When planning a trip to Kyushu, Japan’s southernmost main island, one of the most important decisions you’ll face is where to stay. With its diverse landscape, vibrant cities, and rich cultural heritage, Kyushu offers something for every type of traveler. But depending on your travel style—whether you’re drawn to culinary adventures, historical exploration, natural scenery, or rejuvenating hot springs—some cities…
As you get ready for your trip to Japan, picking up some basic chopstick skills can greatly enhance your dining experience. In a country where chopsticks are the main dining utensil, a little practice beforehand not only shows respect for local customs but also allows you to enjoy Japanese cuisine the way it’s meant to be savored. Why learning chopsticks…
As cherry blossoms fade and summer’s heat has yet to arrive, most parts of Japan enter the rainy season, known as tsuyu. While many travelers avoid this time of year, those in search of a more affordable and less crowded experience often discover a uniquely atmospheric side of the country. From misty temple gardens to softly lit city streets, tsuyu…
Convenience stores in Japan, known locally as conbini, are a treasure trove of everything from food to daily necessities, available 24/7. Even the food selection alone is enough to make you feel like a kid in a candy store—so many tempting choices, it’s hard to know where to start! To help you make the most of your convenience store finds,…
Ginza brings together the finest from various fields. The streets are lined with high-brand boutiques, internationally acclaimed gastronomy, and art galleries. Among all the establishments in Ginza, the “Shiseido Parlour Salon de Cafe” stands out with a remarkable presence. The red brick building housing the cafe commands attention even on the main street. Founded in 1902, “Shiseido Parlour” began as…
Okinawa is one of the first places that comes to mind when talking about resort destinations in Japan. It’s not just the beautiful natural scenery and historic architecture—Okinawa’s rich local cuisine is also a big part of its lasting appeal. Located near Yūrakuchō Station, “Ginza Washita Shop Honten” (referred to hereafter as “Ginza Washita Shop”) is a place where you…
Oden is one of Japan’s traditional simmered dishes. By slowly cooking ingredients such as daikon radish, eggs, chikuwa (tube-shaped fish cake), and hanpen (another type of fish cake) in a large pot, it brings out the umami of the ingredients. While simple in appearance, this exquisite dish allows you to experience the depth of Japanese food culture through the complexity…
Sumo is considered Japan’s national sport, and the Ryōgoku area of Tokyo is home to the Ryogoku Kokugikan, where sumo tournaments are held. As a result, the area is known for its many chanko nabe hot pot restaurants. “Chanko” refers to the meals eaten by sumo wrestlers. Among these, hot pot dishes are especially common, so in Japan, the word…
Oden is a dish in which a variety of ingredients—such as vegetables like daikon radish and seafood-based items like chikuwa (tube-shaped fish cake) and kamaboko (another type of fish cake)—are simmered together in a large pot. Tokyo is home to many restaurants where oden takes center stage. The ingredients used in oden and the type of broth it’s simmered in…
In Japan, oden is so ingrained in everyday life that you can even buy it at convenience stores. Oden is a traditional Japanese home-cooked dish where various ingredients such as daikon radish, eggs, chikuwa (tube-shaped fish cake), and konnyaku (firm jelly made from konjac yam) are slowly simmered in dashi broth. Tokyo, where oden culture is deeply rooted, is home…
Onigiri (rice balls) can be conveniently eaten with just one hand and enjoyed with a wide variety of fillings. They’re so widely enjoyed that many consider them Japan’s soul food—and it turns out they’re a big hit with international visitors as well. Part of their appeal lies in the endless possibilities for fillings and flavors. But what kinds of onigiri…
Shibuya attracts many tourists from around the world and is widely known in Japan as a hub for youth culture and trends. However, the Maruyamachō area of Shibuya was once a flourishing geisha district, lined with many restaurants during the Meiji and Taisho eras. It’s said that scenes of geisha entertaining guests with dances and shamisen performances were once a…
A kissaten (traditional Japanese cafe) is typically highlighted by retro furniture, warm lighting, casually displayed art, and a calm atmosphere where jazz or classical music plays in the background. These nostalgic cafes—where you can relax and enjoy carefully brewed coffee and yōshoku (Western-inspired Japanese cuisine)—are a uniquely Japanese part of food culture. At “Cafe Bridge,” a long-standing kissaten located inside…
Slam Dunk is a classic coming-of-age sports manga from the 1990s that still captures fans’ hearts today. Many fans travel to Kamakura, a coastal town about an hour south of Tokyo, to visit the real-life settings and iconic scenes that appear in the story. One of the most famous spots is the railway crossing seen in the anime’s opening sequence….
Rain in Japan isn’t just weather, it’s a season. Known as tsuyu, the annual rainy season transforms the landscape and travel experience across much of the country. But not all regions are affected equally. For example, Sapporo, the capital city of Japan’s northernmost prefecture, Hokkaido, enjoys relatively mild summers and is largely spared from the prolonged period of rainfall seen…