Arita Sera: Where to Shop for Arita Porcelain in Saga (2026)
Arita Sera: 22 Arita-porcelain shops on one hilltop in Saga, open year-round with free parking — the easy place to buy the real thing.
Category Travel Tips
Practical travel information to help you plan and travel Japan smoothly.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Kyoto Botanical Garden 2026: Japan’s Oldest, Season by Season
Japan's oldest public botanical garden (opened 1924): 24 hectares, ~12,000 plant species and one of the country's largest conservatories, for ¥500 — a calm, cheap day away from Kyoto's temple crowds, in every season.
The Camera Gear I Use to Shoot Japan
The one-body, two-lens kit I shoot every photo on Hidden Japan Gems with — a Sony A7 IV, a 24–70mm f/2.8, a 35mm prime, a travel tripod and fast SD cards.