Want to drink and see a brewery for free? You can do just that at the Kirin Brewery Factory! This past weekend I visited the Yokohama Kirin brewery location for a tour of the factory. It was easy to set up, just go online to the website and sign up for a tour about a…
While Japan is typically seen as a temperate island country known for sweaty summers and chill winters, its large geographical range belies this stereotype. As you travel up north along the island of Hokkaido and surrounding territories, you’ll see how cold Japan can become in places. There are even a few places where permafrost develops,…
Donuts have become a staple in people’s lives as an easy to go-to dessert and meal in one. Due to the dessert’s popularity, there has been a flux of donut specialty shops flooding the streets of every major city worldwide. However, many of these are casual shops focused on convenience and the donut’s image as…
Japanese culture is widely known for introducing the world to various interesting things like manga, geishas, and famous foods such as ramen. But one of the most infamous things in Japanese culture are the advertisements you’ll encounter in the country. Japanese advertisements are well-known for their manic pace, bizarre subject matter, and impressive productions. But…
Izu Oshima island can be your idyllic midsummer night’s dream which swaddles you right into nature’s lap. Flawless beaches, rugged terrain, scenic mountain trails, lush greenery and a desert and a night sky that inspire songs – this is what Izu Oshima island offers. Getting to Izu Oshima and Getting Around View this post…
When people think of places in Japan, it’s easy for famous places like Tokyo Tower or Kiyomizu-dera Temple to come to mind. But far to the west of Japan, one of the most important places in the country has been drawing people to it for over 50 years. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, originally built…
It’s been a little over a month since I’ve been living in Japan and though Tokyo has a lot of nature friendly parks, I’ve been in need of some fresh air, nature and relaxation – so I decided to take a day trip to Kamakura. Whether you want to enjoy your day at a shrine…
Odaiba Island, one of many such artificial islands constructed in Tokyo Bay, is a popular travel destination for tourists looking to explore Tokyo. Traveling to the island is an attractive sight, as visitors can observe scenic buildings such as the FujiTV offices and Tokyo Big Sight as they cross over the bay onto the island.…
One of the highlights of living in Japan is the variety of festivals and other special occasions that are celebrated throughout the year. Whether it’s a crisp spring day or a cold winter afternoon, you can reliably find crowds of people flocking to a local shrine. One of the most celebrated festivals in Tanabata, a…
Osaka is a special city. As soon as you arrive you can easily tell things are completely different, which is what makes it so fun. Osaka is a bit more disorganized, a bit more hectic, and a bit louder. People will stand on the right side of the escalator, rather than the typical left, or…
