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When temperatures start to drop in Japan, nabe hot pots start appearing on dinner tables. Meat, vegetables, tofu, seafood and other ingredients simmer together in a steaming pot, usually placed right in the middle of the table for everyone to share. But for winter 2026, Japan’s nabe is getting considerably less restrai
Osaka is a vibrant city known for its lively culture, comedy, and incredible food scene—and its souvenirs capture this spirit perfectly. If you’re passing through Shin-Osaka Station, you’re in luck! This bustling travel hub, easily accessible by Shinkansen and other trains, is home to a fantastic selection of souvenirs
Yamagata Prefecture is located in northern Japan’s Tohoku region, where the autumn colors begin to appear around the end of October every year. The natural beauty of the area, where the magnificent mountains are dyed red and yellow, is perfect for setting your heart and mind at ease. This year, why not relax and stay a
Kyoto's autumn spectacle is a sight to behold, with its foliage transforming the city into a living masterpiece. In fact, autumn is one of the most popular times to visit Kyoto . In 2026, the best time to see fall foliage in Kyoto is from around November 27 to December 11, when the Japanese maples turn red and ginkgo s
Tucked in the Japan Alps, Kamikochi is a serene highland escape in Nagano Prefecture known as “where gods descend.” Explore its stunning trails with our guide to walking routes, how to get there, and what to see each season.
For tourists who have exhausted all of Tokyo’s most popular sites, Kanagawa’s Miura Peninsula is a great place for beautiful scenery and delicious gourmet food. The peninsula’s Misaki Port, about 90 minutes from Tokyo, is known for its superb shellfish and tuna. The Misaki Maguro Day Trip Ticket offers not only train f
Enjoy a free bullet train ride to one of the country’s most beautiful regions. International visitors to Japan tend to arrive and stay on the mainland, travelling between big cities like Tokyo and Kyoto on the Shinkansen bullet train. However, there are three other main islands in Japan crying out for tourists, and now
Aomori ryokan inns are the perfect way to enjoy the stunning autumn foliage in the prefecture's inland areas. Some of the finest spots, including Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada, offer a vivid gradient of red and yellow hardwood leaves from mid-October to early November. Here are three recommended onsen ryokans where you
The Tokaido Shinkansen gets you from Tokyo to Kyoto in a little over two hours. But if Mt. Fuji is also on your itinerary, you can turn the journey into a two-day stopover and see one of Japan’s most famous sights along the way. The Fuji Five Lakes sit north of Mt. Fuji, while the Tokaido Shinkansen runs along the sout
Kyoto’s buses can get extremely crowded, especially around popular sightseeing areas. Fortunately, many of the city’s top attractions are also easy to reach by train or subway. This guide introduces seven useful train and metro lines for sightseeing in Kyoto, including which attractions they serve, how to transfer betw
There’s nothing quite like autumn in Japan : taking in the brilliant reds and golds of the season’s foliage, then relaxing in a soothing hot spring. While there are countless famous spots for autumn leaves across the country, one of the best places you can enjoy both vibrant foliage and onsen on a day trip from Tokyo i
When it comes to electronics districts in Tokyo, Akihabara is definitely the place to be! From large electronics retailers like BicCamera and Yodobashi Camera to small shops and PC stores in Akihabara Electric Town, you’ll find countless chances to discover Japanese-made electronics and digital devices. A writer who us
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