Kyoto (京都) is arguably one of the best must-see places in Japan: a prefecture full of picturesque spots that preserve Japanese culture and history. But when, for whatever reason, you’re stuck in Tokyo’s (東京) busy streets and tall buildings, with so little time and resources (that shinkansen or plane ride does not come cheap!), you…

Spring in Japan is well-known for the full bloom of sakura (桜; cherry blossoms). If you are going to visit Tokyo for the cherry blossoms this spring, then you can’t miss some of these popular spring festivals. Festivals, or matsuri (祭り), in Japan are common events. Almost every shrine celebrates their own festival. In Tokyo,…

Getting to visit Japan is one of the best experiences you can encounter in your life as a traveler. If you are planning to visit, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to a world that’s brimming with both historical culture and mass modernization. But even at this time, Japan has still kept up with its…

If you have been wanting to see beautiful torii gates (鳥居) for a long time but have not had the chance to go to Kyoto yet, the Hie Shrine (日枝神社) is a good alternative. It is located strategically around Akasaka area, in central Tokyo, between Akasaka (business district) and Nagatacho (national government building residence). Hie…