Japan has been making desserts for centuries with unique and interesting creations based on readily available local ingredients such as rice and sweet beans. These desserts are designed not only to look good but taste great as well, helping you to cool down from the summer heat.
SweetsAll Japan
John Asano
July 8, 2017
Bridges are essential here and come in all shapes and sizes from traditional wooden bridges to modern masterpieces. Let’s take a look at some of Japan’s most famous bridges.
LandmarkAll Japan
John Asano
December 6, 2016
The picturesque town with its classic architecture and willow-lined river is famous for its resort area featuring natural hot springs, called onsen in Japanese.
Area GuideOnsenHyogo
John Asano
November 5, 2016
Suffering from the summer heat, our writer John Asano recommends five popular summer dishes to help cool down and boost energy levels allowing you to beat the summer heat. So what are you waiting for, try them all!
Japanese cuisineNoodlesAll Japan
John Asano
August 27, 2016
Most visitors to Japan like to visit the best-known spots, or what I call the “Big 5” destinations, which are Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Hiroshima. While these are all must see places in Japan, some of the smaller cities like Kanazawa and Kawagoe are often overlooked, and usually do not make it onto a tourist’s itinerary. I recommend checking out these “Next 5” destinations, which aren’t as big or well known as the “Big 5”, but pack a punch and offer you some amazing experiences and memories of Japan.
Area GuideHeritageMuseumTraditionAll Japan
John Asano
August 26, 2016
Many of these temples have magnificent gardens in their precincts that are sanctuaries of peace and tranquillity from all the crowds and noise of the big cities in Japan. In this article, I will highlight some of the less well-known temple gardens in Nara that offer you a chance to experience this peace and tranquillity for yourself.
NatureSceneryNara
John Asano
August 13, 2016
Yoro Falls is a beautiful waterfall located in Yoro Town on the western edge of Gifu Prefecture. The spectacular waterfall is 32 meters in height and 4 meters wide, and has been famous since ancient times for its pure spring water and scenic beauty. It is ranked one of the “Top 100 Most Beautiful Waterfalls” in Japan.
NatureGifu
John Asano
July 7, 2016
First time visitors to Japan like to explore what is known as “The Golden Route of Japan”. This renowned route follows the old Tokaido Road from Tokyo to Kyoto and is a great choice for people who have never visited Japan before. For those of us who are looking for something a little bit different and off the beaten track, I recommend “The Dragon Route of Central Japan”. This new route offers visitors beautiful natural landscapes as well as a taste of traditional Japanese culture and history in a way that lets you explore the heart of Japan and its culture.
Area GuideLandmarkSceneryAichiGifuIshikawaMieToyama
John Asano
June 6, 2016
Many places can claim to be the Venice of Japan from Kurashiki in Okayama Prefecture with its white-walled storehouses and picturesque canal to Ogaki in Gifu Prefecture famous for its old waterways. Recently a new off the beaten track destination has risen to challenge the title from Kyoto Prefecture.
Area GuideLandmarkSceneryKyoto
John Asano
April 27, 2016
If you are a shopaholic searching for a bargain or just need some retail therapy, I have just the place for you where you can fulfil all your shopping fantasies in one shop till you drop fun location. Jazz Dream Nagashima, officially known as Mitsui Outlet Park Jazz Dream Nagashima is an outlet mall located in Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture, just a short distance away from Nagoya. It is the biggest outlet mall in Japan and offers around 240 stores...
Area GuideGoodsSouvenirKansaiMie
John Asano
April 11, 2016
Japan is famous for its seasonal food and drinks with spring one of the best times of the year to sample these delicious treats. In Japan, spring is seen as a time of hope and new beginnings and carries with it the promise of warmer weather, beautiful colours and “hanami” or cherry blossom viewing.
EventsFood & DrinkAll Japan
John Asano
March 30, 2016
Hida Furukawa is a beautiful old town in Gifu Prefecture that has retained its traditional old charm and traditions, and has somehow remained untouched by the rest of modern Japan. It could be one of the best undiscovered secrets in all of Japan.
Area GuideEventsGifu
John Asano
March 25, 2016
The Battle of Sekigahara was the greatest samurai battle of all time and determined the fate of Japan for the next 250 years.
LandmarkTraditionGifu
John Asano
March 10, 2016
Japan is famous for its seasonal food and snacks and winter is no exemption with some tasty treats hitting the supermarket and convenience store shelves during the colder months.
Food & DrinkAll Japan
John Asano
February 10, 2016
Japan is well known for being called ‘The Land of the Rising Sun’, but a new name could be on the agenda with its high technology leading many people to call it ‘The Land of High Tech Wonders’.
AttractionsNagasaki
John Asano
January 3, 2016
Japan is a winter wonderland popular with tourist from around the world for its wide range of cool winter activities on offer. The following is a list of winter activities in Japan to keep you busy this winter.
AnimalEventFestivalMountainOnsenSportsAll Japan
John Asano
December 24, 2015
15 Things to Do in Kobe
15 Things to Do in Akihabara
20 Things to Do in Kyushu
Seeing Mount Fuji from Tokyo (For Free!)
Morning Exercise
Japanese Flowers and Their Meaning
10 Best Japanese Sauces
The Ultimate Guide to Experiencing Hakone
The 5 Best Used Electronic Stores in Akihabara
Top 5 Tips to Maximize Fastpasses at Tokyo Disney Resort
Kyoto's Famous Omurice: Kichi Kichi
10 Famous Buddha Statues in Japan
Things To Do On Takeshita Street, Harajuku
10 Snacks to Try in Japan
Shop ‘Til You Drop: Bargain Hunting in Osaka
10 Must-see spots in Kamakura once you are in town!
The Top 5 Places to Visit in Nagano in Winter
Ramen: A Japanese Obsession
Kabuki Theatre: Learn More with a Guide
Fresh Seafood and Flowers of All Colors: Introducing the Wonders of Ibaraki Prefecture
Beautiful Ajisai: Hydrangeas at Tokyo's Toshimaen
Zunpachi Ramen: Friendly, Quick Service and Delicious Noodles Make This a Local Matsumoto Favorite
Enjoying Spectacular Landscapes from Akita Nairiku Jukan Railway Train
Niigata Rose Festival at Echigo Hillside Park: Life is Indeed a Bed of Roses Here
Top Things to Do in Niigata Prefecture
Sanja Matsuri: The Festival Everyone Wants to See
A Pilgrimage to Hiroshima With 1,000 Paper Cranes
