Travel Tips

A few months ago, I thought I’d lost my mind when I heard my boss ask new employees not to forget about “spinach.” Everyone nodded, seemingly undisturbed by her odd request. After the meeting, I asked one of my seniors about it.

She explained that hourensou, the Japanese word for spinach, is also a model for corporate communications that many Japanese companies follow. Many corporations have adopted it since its conception in the 1980s, bringing about many similar terms and alternatives.

What do vegetables have to do with corporate life in Japan? Make like Popeye The Sailor, grab some spinach, and let’s get to the root of it.

Spinach: reporting, communicating and consulting
Photo: iStock/ StockstudioXTakes “if it ain’t broke” to a whole other level.
Hourensou (報（ほう）連（れん）相（そう）), pronounced like the Japanese word for spinach (ほうれん草（そう）), was a term invented by the author and businessman Tomiji Yamazaki out of three key behaviors he expected from employees:

Hou (報（ほう）) refers to houko..

Festivals, known in Japanese as matsuri, are a deep part of Japan's culture. Many traditional festivals are held in Japan all throughout the year. There are also a number of seasonal events, from cherry blossom festivals to fireworks displays, and musical performances.
Here we share a fun-filled list of events and festivals held throughout the Kanto, Kansai, Hokkaido, and Tohoku regions, organized by month. When planning your trip to Japan, make your time more rewarding by enjoying a traditional Japanese festival!
(*All events listed are subject to change or cancellation in accordance with health and safety protocols.)
Top Photo: Aomori Tourism and Convention Association
January
Hatsumode (Nationwide)
・When: New Year's Eve to early January
・Where (in Tokyo): Sensoji Temple, Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingu) and other shrines/temples.
Hatsumode is the first important event of the year for many people in Japan. On this day, people all over the country pay a visit to a shrine or templ..

Among many other things, Japan is famous for its food. In fact, some Japanese dishes are probably one of the better-known features of this country. Sometimes, the many amazing (and oftentimes unique) Japanese sweets that populate Japanese culinary culture sometimes go unnoticed.
Like other Japanese dishes, there are a great number of Japanese sweets! Many of these traditional sweets belong exclusively to Japanese tradition and are generally encompassed by the term wagashi. Wagashi refers to typical Japanese confections usually served with a beverage or other dishes. Oftentimes they are created specifically to accompany a specific tea or drink.
While Japanese cuisine is reach of sweets such as cakes, baked goods, and pastries, you’ll find that many of the “very Japanese” sweets are wagashi.
While some of these have found their place on dessert menus abroad, most tend to be available just in Japan. We’ve selected just 10 of the must-try ones for when you visit the country!
1. Senbei and..

Warm and humid, the summers in Japan can be too much for many to handle at times. But summer also boasts a multitude of fun experiences that you cannot have outside of that season. So what do foreigners in Japan look forward to in summer?
To find out, I conducted interviews to hear more about what foreigners like about summer in Japan, especially with regard to food and events. (The responses below are the respondents' personal opinions; this piece is written by a Japanese national.)
Experiencing the True Japanese Spirit at Summer Festivals
Shawn.ccf / Shutterstock.com
“Japanese festivals! They are where you can experience the real, authentic Japan and are very impressive!” (French man in his 30s)
“I’m not used to the heat and would rather not go out, but I want to go to festivals!” (American woman in her 20s)
“Definitely the festivals! The atmosphere is great and unique, but what’s interesting is the way the Japanese people are all making merry even though they are usually reser..

Seas of clouds – known as unkai in Japanese – are layers of clouds or mist viewed from above. Unkai Terrace in Hokkaido is one of the most popular of these places to visit!
So how do unkai form? They are a natural occurrence that happens under certain circumstances, but when it occurs, it is truly an amazing sight to behold. There are various types of seas of clouds in Japan, such as mist above the ocean or a lake, or fogs created by humid air on low grounds being pushed up the mountainside by winds.
Hokkaido has a large landmass and is surrounded by an ocean – so this means there are a number of areas where you can see a sea of clouds!
Unkai Terrace Has Many Viewing Spots
Unkai Terrace is an observation spot in Hokkaido’s largest scale resort “Hoshino Resorts Tomamu” in Shimukappu Village. It is one of the major viewing spots in Hokkaido for Japan clouds and, in the autumn of 2018, Unkai Terrace has attracted over 1 million people since they had opened 13 years ago.
Clouds in Japan: ..

If you’re looking to work in Japan, check back here each week as we look through our database of top jobs in Japan posted to GaijinPot and showcase some of the most interesting ones.

You can apply directly to these companies by creating a profile on GaijinPot Jobs!

Real-estate Translation SupportCompany: Kentaku LeasingSalary: ¥260,000 / Month (Negotiable)Location: Shin-Okubo, TokyoEnglish: Business levelJapanese: Business levelApplication: Must currently reside in JapanYour main duty will be performing translation tasks for different business sides.
You must have a valid Japanese driver's license.
Benefits include little overtime work, salary increase, a bonus twice a year and an international team.
Share this Job Apply Here
Project ManagerCompany: Dynaword Inc.Salary: ¥249,000 ~ ¥281,000 / MonthLocation: Tokyo, JapanEnglish: Business levelJapanese: Business levelApplication: Must currently reside in JapanDynaword is looking for a Chinese-speaking Project Manager.
Your main d..

Wakayama Castle is counted among the best 100 castles in Japan. The castle tower was rebuilt in 1958, and 2018 marked the 60th anniversary of that. The stone walls and moat have survived many historical events.
A part of the Edo era bailey (a courtyard within a castle enclosed by a curtain wall) is now a park and sightseeing spot full of attractions such as gardens, a historical center, and even a zoo.
Join us as we share the best ways to see Wakayama Castle!
Wakayama Castle: Basic information and access
Wakayama Castle is about a 10-minute walk from the Nankai Electric Railway Wakayama City Station.
The Wakayama City Hall is right in front of the park which is located in the very center of the city. Its easy access makes the castle an excellent sightseeing spot in which you can wander about freely and except for certain areas, such as the castle tower, there are no admission fees.
▲The grounds of Wakayama Castle have been made into a park.
Wakayama Castle played a key role in the w..

Photographers can find many great spots from which they can take photos of the Tokyo skyline. The unique architecture, sprawling parks and bays, and neon lights of our fair city can turn any shot into a great memento of your trip.
With so many to choose from, it’s easy to make a list of great Tokyo skyline spots. But where’s the fun in that? Instead, take our speed challenge and visit several great viewpoints in one day! Within 24 hours, you can see (and take pictures of) the Tokyo skyline from many angles.
1. Tokyo Skytree
Tokyo Skytree is the tallest and best-known spot to see the Tokyo skyline. So why go there first? Well, because it’s the tallest landmark in Japan and offers the best views in Tokyo. The lines here are going to get long throughout the day, and you want to avoid that if you’re going to complete your one-day tour.
How to get to Tokyo Skytree
Start at 7:15 a.m. at Shibuya Station. You’re going get on the Tokyo Metro Hanzōmon Line, platform 2 and get off at Oshiage St..

The Tohoku region of Japan comprises six prefectures – Aomori, Akita, Iwate, Yamagata, Miyagi, and Fukushima – and the area is home to some stunning natural scenery, snowy winters, and excellent hot springs destinations. There are also plenty of unique places to stay if you're planning a visit to this part of the country, and this guide covers five of them.
British Hills Located in Fukushima, British Hills offers a slice of the United Kingdom right here in Japan. All of the materials and furnishings for the venue were imported from England (right down to the bricks and mortar!), to provide a truly authentic experience. The grounds themselves are designed to emulate a British village, and there's even an on-site tea room and pub if you want to grab a bite to eat.
Shibakusa-1-8 Tarao, Tenei, Iwase District, Fukushima 962-0622
[photo id='232116']
Hotel El Faro Miyagi Prefecture's Hotel El Faro is a group of mobile homes turned into hotel rooms, but it's ..

It isn’t a coincidence or surprise that humans always turn to forests when they need a peaceful atmosphere, stunning scenery and fresh air. I frequented forests and hiking trails throughout Japan’s state of emergency, and it turns out that forests have a tremendous impact on our mental health and overall wellbeing.

But if I could choose just one trail, it would be in Shiso is my all-time favorite city in Hyogo. Why would a solitude-loving introvert foreigner choose Shiso over other cities? The reason behind this baffling fact is simple. Shiso has something other cities in Hyogo Prefecture don’t have: therapy roads!

Trails surrounded by lush greenery, where you are healed mentally and physically by nature. While there are therapy roads spread all across Japan, these three in Shiso hold special meaning for me.

What is a therapy road?
Photo: Shiso Forest Kingdom Tourism AssociationInto the woods.
Shinrinyoku (forest bathing) was always a part of Japanese culture and has become a relaxa..