12 Temples & Shrines Shirahige Shrine Cathy Cawood The "floating" tori at Shirahige Shrine is smaller than the tori at Miyajima, but forms a beautiful scene against the backdrop of..
Historical Toyama's Best Kept Secrets Jerome Lee In Toyama prefectures lies 6 cities worth discovering, including Gokayama and Toyama Bay
Culture Finding Hope in Broken Places Bonson Lam 2018 marked the 7th anniversary of the tsunami. In Japan, there is an age old festival called Shichi-go-san, which is a rite of..
Museums Okishima Chris Glenn Okishima is unique as the only inhabited lake in Japan and it’s long history is even more unique. The 450 residents descended ..
Festivals Firefly Festival in Saidaiji Kenji Chida The Saidaiji Ichinomiya Firefly Festival celebrates the fireflies of southeastern Okayama. Held annually, people pack into a picturesque..
Museums Takamatsuzuka Mural Hall in Asuka Tony Mariani An early Japanese tomb showing Korean influence and star constellations.
10 Temples & Shrines Shuzen-ji Shigetsu-den Temple Tomoko Kamishima Shigetsu-den Temple, introduced by Michelin’s Green Guide was built for the repose of Minamoto Yoriie (2nd Shogun of Kamakura ..
Culture Nakano Ekimae Bon Odori Festival 2026 Early Aug Running for over a decade now, the Nakano Ekimae Bon Odori Festival was started with the intent of allowing people to enjoy vibrant..