Getting around Japan can be challenging if you’re unfamiliar with the language, but knowing a few key phrases can make your journey much smoother, whether you’re traveling by train, bus, taxi, or on foot. This article covers the top 16 essential phrases to help you find your way in Japan. Feel free to use this article while navigating and point…
Sharing a nabe (Japanese hot pot or stew) with others is always fun, but enjoying it at your own pace is a pleasure of its own. If you want to relish a meal without any distractions, head to “Shabu-Shabu Retasu Shibuya Center-gai” in the popular Shibuya neighborhood of Tokyo, where you can have a nabe all to yourself. Savor Kobe…
Nestled in Tokyo’s Shinagawa Ward, Hebikubo Shrine is dedicated to the white snake, a revered creature believed to be a divine messenger. The shrine sees a surge of visitors on the “Day of the Snake,” an auspicious occasion that takes place every 12 days and is considered especially lucky. To find out when the next Day of the Snake will…
When it comes to truth in advertisement, the seafood bowl at “Nihonbashi Kaisendon Tsujihan ARK Hills” in Tokyo doesn’t disappoint. Their signature dish, called the “Zeitaku Don” (literally, “extravagant rice bowl”), is so over-the-top that anyone who sees it will agree it’s the height of indulgence. “ぜいたく丼（特上）,” Zeitaku Don Tokujo (Supreme) Course 3,600 JPY (tax included) The Zeitaku Don is…
From September to November, Japan’s autumn is full of charm! This season is perfect for enjoying delicious fruits like grapes and apples, as well as breathtaking fall foliage. Here’s your guide to making the most of this beautiful time of year. Seasonal Foods As autumn arrives, Japan’s culinary scene celebrates the harvest with a variety of seasonal delights: Autumn vegetables…
Odawara Castle, one of Kanagawa Prefecture’s top tourist attractions, is believed to have been constructed in the mid-15th century. It is famous as the stronghold of the Hōjō clan, who ruled the Kanto region. Although much of the original structure was destroyed by earthquakes and other disasters, the castle keep was reconstructed in 1960, with additional buildings respectively restored in…
In Japan, it’s believed that there are many gods, a concept captured in the phrase yaoyorozu no kami, literally meaning “eight million gods.” Among these, however, the goddess of the sun, Amaterasu Ōmikami, is considered the supreme deity. One notable place where Amaterasu Omikami is enshrined is Asagaya Shinmeigu Shrine, in the Asagaya neighborhood of Tokyo. The shrine is known…
Japan’s traditional festivals are known for their vibrant parades centered on mikoshi palanquin. But did you know that the largest mikoshi in Japan is displayed at Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine? This magnificent mikoshi, adorned with diamonds and pure gold, is truly a sight to behold! Explore Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine’s 400-year history Founded in 1627, Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine enshrines Emperor Ōjin as…
Tokyo’s fall season (September to November) offers a range of weather conditions, from lingering summer heat to cooler, crisp days. To help you prepare, we’ve put together a month-by-month packing guide that ensures you’ll have everything you need for a comfortable and enjoyable trip. September in Tokyo September weather in Tokyo The month starts off with summer-like temperatures, often exceeding…
Just a five-minute walk from the famous Ameya-Yokocho market in Ueno, Tokyo, there’s a legendary restaurant called “Ponta Honke.” In business for over a century, they specialize in yōshoku, Western-style dishes that have uniquely developed in Japan. The venerable establishment’s impressive wooden nameplate stands out amidst the bustling buildings and eateries in the neighborhood. At Ponta Honke, you can savor…
In Japan, there is a tradition of eating bentō (boxed meals) during travel on trains and the Shinkansen. These special bento are known as ekiben, and they are a delightful part of the travel experience. As the name ekiben—a portmanteau of eki, meaning “station” and bento—suggests, these boxed meals can mainly be purchased at major train stations and some more…
Asakusa is one of Japan’s top tourist destinations. Every day, countless visitors travel the 820-foot-long, shop-lined path leading to the famous Sensō-Ji Temple. However, just to the right of its main hall lies the often-overlooked Asakusa Shrine. A Japanese National Treasure with 350 Years of History When you arrive at Asakusa Shrine, start by bowing at the torii gate before…
Situated in the bustling Toyosu district of Tokyo, “teamLab Planets TOKYO DMM” (hereunder referred to as “teamLab Planets”), produced by the international art collective teamLab, offers a distinctive art museum experience that integrates advanced digital technologies with natural elements. Visitors at this museum become part of the art itself, engaging with installations that transform based on human interaction. This article…
Perched on the 7th floor of the Shibuya PARCO shopping complex, you’ll find a conveyor belt sushi restaurant that stands out for offering top-quality sushi at reasonable prices: “Kanazawa Maimon Sushi.” High-Quality Sushi in Shibuya at Kanazawa Maimon Sushi Kanazawa Maimon Sushi is a conveyor belt sushi chain with its main branch in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture. Known for its…
“A mountain of fried shrimp would be like a dream come true.” Such is the delicious dream that inspired a unique restaurant in Shibuya, Tokyo: “Ebiyama.” Their signature dish is the “Ebiyama Special Bowl,” which features both ebi furai (breaded and deep-fried shrimp) and tonkatsu (breaded and deep-fried pork cutlets). “海老山スペシャル丼,” Ebiyama Special Bowl 1,700 JPY (tax included) A must-try…