat
Kusatsu Onsen: Rated No.1 of Japan’s 100 Best Hot Springs for 12 consecutive years !
Kusatsu Onsen in Gumma Prefecture is known as one of Japan's three best hot springs. By the way, Arima in Hyogo Prefecture and Gero in Gifu Prefecture are the other two locations. These three were originally described by a priest in the classical poetry anthologies of Shokoku-ji Temple in Murom…(530 words)
ZEROIN -INTERNSHIP
Onsen Kusatsu Onsen Park Tera (Temple) Visit Spring Winter Autumn
Quick and easy things to do in Yokohama #10
Looking for an unforgettable, mind-blowing experience that's absolutely free? Visit Yokohama's Dockyard Garden and take part in their 3D projection mapping events that take place every night at scheduled times on a seasonal basis.One of their most popular shows, entitled "ピカチュウ (Pikachu) N…(211 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Yokohama Projection Mapping Dockyard Garden Garden Landmark Tower Minato Mirai 21 Visit Play
Hakone's Hidden Wonder: My Favourite Temple in Japan
Daiyuzan Saijo-ji is a breathtaking Buddhist temple that was built more than 615 years ago. Although it is still frequented by devout worshipers from all across Japan, it remains one of the less talked about magnificent places in Kanagawa Prefecture. This is probably due to the fact that Daiyuzan S…(247 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Japan Tera (Temple) Visit Odawara Mountain Trip Beer Kanagawa Hiking Hakone
Minami Boso Penninsula, Chiba
The other day I took a trip to the Minami Boso area of Chiba which is a great place to visit for a day trip from Tokyo. Jump on the bus from Tokyo Station for the scenic 90 minute ride through the city, over the famous Rainbow Bridge, and the unique Aqua Line expressway to the south of the Chiba Pe…(414 words)
Adstev73
Chiba Visit Trip Tokyo City Spring Walk Jinjya (Shrine) Bus Cherry blossom
A Nearby Combini in Japan
If you are in desperate need of a map or guidebook, look for a nearby convenience store (they are everywhere). You will definitely find one. However, selection is limited and finding an English guidebook or map would be rare. If you want an English guidebook or map, you will have a better chanc…(121 words)
GenS
Convenience store Japan Tokyo Hotel Airport Visit English
Adorable Animal Donuts Shop!
Looking for some adorable sweets from the land of Kawaii?If you're in the Tokyo/Kanagawa area, there is an Animal donuts shopthat sells delicious adorable animal themed donuts.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NjP4ZcNrRo&list=UU9c5cDukEo1WcDbiedl4rdA&feature=shareLocated in Motosumiyoshi,…(131 words)
Alex Kobayashi /Subtokyo
Shop Donuts Tokyo Shopping Visit Kanagawa Sweets Arcade Walk Kawaii
Harajuku on Sunday
Harajuku and Yoyogi Park on a Sunday. The Rockabilly Dancers dance to their own beat and it very fun watching them have fun dancing. They play a variety of 50's style Rockabilly style music, both Western and Japanese. They dance so much on the asphalt that they literally wear the soles of their …(155 words)
Kevin
Harajuku Park Visit Music Outdoor recreation Play Yoyogi Park style dance Dancing
Benny’s Place, Real American style bar
If you miss your home back in the States, why don’t you visit Benny’s Place to have real spareribs and Buffalo wings on the 4th of July? Their great foods can leave you speechless after a bite.Located within a few minute walk distance from South exit of JR Ishikawa-cho/Yokohama, Benny’s Place i…(209 words)
Suetsumuhana
Park City Yokohama Shopping Visit Sport Kanagawa Taxicab Dinner Walk
What Japan is proud of - Craftsmanship! : Japanese Watches
I had an opportunity to visit the Museum and as a SEIKO watch fan, had a very good time there. Here is the highlights of the Exhibit for those who cannot make it here. Those who visit Tokyo and have time, I highly recommend to visit this place. Note also that it is close to other popular tourist…(188 words)
KIH
Watches Tokyo Visit Asakusa Museum SEIKO
Gorgeous and Exotic "Pontocho" in Kyoto!
At night, Kamogawa riverside is turned to be the scenic site well-known for its gorgeous Pontocho in Kyoto! I used to take my friends visiting Kyoto to Pontocho without fail. I just love their atmosphere - the traditional lantern lights in their narrow street are really exotic. Summer is here …(257 words)
EmiOnishi
Kyoto Summer Visit Sushi River Izakaya Tempura Cuisine Kamo river Maiko and Geisha
“Sushi Zanmai” in Yokohama Chinatown (Open 11:00 a.m. till 5:00 a.m.)
I would like to highly recommend Sushi Zanmai Yokohama Chinatown branch with the following reasons. (1) English menu is available.(2) You can order by piece. Simple billing!(3) Their Sushi Chef, Mr. Mashima (please call him Mathie) is the best! He has been constant in his devotion to le…(226 words)
Suetsumuhana
Yokohama Sushi Chinatown Visit Drink Beer English Sake (Rice wine) Kanagawa
Ban Rai Tei: One of the Best Noodle Restaurant in Yokohama China Town
Banrai-Tei is a great Shanghai Cuisine resturant in Yokohama China town. They are so popular that there are always lines and you can spot it easily. They originated as a noodle house and then started a restaurant, all their noodles dishes are so delicious. You've got to try their pai gu mian (Sichu…(208 words)
Suetsumuhana
Restaurant Yokohama china town Visit Food Kanagawa Lunch Chinese cuisine
What emus have to do with Japanese Technology
Think Japan, you'll sooner than later think technology. It's an association made around the world. It's why Akihabara remains one of the first (and last) places foreign tourists visit when they come - to take in and take advantage of the latest technology for sale.Part of the research I do for …(248 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Technology Japanese Visit City Japan English Akihabara Work Computer Cars
The world-famous Nara Daibutsu (Big Buddha of Nara),
Recently I had a chance to visit Nara with my family. In Nara, we have the largest wooden building in the world, called Todai-ji and you can view the Great Buddha housed inside Todai-ji temple complex. The Nara Daibutsu is officially called Rushana Buddha and commonly known as “Nara-no-Daibutsu-sa…(88 words)
OKAKI-sun
Nara Visit City Building Tera (Temple) view Traditional Japanese Todai-ji Temple
Quick and easy things to do in Yokohama #6
Cosmo World is located in the heart of Minato Mirai, Yokohama. It is an amusement park famous for its reasonably priced, easily accessed and extremely family friendly entertainment.There are waterfront views wherever you look from, with scenic views making it a perfect place to enjoy an afterno…(188 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Yokohama Yokohama Treasures Amusement park Minato Mirai 21 Visit Children Park Entertainment Cosmo World Quick and easy things to do
Quick and easy things to do in Yokohama #8
The tallest lighthouse in the world? That really depends on one's definition of what lighthouses are, but Yokohama's 50+ year old landmark is often billed as such.Inaugurated in 1961, when it certainly was the world's tallest lighthouse, Yokohama Marine Tower is a 106 meter high lattice tower w…(371 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Yokohama Quick and easy things to do Yokohama Marine Tower Tokyo Visit Japan Summer English Event Yokohama Treasures
Retro Souvenirs and Collectables Shopping in Yokohama
The Yokohama Collectors Mall is located in the mezzanine level of the famous Silk Center Building in Yamashita-cho, Yokohama near Yamashita Park. It is wall-to-wall, row-after-row, and counters filled with a wide range of fun toys, antiques, Americana memorabilia, and much much more.Walk the ai…(190 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Yokohama Souvenir Shopping Holidays Yamashita-cho Visit Park Building Walk Shop