Akita Inu are big, affectionate, hardy companions that helped people for over 1000 years in many different ways. In these times especially, at least for me, playing with an Akita Inu helped alleviate a lot of stress.

Have you ever been to a Japanese farm? There is one in Chiba that is perfect for a day trip. The Mother Farm offers entertainment for young and old alike.

These fun places allow you to meet, touch and play with some of the cutest animals on the planet. If you are an animal lover, add these five great animal cafes to your bucket list for Tokyo.

In this way, the aquarium is not only a place which exhibits the fish and other marine life native to Hokkaido (and specimens from other world rivers) but it’s a showcase of the role of salmon in Hokkaido, really, to all things salmon

There’s no better place to see jellyfish than at the Kamo Aquarium in Tsuruoka, located on the Sea of Japan in the north’s Dewa Sanzan, or Three Sacred Mountain region.

Nemurin Oriental is a small pension called situated in the Nasu Kogen region of Tochigi prefecture. It's perfect if you want to relax in a quiet environment, enjoy nature and take soothing baths in private hot spring baths.

Ishie is believed to be the creature living in Lake Ikeda in Ibusuki City, Kagoshima. It was described as a giant lizard with dark skin in color and humps on its back. It was predicted to be 45 feet long. Many times was captured and published to the society but it could not be proved its truth.

With alpine flowers in bloom from July to August, autumn-colored leaves adorning the trees from September to November, and the crisp frosty air to delight in from December to March, Utsukushigahara is a choice destination throughout the four seasons.

In the land of the rising sun, fireflies are the image of summer. Many cities throughout Japan even host firefly viewing festivals, where locals and visitors alike are welcome to marvel at the beautiful flashes of light that these insects use to either attract a mate, signal distress, or warn off predators.

Miyazaki prefecture has no shortage of sweeping forest and mountain views and one of the best ways to see it is from up above. Sure, you could try and charter a helicopter but a much easier and cheaper way to get the same feeling is via the Aya Teruha suspension bridge.

Okinawa always brings people the lovely imagine of a blue clear ocean. Many tourists both from within and outside the country visit Okinawa every year to enjoy the time in the water. What if you want to see more ocean life? Or you are visiting during a season not suitable to swim? Or, if you are someone like me, what if you cannot swim?

Kappa were legendary creatures from Japan. They were always known as water creatures in folklore. Amphibious creatures similar to frogs or turtles; sometimes they are called Gataro (川太郎) or Kawako (川子) which means river child. Some people study them in cryptozoology since throughout Japanese history thousands of people have claimed to have seen one themselves.