Travel
Yokohama’s most famous park is a reminder of how beauty can be born from tragedy
If you want an example of tragedy turned into beauty, look no further than Yamashita Park in Yokohama. The park rose from the rubble of the Great Kanto Earthquake. Built using repurposed debris from the disaster, it opened in the 1930s and quickly became a seaside landmark, attracting visitors with its… Read
Jetstar launches direct flights between Narita and Taiwan's Kaohsiung
Budget carrier Jetstar Japan Co has launched a new route between Narita airport in Chiba Prefecture and Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan, the first non-domestic service added by the airline in more than eight years. The airline will offer one flight in either direction daily, with Takahiro Abe, chairman of Jetstar… Read
At Kirin Beer Sendai Brewery Tour, take a deep dive into the brewery's history and enjoy a tasting afterwards
Among the top-ranking beer companies in Japan, Kirin Brewery places second in market share. Its clear, golden color and sweet malt taste characterize the brand’s famous ichiban shibori (first press) brewing method, which uses only the first pressing of malted barley to produce the wort. Visitors can enjoy a firsthand tasting of Kirin’s various beer… Read
Japanese avoiding domestic travel as foreign tourists increase, possibly creating vicious cycle
Every month, the Japan Tourism Agency, part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism, releases statistics about the total number of hotel stays in Japan (i.e. the total number of nights booked times the number of guests in the room). With the most recent publicly available data being the tallies for September,… Read
More shinkansen trains being added to Japan’s 'golden route' to meet traveler demand
The shinkansen isn’t the only way to get around Japan, but it’s the fastest, the most comfortable, and the most convenient. That combination, though, also means that it’s the most popular mode of long-distance transportation among travelers, and that means that seats can fill up quickly, especially along the “golden route” combination of the Tokaido… Read
This hot springs town in Japan sets fire across a mountain every winter in a beautiful tradition
Uonuma, Niigata Prefecture is probably most famous for its koshihikari rice production, but that doesn’t mean that it’s only worth visiting in the warmer months. While we previously compiled some of the best autumn activities to do in Uonuma, let’s build on that list by looking at two unusual festivals that blur the… Read
Kurashiki: Slowing down in Japan’s canal town
When people plan a trip through western Japan, they often rush between Osaka’s neon and Hiroshima’s memorial park. Yet tucked quietly between these two icons lies a town that feels almost like a secret: Kurashiki, in Okayama Prefecture. Maybe that’s why I’d always imagined it as an in-between town — a place you pass through… Read
Shinkansen trains are getting a Super Mario makeover
Mount Fuji may be the most recognizable natural symbol of Japan, but if we’re throwing man-made ones into the mix, the shinkansen has to be pretty high on the list, right? The crown jewel of Japan’s rail network represents not only technological innovation, but also the culture’s sense of hospitality towards travelers… Read
Travel app for foreign visitors awarded for exceptional services in Japan
An app that offers travel plans, reservation options and route searches for foreign visitors has won an award that honors innovative and exceptional services in Japan. Japan Travel by Navitime received the Prime Minister's Award, the highest prize under the Nihon Service Award scheme, for providing a detailed service covering… Read
Warm winter destinations in Japan: Islands and cities that stay sunny all season
Japan is not typically considered a winter tropical escape. The most familiar images of Japan in winter include the thatched-roof houses of Shirakawago, blanketed in snow, and the snow-dusted monkeys of Jigokudani in Nagano, warming up in the hot springs. While it’s true that places like Hokkaido and the Japanese Alps get virtually buried in… Read
