Travel Tips

There are over 500 named waterfalls in Japan, and of those, 100 have been compiled on a list by the Ministry of the Environment as the best in the country. Tokyo has one sole entrant in that Top 100 list – Hossawa Falls, located in the Okutama region of the prefecture.
The falls have a drop of 62 meters, and a great incentive to visit them during different times of year is the incredible surrounding scenery as the seasons change. During spring and summer everything is lush and green, in autumn there is a bounty of stunning fall foliage to enjoy, and during the winter months it's not uncommon for the falls to freeze over as the mercury plummets. A winter festival takes place at the falls from December through January, and one of the highlights is a competition to guess exactly when the falls will freeze during the season. Prizes are awarded for those who guess correctly, so be sure to try your luck if you visit!
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For those who work up an appetite aft..

A trip to Japan isn’t complete without at least one trip to a temple, which is ji or tera in Japanese. While you’ll likely find that temples are quite a common sight, not every temple has a Buddha statue with a hand the size of your body. These large, divine statues are known as Daibutsu, or “giant Buddha.”

Some of these Daibutsu are carved from stone, while others are forged using bronze. Whichever the case, each statue comes with its own interesting origin story— some of which are thousands of years in the making.

Here are five of some of the most iconic Daibutsu spread across Japan.

1. Todai-ji Daibutsu (Nara)
Photo: Thomas FaullThe bronze statue watches over Todai-Ji.
Todai-ji Daibutsu is found in Todai-ji Temple in Nara. The temple and surrounding park area are well-known for their friendly (sometimes not so friendly) deer, but the area is also steeped in history.

The statue takes a seated position and measures 15 meters in height. It represents Vairocana, the Illuminator, and..

You surely know Tokyo’s modern skyscrapers and traditional temples, but how do regular Japanese houses look? One that a regular Japanese family lives in?
While you’re free to indulge in Japan’s bathing culture at hot springs, discover ancient arts at old theaters, or bask in colorful pop culture at Akihabara, but day to day life in traditional a Japanese home stays hidden from the vast majority of travelers.
Currently, we’re living in a time in which those old houses gradually disappear to be replaced with modern apartment buildings and the likes, especially in and around Tokyo. While the West boasts a great many buildings made from stone, Japanese houses are traditionally made out of wood, so rebuilding and renovating has to be done once every generation, as a general rule of thumb. While some Japanese houses exist that are well over 100 years old, most of them are said to have a lifespan of between 30 and 50 years. Having a traditional-style home made from wood isn’t only a lengthy ..

Yamagata is home to numerous tourist attractions like Ginzan Onsen and Yamadera Temple, and with Yonezawa beef and exceptional local rice and sake, why not plan a trip to northern Japan?
Now, “wagyu” refers to Japanese Black, Japanese Brown, Japanese Polled, and Japanese Shorthorn cattle and their hybrids, and is characterized by its high quality, rich taste, and juicy fat content.
Most people envision the varieties raised in the Kinki region – Matsuzaka, Omi, and Kobe beef – but Yamagata Prefecture in the Tohoku region also produces a delicious type known as Yonezawa beef. Here we'll share all about this top-grade beef.
What is Yonezawa beef?
Yonezawa beef is produced in the city of the same name in Yamagata’s Okitama area. Okitama lies in a basin surrounded by mountains and is characterized by hot summers and frigid winters.
Yonezawa cattle are raised on a unique feed blend of wheat and corn to produce high-quality beef with just the right balance of lean meat and fat.
Along w..

Located in northeastern Kyushu, Oita prefecture is a largely agricultural region that is also known for the famous hot springs at Beppu.
Browse & Book a hotel in Oita
1. Oita (Funai) Castle Ruins Park
Also known as Funai Castle, Oita Castle was constructed by Takenaka Shigetoshi, who took over after Fukuhara Naotaka, the brother-in-law of Ishida Mitsunari, who served under Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
The main tower, or tenshukaku, has not survived to the present day, but visitors can still marvel at the impressive stone walls, which served as the castle's main line of defense, as well as side towers and the moat around the outer bailey.
Oita Castle Ruins Park is also known as a popular cherry blossom viewing spot, where over 70 trees of beautiful Yoshino cherry flowers bloom every spring.
Oita Funai Castle Ruins
4 Niagemachi, Oita, 870-00462. Oita City Art Museum
Located within Uenogaoka Park, Ōita City Art Museum is a place of tranquility in the midst of lush greenery.
Oita City Art Mus..

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!

Arabic/Japanese/English Interpreter TranslatorCompany: Embassy of the United Arab EmiratesSalary: ¥590,000 ~ ¥700,000 / Month (Negotiable)Location: Tokyo, JapanEnglish: FluentJapanese: FluentApplication: Must currently reside in JapanThe Embassy of the United Arab Emirates is seeking a new interpreter and translator.
Your main duty will include translating, editing and revising letters, reports, documents, texts, news articles, studies and presentations from English and Japanese into Arabic and vice versa.
Fluency in English, Arabic and Japanese is preferred.
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Japanese to English Translator/EditorCompany: AbracadabraSalary: ¥250,000 ~ ¥350,000 / Month (Negotiable)Location: Tokyo, JapanEnglish: Na..

Tokyo's historic Asakusa neighborhood is full of personality and, there, you can take in classic downtown scenery while experiencing Japan's characteristic hospitality. To really get to know Asakusa, it's best to have a relaxed pace and stay overnight.
Here are four ryokan inns and hotels in Asakusa especially recommended for overseas visitors. You're sure to find the right accommodations to suit your style, with an attractive Japanese atmosphere and interiors, places where you can enjoy Asakusa's unique scenery, and refreshing hot springs. You can also rest assured that COVID-19 countermeasures are in place at each.
1. Asakusa Hotel Hatago: A Japanese-style hotel with a panoramic view
The open view lounge
Evening in the lounge
About a 2-minute walk from Asakusa Station on the Toei Asakusa Line, Asakusa Hotel Hatago features an open-air observation lounge with a view of the Skytree, Sumida River, and Tokyo's spectacular night skyline. In July, the Sumida R..

The Michinoku Coastal Trail, located in the Tohoku Region's northern Honshu area, connects the Pacific Coast between Hachinohe City in Aomori Prefecture and Soma City in Fukushima Prefecture.
Opened in 2019, it is the longest trail in Japan, with a total length of over 1,000 kilometers. Maintenance of the trail originally began as a reconstruction project for the severely damaged Tohoku coastal area after the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011.
Here, we will introduce the Michinoku Coastal Trail and explain everything you need to know for your visit.
Photo courtesy of: NPO Michinoku Trail Club
The Michinoku Coastal Trail: Overview
Photo courtesy of: NPO Michinoku Trail Club
At a total length of 1,025 kilometers, the Michinoku Coastal Trail spans 28 cities, towns, and villages through four prefectures of the Tohoku Region along the Pacific Coast.
The route begins in Kabushima, Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture in the north, and Matsukawaura, Soma City, Fukushima Prefec..