When people think of Japanese castles, castles like Himeji spring to mind. Usually, these places are far from Tokyo, accessible by Shinkansen, and require an overnight stay. However, there are lovely, more accessible castles that are equally full of history and tradition. Located in Kanagawa, Odawara Castle and the nearby Hotoku Ninomiya Shrine are such…

Love is something many of us want to experience and maintain for a lifetime. In Japan, there are numerous spots that couples can visit that will to boost their relationship. Enoshima is one such location with attractions such as the lover’s bell (龍恋の鐘) making it a great destination for couples. Legend has it that couples…

One of the great places to visit in Japan is the Ikuta Ryokuchi Park (生田緑地), a hidden gem in Kawasaki (川崎). It is not just your ordinary park as it is one of the best places to enjoy nature due to its abundant forestry. Check out this park and its different features below! Ikuta Ryokuchi…

You live on a tiny island off the coasts of some of Japan’s biggest cities. Your little town only has about 3000 residents. Everyone knows each other intimately. Your little island has some beautiful beaches and is famous for its taiko drum performances. You live an idyllic life. Until a horrifying alarm, that can be…

Odawara is attracting more visitors by re-opening Odawara Castle which recently renovated its viewing room. Located in the southwest of Kanagawa prefecture, Odawara has been playing a vital role since the Sengoku era (1493-1590). Due to the unique geographic nature, it was valued as a fortress and a gateway to Kyoto, especially during the Edo…

Okinawa seems to be the pinnacle of the dream “island vacation” for Japanese and non-Japanese tourists alike. However, there are a series of small, relatively unknown islands off the coast of Shizuoka that could be your dream realized (and they aren’t the tourist trap like Okinawa is). Dynamic topography and unique in character, the Izu…

Are you interested in seeing traditional Japanese residences that existed more than 200 years ago? Why not visit the Japan Open Air Folk House Museum (Nihon Minka-en) in Kawasaki? It is an outdoor museum that showcases traditional Japanese houses that have been preserved over the years. It is also a sanctuary for folk materials and…

Ajinomoto Co., Inc. is a popular Japanese company known to produce monosodium glutamate (MSG). MSG might have a bad name these days but it doesn’t stop the company from operating in many countries abroad. They even have a factory tour in their Kawasaki Plant where the company’s mascot known as Aji Panda guides visitors who…

Enoshima is a small island at the mouth of the Katase River in Kanagawa Prefecture. Nestled in place are caves called “Iwaya” which have been eroded by tides over thousands of years. It has quite a long history with its first ever recorded historical document in 552 AD. It then became a tourist spot for…

Kanamara Matsuri is an annual festival held on the first Sunday in April at Kanayama Shrine in Kawasaki. The festival is known as the Festival of the Steel Phallus (also known as penis) and dates back to the 17th Century when prostitutes used to go to the shrine and pray for protection from Sexually Transmitted…