Seasonal highlights like hanami, hanabi, and holidays.
Japan is one of the few places on earth where you can still walk into a shop, blow the imaginary dust off a Super Famicom cart, and pay less than an eBay markup. This guide shows you where to hunt, when to visit, and how to avoid fakes, so that you go home with working
Stepping through the beaded curtains of a kissaten is like stepping back in time: the aroma of flannel-filtered coffee, the gleam of mahogany jukeboxes, and the low hum of Showa-era pop songs immediately drown out 5G Tokyo. This guide shows you where, and how, to savor that deliciously unhurried past. Top Retro Cafés in Japan
Japan’s anime pilgrimage map is expanding faster than the cast of a shōnen battle anime. From a fully realised Ghibli Park to a 17-metre Gundam looming over Expo 2025 Osaka, 2025 is the perfect year to plan an otaku grand tour. This guide distils the must-see spots and souvenir strategies you’ll wish you’d known before
The summer in Japan is hot, sweaty, muggy… and absolutely magical. One of the best things about summer in this country is that, while you can sweat buckets, you can also engage in one of the most exciting and important parts of Japanese culture: the festival. And there are many Japanese festivals in August. Festivals,
Hanabi festival (Japanese firework festival) is a major event that symbolizes Japanese summer! You definitely can’t miss them! Many fireworks displays are held in Tokyo from July to August. You’re sure to create wonderful memories no matter who you go with – family, friends, or your significant other. If you live in Japan, it would
We all love Tokyo: our beloved capital is home to a lot of excellent cuisine, things to do, and exciting and lively culture and history. But everyone needs to get away sometimes, and luckily, there are a ton of places you can get to out of the city very easily. With so many possible day
You’ve heard it in Hamilton: “there’s nothing like summer in the city.” But there is really nothing like Japan in July. Is it hot? Yes. Is it humid? Yes. But is it worth it? Hell yes. And we can prove it, too. Let’s go through ten things to do in Japan in July, that will
Japan’s waterways run through misty mountain valleys, dense cities, and straight into the Pacific. Creeks, canals, bays, and open ocean all sit within reach. That range is what makes fishing in Japan so quietly addictive. This guide breaks down seasons, licences, styles, and everyday etiquette, so you can fish with confidence and not feel like
Discover Matcha at a Glance In Japan, matcha is more than just a photogenic latte: it is a living thread that joins Zen Buddhism, samurai focus, and neon-lit cafés into the same cultural fabric. This guide explains how powdered green tea travelled from 12th-century monasteries to modern espresso bars, why regions such as Uji and
Living in Tokyo is a joy. But sometimes, you’ll want to go further abroad: the snows of Sapporo, the sunshine of Okinawa, the food of Osaka… Japan is a nation with many wonderful cities, towns, and villages to visit. But where will you stay? As with anywhere else, Japanese towns have hotels for travelers, but
Japanese libraries serve as cultural hubs that connect people to literature, information, and community events. For many foreigners living in Japan or planning to move here, the concept of a “Japanese library” may initially sound familiar. However, libraries in Japan often have unique systems, customs, and services tailored to both local and international visitors. Understanding
If you’ve ever seen photos of people in Japan throwing beans at someone dressed like a demon, that’s Setsubun. It’s a loud, funny, slightly chaotic tradition with a serious purpose underneath, chasing away bad luck and welcoming a clean start. Setsubun is one of those seasonal events that still feels very “everyday Japan.” You’ll see
Tsukimi (often referred to as Otsukimi) is one of Japan’s most cherished cultural events, celebrating the beauty of the autumn moon and the abundance of food granted to us by the harvest season. In 2025, Tsukimi falls on October 6, presenting a perfect opportunity for residents and visitors alike to immerse themselves in this timeless
Spring 2026 brings another enchanting hanami season to Japan, where cherry blossoms transform the country into a sea of delicate pink and white blooms. This centuries-old tradition of flower viewing draws millions of people to parks, temples, and riversides across the nation, typically running from late March through early May depending on the region. Whether