5 Spots for Spring Blooms in Yamanashi Kim Bergström Spring in Japan comes with a bounty of blooms to enjoy, and Yamanashi Prefecture is home to a number of ultra-scenic destinat...
Culture Exploring Omori Jasper Wilkins Omori is filled with history and parkland, including the beautiful Heiwa-no-mori koen. Other places of interest include the S...
11 Culture Shiroyama Hachimangu in Nagoya Peter Sidell In the middle of Nagoya in Japan's Aichi prefecture, Shiroyama Hachimangu is an attractive shinto shrine.
Activities 5 Spring Flower Spots in Yamaguchi Kim Bergström Famous for interesting historical sites, pottery centers like the city of Hagi, and the photographer's favorite of Motonosumi...
Transportation JR East Passes to Change From April Peter Sidell Until now, the JR East Passes for the Tohoku area and Nagano-Niigata area have been available only for foreign visitors to Ja...
6 Plum Blossoms at Dazaifu Mandy Bartok Plum blossoms herald the start of spring at Dazaifu Tenmangu in Fukuoka Prefecture.
Odate Kiritanpo Festival 2026 Kim Bergström Every autumn, the city of Odate (which is recognized as the birthplace of kiritanpo!) hosts the Odate Kiritanpo Festival, a l...
Culture Starry Sky Film Festival 2026 Kim Bergström The Starry Sky Film Festival has become one of Nagano Prefecture's most-loved summer traditions, and it's held in the beautif...
Activities Four Seasons Cherry Blossom Festival 2026 Kim Bergström The Four Seasons Cherry Blossom Festival is an annual event in the town of Obara, and it typically runs from mid-November thr...
Culture Kajikawachisui Memorial Park Kim Bergström For those living in or visiting Niigata Prefecture during sakura season, one of the region's best spots to explore is the Kaj...