Culture Botanen Peony Festival Lynda Hogan Botanen in Higashimatsuyama is Japan's largest peony garden. There are more than a hundred varieties and about 6500 peonies..
Activities Exploring Japan's First World Natural Heritage Site Paul McInnes Japan's very first World Natural Heritage Site was Akita Prefecture's epic and dramatic Shirakami mountains and forests..
Culture Mito Okushi Kaizuka Fureai Park Peter Sidell In the suburbs of Mito in Japan's Ibaraki Prefecture, Okushi Kaizuka Fureai Park is a small, pleasant park, but with an unusual..
Food The Tokyo EDITION's Elegant Sakura Afternoon Tea Paul McInnes The Tokyo EDITION has introduced a lovely seasonal afternoon tea menu open to the public. It's a celebration of British-style..
Activities Hamura Zoo Kim Bergström Hamura Zoo is situated in the outer suburbs of Tokyo, and it's a great option for a smaller zoo for younger children to enjoy...
Activities A Visit to the Kushigaki Village of Katsuragi Alena Eckelmann Kushigaki means persimmon (kaki) on a skewer. It is a specialty that is produced in the Arida area of Wakayama Prefecture. Arida..
Culture Kitsumoto Jinja - The "Mandarin" Shrine Alena Eckelmann The Shinto God of Mandarins is worshipped at Kitsumoto Shrine located in Kainan City. This is near the mikan orchards of Arida,..
Shopping Infinity Books: Tokyo Used Bookshop Todd Wojnowski Infinity Books and Event Space is a used bookstore in Asakusa, Tokyo buying and selling English books across genres including fiction,..