To get ready for your trip, you’ll need to know what to eat, and you don’t even need to leave the capital city of Sapporo.

Known for its annual snow festival, Sapporo is one of Japan’s most vibrant cities and is extremely visitor-friendly. It has fantastic food and plenty to do. Here’s a sampling.

At last count there were more than 450 different brands of craft beer on sale in Japan and that figure continues to rise every month. Even the most ardent beer-lover probably doesn’t have time to try them all during a trip to Japan. Here I present my personal Top 5 – five delicious, refreshing beers to get you started on your Japanese craft beer journey.

Located in the northern part of Japan, below is a list of things to do in this beautiful place.

So, what’s hot (no pun intended) this summer, as far as beer gardens in the Kansai region go? This year sees the return of a few old favourites as well as the emergence of a number of new contenders to the crown.

To the uninitiated, the Japanese company “nomikai” can be a little tricky to navigate. Here are some survival hints from a veteran of 10 years of such parties!

Come here to see why it is one of the most popular beers in Japan and how it is made.

My recent trip to Sapporo in Hokkaido left me in a state of wondrous high, desperately trying to cling to any memory made from the trip. So here is my recommendation for five magical winter days in Sapporo.

So, why exactly do I feel this way? What is it that is unique to Japan that makes me love it so?

For in truth, the traditional Japanese izakaya is neither a bar nor a restaurant, but perhaps best described as somewhere in-between.

Sometimes its something as basic as a cup of coffee brewed just the way they like it. Other times it can be simple food items, and sometimes it can be something much more complex. So join me today as we look at the top 5 items that you can only get in Japan, and the Japanese themselves can’t live without.

With so many fireworks festivals, it may be difficult to decide on which one to go to. My recommendation is the Kanagawa Shimbun Fireworks Festival held right near the harbor of Yokohama. There are so many ways to enjoy this beautiful festival—below are 4 extra unique ways to get the best out of the event.