Japan has the oldest continuous monarchy in the world. According to mythology, the first Emperor of Japan, Emperor Jimmu, is…
Kabuki theater is a popular performance art that you can only see in Japan. It is performed by only male…
Japanese writing consists of three systems, kanji, hiragana, and katakana. Here's a simple overview of how the Japanese writing system…
Kimono are traditional Japanese clothes that used to be worn on a daily basis until western-style fashion came to Japan.…
The Japanese tea ceremony is called Chanoyu, Sado, or simply Ocha. It is a choreographed ritual of preparation and the…
Ukiyo-e is a famous form of visual art from Japan. Ukiyo-e works are woodblock prints that depict scenes from Edo-period…
If you ask anyone to name one martial art from Japan, it is probably going to be judo or karate.…
Geisha are not prostitutes. This is a misconception based on inaccurate depictions in films and from the stories of American…
Japan has two main religions, Shinto and Buddhism. Although many people claim to have no particular belief, most participate in…
Otaru makes for a great day trip from Sapporo, or a nice stop along the way for those traveling to…
Hakodate is well-loved by domestic tourists but often overlooked by foreign tourists which makes it a hidden gem. If you…
The Historical Village of Hokkaido is an open-air museum in Sapporo with buildings from the Meiji and Taisho periods, during…
Hiraizumi flourished for nearly one hundred years, during a peaceful era of prosperity. Today, you can still see remnants of…
Aizu-Wakamatsu in Fukushima is especially known for its delicious sake and long history of samurai culture.
Aizuwakamatsu Castle, also known as Tsuruga Castle, is a traditional fortress located in Fukushima Prefecture. It now houses a museum…
Sensoji temple is one of the top tourist spots in Tokyo, which is no wonder as the temple has a…
The Hamarikyu Gardens are a Japanese-style park in central Tokyo where a fresh sea breeze blows. The gardens used to…
Kyoto is often called "the heart of Japan" and it is said that it would be impossible to get to…
Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion) was constructed by a shogun from the 15th century. You can still see his quest for beauty…
Toji means Eastern Temple, and this temple in Kyoto has a very long history. The religious foundations of Kyoto were…