5 Things to Eat in Sapporo
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.
November 2, 2018
Writer: Jackie Imamura
Jackie is a freelance editor who spends time trying to learn Japanese and enjoys picking cherries in Yamagata.
15 Things to Do in 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.
MuseumShoppingTemples & ShrinesTravel TipsSapporo
October 19, 2018
Volcanic Wonder: Feel the Awesome Power of the Earth at the Okama Crater in Zao
The Okama crater of the Zao volcano is accessible by bus, by car, and on foot. Okama wows from any angle, but approaching it on foot is a rare opportunity to experience the radical transformations caused by a volcanic eruption.
October 9, 2018
Winter Light-up Festival: A Travelers’ Town Made of Snow in Shizu
To enjoy winter properly, one must get into the snow. Literally. Here in Japan’s northeast, it’s been snowing since December, which means there is now enough accumulation (reaching over 5 meters) to start building things with snow.
February 14, 2018
Mount Zao in Yamagata: It's Time For The Snow Monsters!
Winter is upon us, and the distinct phenomenon of the juhyou or “snow monsters” of Mount Zao in Yamagata prefecture are not to be missed as one of Japan’s top winter wonders.
January 5, 2018
A Walking Tour of Downtown Yamagata
If you’re coming to Yamagata for the International Documentary Film Festival, to go skiing in winter, or cherry picking in early summer, most highlights of the city itself are within a 15-30 minute walking distance of Yamagata Station.
October 3, 2017
Fall Foliage and Hiking in Yamagata: A Palette of Beauty
Tohoku’s mountains are ablaze with autumn color earlier than the Kansai or Kanto regions, giving hikers and “leaf peepers” a perfect jump on the season.
September 23, 2017
Dancing in the streets: Celebrate summer nights with Tohoku’s August festivals
The pulsing drums, the grandiose floats, the colorful costumes: it’s all on parade in Japan’s northeast during the first week of August. Festivals in six different cities draw over one million visitors.
July 28, 2017
Mount Haguro: The Beating Heart of Japanese Animism
Depending on where you begin, a cedar-lined 1.7 km path (2,446 steps to be precise) leads either to the main shrine (三神合祭殿) at the summit, or to Gojunoto, a five-story pagoda that is registered as a national treasure.
HeritageMountainsTravel GuideYamagata
July 26, 2017
The Secret to Kyoto’s Imperial Palace
The inner sanctuaries of Japan’s original capital are high on anyone’s list when visiting Kyoto. Yet walk out beyond the inner walls and into the surrounding public park and you will be rewarded with just as many discoveries.
June 10, 2017
Yamadera Temple in Yamagata: Ascent to The Temple of Standing Stones
Officially called Risshakuji (temple of standing stones), the training ground for monks of the Tendai sect was founded here over eleven centuries ago.
June 1, 2017
A Pink Wave Approaching: The Yamagata Cherry Blossoms
And there’s no better place to enjoy sakura than in Japan’s northeast, where you can take in the blooms with a backdrop of snow-capped mountains.
April 3, 2017
It’s Time to Soak in Winter Wonderland
An onsen nestled in the mountains outside Sendai will transform you to another world
January 17, 2017
Transiting in Yamagata: 5 Things to Do Near the Station
You may find yourself at Yamagata station with some time on your hands. Don’t worry; there is plenty to do.
ScenerySnacksSouvenirsTravel GuideYamagata
December 29, 2016
Kyoto’s Northeast Momiji Walk: An Itinerary Through the Extraordinary
Late November marks the beginning of fall colors in western Japan, and there is no better place to enjoy them than Kyoto. This three-hour walking tour guides you through the city’s northeast Sakyo ward without paying any entrance fees.
November 26, 2016
