Imari Ware: Japan’s First Porcelain (Arita, Old Imari & Nabeshima)
Imari ware is Japan's first porcelain — made in Arita from the 1610s, named for the port it shipped from, and exported to Europe as Old Imari.
Nobu
Nobu is a Japanese travel writer based in Fujiyoshida, at the foot of Mt. Fuji. He photographs the mountain from the base each morning and logs whether it is visible, partially visible, or hidden — a first-hand observation record kept since May 2026 — and has traveled all 47 prefectures for the guides on Hidden Japan Gems.
Lake Shusenko’s Submerged Forest: Akita’s Cobalt-Blue Spring Spectacle (2026)
Each spring, snowmelt floods Akita's Lake Shusenko until the shoreline trees stand in cobalt-blue water — a submerged forest at its best in early-to-mid May, and possibly on borrowed time.
Japan in August 2026: A Day-by-Day Calendar of Festivals, Fireworks & the Year’s Busiest Week
A local's day-by-day calendar of Japan in August 2026 — Tohoku's great festivals, the biggest fireworks, the Obon travel crush, and where to escape the heat.
Japan in July 2026: A Day-by-Day Calendar of Festivals, Fireworks & the Mountains Opening
A local's day-by-day calendar of Japan in July 2026 — the rains lifting, Mt Fuji opening, Gion Matsuri, the great fireworks nights, and where to escape the heat.
Summer in Japan 2026: Weather, Festivals & Where to Go
A local's guide to a Japanese summer — the weather month by month, the rainy season, Mt Fuji's July climbing window, the festivals and fireworks, and where to escape the heat.
Tsubakiya Café Kichijoji: Taishō Coffee & Curry (2026)
A Taishō-roman coffee parlour on the 7th floor above Kichijoji Station — siphon coffee in Royal Copenhagen cups, beef curry, hayashi rice and the café's signature chiffon cake.
Murō-ji Temple 2026: Nara’s ‘Women’s Kōya’ and Its 1,200-Year Pagoda
Murō-ji, Nara's mountain 'Women's Kōya,' has a National Treasure five-story pagoda, spring rhododendron and a June hydrangea pilgrimage. Hours, fees, access and what to see.
Ringo no Ki: Apple Pie & Apricot Sweets in Chikuma (2026)
Chikuma is one of Japan's great apricot towns. Patisserie Ringo no Ki turns local apricot and its own-orchard apples into pies, jelly and baked sweets — a short hop from the Obasute terraces.
Ashiu Forest 2026: Kyoto’s Primeval Woods You Can Only Hike with a Guide
One of western Japan's last primeval forests, at the source of the 146 km Yura River — and you can only enter on a guided tour with a Kyoto University-certified group. The route I walked, the cost, when to go, and the leeches to pack for.
Todai-ji & the Nara Deer 2026: Great Buddha, Hours & Day-Trip Tips
Nara's Todai-ji holds a 14.7 m bronze Great Buddha (eye-opening 752 AD) in one of the world's largest wooden halls, in a park of 1,000+ wild deer — an easy day trip from Kyoto. Hours, fees, deer etiquette and a half-day plan.
Field notes, weekly
One email a week. The Japan worth planning around.