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Featured image for Yukata 101: The Ultimate Guide to Japan’s Iconic Summer Outfit

Yukata 101: The Ultimate Guide to Japan’s Iconic Summer Outfit

Aug 11, 2026
BY Isis McDowell

You know summer has begun in Japan once people start to wear yukata. As festival season approaches, evenings start to feel extra special. Streets glow with lanterns, the scent of grilled food from nearby stalls, and of course the colorful yukata and the signature clack clack […]

Featured image for Beyond the Food Tour: Best Things to Do in Ueno

Beyond the Food Tour: Best Things to Do in Ueno

Aug 10, 2026
BY Jessica Waybright

Have you wanted to discover a new area in Tokyo on your next trip to Japan? Arigato Travel just launched a brand new tour this summer in Ueno! Get ready to discover a place that combines modern and traditional Japan with vast nature, great eats, and […]

Featured image for Exploring Kuromon Market: Osaka’s Foodie Paradise

Exploring Kuromon Market: Osaka’s Foodie Paradise

Aug 9, 2026
BY Vijayalakshmi R.

10 am. Your first trip to Japan. You navigate Osaka’s complex subway system and get off the train on the Sennichimae Line at Nipponbashi Station. Relieved to have reached your destination, you start walking towards Dotonbori. You’re starving. Just then, you stumble upon a bustling market; […]

Featured image for Decoding Regional Japan: An Interview with YamaTrips

Decoding Regional Japan: An Interview with YamaTrips

Aug 8, 2026
BY Kristian Robinson

When many people plan a trip to Japan, their minds usually focus on the vast skyline and hidden alleys of Tokyo or the temples and shrines of Kyoto. But a growing community of travelers is looking to experience the country's extensive wilderness and small, mountain-and-coastal communities. […]

Featured image for Preserving the Craft: Meeting Aran and Samantha of Bottlecap

Preserving the Craft: Meeting Aran and Samantha of Bottlecap

Aug 7, 2026
BY Kristian Robinson

Preserving Japan’s cultural heritage takes more than just admiration; it takes a community. That is where Aran and Samantha of Bottlecap come in. After moving to Japan full-time, this duo set out on a mission to connect world-class artisans with international audiences and eager learners. By […]

Featured image for Japan Travel Trends & Insights: How Japan Is Evolving as a Global Destination

Japan Travel Trends & Insights: How Japan Is Evolving as a Global Destination

Aug 6, 2026
BY Brad Stephens

Japan continues to captivate travelers with its remarkable blend of tradition, innovation, natural beauty, and cultural depth. From historic temple towns to neon-lit cities, the country offers experiences that feel both timeless and forward-looking. In recent years, however, the way people travel in Japan has evolved […]

Featured image for A Guide to Showa-Era Japan: Where to Experience the Country’s Nostalgic Past

A Guide to Showa-Era Japan: Where to Experience the Country’s Nostalgic Past

Aug 5, 2026
BY Brijen Ezra

So much of Japan moves so quickly. Neon advertisements flash in Shinjuku, Shinkansen move between cities in minutes, and new technology seems to debut every week. But in certain neighborhoods, preserved in shopping streets, and celebrated in museums across the country, there's a quieter Japan that […]

Featured image for Mindful Travel: 10 Ideas to Experience Japan Without Your Phone

Mindful Travel: 10 Ideas to Experience Japan Without Your Phone

Aug 4, 2026
BY Chuan En Gwee

In an increasingly connected world, a quiet revolution is taking place on the road: the movement toward anti-digital and mindful travel. As time goes on, more and more people are looking for ways to genuinely disconnect from their screens and digital distractions so they can forge […]

Featured image for Most Beautiful Bridges in Japan

Most Beautiful Bridges in Japan

Aug 3, 2026
BY Chuan En Gwee

Bridges do more than carry us from one side to the other. They connect people and places, keep resources moving, support local economies, and help communities grow closer across rivers, valleys, seas, and mountains. As Thomas Harrison beautifully put it, “Bridges represent our aspirations to connect, […]

Featured image for Okinawa’s Festivals: An Unparalleled Experience You’ll Love

Okinawa’s Festivals: An Unparalleled Experience You’ll Love

Aug 2, 2026
BY Vijayalakshmi R.

Okinawa, located far south of Japan, boasts an extremely rich history. Influences from China, mainland Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, and the United States have fostered a distinctive, blended culture. This unique heritage is often described by the word “champuru” (literally meaning “mixed” in the island's local […]

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