Another 3hr trip – Odaiba
Odaiba, an artificial island in Tokyo Bay, is one of the many former fortresses constructed at the end of the Edo Period to stop U.S. Commodore Matthew Perry’s Black Ships from invading Japan. Today,...
Kamakura Ajisai – Hydrangea Tour (2) : Jochi-ji
In the previous article, we visited Tokei-ji, a peaceful temple, which used to be a safe haven for women. Now on to our next stop, Jochi-ji (浄智寺).
It is located near Tokei-ji and it takes...
Summer Illumination at Meguro Gajoen
A display of Japanese lights
Meguro Gajoen is Tokyo's longest-running wedding venue, and one of the most gorgeous, too. Its resemblance to the bathhouse of Ghibli Studio's "Spirited Away" has often been pointed out, and we...
Japan`s World Heritage Sites: Itsukushima Shrine – Hiroshima
Itsukushima Shrine: The Japanese Benchmark of Beauty
Of all Japan's cultural heritage sites, Itsukushima Shrine is perhaps not just the most beautiful, but the most important for understanding the traditional Japanese concept of beauty.
Known by its 16-meter brilliant vermillion otorii gate...
The Nostalgic Charm of Nihombashi
Heart of Edo
The phrase “hi sen ryo,” or a thousand gold pieces a day, was used to describe the streets of Nihombashi – or the amount of money that changed hands each day in...
Yamagata Adventure (4) – Nakano Sake Shop
Right beside the Dewazakura Sake Brewery is the Nakano Sake Shop, which sells all the popular beverages produced in the brewery.
Dewazakura Sake Brewery was founded in 1892 and due to its long tradition, experience...
Picturesque Matsumoto (4) – Daio Wasabi Farm –
You know wasabi as that green thing they serve with your Sushi, but do you know how it's grown? 32km north from the center of Matsumoto City is a 15 hectares wasabi farm that...
Oga Peninsula – Akita
The rugged peninsula, projecting west into the Sea of Japan, is home to the Namahage ogres (demon-like characters) in traditional Japanese folklore. Some of the breathtaking vistas include extensive cliff coastlines, the “Godzilla Rock”...
Diary of a Japan Tour Guide: Dakota, Lisa, Daniel and Emily in Marunouchi &...
Japan Tour Guide (JTG) is an online portal that aims to match volunteer Japanese guides with visitors coming to Japan. Read about their tours put together for tourists by these friendly local guides in this...
World Heritage (6): Genbaku Dome
Genbaku Dome: Hiroshima's Relic of Hope
Exactly 100 years ago, visitors flocked to admire the newly-built Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall - a proud symbol of modernism with its European-style dome. Now, people from all over the world gather...
