Christmas in Japan has taken from western traditions and adapted to Japanese needs and culture. As with so much in Japan, the Christmas season is rich with meaningful traditions, and elaborate delicious foods, but it is also very high-tech, sparkly and fun!
What is Sake? If you’ve ever wandered into a Japanese izakaya and seen people sipping from small ceramic cups, chances are they were enjoying sake, Japan’s beloved rice-based alcohol. Sake has been part of Japanese life for over a thousand years, made with just three ingredients […]
Looking for an active vacation in Japan? You’ll enjoy Shizuoka Prefecture, then. Shizuoka has dozens of picturesque spots because it lies between Japan's iconic Mt. Fuji and its deepest bay - Suruga Bay. Easily accessible from Tokyo via the Tokaido Shinkansen, it is also home to […]
The relentless influx of tourists means that popular destinations like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka are getting noticeably more crowded as the day goes by. More importantly, sticking strictly to an itinerary focused on these three major hubs means easily bypassing the locations that were absolutely central […]
No one can argue that up here on land, we have more than our fair share of fun. Those of us left ashore sure aren’t left wanting for action, and if you’ve been following our blog, then you know for a fact there’s more than a […]
The winter solstice in Japan is called Toji, which usually falls around December 21st or 22nd. Toji is not only the year’s shortest day but also the time when the sun’s power begins to return, symbolizing a shift from yin to yang or cold to warmth. […]
If you’re reading this post in late winter and happen to be in Tokyo, today you’ve enjoyed fewer than 10 hours of daylight. Where I’m writing from, mid-Coast Maine, the sun sets very early, at an alarming 4:30 pm, offering up fewer than 9 hours of […]
Have you heard of the Tohoku region? Perhaps you might remember it from the tragic earthquake and tsunami back in 2011. But the area is so much more than a simple tale of tragedy and destruction. It’s a place with a rich and deep history, where […]
When people think of dining with a view, few would think of a meal on a lake with an iconic landmark in the background. But imagine enjoying a fine dining experience of meals curated using locally sourced food and wines, while drifting seamlessly across Lake Kawaguchi, […]
So you’ve decided to go to Japan! The excitement is bubbling, the Pinterest boards are full of sushi and sakura, and you might even be wondering if you packed enough socks. Before you let your imagination run wild through Kyoto’s alleyways or Tokyo’s neon streets, there […]
