Tokyo Ghost Stories
If there’s one thing Tokyoites love, it’s ghost stories. With the popularity of “ukiyo-e” (woodblock prints), rakugo and kabuki theatre in the 1800s, ghost stories or “kaidan”, became a key part of popular culture...
The things that go bump in Japan’s nights
Summer is the season of ghost stories in Japan, with Obon, Japan’s holiday honouring ancestral spirits, being held in mid-August. To get into the spirit of the season, WAttention sat down with Hiroko Yoda...
From Edo Castle to the Imperial Palace – The History of the Heart...
As Japan enters into a new era and welcomes a new emperor, the grounds around the Tokyo Imperial Palace will become much busier. That’s because for the foreseeable future Emperor Naruhito will be “commuting”...
The Four Seasons in Nagano City & Travel Tips
The rugged mountains that define the outline of Nagano City are a popular destination for hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts. In the summertime, the cool air provides relief from Japan’s boiling hot climate found...
Matsushiro Area：A historic town of samurai, powerful clans and castles
If you are interested in the history of Japan, then you cannot miss the chance to visit Nagano city. In this historic district, ninjas and warlords familiar from games and manga lived and played...
Togakushi & Iizuna Area: Ninja history shrouded in stunning nature
Togakushi Jinja Shrine
Discover mysterious legends and powerspots
Togakushi Shrine consists of five shrines located at the base of Mt. Togakushi. According to Japanese mythology, a grief-ridden Amaterasu, goddess of the sun, hid herself in a...
Tokyo: A city of two worlds
While Tokyo is often thought of as a modern metropolis, a step beyond the glistening skyscrapers and a wander down the winding side streets will reveal a pathway to the city’s spiritual side. Tokyo...
Snow, dogs and uniqueness in North – Tohoku
I’m sure. If I say Akita, you immediately think about the white and orange dog Hachiko.
And you think right. Akita Prefecture is the hometown of this type of dog and of course, Hachi,...
Another 3hr trip – Kagurazaka/Kudanshita
Although Kagurazaka is close to Tokyo’s entertainment district, Shinjuku, it has a character all of its own. As a prominent hanamachi (geisha district) that thrived from the Edo Period (1603-1868) to the Showa Period (1926-...
Daikanyama–The New Chic Haven
Vibrant and lively, yet laid back, the stylish Daikanyama area is a well-known hangout for Tokyoites. Only a short walk from the dizzying Shibuya Crossing, getting lost in Daikanyama might be one of the...
