Arigato Travel Weblog

This is a phrase I've heard from my mother since I was little. To be honest, I wasn't a fan of rice when I was young as I preferred bread, and was tired of having rice every day. Moreover, if even a single grain of rice […]

Let’s all welcome Barrique Tokyo, a Japan-based shop renowned for its exquisite collection of home furnishings, accessories, and decorative pieces ingeniously crafted from repurposed Kimonos. Each item breathes new life into these cherished Japanese textiles, showcasing unparalleled artistry and uniqueness. With a dedicated commitment to sustainability […]

Miso is deeply ingrained in Japanese food culture, and people outside the country are probably more familiar with it in the form of soup. Whenever you order a teishoku (meal course) at a restaurant, it is usually served with miso soup as a side. It is […]

Japan might not be the first name on the list when you think of LGBTQ+ support, but the community is there and growing with the influx of travelers and those looking to live in Japan for the long term. Tempered by increasing support from locals, big […]

With the New Year upon us, let’s learn how Japan celebrates the welcoming of this time of year! Instead of merely celebrating the countdown to midnight, Japan does a bit more than that. By having parties with their company, other students, friends, or family, Japan celebrates […]

Why pick up a bottle of sake from the store, when you can go straight to the source? Imagine sipping on freshly brewed sake while overlooking picturesque landscapes or savoring a carefully crafted dish that perfectly complements the subtle flavors of your drink. Visiting a sake […]

What is Hastuyume? Simply put, hatsuyume is the first dream of the new year, believed to occur after December 31st and on January 1st, which can be a message that one will have luck within the upcoming year. This tradition has been around since the early […]

Ah, New Year in Japan – a time for renewal, reflection, and of course, decoration! It is the time when you stroll through the streets of Japan, and you see all kinds of cool traditional decorations, then you get curious, “What are they for?” Fret not, […]

As the holiday season approaches, Tokyo is gearing up to transform into a dazzling wonderland, filled with sparkling lights and festive displays. Christmas and winter illuminations in Japan have become a cherished tradition, evolving over the years from simple decorations to breathtaking artistic expressions. The origins […]

There are many traditions around the world when the year ends. For Japan, one such tradition is eating toshikoshi soba, or “year-crossing noodles.” This simple dish holds a special place in the Japanese New Year celebration traditions as soba noodles bring good luck in longevity because […]