Omikuji: How to Draw and Read a Japanese Fortune Slip
An omikuji is a paper fortune you draw at a Japanese shrine or temple. You pay a small offering, draw a slip, read the overall luck grade (or, at a few shrines, a poem with no grade at all), and…
Etiquette
Cultural manners, rules, and everyday etiquette in Japan.
Japan Essential Tips 2026: Etiquette, Apps, New Rules, and What Actually Matters
Japan is one of the easiest countries to travel in — once you know the small rules that aren’t in the guidebooks. Since 2024 several practical things have shifted: a tourist card got discontinued, Kyoto closed off private alleys, Mt.…
Mt. Fuji Hut Reservations 2026: All 42 Huts, Booked in English
![Mt. Fuji Huts 2026: Rooms, Meals & Booking Rules [7 Photos]](https://hiddenjapan-gems.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/top2-768x308.webp)
2026 Update: Yoshida Trail gate closes at 2:00 PM (updated for 2026). No mountain hut reservation = no entry. Booking opens in early May. Read the full booking timeline below. Every Mt. Fuji climbing guide tells you to book a…
Kamenoi Hotel Oku-Nikko Review: A Cozy Onsen Retreat by Lake Yunoko
Nestled on the serene shores of Lake Yunoko in the heart of Oku-Nikko, Kamenoi Hotel Oku-Nikko offers a tranquil escape into Japan’s stunning natural landscapes. During a winter visit, I discovered this hotel is more than just a place to…
Spotting Wild Monkeys in Nikko, Japan: A Winter Encounter
Driving through the winding, snow-dusted roads of Oku-Nikko, the last thing you might expect to see is a troop of monkeys foraging by the roadside. Yet, this is a surprisingly common and captivating sight in Japan’s famed national park. During…
Slam Dunk Crossing in Kamakura: Best Time, Access, and How to Beat the Crowds
For fans of the iconic 90s anime Slam Dunk, the image is instantly recognizable: a small railway crossing, the green and yellow Enoden train gliding past, and the sparkling Shonan coast in the background. This is the Kamakura Koko-mae crossing,…
Climbing Mt Fuji in Winter: A Rescuer’s Urgent Warning
Do not climb Mt. Fuji outside official season Mt. Fuji’s official climbing season is early July to early September. Outside this window every summit route is closed, the huts on those routes are shut, no resident rescue team is on…
Arakurayama Sengen Park Sakura Festival: 2026 Cancellation & 2027 Outlook
Fujiyoshida City officially cancelled the 2026 Arakurayama Sengen Park Cherry Blossom Festival on February 3, 2026 — a direct response to overtourism, with 2025 attendance reported above 210,000 and daily peaks of 10,000+. The park itself remains open, but the…
Togakushi Shrine 2026: 400-Year Cedar Path & 5 Shrines Guide
Togakushi Shrine 2026 visit guide — the Okusha reopened April 21, the 2 km approach runs through 600+ giant cedars over 420 years old, the Zuishinmon crimson gate is the photo anchor. Five-shrine pilgrimage, etiquette, access from Nagano Station.
Cherry Blossom Etiquette in Japan: A Guide to Respectful Hanami
Welcome to Japan’s cherry blossom season! Hanami (flower viewing) is a beloved tradition, but it comes with unwritten rules rooted in a culture of sharing public spaces. While many parks are quite relaxed, knowing the core etiquette ensures you can…
Field notes, weekly
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