A growing attraction in theme parks around the world are VR rides that immerse the audience in an intense, visceral story. From diving into oceans to flying through space, virtual reality rides are using advancing technologies to let audiences experience more. VR is just as popular in Japan as you’ll find in the United States:…

Over the month of June 2019, the 22nd Japan Media Arts Festival was held across various venues on Odaiba Island in Tokyo. The main venue for the show was at the Miraikan, a museum that hosts exhibits dealing with many aspects of natural history such as the past and humanity’s impact on the earth. From…

7/11 is the Spot If you have ever listened to the song “Tokyo Drift” from the Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift movie then you’ve heard the line “7/11 is the spot”. And it quite honestly is THE spot anywhere in Japan. Back home in the U.S., I know 7/11 to be the kind of gas station…

When visiting Japan, especially in the big cities like Tokyo, you might be surprised to see so many arcades around. In East Asian countries such as South Korea and Japan, arcades still thrive thanks to continued patronage and diversifying their attractions? Have you heard of Round One? Their focus on sports has made them a…

A lot of people come to Tokyo with the expectations of the streets being filled with everything “kawaii”. Though they aren’t wrong with kawaii things – from food, to desserts, and shops, being almost everywhere, here’s a list of my favorite kawaii dessert cafe you should try visiting while your stay in Tokyo. 1. MR. FRIENDLY…

If you visit Japan for a prolonged amount of time or plan to come here to live permanently, you might face some shifts in what you are eating. When you think of a Japanese cuisine you think rice, sushi, ramen, noodles, miso soup, tempura, and more. It is no surprise that when you come to…

Japan is a culturally rich country with many interesting and unique features that you cannot miss when traveling here. You will probably be recommended to check out a kabuki show, see maiko (means “apprentice geisha”), go to concerts of singers and idol groups, or enjoy some quirky cosplay cafes and restaurants. But have you ever heard…

The green powdered tea is one of Japan’s most recognizable products, recently gaining a global popularity for both its taste and its health benefits. From elegant traditional tea ceremonies to cute modern sweets with a matcha twist, matcha has been widely popular in Japan for centuries. The bitter and refreshing tea is prepared fairly simply,…

Over a year out from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, many accommodation options are sold out. Both domestic and international demand to see the Olympics has driven up prices to outrageous levels as people scramble to reserve the last hotels on the market. These 3 hotels offer the most reasonably-priced accommodation without sacrificing quality and…

Planning a trip to Japan can be daunting. You need to decide when to go, what attractions you want to go to, where to stay, and how to get to and between those locations. Even with an unlimited budget, your stay in Japan is only for a limited time, so decisions must be made. In…