The Top 5 Must-see Pet Cafes in Harajuku
Animals of all types harbor inside the walls of these themed establishments, giving customers a worthwhile experience. For first-timers, the amount of activity going on in the area can be overwhelming, so this article will try to help you navigate around. Here are a few of the best animal cafés we at Taiken Japan recommend you visit.
Is It a Ryokan or a Cat Café? Nakamuraya in Kusatsu
During my first trip to Kusatsu, Gunma in 2019, I stayed in a ryokan (a type of traditional Japanese inn) called Nakamuraya. The ryokan is well known for its 4-legged inhabitants. They have four cats that like to chill out in the common areas of the hotel that guest can pet and play with.
Planning Safe, Planning Smart – A Guide to Having a Healthy Holiday in Japan
It’s highly unlikely that you will ever have to contend with any kind of major health issue here when you visit. However, if the worst should happen, then you can rest assured that you will always be in safe hands here.
Chichijima (Ogasawara) by Night: Stargazing, the Legendary Green Pepe and Releasing Baby Turtles Into the Sea
Because they are so far from any other land mass, local species have evolved separately from their mainland cousins and developed unique adaptations to their environment. I had two nights at Chichijima, so I booked two night tours: one for stargazing and one to see the island’s nocturnal wildlife.
Tashirojima, Miyagi Prefecture: A Day on Cat Island
After living in Ishinomaki for 5 months, I finally got up early enough to catch the 9:00am ferry to Tashirojima, aka Cat Island. This is not to be confused with the Aoshima Cat Island.
Fujisaki Hachimangu Horse Festival in Kumamoto
Fujisaki Hachimangu is probably the most important shrine in Kumamoto and has a long rich history. It is closely linked to famous Japanese samurai such as Kato Kiyomasa and the Hosokawa family. In Autumn, the shrine is host to a fantastic four-day festival ending on Sunday with a horse parade through the city.
15 Things to Do in Nara
If you travel to countries hoping to experience another culture, Japan is still rich with it and Nara is the perfect place surrounded by culture and history. It is many things at once: traditional, natural, delightful, heartfelt, and all around wonderful. Come to Nara and be amazed. I honestly could name 100 things in Nara that would make for an amazing trip, but I have narrowed it down to the top 15 spots that you will not find even in most guidebooks.
Off to the Races! Horse Racing in Japan
Equine traditions in Japan date back to the Kofun era. Yokohama’s Negishi racecourse, completed in 1866, marked the beginning of a long and storied history that continues to this day. Intrigued by this story? Then read on.
Feed the Ducks and Ride the Boats: A Guide to Nakajima Park
You wouldn’t expect to be able to feed ducks staying in the middle of a large city like Sapporo. How wrong you would be. I am going to plan a morning for you and you are going to do exactly as I say.
Zoorasia: A Friendly Yokohama Zoo
This zoo is in Yokohama ward, and is more than just a zoo; it also resembles a safari park. Fortunately for the animals, cages are really big and fences are as little as possible as to get the animals to live in an environment that is parallel to their native one.
Best 5 Spots in Edogawa
Tokyo is a huge city. No one has any doubts about that. Within Tokyo there are many hidden areas just waiting for more people to visit them. Edogawa is one of those areas with lots to do and many places that will make your trip to Japan even more excellent. Here is a list of the 5 best places in Edogawa to visit.
Stray Animals in Japan
I met my first stray cat when I went jogging in Japan. There are many domestic cats walking around (so far I have never seen a stray dog here), but strays always look different and give me different looks. That skinny cat I met had white fur, with lots of dirty stains and even some blood ones. Luckily, I could see him/her again when I went to the same spot again.