5/4/2026 · 5 min read · culture
How to choose an English-language tea ceremony in Kyoto: the kinds of venues, what happens in the tea room, etiquette, seating, what to wear and when to book.
5/4/2026 · 6 min read · culture
How to find a real matcha latte or parfait in Kyoto, Uji and Tokyo: whisked tea versus sweet mixes, how the layers work, and how to avoid the long queues.
5/4/2026 · 6 min read · culture
How Uji became Japan's most famous matcha town, from Zen monks and shaded tea fields to old tea merchants, plus the sweets and seasons worth planning around.
5/4/2026 · 5 min read · events
What the Aomori Nebuta Festival is like in early August: the glowing floats, how to join in as a haneto dancer, getting there from Tokyo, and where to stay.
5/4/2026 · 6 min read · events
A practical guide to Tokushima's Awa Odori in mid-August: the dance styles, paid stages versus free streets, joining a niwaka-ren, and getting there from Osaka.
5/4/2026 · 5 min read · events
How to enjoy the Takayama Festival in April and October: the ornate yatai floats, karakuri puppets, the lantern-lit night parade, access, and where to stay.
5/4/2026 · 6 min read · experiences
Kusatsu, Hakone, Ikaho, Kinugawa or Nasu? How five hot-spring towns near Tokyo compare on water, atmosphere and travel time, with routes and booking tips.
5/4/2026 · 1 min read · experiences
Private open-air baths, where you can deeply experience Japan's onsen culture in a private space, are a highlight of travel. In this article, we'll share tips for finding your ideal accommodation, covering how to choose rooms with private open-air baths or reservable private baths, popular hot spring areas, and important points to note when booking. Enjoy the hot springs to your heart's content and create unforgettable memories.
5/4/2026 · 3 min read · experiences
Embark on a journey through Kyushu's proud hot spring resorts: Beppu, Yufuin, and Kurokawa Onsen. Experience the diversity of spring qualities, beautiful scenery, and traditional hot spring cure culture, and discover the deep appeal of a Japanese hot spring trip that heals both mind and body.
5/4/2026 · 5 min read · experiences
What happens at a Japanese onsen, from the entrance curtain to the rest area: washing, towels, how long to soak, tattoos, and easy places for your first bath.
5/4/2026 · 5 min read · food
A half-day guide to Kyoto's Fushimi sake district: why its water matters, how to get there, the Gekkeikan museum, tasting spots, the canal and when to visit.
5/4/2026 · 5 min read · food
How to visit Kobe's Nada Gogo sake district on your own: the five brewing areas, trains from Osaka and Kobe, the best brewery museums, seasons and tasting tips.
First-timers: Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka Golden Route for 7 days. Been before? Try Hokkaido in winter or Okinawa in summer — totally different vibes.
Read more →Tokyo blooms ~5 days before Kyoto. Safest play: Tokyo in early April, then head south to Kyoto the second week for late bloomers at Arashiyama.
Read more →February for Sapporo Snow Festival + Abashiri drift ice. July for Furano lavender + Biei green fields. Skip May — still cold, low scenery payoff.
Read more →2 days is plenty (Dotonbori, USJ, Osaka Castle). Better yet, use Osaka as a base for Kyoto/Nara/Kobe daytrips — hotels ~30% cheaper than Kyoto.
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