Massively popular toy dispensing capsule machines known as “Gachapon” can be found all around Japan. Named onomatopoeically “gacha” represents the sound that the machine makes when you put a coin in and twist the handle, and “pon” represents the noise of a little plastic ball falling out.

That’s right. Hello Kitty is such a popular character here that she gets her own bullet train, as I discovered when I accidentally rode it.

Nagasaki is a fascinating prefecture with a long and colourful history. It was the first part of Japan where foreign explorers were allowed to trade with and has thus been a testing ground for the future of the country.

Many tourists travel around Japan hoping to encounter some of its beautiful wildlife. They might want to see macaques relaxing in an onsen, a Tanuki streaking across the road or even a majestic Japanese deer.

Milk Village is an ice cream parlour in Hokkaido that is strictly for adults only.

In Canal City shopping centre in Fukuoka, for just 980 yen you can eat gold, and ice cream at the same time. This is definitely the fanciest and most wonderfully wasteful ice cream around.

Before sugar was first imported, Japanese sweets relied on fruits and vegetables with a natural sweetness. Sweet potatoes and sweet bean paste were the best Japan had to offer — then suddenly, Japan was introduced to cake.

Tucked away below Japan’s main island of Honshu, Shikoku Island is home to four prefectures, all known for being more rural and traditional. Being disconnected from the main island of Japan has its advantages though, the island is packed full of authentically Japanese spots to visit. Ehime is the most recognizable of Shikoku, with sights linking it to the famous studio Ghibli, and the Japanese royal family.

Here we present 15 things you can see, do, and experience in Fukuoka.

So if you’re a fan of skiing, or snow in general, but don’t have the money or thermals for Hokkaido, then here are five great ski destinations that can be easily reached from Tokyo.

The exquisite, alluring, and all around wonderful city of Hiroshima that has withstood destruction to become one of the most exciting parts of Japan. Here are 15 reasons why I love about this prefecture.

If you have been wondering what kinds of wonderfully weird drink bars there are across Tokyo, some of these will give you an idea of what you will find. Drinking comes second at these places.