At the eastern most tip of Shikoku Island is Muroto, a seaport city in Kochi with breathtaking nature- where the sky meets the ocean. It was here that the Kukai, a monk and later Buddhist saint from 8th century, attained enlightenment in a cave, and saw the sky and the ocean which he named himself after. On the way to … READ MORE
Hello, it’s cherry blossoms seasons again under COVID-19. Do you remember last year when Governor Koike called for refraining from cherry-blossom viewing, saying, “Please refrain from cherry-blossom viewing this year. The cherry blossoms will bloom again next year.” To our surprise not much progress yet in terms of the fight against COVID-19. A rope was stretched in Ueno Park so … READ MORE
On August 1st, Kengo Kuma’s latest project in the Greater Tokyo area partially opened to visitors! Kadokawa Musashino Museum is part of a larger complex called Tokorozawa Sakura Town, designed by the Kengo’s firm KKAA. While most of the complex is not yet open, the Museum is allowing visitors to book tickets in advance and visit in their designated time … READ MORE
We celebrated the end of the decade in Yakushima, an island south of Kagoshima, covered with luscious cedar forests and moss covered granite rocks. It’s an island that seems right out of a Studio Ghibli film with monkeys spilling out onto the roads, deer running through hiking trails and trees older than 3000 years old. In fact, director Miyao Hayazaki … READ MORE
Kagari 篝 is a not-so-hidden gem, found in one of the narrow alleys behind the main street of Ginza. They specialize in Chicken Paitan Ramen (鶏白湯), a type of ramen with chicken-based broth. The entrance looks fancy, just like a traditional Japanese restaurant! There is a line outside, so if you go during busy hours, you may need to wait … READ MORE
Cupnoodles (it’s 1 word and copyrighted, did you know that?). The one and only, the world famous instant delicacy in a styrofoam cup. Are you a big fan? Because I sure am. You can guess my excitement when we visited the Cupnoodles Museum in Yokohama last week. Located in Minatomirai, it is one of the key features of the Yokohama … READ MORE
It is festival season! Primarily festivals are associated more with Shinto, Japanese native religion, but in summer we have Obon that is the main summer festival for Buddhism and local community. Check it out almost every weekend you encounter some kind of summer festival all through Japan. Here are main festivals in Tokyo, but there are more locals ones near you … READ MORE
Guess how many firework festivals will be held in Greater Tokyo! Almost every weekend you can see fireworks displays in the air. Plan your summer! July 13 Saturday, 14 Sunday Yokohama Yokohama Sparking Twilight Yokohama 3,000 fireworks to be launched, 630,000 people expected http://www.yokohamajapan.com/events/… July 20 Saturday, Arakawa river ( Nishiarai bridge of Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line) … READ MORE
Atami is a city in Shizuoka prefecture, just 2 hour-drive away from Tokyo, known for its onsen (hot springs) and fresh seafood. The Tokaido bullet train has a stop at Atami, which makes it a great getaway spot for long weekends. Even though Atami is a tourist favorite, both for Japanese and foreigners, there aren’t too many thing to do, … READ MORE
Monkeys bathing in Onsen, natural hot spring in snow is an iconic scene of Japanese Winter. Where are they? Can we make a day trip from Tokyo? Are they always there? We went there to check it for you. 2 things to take away from this trip: A) monkeys were super cute and B) the walking path was very … READ MORE