Current date: 2026-01-02 (JST) Verdict First: Who Japan Is Better For If you have only five days for your first international trip and want a predictable experience where plans are less likely to fall apart, Japan generally works better. The…
Current date: 2026-01-02 (JST) Fuuraibou is an izakaya in Kurume, Fukuoka, known for two signature dishes: tebasaki (fried chicken wing tips) and Tarzanyaki. The name Tarzanyaki refers to fried chicken thigh meat—the shoulder meat of the chicken—served with a bold…
What This Article Explains Current date: 2026-01-02 (JST) Spring in Japan is often marketed as a singular, perfect season of cherry blossoms and mild weather. However, the reality for a traveler on the ground is more complex. This article provides…
Current date: 2026-01-02 (JST) What Happened A strong cold air mass is moving over Japan, bringing heavy snowfall to the Sea of Japan coastline from January 1st through January 5th, 2026. According to weather reports, the snowfall is expected to…
Current date: 2026-01-01 (JST) Akafuku is a 300-year-old confection maker in Ise, with its flagship store on Oharai Street near Ise Grand Shrine. The mochi is simple: a base of white mochi with smooth red bean paste on top. The…
New Year’s Greeting 明けましておめでとうございます。 In Japan, we say:“Akemashite omedetō” = Happy New Year“Kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu” = Let’s have a good year together This year, I made a quiet resolution. Not to chase something new, but to reconnect with what…
Date: 2025-12-30 (JST) During Japan’s New Year celebrations, you will often see rankings of the most popular shrines for Hatsumōde (the year’s first shrine visit). These lists, topped by famous names like Meiji Jingu with over three million visitors, can…
Current date: 2025-12-29 (JST) What is Hatsumode? Hatsumode is the first visit to a Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple in the new year. It is one of Japan’s most important and widely practiced traditions. From New Year’s Eve through the…
Kabukicho is the part of Tokyo most travel guides describe with one paragraph and a warning. I’ve walked it at every hour for years — for street photography, for late-night ramen runs after the last train, for the occasional batting…
Current date: 2025-12-29 (JST) What This Is About While the first shrine visit of the year (hatsumode) is a central part of Japan’s New Year, the holiday period is also filled with traditional games and activities. These offer a hands-on…