Food Super Ume - Old Poems and New Health Alena Eckelmann Ume, the Japanese plum, is in full bloom in February. Ume appreciation reached poetic heights in the Manyoshu poem collection...
Culture 10 Free Things to do in Kamakura Isabelle Despert Okumura Kamakura, just an hour away from Tokyo, is one of the most visited cities in Japan. From beaches, shrines and temples, to hik...
Food Le Pain Quotidien Kim Bergström Le Pain Quotidien is French for "daily bread", and it's also the name of an international chain of bakery restaurants. Severa...
Culture Traditional Japanese Sake Brewing Earns UNESCO Recognition Kim Bergström Japan’s traditional sake brewing has been officially registered as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO, highlighting th...
6 Nichirin Temple Azalea Park Mandy Bartok Nichirin Temple Azalea Park boasts 1000 azaleas of the Kurume variety on the slopes of a hillside just north of Yamaga.
9 Lost Property on a Plum Tree Branch Masayoshi Hirose At the Plum Blossom Festival held in Expo Commemoration Park in Osaka, there was a cute, plum blossom-printed lost bag hangin...
Culture Shitamachi Tanabata Matsuri 2026 Jianne Soriano Stretching from Ueno to Asakusa, Shitamachi Tanabata features countless decorations, dancing, food and streets and live perfo...
Food It's All about Tofu at Tousuiro Anne Lauenroth It's all about tofu at Tousuiro restaurant in Kyoto, with branches in Gion and Kiyamachi, overlooking the Kamogawa.
Culture Maioka Park Rey Waters Maioka Park is a combination of nature and traditional farming education. Excellent for bird watching and great for family o...
Culture Fuefukigawa Fruit Park in Yamanashi Cathy Cawood Spacious park with fruit trees, a fruit museum and many other features, is a great place for family outings, picnics, and eve...
