Activities Vistas of Mt. Fuji and Retro Town Walking Tour Featured Guided walking tour in Fujiyoshida: two iconic Mount Fuji views, making decorative sushi rolls, a visit to a wonderful tea sho..
Culture Hoto Noodles at Scarecrow Villa Featured Meet local grandmothers, learn how to make traditional Yamanashi-style hoto noodles, see a typical old-style Japanese house, and..
Activities Guide to Visiting Zoorasia Cathy Cawood Also known as Yokohama Dobutsuen, Zoorasia is 'walking safari' zoo with animals from all over the world. It's a great..
Activities Shizuoka's Green Tea Cathy Cawood Shizuoka Prefecture is a great place to visit tea farms and factories and learn more about green tea. 40 percent of Japan’s te..
Culture Gunma Power Spot Haruna Shrine Cathy Cawood Haruna Shrine dates back to 586 AD, and the oldest cedar here is thought to be 1200 years old. The shrine is considered a power..
Culture Hina Doll Festival in Enzan 2026 Mid Feb - Mid Apr Antique hina doll sets from the Meiji and Showa Eras, as well as special hanging hina decorations and beautifully made padded fabric..
Food How Do You Take Your Tea? Cathy Cawood Learning how tea is blended at Mixcha Tea Blending workshop experience in Shizuoka, sampling green and black Japanese teas at Green..
Culture Shingen-ko Festival in Kofu City 2026 Early Apr Shingen-ko is the biggest samurai festival in Japan. The festival takes place in spring and the highlight is a procession through..