May 18, 2026
Dive Into the World of Sumo in Tokyo
At its core, Sumo is a combat sport in which two wrestlers, known as rikishi, face off inside a circular ring called a dohyo.
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May 16, 2026
Discover ASMUI Spiritual Hikes, a Sacred Escape in Northern Okinawa
ASMUI Spiritual Hikes is a scenic, hiking-based attraction built around the rugged limestone mountains of northern Okinawa.
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May 14, 2026
I Enjoyed Squid and Sake While Riding on Aomori’s Retro Stove Train…Well, Sort of
The wooden interiors, retro decor, and glowing stoves create an atmosphere that feels worlds away from Japan’s sleek Shinkansen trains.
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May 13, 2026
Discover Ryusendo Cave and Its “Dragon Blue” Underground Lakes
Nestled deep within the mountains of Iwate Prefecture, Ryusendo Cave is one of Japan's three great limestone caves.
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May 12, 2026
Aomori Has the Coolest Museums
Aomori isn't the most exciting city, but one thing about it surprised me – it's home to some of the most interesting museums I've visited so far in Japan.
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April 7, 2026
Stepping Into Stillness: Experiencing a Tea Ceremony in Japan
The Japanese tea ceremony (chanoyu) is a traditional practice centered around the preparation and serving of matcha.
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March 25, 2026
Sky-High Views, Zero Yen: Free Observatories in Tokyo
Shibuya Sky and Tokyo Skytree are two of the most popular observatories in Tokyo, but admission isn't cheap.
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January 12, 2026
Discover Ogijima, an Understated Island off Takamatsu
The more deeply I explore Japan, the more I learn to appreciate and yearn for places like Ogijima.
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January 11, 2026
Is Ritsurin Koen the Most Beautiful Garden in Japan?
Why the achingly beautiful Ritsurin Koen isn't one of Japan's Three Great Gardens is beyond me.
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December 15, 2025
This Way to Ogimachi (Shirakawa-go)
Ogimachi Village in Shirakawa-go is often described as the most beautiful village in Japan, if not all of Asia.
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December 10, 2025
Hiking Yamanobe-no-michi, the Oldest Recorded Road in Japan
Yamanobe-no-michi is a quiet countryside trail that winds through rural Nara, past ancient shrines, farm villages, and forested hillsides.
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September 22, 2025
This Way to Lake Biwa
Lake Biwa is the largest freshwater lake in Japan. Located entirely in Shiga Prefecture, it measures approximately 64 km (40 miles) from north to south.
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