EXPERIENCES

EXPERIENCES

Visiting Japan and not sure what to do? Let us be your guide; the articles below cover some of our favourite Japan experiences. Are you a foodie? If so, you’ll love the Michelin food scene and summertime river dining in Kibune. Perhaps you’re more into art and museums? In that case, explore ultra-arty destinations like Tokyo or Naoshima. Outdoor lovers will love the many hiking routes around Japan, including Mount Fuji, Mount Ontake and multi-day pilgrimages like the Kumano Kodo or Nakasendo Trail.

POPULAR POSTS

Phenomenal Ramen in the Suburbs: Shibasakitei in Umegaoka

With literally thousands of ramen restaurants in Central Tokyo and across the Greater...

Skating the Art Rink at Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse: Fun Winter Activities in Tokyo

Toddlers giggle, adults fall flat on their back, and a select few swoop...
Kinako kakigori at Kurogi

Kurogi’s Killer Kinako Kakigori – A Shaved Ice Dessert to Die For

Kinako, or roasted soybean flour, might be a difficult sell if you’ve never...

Check out Asahiyaki: Hidden Gem Pottery Class in Kyoto

As I stared over the Asahiyaki instructor’s shoulder during the pottery wheel demonstration,...

Bathing in the Buff At Kurama Onsen’s Open-Air Bath

Tired body? Looking for a break from the tourist crowds of Kyoto? A...

Late Night Eats at Ebisu Yokocho

By day, the neighbourhood of Ebisu hums with shoppers, museum-goers and the lunchtime...

Explore Tokyo’s Underground Temple in the Ryu-Q Kan Sewer Tour

For most, the words “Tokyo sewer tour” don’t inspire much excitement. It’s an...

Join in the Japanese tradition of eating KFC for Christmas

For those who celebrate Christmas, you’ll know food plays a big role in...

Mind Blowing Sub-terranean Art at Chichu Art Museum

A bird flying overhead might notice a few geometric shapes at grass level,...

The Hakone Open-Air Museum: A Playground for Art Enthusiasts

Visiting an art museum is probably not top of most people’s lists when...

Buckle up for Tokyo Mario Kart Tours

Tokyo Mario Kart Tours!? These Nintendo-esque go-kart street tours have to be one...

Ikana-akan! Osaka’s Unmissable Tenjin Matsuri.

Since time immemorial, Japanese sensibility has lionised the transient events in life. Soon...
Two slices

Pizza Slice—A Taste of New York in Tokyo

Japanese pizza has a reputation for being a little strange. Where else would...
The New National Stadium Tokyo

Aoyama Trek: A Nature and Architecture Walk

Tokyo is a sprawling metropolis with countless landscapes to explore. Besides the main...

Fish and Tranquility? You’ve Never Been to Oshima!

The chances are high that you've never been to Fukuoka Prefecture's secluded island...

Standing Yakiniku Restaurant Jiromaru: a great place for A5 Wagyu Beef

Whenever I have visitors in town, I love taking them to a stand-up...

A Great Half-Day Hike Near Kyoto: the Kibune – Kurama Hike

Looking for a way to enjoy nature, soak up culture and get some...

A Solid Hour Of Fireworks At The Tamagawa Fireworks Festival

Yes, you read that correctly—one whole hour. To be honest, I didn’t quite...

Half-day Kyoto Walking Tour Part 2: Kodaiji Temple to Kiyomizudera

This Kyoto walking tour brings you from the Kodaiji complex to Kiyomizudera. An...
Asakusa Temple

Ambling Asakusa Tour: A Tour of Old Tokyo Part 3

After a leisurely boat ride along the Sumida River, you will arrive in...

Dive Into Kyoto Tower’s Secret Bath House

Can your feet beat the streets of Kyoto no more? Or perhaps you’re...

Contemplating the Mysterious Rock Garden of Ryoanji Temple

Ryoanji Temple is a UNESCO listed Zen Buddhist Temple home to Japan’s most...
japanese lifestyle, art galleries, borderless

Lose yourself in the Digital Landscapes of TeamLab Borderless

Not sure if you’ve heard, but the whole Tokyo city lights and neon...

The restaurant that inspired Quentin Tarantino: Gonpachi Nishi Azabu

Cinephiles coming to Tokyo could definitely put together a movie-based pilgrimage trip. Movie-themed...

Looking for an Overnight Trip from Tokyo? Our Guide to Lake Kawaguchiko

While many of Tokyo’s visitors flock to Hakone, Lake Kawaguchiko to its North...

A $500 Sandwich At Nakameguro’s Wagyu Mafia

In Tokyo, you can totally get by eating on a dime. But when...

The 10 Best Foods to Eat at Nishiki Market, Kyoto

Food lovers rejoice, the Nishiki Market in downtown Kyoto is a mecca for...

Kyoto After Dark: An Evening Stroll through Pontocho and Gion

Kyoto is the gently lit canal to Tokyo’s fit-inducing neon—part of its charm...
A20 - Header

Backpacking Through Japan – An Overview

In the spring of 2019, my fiancée and I spent three weeks backpacking...

Monkeying Around at Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama

There can be no doubt that Arashiyama is one of Kyoto’s most popular...

What’s Up with These Japanese Fish Flags? Koinobori and Children’s Day

Once spring hits, they’re nearly everywhere. Visitors to Japan will find long strands...

Why You Should Seek Out A Minshuku (Japanese Bed and Breakfast) Stay

A record spins and 1960s folk music warbles out over the old sunken...

Heat, culture, chaos: the real Gion Matsuri.

Kyoto is a city that many consider to be the perfect embodiment of the truest 'Japanese sensibilities.' Refinement, subtlety and a restrained aesthetic create a type of harmony that permeates all facets of life in Japan. Minimalism, restraint and the beloved 'wabi-sabi' are all forms of a distinctly Kyoto-esque identity. Enter the Gion Matsuri: a night of hot air, cold beer and a touch of ancestral transcendence.
suntory yamazaki distillery whisky whiskey

Suntory Yamazaki Whisky Distillery Tours

Whiskey. Ireland and Scotland both claim to have first created it—in fact the...

Magical Winter Date Spot at the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Christmas Market

Despite having a Christian population of roughly 1%, Christmas is a big deal...

Avast Ye! Climb aboard Hakone’s Pirate Ships (a.k.a the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise)

Be ye brave enough to sail Japanese waters? Until One Piece, pirates and...

Nozawa Onsen’s Free Hot Springs (Soto-yu)

Nozawa Onsen’s heavy snowfall and abundant powder have...

Kayaking in Japan: Nagano’s Serene Otaki Village

Nagano’s Kiso Valley, with its wooded hills and pristine waters, is the perfect...

Gearing Up at the Final Fantasy XIV-Themed Eorzea Cafe in Akihabara

Calling all adventurers! The realm of Eorzea is in dire need of your...

Learning A Thing Or Two At A Japanese Cooking Class

Food is an important part of travel for me. When I’m exploring a...

How to Frolic with the 1,200 Bowing Deer in Nara Park

It sounds like a crazy fantasy. In Japan, there’s a city. And in...

Ponipirika Soup Curry Is A Perfect Late Lunch in Shimokitazawa

Besides seafood, Hokkaido’s best export must be soup curry. This is exactly as...

Freshly Fried Seafood At The New Toyosu Market

Tokyo’s world famous Tsukiji Market has now officially...

Beat The Heat With These Three Kawadoko River Dining Spots in Kyoto

Summers in Kyoto can be surprisingly hot and humid. Luckily, the pragmatic ancient...
Ikebukuro Parco

Ikebukuro Tour: Sunshine City and Beyond

Of all the major transit and shopping hubs in Tokyo, Ikebukuro seems to...

Catch your own meal at Zauo Fishing Restaurant Tokyo

Japan is synonymous with sushi. Every day, thousands of fisherman take to the...

Gomaya Kuki – World’s Richest Black Sesame Ice Cream?

If you have a sweet tooth and you’re visiting Japan, green tea-flavoured desserts...

The Nakasendo Trail: 1 day hike from Magome to Tsumago

Picture this: you're a feudal lord (daimyo) with land, money and power within...

The Jogasaki Coast: Hiking through Volcanic Cliffs and Quiet Capes

After a morning spent witnessing volcanic archery and visiting a capybara onsen, my...

Say Cheese! The Ultimate Guide to Purikura Japanese Photo Booths

If you’re looking for a fun activity that doubles as a memorable keepsake...

Exploring The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Arashiyama is a lush, scenic district west of Kyoto which translates directly to...

Exploring Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki at Okonomimura

Calling all okonomiyaki fans! If you haven’t already done so, you simply must...

Top 3 Torii Gate Tunnel Photo Spots in…Tokyo!

Loving those red torii gate tunnel images from Kyoto, but just can’t get...
A banner image of Buddhist monks climbing steps.

Okuno-in: Kōyasan’s Pathway Through Time

A line of Buddhist monks walk the stone path of Okuno-in.

Three Instagrammable Tokyo Photo Spots You Can’t Miss

Photography is a hobby of mine, a long running interest that I’ve had...

Kasuga Taisha Shrine: The 3,000 Lantern Shrine in Nara Deer Park

At first glance, Kasuga Taisha Shrine looks like the gateway to an ancient,...

Kayaking through Paradise on Okinawa’s Iriomote Island

As I paddled my kayak through the mangroves, a hawk circled overhead and...

The Top Things To Do On Miyajima Island

Miyajima, or Itsukushima, is a lush, forested island in Hiroshima Bay and undoubtedly...

A Tranquil Tea Ceremony at Uji’s Taihoan Tea House

For green tea fans, there’s really no going past Uji—a town with tea...

Forests, Lakes and Ancient Trails: Day trips in the Kiso-Valley

Deep in the mountains of Nagano prefecture, sidling the Japanese Central Alps, lies...

Front Row Seats For Neon: A Dotonbori River Cruise

In 1612, an Osakan man by the name of Yasui Doton began work...

Forest Bathing in Japan’s First National Forest: Akasawa Natural Recreational Forest

There’s nothing more soothing than spending a day in nature; I’ve always thought...

Exploring Fukue Island: A Goto Island Adventure in Nagasaki

The Goto Islands are an archipelago of 140 islands located off the west...

Half-day Kyoto Walking Tour Part 1: Gion to Kodaiji Temple

Looking for a short walking route in Kyoto that will give you real...

Nature’s Air-Con: Nagashi Sōmen Flowing Noodles Kawadoko Style at Hirobun, Kibune

Wondering how to cool off in Japan’s humid summer? Perhaps you’re munching your...

Fabulous Kyoto-style Okonomiyaki at Oagari in Gion

Local and authentic—these are the qualities typically associated with restaurants people want to...

Food and Fresh Air at Fukuoka’s Yatai

Mention Fukuoka to any Japanese person, and they’ll reply with one of two...

Art is Literally Everywhere You Look on Naoshima

Naoshima is more commonly known as Japan’s ‘art island’, and for good reason....
The main street in Akihabara

Akihabara to Ueno Part 1 – An Akihabara Trek

The districts of Akihabara and Ueno sit next to one another and offer...

RECENT POSTS

MUST READ