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Renowned for its deep blue hue, Lake Mashu is one of Hokkaido’s finest natural sights! Known in the Ainu language as Kamuito, the ‘Lake of Gods’, this magnificent wonder is the perfect addition to any nature lover’s Hokkaido itinerary.
So what’s the secret behind Lake Mashu’s enchanting clear waters, and what can you actually do there? We’ll take you through the delights of Lake Mashu throughout the year, from the fresh greenery of summer to the depths of the intense white winters!
What Kind of Place is Lake Mashu?
Located in the Akan Mashu National Park in eastern Hokkaido, Lake Mashu is a 19.6 square kilometer volcanic caldera lake with a whopping 20-kilometer circumference.
As the lake and surroundings are a designated ‘Special Protection Area’ enclosed by sharp cliffs, it is impossible to actually go down into the lake. However, there are lookouts offering stunning panoramas sure to satisfy!
Why are Lake Mashu's waters so clear?
With rain as its primary source, the lake is fr..

Ginza is a glitzy neighborhood in Tokyo where cutting-edge trends and Japanese tradition coexist. From well-established boutiques to fancy department stores, world-class brand shops, and flagship stores for fast fashion brands from Japan and beyond, it’s an area that is consistently popular among tourists from all over the world.
In the Ginza Station area, at the heart of Ginza, there are several new and old landmarks. Access to these places varies depending on exactly where you are going. Here, we have carefully selected sightseeing spots that are popular with tourists, so be sure to refer to them when you go out.
main image: Lifestyle Travel Photo / Shutterstock.com
What is the Ginza Station area like?
Ginza, at the center of Tokyo's 23 'wards,' is known as a sophisticated place to stroll and peruse high-end brand shops and famous restaurants.
Ginza was not the original name of the area; instead, there was a location named Ginza Yakusho (a government office) that was r..

Kurashiki is a city in southern Okayama Prefecture, only a 20-minute local train ride from the Okayama shinkansen station. Kurashiki played an important role in the economy of the eastern Chugoku region of Japan in the Edo period (1603-1867) because of its location midway between Hiroshima and Osaka.

Kurashiki doesn’t present itself as the best of Okayama. Instead, consider it one of the jewels in the crown of Okayama’s many attractions. In particular, the historical quarter, Kurashiki Bikan Chiku, has preserved the old merchant houses and warehouses. But, unfortunately, it’s a destination not on many tourists’ radars. Especially if you’re a lover of Japanese culture and tradition, visiting Kurashiki is like visiting a theme park recreating Edo Japan.

Although there are lots to see and do, these are my picks for five fun and inspiring things to do in Kurashiki.

The Edo experience
Photo: iStock/ Sanga ParkTake a trip through time.
After leaving JR Kurashiki station, you embark on a l..

COVID-19 entry restrictions are still in place in Japan. If you are thinking about traveling to Japan, you can check this regularly updated page and find out what you need to visit the country.

Below you’ll find information about visa suspensions, vaccine and quarantine requirements, and other coronavirus measures in Japan.

Can I Travel to Japan Now?
Yes, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has announced that Japan is opening its borders to international tourist travel from 98 countries for the first time in over 2 years.

The reopening follows a successful trial of allowing small groups of tourists from Australia, Singapore, Thailand, and the USA into the country in late May.

The move is intended to put Japan more in line with the other G7 countries such as the UK and US, which now allow quarantine-free travel for vaccinated visitors.

From June 10th, international tourist flights can land at either New Chitose airport in Hokkaido or Naha airport in Okinawa, in addition to Tokyo’..

Did you know that the country of Japan is actually a series of islands? The four largest islands – Hokkaido, the main island of Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu – form a long, narrow shape and provide ample coastline against the Pacific Ocean to the east and the Sea of Japan to the west.

Additionally, over 3,000 small islands surround the Japanese mainland, most notably the southern island of Okinawa and the 150 islands of its prefecture.

What does this mean for the summer traveler? There is plenty to do on the beaches of Japan, from soaking up the sun and building sand castles to surfing and other water sports.

Before you start planning your Japanese beach vacation, though, consider the information contained in this handy travel guide. You’ll learn the best times to visit each beach as well as valuable information on how to get there using your Japan Rail Pass.

Naoshima Island
The Seto Inland Sea lies between the islands of Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu, and the beaches along this sea ex..

Japan’s rainy season starts in early summer, between May and July, depending on the region. The period is called Tsuyu (also pronounced baiyu) which translates to “plum rain” as the season coincides with the ripening of Japan’s plums.

The wet weather is caused by cold winds from the north colliding wind warm southern winds which create several weeks of rain. The amount of rainfall varies dramatically from year to year. Some years are exceptionally wet whereas other years barely see any rain.

When is the rainy season in Japan?
In most japanese regions (including Tokyo), the rainy season runs from the beginning of June to mid July. However, both the north and south of Japan experience it differently. The other thing to bear in mind is that the further west you go, the higher the chance of rain.

Hokkaido and the Ogasawara islands barely experience any rain at all over these weeks. This doesn’t mean the weather there is perfect, there weather can be cold and cloudy during this period. I..

Travelers in Japan are spoiled for choice when it comes to mountains and volcanoes to visit. Over 70% of Japan is mountainous, with mountain ranges running through all the main islands.

Japan’s mountains offer a welcome break from the city and a chance to explore the countryside and enjoy the best views of Japan’s spectacular landscapes.

This guide to the top 10 mountains in Japan will help you decide which to visit during your stay.

Mount Fuji, the highest mount in Japan

Mount Fuji is Japan’s highest mountain, at 3,776.24 meters. One of the 3 sacred mountains in Japan, it has extra special significance.

Mount Fuji is located in Yamanashi and Shizuoka ken prefectures of central Honshu. It’s a little over 100 km west of Tokyo city center, making it ideal to visit on a day trip from the capital.

The mountain is known for its almost perfectly symmetrical shape and snowy peak. This iconic view is itself a reason to visit Mount Fuji during your trip to Japan.

The mountain is official..

Hakodate is on the southern tip of the Japanese island of Hokkaido. It is the third-largest city in the Hokkaido region.

The city is easily accessible from Tokyo and offers plenty to see and do. From a popular food market to stunning mountain views, there are many reasons to visit Hakodate.

This guide to Hakodate explains how to get there, what to do, and the best attractions nearby.

How to Get to Hakodate by Train
You can reach Hakodate easily by train using your Japan Rail Pass.

From Sapporo—The Super Hokuto Limited Express train connects Hakodate to Sapporo station in around 3.5 hours.



From Tokyo—The Hokkaido Shinkansen route connects Honshu to Hokkaido. The bullet train departs Tokyo station (Tohoku Shinkansen) and arrives at Shin-Hakodate Hokuto station. The journey takes around 4 hours. There is a 20-minute shuttle train service, the Hakodate Liner, between Shin-Hakodate Hokuto station and Hakodate Station.

Hakodate can also be reached by plane. There are direct flights ..

Osaka is one of Japan's premier tourist destinations. As Osaka weather is temperate, you can visit at any time of year. But when is the rainy season, and how to pack?
This article will introduce things you should know before visiting the Kansai area such as the monthly climate changes, appropriate clothing, and useful items to bring with you.
Osaka Weather in Spring: March, April, May
March: average temperature ~9°C
The average temperature in March in the Kansai region is around 9℃. Some days it may reach nearly 20° during the daytime, but most days are still chilly. You can feel the beginning of Spring from mid-to-late March, but there will always be daily variations in temperature. The period from mid-March to mid-April is also known as the “spring long rain” and may bring several consecutive rainy days.
April: average temperature ~15°C
In April, daytime temperatures often reach 20-25°, making it ideal weather for cherry blossom viewing. The amount of precipitation is relatively..