This is our collection of selected locations (machi) from all around Japan - places with various different cultures, local specialities, and novel customs. In what should a memorable first edition, we feature Aomori Prefecture at the northernmost point of Honshu, best known as an apple region and fo
Visiting a shrine is an integral part of any journey to the land of the rising sun. Most of us have heard through guidebooks of the likes of Kyoto's Fushimi Inari Shrine, Hiroshima's Itsukushima Shrine and Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, etc. However, there are many more spots - hidden secret shrines worth c
Feel Tokyo under your feet, at your own pace. 2017 May 14 (Sunday) 8:00 AM Start at the Tokyo Government Building (area) With the ability to find carefully scheduled trains and buses, and catch a taxi anywhere, Tokyo’s public transportation is at the top in terms of convenience. However
This is a continuation of the previous report [“A Quick Trip to Tomamu”, what to do for 2 days and 1 night]. This entry will conclude the second day. [DAY1] What to do (1): Wake up with a jet bath 5:00 AM Retiring before midnight the previous night I got some great sleep and am wide aw
Ishigaki-jima, is an island located about 3 and a half hours away from Tokyo and 1 hour from mainland Okinawa with both a resort-like feeling of Hawaii and Bali, and also offers visitors untouched nature and balmy warm weather, all in a unique countryside atmosphere. Ishigaki-jima's best known sight
Other areas for sightseeing outside of Tokyo are big cities like Osaka and Kyoto, places with World Heritage sites. There are also destinations like Hakone and Iga, where you can take relaxing overnight or day trips, but wait a minute! There’s Hokkaido, full of nature that can be fully enjoyed in ju
Tokyo has traction not only in Japan but in the global fashion culture as well. The area where Harajuku crosses into Omotesando, is lined with popular brand stores, select shops, and is always full of people. There are also a large number of hair salons. Due to the fierce competition and frequent
If it’s your first time in Shibuya and Harajuku, everything is new. It’s normal to get lost, not know where to go or which train to ride, but something you may want to know is where to find a restroom. Overseas there are many places that don’t allow access to their restrooms as crime prevention, but
With a refined and mildly sweet flavor, it’s no exaggeration that anko (red bean paste), matcha (green tea), and monaka (crispy wafer sandwich with filling) are representative of sweets in Japan. They are also low calorie compared to regular cakes and cookies! Delicious with few calories make
In recent years “Yoyogi” has seen a big increase in foreign visitors as it has become popular for travelers to stay in local residences. Tokyo is a leading metropolitan area for business and sightseeing, but despite being within walking distance of Shinjuku and Harajuku, Yoyogi is not a well-known a
Hair care items and cosmetics using natural ingredients are popular in Japan. Recently, using natural items for manicures has also become a hot topic. Wanting only luxury brands can be a problem, but thinking “anything‘s fine as long as it’s cheap” isn’t good either. You should only us
Tsuruoka City in Yamagata prefecture is a beautiful area, rich with nature and where you can find remnants of the historical culture of the castle town it once was. This time I participated in a model tour planned by ANA to experience the history and food culture of this region. It was a valuable ex
With cutting-edge apparel brands and rows of restaurants, “Harajuku” is one stop you definitely want to make in Tokyo. There are so many places to shop that one day isn’t enough to take it all in. Also, not just the shops, but pay attention to people’s fashion as well! You may see something i
