temple

Featured image for Taste of Hamamatsucho: The Gateway to Edo

Taste of Hamamatsucho: The Gateway to Edo

Nov 14, 2024
BY Toshifumi Yata

When you want to take a deep breath while watching seagulls and feel the history of Tokyo, Hamamatsucho is the best place for you. Takeshiba Pier, near Hamamatsucho, is a must-see location for anime fans, as it is a key scene in the 2019 award-winning anime […]

Featured image for 7 BEST THINGS TO DO IN AKITA

7 BEST THINGS TO DO IN AKITA

Aug 15, 2024
BY Sara Goto

Akita is a large prefecture in the Northern Tohoku Region on the coast of the Sea of Japan, where the atmosphere shifts with each of the four seasons. Among Akita’s main attractions are its beautiful mountains, sea view, and hot springs. The region boasts an array […]

Featured image for A Day in Sugamo

A Day in Sugamo

Aug 12, 2024
BY Chisato Takahashi

When you think of Tokyo, famous areas like Shibuya, Harajuku, and Shinjuku probably come to mind. But to understand the essence of Japanese culture deeply, you need to experience more than just the well-known tourist spots and dive into local life. That's why we at Arigato […]

Featured image for Meguro: A Hidden Gem In Tokyo

Meguro: A Hidden Gem In Tokyo

Apr 15, 2024
BY Tim Brons

Meguro is a beautiful district in southwestern Tokyo that has a lot to offer visitors. The special thing about this place is its good atmosphere, for example, you can wander endlessly through the various streets and along the Meguro River. Spring is considered the most beautiful […]

Featured image for Jigenin Temple – A Japanese Buddhism Experience

Jigenin Temple – A Japanese Buddhism Experience

Feb 8, 2024
BY Heather Brewer

A close and personal experience with the goddess Kannon and energize your spirit with a fire ritual just a stone's throw away from Tokyo. Gunma Prefecture—a naturally stunning landscape located in the Kanto region of Japan that holds an abundance of nature, culture, and history. Gunma […]

Featured image for HATSUMODE: WELCOMING THE NEW YEAR IN JAPAN

HATSUMODE: WELCOMING THE NEW YEAR IN JAPAN

Dec 30, 2023
BY Chisato Takahashi

What do you usually do on New Year's in your country? In Japan, we often go to ‘Hatsumode'. Hatsumode is a tradition where people go to a shrine or temple at the beginning of the year to pray for happiness in the coming year. What is […]

Featured image for The Difference Between Japanese Shrines And Temples

The Difference Between Japanese Shrines And Temples

Oct 8, 2023
BY Kiko Yee

When one thinks of Japan, images of vibrant cities, technological advancements, and rich cultural heritage often come to mind. At the heart of this beautiful country lies a world of ancient traditions and spiritual practices. Japanese temples and shrines, deeply rooted in history and spirituality, stand […]

Featured image for Sugamo, The Local Food and Culture Adventure For Everyone

Sugamo, The Local Food and Culture Adventure For Everyone

Mar 5, 2020
BY Norma

My experience taking Arigato Japan’s Food, Culture and Calligraphy Tour in Sugamo felt like a breath of fresh air. After living in Tokyo for almost five years, it is always fun to get to know places that still have that local feeling. Read more about our Sugamo Foodie adventures…

Featured image for Yanaka: Slow Down in Tokyo’s “Old Town”

Yanaka: Slow Down in Tokyo’s “Old Town”

Feb 17, 2020
BY Nick Colaccino

Just northeast of Ueno Park and next to Nippori Station on the Yamanote Line, Yanaka is as quaint as it is urban. From the quiet side streets around the famous Himalayan Cedar to the bustling market of Yanaka Ginza, then over to the austere temples and serene cemeteries, and down to the avante garde art houses, Yanaka is a vibrant neighborhood with a deep history.

Featured image for How to Purchase and Use a Goshuincho

How to Purchase and Use a Goshuincho

Jul 29, 2019
BY Chris Hagebak

If you plan to visit some of the many beautiful shrines and temples of Japan, consider getting a goshuincho. Collecting goshuin (passport stamps) creates a remarkable personal souvenir of your visit.