Travel Tips

For people visiting from warmer climes, it is not often you get to see a near horizontal snowstorm whilst dining from a sky-high observatory. Well, the great thing about Risonare Tomamu is that there are two such places, being Sora and Otto Sette, the latter a cross between a refined library and a gentleman’s club, 32 stories above in the already high Risonare Skyscraper. Old coffee table books on British interior design, a baby grand piano, and a circular library, speak volumes about its sophistication and elegance, making Otto Sette a worthy flagship restaurant at Tomamu Resort.
With the city so far away, this is the place to see the sunrise on a new day, or perhaps a sunset or the full moon or the stars on a calm and clear night. The city lights and noise are another world away. What is little known to outsiders is that Hokkaido makes some of the best Yoshoku or Japanese-made western cuisine. The founding fathers and mothers of the last frontier in Japan were trained in agricultura..

Bright yellow sunflower fields are a source of happiness during the hot Japanese summer! Here we will introduce five spots in the Kanto region to see this beautiful and iconic summer flower.
The best time to visit sunflower fields near Tokyo is from late July to August. The spectacular sight of a field of yellow sunflowers against a bright blue sky will leave you exhilarated! You can find them in Tokyo's residential areas and in farms and parks located in Tokyo’s suburbs. Why not enjoy summer by visiting some sunflower fields?
*Flower bloom times differ every year.
*Depending on the situation, the date of the event and its contents are subject to change. Upon making your way to each venue, please make sure to avoid crowds and take careful countermeasures against Covid-19.
1. Himawari Garden Musashimurayama: Tokyo's Largest Sunflower Field Will Leave You Smitten!
These sunflowers healthily facing the sun are growing healthily. (Photo: PIXTA)
Himawari Garden Musashimurayama, l..

One of the benefits of the large and compact urban populations in Japan is the beauty of its night views—and Kitakyushu ranks number one in Japan’s New Three Most Spectacular Night Views. Choose from mountaintop lookouts to tower observatories, massive bridges, special events, and castle views—or experience them all. Here are five of the best.
Mt. Sarakura [photo id='232088']
The view from the Mt. Sarakura observatory is the pride of Kitakyushu, topping the New Three Most Spectacular Night Views of Japan and earning the title of the “Ten-Billion-Dollar Night View.” This is a must-see.
If you’re not up for hiking the 622 meters (1,866 ft) to the top, catch a ten-minute ride on the glass-enclosed cable car and slope car combination (barrier-free).
Check the time for sunset in advance. If you arrive while it’s still daytime, you’ll have a fantastic view plus a chance to see the extraordinary transition as the sun sets and twilight merges into night and the glow of the city s..

Along the Kanmon Strait at the closest point on Kyushu to Japan’s main island of Honshu, Kitakyushu became a major power in the late 19th century as the nation industrialized. It has remained a special attraction in western Japan ever since. Historic sites as well as sculpted and natural beauty prevail, day or night, in this city of around a million people. How much of it can you experience in one day? Take your pick from the top ten attractions.
Downtown Kitakyushu: Kokura Station Area [photo id='232066']
Most travelers first arrive at Kokura Station, with its Shinkansen, Japan Rail, and city monorail lines, or nearby urban expressway ramp. This area is packed with restaurants, standing bars, bakeries, and shops to explore. Walk just a bit further and find the castle, an old-style market, and an immaculate toilet museum.
Kokura Castle [photo id='232065']
Before the formation of the city of Kitakyushu, the area’s strategic heart was Kokura, where the Murasaki Ri..

One of Japan's three major scenic spots, Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture, is home to Entsuin Temple. Also known as the matchmaking temple, it is also a popular thing to see in Matsushima for many tourists.
There are many fun things to do at Entsuin Temple in addition to walking in its beautiful garden, making original prayer beads, and praying! The autumn leaves when illuminated is a sight you really must see.
The matchmaking Goddess of Mercy looks out on Entsuin Temple's beautiful garden
Many temples related to the Date Clan still remain in Matsushima-machi, Miyagi Prefecture. This place is not only famous for Zuiganji, a national treasure and temple that Date Masamune rebuilt, but also as a popular tourist spot attracting many to the nearby Entsuin, famous as a matchmaking temple.
Entsuin Temple is about a 30-minute car ride on the expressway from Sendai. It is about a 5-minute walk from Matsushima Kaigan Station on the JR Sengoku Line if you go be train.
▲ Yakuimon (Sanmon..

Torii gates are iconic symbols found throughout Shinto shrines in Japan. They mark the crossing between the normal world to the sacred world. In ancient Japan, they were traditionally made of wood or stone, but today, they are made of reinforced concrete and even stainless steel.

They can also be absolutely massive, towering over trees and buildings. Some are found in the middle of the city, others in rural forests or on lonely mountains. Some are even in the water, such as Miyajima’s Itsukushima Shrine, famous for its “floating” torii gate.

While torii make great photo opportunities, they also mark important places of worship, so it’s good to know a bit about what you’re visiting before you do. Here are five iconic torii gates in Japan.

1. Torii of Peace
Photo: iStock/Phil McMannisThe torii floats just close enough to land.
The Torii of Peace at Hakone Shrine is one of the most sought torii gates for photographers and sightseers. That’s because of its unique position where it appea..

Kanazawa – an ancient Japanese city overflowing with antique buildings filled with memories of a by-gone age. The harmony that characterizes the Japanese spirit can be felt through its peaceful streets.
Kenroku-en Garden, one of the city’s most renowned attractions, reflects this perfectly. This, plus its vibrant gourmet culture and fascinating traditional art, has firmly cemented Kanazawa as a tourist staple within Japan.
Today we’ll be looking at the 21 must-see spots in Kanazawa, as recommended by a local writer!
*Due to the impact of COVID-19, changes to business hours and temporary closures may occur.
1. Kokoyui – Make Your Kanazawa Experience Even More Authentic with Kimono Rental!
You’ll often spot kimono-clad residents wandering the streets of Kanazawa. And not just Japanese – foreign tourists donning kimono are a common sight! Favorited by locals, Kimono Rental Shop Kokoyui is just 5-minutes on foot from Kanazawa Station. This is where we’ll start our trip!
You can rent a k..

Aomori City is filled with enthusiasm during the Nebuta Festival, with a parade of colossal nebuta floats, music, and dancers. We'll introduce our recommended places to stay for the Nebuta Festival along the nebuta parade route in this feature.
What's the Nebuta Festival?
The Nebuta Festival is one of Aomori's biggest events and was recognized as a national important intangible cultural property in 1980.
The Nebuta Festival is a grand event with a parade of giant doll-shaped lanterns called “nebuta” throughout the city, and dancers known as haneto, who chant “rassera, rassera (welcome, welcome)” as they jump and dance.
The festival takes place from August 2-7, and large nebuta parades can be seen daily throughout this period. On the final evening, the procession moves to the water, and you can enjoy a finale of fireworks alongside the floats in Aomori Port.
▼Read more about the Nebuta Festival here:
Aomori Nebuta Matsuri: How to Enjoy Tohoku’s Premier Summer Festival
*T..

Japanese beef, known as wagyu, is renowned for its perfect marbling, soft texture, and melt-in-your-mouth fat. From grilling each piece yourself at a yakiniku restaurant in Kyoto, or relishing a steak in a full-course set, there are numerous ways to enjoy this unique Japanese delicacy.
This time we’re going to introduce 3 shops for yakiniku in Kyoto. All are located near popular Kyoto attractions, making it easy to drop in while sightseeing! With tranquil Japanese aesthetics, relaxed and friendly atmospheres, and careful anti-COVID 19 measures, these establishments adored by locals and visitors alike!
1. Kyou Yakiniku Kikyou – The Softest Cuts in Kyoto!
When you want to enjoy yakiniku in Kyoto, this is the spot. The wagyu served at Kyou Yakiniku Kikyou is carefully sourced by the head chef and owner, who, with decades of experience under his belt, can pick out the softest cuts just by looking at them! Naturally, all meat is from the highest-ranked A4 and A5 cows from across Japan.
Thi..

Japan is home to a wide variety of special interest museums, and one of them is the New York Lamp Museum in Ito, Shizuoka Prefecture. The venue exhibits approximately 70 items, including ornate Tiffany's stained glass lamps made over a century ago. The designs on the lamps include flowers, creatures like dragonflies and butterflies, and geometric patterns, among others.
Aside from the lamps on display, one of the best reasons for planning a visit here is the stunning gardens that can be enjoyed at the same time. Spring is regarded as the most colorful season, with the likes of geraniums, roses, snapdragons, and lupines looking their best. There is plenty to appreciate throughout other seasons, though, including hydrangeas and sunflowers during summer, dahlias and cassia in autumn, and nanohana (rape blossoms) and winter cherry blossoms around January and February.
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Another nicety of visiting here is the on-site cafe which offers ocean views and a va..