Matsumoto Castle: Ninjas and Crows and Koi, Oh My!
Japan is a land of many castles—some 300 to be precise. Admittedly, they can begin to look...
Hokkaido Events: Lake Shikotsu Winter Ice Festival
If we could recommend just one winter festival in Hokkaido, it would definitely be the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival, held in late...
Getting Lucky in Nagano: Visiting The Seven Gods of Good Fortune
In Japanese mythology, there are Seven Gods of Luck (Shichi-fuku-jin) who are believed to offer good fortune in return for your prayers....
Uga Shrine: A Power Spot Island On Lake Nojiri
Biwa Island sits just out of reach of Lake Nojiri’s western shoreline. Scanning the landscape, this tree-topped...
The Oldest Things to See in Tokyo: Ultimate Guide
While the historic aspects of Tokyo aren’t as immediately obvious as in some other Japanese cities, there’s plenty to see if you...
The Idyllic Hills of Biei: Exploring A Hidden Gem by Bike, Day 2
Good morning, Biei! At the end of our Day 1 article, we suggested a stay at a pension in Biei’s hills. If...
Ancient Art and Tranquil Gardens at Nezu Museum
The Japanese aesthetic is the sum of many parts, each wonderful in their own right. Ancient history, traditional art forms, architecture, design...
Fukushima UFO Museum: Have You Seen a UFO Lately?
Fukushima's UFO Fureaikan, or UFO Museum, is a public facility that opened its doors in 1992. Thousands of UFO-related materials, such as classified CIA...
Things To See And Do In Nozawa Onsen (That Don’t Involve Snow!)
Nestled deep in the beech covered folds of northern Nagano prefecture, Nozawa Onsen is a picturesque village,...
Halloween in Japan: Gotta Catch ’em All!
There's a different kind of magic in the air as crisp and golden October dissolves into the chillier winds of November. For...