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Koshu Inden, the Traditional Japanese Lacquer-Painted Leather Craft by...
If there is one craft that is intrinsically related to Japan, it is Japanese lacquer. Before humans ever rode horses, the indigenous peoples of the islands of Japan were already using this exotic...
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Into the Heart of Traditional Japanese Arts and Crafts of Yamanashi Prefecture
When traveling, many people may settle for the most trodden path while may find that the more fulfilling experiences may consist of immersing themselves in what makes a place different from home....
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Yamanashi’s Water of Life: The Source of its Unparalleled Wild Game, Wines,...
Water is the beginning of life, and there’s one place in Yamanashi prefecture where it flows from the holiest of mountains and the purest underground springs. Here, water flows into vast forests...
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A Journey of Discovery to Unveil the Charms of Shizuoka
In the heart of Japan, between the iconic Mount Fuji and the serene Pacific, lies the vibrant region of Shizuoka. An area often overlooked in the rush to more famous destinations, the area is a...
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Sustainable Tourism Destinations Near Tokyo for 2024 – Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo...
As Tokyo’s tourism industry has experienced a remarkable revival since last year, the principles of sustainable tourism, societal impact, and cultural heritage preservation have become more critical...
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Enjoying the Beauty of the Fall in Isehara
Isehara City (伊勢原市) located in Kanagawa Prefecture’s heartland, is a gateway to both history and nature, just a short journey away from Tokyo and Yokohama. It’s a place filled with nostalgic charm and...
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How Does the Japanese Education System Work?
Although the legal framework of the current Japanese education system dates back to the postwar constitution, most educational structures, which were inspired by Western models, had already been...
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Understanding Butoh: Dance Born Out of Darkness
Butoh (舞踏), a captivating Japanese dance form, strikes viewers with its profound surreality and raw, anti-aesthetic qualities when witnessed for the first time. Emerging in post-war Japan, this...
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Who are the New Faces on Japanese Banknotes?
Did you know that Japan is about to roll out a new set of banknotes very soon? This will be the first major redesign in 20 years, aiming to enhance security with the best of cutting-edge security...
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Kanban Kenchiku: A Time Capsule of Early 20th Century Japanese Architecture
In 1923, Tokyo burned to its very core. Live wires and kitchens flamed out of control as the trepidation of the Great Kanto Earthquake shocked the core of the nation. It wasn’t the first, and it...
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A Love Letter to Atami, Shizuoka’s Legendary Onsen Town
At the zenith of Atami’s heyday, it was the golden prize of your average corporate employee. A spa town so highly regarded since ancient times that the Tokugawa shogunate had servants tasked with...
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Atami Shopping: Another Way to Experience this Famed Onsen Town
Experiencing Atami is incomplete without a stroll through its notalgic shotengai or traditional shopping streets. These old-school shopping arcades that we can still find in Japanese cities and towns...
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Tokyo Daibutsu: The Hidden Giant Born from War and Earthquakes
If you ask the average Tokyoite about Tokyo Daibutsu 東京大仏 or Tokyo’s Giant Buddha, do not be surprised by the puzzled looks. You would think that being in the capital city and all, a sacred figure of...
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Von Jour Caux: The Architect of Otherworldly Dreams
“Ah, Barcelona! Olympic Games, Sagrada Familia.” An almost unanimous chant uttered by many older Japanese people (old enough to remember the impact of Barcelona 1992) while making small talk, whenever...
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Traveling Through Japan’s Medieval Heartland in Kamakura
Approximately an hour south of Tokyo, Kamakura feels like a world apart. This coastal city, cradled between forested hills and the sea, boasts a laid-back style that’s pretty much evident the moment...
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