Travel Tips

Curious George isn't a new character to many of us – the inquisitive monkey has featured in a host of books, TV shows, and movies. Something that is new, however, is the Curious George Kitchen, which opened at the Tokyo Solamachi complex in March this year.
The limited time café is set to run until September 25th, and at the moment they're serving up a summer-themed menu with some adorable dishes on offer. Guests can choose from the likes of a seafood pasta, a burger with Curious George embossed on the bun, or a pancake stack with syrup and tropical fruit on the side.
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As is the case with many themed cafes, it's not just food on offer – fans can purchase a variety of Curious George merchandise at the venue, including key chains, baseball caps, t-shirts, cooking aprons…and even Curious George banana stands.
Unlike most other themed cafés, Curious George Kitchen doesn't accept advance reservations via phone or online. If potentially ..

One of the downsides of living in Japan is being unable to use the JR Rail Pass. For those coming to Japan, the JR Rail Pass is a pass for temporary visitors that covers the entirety of the JR train network at a reasonable price and for a specific number of days.

Thankfully, discounts for foreign residents pop up now and then. For example, these excellent selective regional passes can be purchased by residents of Japan holding foreign passports. More recently, JR East has been offering discounts on Shinkansen (bullet train) tickets of up to 50% off! The catch is that tickets need to be purchased from the official JR East website between 20 days and one month before your trip.

The deal covers an extensive network of destinations in the Tohoku, Chubu and Kanto regions. With so many choices, you may be wondering where to start. That said, I’ll help you out!

Here are five of my favorite East and Northern destinations covered on the JR East Shinkansen.

1. Kanawaza (Ishikawa)
Photo: iSto..

Summer in Japan means it’s festival season. From the lively Obon held to remember and celebrate one's ancestors to various fireworks illuminating the night sky, there’s no lack of opportunities to celebrate, the Japanese way. But there's one festival that is especially wonderful and magical: the Tanabata Festival.
The Star Festival, as Tanabata is also called, is celebrated in Japan since 755 and thus has a long and rich tradition within the Japanese calendar. It has its roots in China, in a celebration called Qixi Festival. The tradition was picked up by Empress Koken, the 46th monarch of Japan, who introduced the festival's lore and traditions to Japan. The people loved the idea behind the Star Festival and it was welcomed with open arms.
Orihime and Hikoboshi – The Story Behind Tanabata
Throughout history, quite a few versions of what exactly lead to the Tanabata Festival have emerged.
Undoubtedly, the inspiration was the Chinese tale of “the weaver girl and the cowh..

The Ainu, like many indigenous people, were at risk of being marginalised, misunderstood, or objectified. Seen as a relic, or requiring protection, it was as far away from how the Ainu saw themselves, human beings with needs and wants, successes and struggles like any other people.
In their language, the word Ainu meant human. Not a race or a nation, but the humans placed by the deities to live in the land. It was only when they met other peoples, did the concept of divisions between humans entered their consciousness. They call the other Japanese from the south Shisam, or neighbours. It was a term without judgment, and for many years, they traded with them, for example, seaweed for iron and tools. In fact in the middle ages, some Ainu trading posts rivalled that in the Ryukyu islands and Honshu, as they traded with the Russian trading posts to the north as well.
The rich history of Ainu culture and traditions were passed on by poetry called Yukar, and often in songs or chants. There..

Recently, glamping has become all the rage among nature-lovers in Japan! This outdoor activity offers luxurious resort-style stays in tents and cottages. What's more, it doesn't require any setup or food prep, letting you enjoy all the best parts of camping without the usual hassles!
We will introduce glamping facilities that are easy to access from Osaka and Kyoto, such as Awaji Island's Grand Chariot Hokuto Shichisei 135° and Iseshima's scenic Kabuku Resort. Stay in a stylish tent or cottage while delighting in delicious cuisine, hot springs, and other various activities!
1. Kabuku Resort (Mie Prefecture): Relax your body and mind with extravagant BBQ and Finnish sauna
Nearby Ichigohama – a secret beach spot among surfers in Kansai!
The entirety of Mie Prefecture's Shima City can be found inside Ise-Shima National Park. Scattered in and around this city's bay is a series of islands.
Here also lies the nature-rich glamping complex, Kabuku Resort. Situate..

Kushiro is a city located in eastern Hokkaido. The area is brimming with unforgettable natural sights, including Kushiro Shitsugen National Park, the famous Lake Akan in Marimo, Japan's clearest lake, and is home to the majestic red-crowned crane, just to name a few.
Here, we've carefully selected ten amazing things to do in Kushiro, a place with so many of Japan's best scenic spots.
1. Kushiro Washoku Market: Make your own seafood rice bowls
The “Katte don” is a specialty of Kushiro Washou Market (Photo: Yoshida Kushokuwa)
Alongside the Hakodate Morning Market and Sapporo Nijo Market, Kushiro Washou Market is one of the top three markets in Hokkaido, and is just a minute's walk from Kushiro Station.
In the market housing around 60 stores, you can find fresh seafood, marine products, and various dried food. But what made this market so famous is its “Katte Don” (lit. rice bowl as you please).
The Katte Don is said to have originated in the 1980s when the owner of..

Occupying a northwest corner of the southern island of Kyushu, Saga Prefecture has coasts facing both the Sea of Japan and the Ariake Sea and is famous for Arita porcelain as well as its excellent seafood.
Browse & Book a hotel in Saga
1. Saga Castle History Museum
Photo courtesy of Saga Prefecture Tourism Federation
This museum showcases Saga’s attractiveness and energy during the fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate, a time in history that paved the way for Japan's modernization.
Photo courtesy of Saga Prefecture Tourism Federation
Saga Castle History Museum is a faithful reconstruction of a part of Saga Castle's honmaru (main keep), which existed here during the end of the Edo Period. It boasts a status as one of the largest wooden reconstructions in Japan. The building is surrounded by historical scenes such as a tenshudai, moat, and Shachi no Mon, or Killer Whale Gate, which is a designated Important Cultural Property of Japan.
Photo courtesy of Saga Prefecture Tourism Federat..

All-inclusive accommodation allows travel without concern for extra costs like food, drinks, activities, and services. They make budgeting easy and are popular with both Japanese and international tourists alike.
We’ll introduce four all-inclusive accommodations within a 2.5 hour drive from Sendai, the capital of the Tohoku region of northern Japan, to help get your luxury Japan vacation on point!
Enjoy the open road! Book a rental car in Tohoku
1. Matsushima Onsen Matsushima Ichinobo (Matsushima, Miyagi Prefecture)
Matsushima Bay is right in front of the garden (Photo: Matsushima Ichinobo).
To reach Matsushima Onsen, take the JR Senseki Line from Sendai Station for 39 minutes and get off at Matsushimakaigan Station. Take a taxi or the regular shuttle bus for 10 minutes to find our first all-inclusive ryokan inn, Matsushima Ichinobo.
Matsushima Onsen Matsushima Ichinobo (Photo: Matsushima Ichinobo).
Matsushima is ranked amongst the three great views of Japan. It collectively refers to..

Hokkaido is located in the northernmost part of Japan, and is home to some little-known magical photo spots. Namely, the torii gates that stand in the beautiful sea.
You may be familiar with some famous floating torii, such as Itsukushima Shrine in Hiroshima Prefecture, and Shirahige Shrine in Shiga Prefecture. But did you know there were some in Hokkaido, as well?
The floating torii gates in the towns of Shosanbetsu and Esashi have garnered quite a bit of attention on social media over the last few years. The towns of Okushiri, Rishiri, and Yoichi are also home to some rather unusual floating torii that have been secretly growing in popularity, as well.
But now, the secret is out as we introduce some little-known Hokkaido spots known for their magnificent views.
Above photo courtesy of Yoichi Tourism Association
What is a Torii? The meaning and purpose of torii gates
The towering torii of Itsukushima Shrine, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in Miyajima, Hiroshima Pr..

Japan is known for the kimono, but in the summertime, the yukata (浴衣), a causal version of the kimono made out of a thinner fabric, is the go-to garment!
Kimonos and yukatas are traditional clothing well-known throughout Japan. What’s more, it’s popular among foreign tourists who want to try wearing one when they visit. However, many people are still unaware as to what a yukata actually is or how people in Japan enjoy it.
With this being the case, we have interviewed the kimono brand Furifu about some commonly asked questions regarding the yukata.
In addition to this, we have included explanations from professionals so that foreign travelers in Japan can enjoy wearing one without any worries. These tips on how to wear a yukata both comfortably and well cannot be missed!
We Interviewed the Kimono Brand Furifu
Furifu is a kimono and clothing brand developed by MIMATSU co., ltd. This year, the brand is welcoming its 90th anniversary.
While the shop carries kimonos and yukatas with ret..