The main season of the cherry blossoms is from late March to early April in Tokyo, but if you go to the north (such as Tohoku and Hokkaido), it is delayed by up to one month. Also, there are different types of cherry trees that bloom either earlier (e.g. Kawazu-zakura) or later (e.g. Yae-zakura).
Learn more about one of the most important people in Japanese history, the first Tokugawa shogun. One of our history expert guides summarizes the life of Tokugawa Ieyasu.
The Japanese tea ceremony is called Chanoyu, Sado, or simply Ocha. It is a choreographed ritual of preparation and the serving of a type of Japanese green tea called matcha, along with traditional sweets to balance the bitter taste of the tea.
The third shogun of the Edo period had an interesting life. What made him the way he was? And what happened to Japan during his reign?
The turning point for the city of Edo, actually for all of Japan, was the arrival of Commodore Matthew Perry’s Black Ships at Edo-wan (now known as Tokyo Bay) in 1853. Perry’s US Navy expedition demanded that Japan open itself to foreign trade.
The fall season is an underappreciated tourist season in Japan. After the worst of the summer heat and humidity disappears, it still stays pleasantly warm in the Japanese fall.
Originally from China, it was the Japanese who created koi fish’ beautiful coloring that made them so popular. Where can you see these carps in Japan? And is it possible to visit a koi farm?
Learn more about the history of the Imperial Family of Japan and the lives of the current royals!
Throughout the year there are many lively festivals, or matsuri, that are held throughout Japan. Which festivals are considered the most major ones?
Japanese ceramics and lacquerware are very popular household goods throughout the world. Find out more about these wonderful crafts from Japan.
Ukiyo-e is a famous form of visual art from Japan. Ukiyo-e works are woodblock prints that depict scenes from Edo-period Japan. Learn more about these intriguing works of art!
We would like to let you know about two slightly less mainstream J-pop powerhouses: let us introduce you to Chōtokkyū and Hatsune Miku!
In Japan, there are many groups or bands made up of artists who dance, sing, perform, and appear on television in various programs. These artists are called ‘Idols’ and they are a large part of the Japanese music industry.
Within the wide musical variety within the Japanese industry, there are many artists that don’t fit the J-pop genre. Let us introduce Wagakki and World Order, two avant-garde music groups from Japan.
Kimono are traditional Japanese clothes that used to be worn on a daily basis until western-style fashion came to Japan. Today, the Japanese still wear kimono to official functions sometimes.
If you are a bit adventurous, the Sunamachi Ginza is a great alternative for crowded and popular places like Omoide Yokocho to get your local street food fix.
Yanesen in Tokyo is a great destination for travelers who are looking for a peaceful, local area with a traditional feel to it. Find out what to see and do in Yanesen!