Festivals Visiting Sapporo Snow Festival (2012) Catherine Hagar Chill out at Sapporo's annual Snow Festival in February. With gigantic ice sculptures, hot drinks, and local food, the snow..
Historical Hokoji Temple and its Fatal Bell Takako Sakamoto Hokoji Temple in Kyoto has a very dramatic, fatal bell on its premises, which doomed and led the Toyotomi Clan to destruction. They..
Culture Celebrating Christmas in Japan Joanna Ligon While not an official holiday in Japan, Christmas presents an opportunity to test out some different holiday traditions than what..
7 Historical Kanazawa Bunko, A Samurai's Library Takako Sakamoto Kanazawa Bunko, one of the oldest libraries for samurai in Japan.
Festivals Okazaki Yoimairi 2026 Early - Late Dec Winter is a special time in Okazaki as the city gears up to celebrate the birthday of its most famous historical figure, Tokugawa..
Culture Dazaifu Tenmangu The Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is located in the eponymous city of Dazaifu on the main island of Kyushu. Shinto Tenmangu shrines are all dedicated to t..
Culture Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown 4 (1Review) Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown is the oldest of its kind in Japan. There are only three Chinatowns in Japan. The district in downtown Nagasaki extends over..
Historical Obi Town - the 'Kyoto of Kyushu' Iain Stanley Obi Town, in Nichinan city, Miyazaki, is often labeled as the ‘Kyoto of Kyushu’ – it is very popular with tourists and domesti..