Asakusa is a district in Tokyo renowned for its historic charm and it’s where you can find Senso-ji, the oldest temple of the city. This area is now home to a dining experience like no other. Introducing the latest addition to its vibrant culinary scene: a sumo-themed restaurant that promises not just a meal, but an unforgettable cultural journey. Located amidst the bustling streets of Asakusa, this new dining establishment pays homage to Japan’s ancient sport of sumo wrestling in a unique and immersive way. Inspired by the rich traditions and rituals of sumo, the restaurant offers patrons a c ..read more

Tucked deep into the Shiga Prefecture is a city with a rich history and stunning lakeside scenery. This city is none other than Otsu – an underrated town just outside Kyoto. In the past, Otsu was best known among locals and travelers for being a massive trade port – with the famous Lake Biwa serving as the central hub for trade in the ancient Omi Province. Because of its strategic location, Otsu prospered and grew immensely during the Edo Period. Nowadays, many travelers overlook all that Otsu City has to offer in favor of hotter tourist spots like the bustling metropolitan center of Tokyo or ..read more

Zao Onsen, located near Yamagata City, is undoubtedly one of the leading hot spring towns in all of Japan. It is relatively close to Tokyo, making it a popular getaway. Throughout the year, various seasonal activities draw all types of travelers: large families, couples, and even solo adventurers. As a bonus, the relaxing onsen is located within stunning mountains and exciting wilderness. In Winter, Zao Onsen becomes the grounds of Zao Ski Resort, one of Japan’s premiere snow sports destinations. It attracts thousands of snow bunnies on a yearly basis. With the lure of steaming hot onsen pools ..read more

This quaint suburb right in the midst of bustling Tokyo is considered a diamond in the rough. Whilst it is surrounded by towering neighbours, Kichijoji still maintains a friendly neighbourhood vibe. This may be the reason why locals regularly vote it as one of the most desirable suburbs to live in Tokyo. Kichijoji is where you’d want to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon. It’s where you imagine taking a leisurely stroll under the afternoon sun. It’s where you’ll most likely come across couples going on romantic dates by the lakeside. It’s also got some of the best coffees in Tokyo (apparently!). Ta ..read more

Beat Autumn Leaves Spots in Japan – If you are asking when is the best time to visit Japan, one of the popular answer is : autumn. In fact, it’s my personal favourite season in Japan! The weather is great, not too hot, not too cold. The humidity level is low. But most importantly, from October, the leaves will start to turn yellow, orange, yellow and even red, giving amazing colours to the beautiful natural landscapes of Japan. This season is called Koyo in Japan, which literally means “red leaves” and one of the most appreciated type of leaves is the Momiji, the maple leaves. To help you enjo ..read more

Coming to Japan for the first time and immersing yourself into big crazy cities like Osaka and Tokyo for the first time can be super fun and exciting. Sometimes though, a few days stuck in a cycle of long days exploring multi-level shopping centres, ducking in and out of numerous ramen and sushi restaurants and generally being amongst (extremely) large crowds can get a little taxing on the energy. When you hit one of those days and feel like you’re in a slump, a day trip out to a natural oasis is one of the best things you can do. Luckily for those staying in Tokyo, there are plenty of options ..read more

Truly exceptional and authentic onsen towns are few and far between, but if you’re looking for one that’s completely off the beaten path in Japan (so, so off the path that the best way to get there is with a car), then this is the one. Here is where you can get to know the nitty-gritty of how extraordinarily hot sulfuric water gushing down from a still-active volcanic mountain is cooled before entering the nearby ryokans and onsens, and where you can spend hours upon hours visiting various different baths to get a full-circle experience. The water is said to be extremely beneficial for the ski ..read more

The quaint onsen town of Shuzenji has long stayed off the path of popularity and tourist crowds, but if you’re looking for a short and wholesome getaway to get away from the noise, leisurely explore on foot, and get lost in Japan’s nature, Shuzenji Onsen might be a great option. Located in the hillier district of Izu Peninsula, don’t expect to see vast ocean views here; instead, you will be blessed with historic buildings and stunning forests. It’s a town where there is not an extensive list of activities to do, but that is the beauty of it: you can explore the town on your own terms, and what ..read more

One of the best things that you can do for yourself whilst traveling through Japan is organise to attend a Japanese festival – a matsuri. The Japanese are very traditional people who have steadfastly held onto their festivity celebrations from many centuries ago. Whilst they’ve grown as a nation to become one of the leaders of new-age technology and cultural innovation, they welcome the changes year on year whilst still making sure that they hold onto their roots, and this is an incredibly warming, humbling, and joyous thing to witness. Aside from that, many annual matsuris have newly arisen o ..read more

Daruma dolls are one of Japan’s most popular good luck talismans. You’ve most likely come across them before as they’re displayed wherever people wish for good luck. The symbol of the Daruma doll is also one for perseverance. Because of this, you might have seen people get tattoos of these dolls on their bodies, or possibly seen the faces of the Daruma dolls on artworks and such. What are Daruma Dolls? The Daruma dolls are small rounded dolls that come in various sizes and thus are sold at various prices. They’re created with a slightly rounded bottom/stand which is designed to make it diffic ..read more