The Japanese archipelago is full of wonders. Visitors can marvel at the sights of the many temples and shrines, explore the numerous and varying natural sights, enjoy onsen and traditional ryokan across the country, and visit a plethora of cities, big and small, that offer special livestyles, architecture, and cuisines. Most international tourists tend to…

Oh my God, are you going to Japan? The Last Samurai and Memoirs of a Geisha are my favorite movies! Just don’t get too involved with some manga looking Japanese hottie, okay? Oh and take care with what you eat, I heard radiation poisoning is huge over there, okay? Ever been told anything like this?…

In many countries, public places such as city streets and local parks have a large number of easy to spot trash cans where you can easily dispose of your drink container, gum wrapper, or sandwich wrapping. However, one thing that soon becomes apparent to many travelers after being in Japan for any length of time…

Marriage rates in Japan are not great, having declined from 1973 to the mid 80s before seeing an increase that paled in comparison to the numbers seen in the 60s and early 70s. Fast-forward to 2021, and marriage rates in Japan continue to be sluggish for multiple reasons, including how the Japanese working culture and…

In 1966, after years of stable fertility rates, Japan experienced a sudden drop in the number of children being born; but what exactly happened in 1966 that would lead to that? The blame falls on “Hinoe-Uma”, which translates to “Fire Horse”, but what exactly is “Hinoe-Uma”? Hinoe-Uma is one of the many Japanese superstitions, and…

Atami (熱海) is a city located on the coast in Shizuoka Prefecture (静岡県) of Izu Peninsula (伊豆半島). It is adjacent to Tokyo (東京) and Hakone (箱根), making it one of the most frequented cities in the region. Thousands of tourists visit Atami every year, discovering its famous onsen (温泉; hot springs), museums, and culture. View…

Back in 2019, it had been announced that the iconic Harajuku Station would be demolished after the 2020 Olympics. Though with the postponment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the dismantling of the station continued as planned, and now the original façade is not there anymore. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sugaya…

Ancient castles, breathtaking views, and rich culture, there are many things tourists love about Japan. However, many tourists also fall in love with Japan for other reasons, reasons they actually notice as they travel across Japan. So what are the top five things that tourists find surprising about Japan? 1. Washlets jp.fotolia.com/ There are two…

Ikebukuro is one of the most bustling neighborhoods in Tokyo. The area’s popularity is attributed to the importance of Ikebukuro Station, one of the busiest stations in Japan and in the world. Ikebukuro Station serves as an important connecting point for millions of people, particularly those who live in Saitama and have to commute to…

As many as over a million young people in Japan are thought to remain holed up in their homes, sometimes for decades at a time, a phenomena known as ‘hikikomori’. Why is that? In Japan, hikikomori, a term that’s also used to describe the young people who withdraw, is a word that everyone knows. The…