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Learning the Way of the Monks in Wakayama Prefecture
Even if you’re not the spiritual type, hiking the Kumano Kodo and staying with the monks of Mount Koya is a fulfilling experience.
By Aaron Baggett 9 min read
The Real Ninjas of Mie and Shiga Prefectures
These Japan Heritage Sites in Iga and Koka show us how real ninjas lived and trained throughout history.
Japan’s Indigenous Ainu Culture Deserves Recognition
The sacred land of the Kamikawa Ainu in Hokkaido offers a peek into the way of life of Japan’s original people.
A Day at Nagano’s Ryuoo Ski Park
Winter in Japan’s chilly central prefecture means skiing, Hokusai, and most importantly, snow monkeys.
5 Things to Do in Japan This Spring (That Don’t Involve Hanami)
If you want to tone down the cherry blossom celebrations this year, here are five alternatives to squatting in the cold on a blue tarp.
Kanji Cheat Sheet: Using the Ramen Ticket Machine in Japan
Because the longer it takes you to order ramen, the longer it takes to eat it.
5 Vacations to Help Rebuild Japan’s Disaster Hit Tohoku Region
Nine years after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, the stunning coastal towns of this disaster-affected region still deserve your attention.
A Comprehensive List of Closed Tourist Attractions in Japan Due to the Coronavirus
Teamlab Borderless and Universal Studios Japan among attractions closed until early-April.
A Trip to Niigata’s Phallic Shoki Festival
Every year between February and March, groups of local citizens head deep into the forests of Niigata for a festival that involves copious amounts of straw and a large phallus.
Starbucks Japan’s New Sakura Milk Latte is Sweetness Overload
Okay, the latte isn't that bad, but the Cherry Blossom Milk Pudding Frappuccino is liquid diabetes.
Chasing the Gods’ Crossing On Lake Suwa in Nagano
Crackling ice forms this natural phenomenon over the lake that inspired the 2016 anime “Your Name” (“Kimi no Na Wa”). Will this elusive anomaly make an appearance this year?
Inside Neko Neko Shokupan, Japan’s Kawaii Cat Bread Bakery
Japan's obsession with cats has made its way into everyday food products.
