recommended places

Machida is a city within the greater Tokyo area, located in the west of this metropolis in the Tama hills. It is known for its parks, which makes it a lovely place to visit and live. Walking through this town is an experience in itself.  In […]

Suruga is considered to be one of the shining pearls of Shizuoka Prefecture, and we here at Arigato Travel couldn’t agree more. One of the area’s original provinces, Suruga is known not only for its abundance of natural beauty but also for its deep-rooted culture and […]

For me, Otemachi is a world of elites that is fascinating and just out of reach for ordinary people, and that is because it is located right next to the Imperial Palace, surrounded by many intimidating office buildings. It is the center of Japanese business with […]

Ozu Washi is a shop that sells traditional Japanese paper in Tokyo. This is not just any store, besides selling all kinds of different high-quality products based around traditional paper, they also have workshops, a museum, Shoran exhibition and an art gallery. They have been around […]

Perfectly situated between the Seto Inland Sea and the Pacific Ocean, Shikoku is one of the primary puzzle pieces that makes the Japanese archipelago exactly what it is. Sporting an array of beaches, mountains, rivers, phenomenal food, culture, and history, the island will make your travels […]

In Japan, the beauty of each season is celebrated through special words known as ‘kigo (季語)' in haiku and poetry. These words capture the essence of nature and life during spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Understanding and using these terms adds a romantic touch to the […]

The name of Suruga Ward in Shizuoka City, which I'm introducing today, comes from its location facing Suruga Bay. The origin becomes evident when Suruga (駿河) is written in Kanji. In this context, the rivers created by melting Mount Fuji snow flowed into the sea like […]

Though it’s unlikely that you need an excuse, Castle Day coming up on April 6th is a great time to get outside and enjoy some of Japan’s most interesting architecture and the pleasant spring weather.  When researching architectural sites in Japan, most people might first think […]

Asakusa, a district of Tokyo, is an extremely popular sightseeing destination for both Japanese and foreign tourists alike - and for good reason! A traditional atmosphere, delicious food and wonderful sight-seeing spots combine to make for a wonderful destination. Asakusa was originally an entertainment district for […]

Welcome back to the fourth and final part of Japan’s Ultimate Bucketlist! (You can read here about Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3). I can’t believe our beautiful–and delicious–adventure through the Japanese prefectures is coming to an end! But dream for just a little bit […]