Food Sakaemachi After Dark Bonson Lam Being in Sakaemachi is like being in your teenager’s bedroom. At midday it looks lifeless, abandoned, and unkempt. At dusk the..
Culture Arima Or Gero? Scott Brause Arima and Gero onsens, both on the island of Honshu, have been reecognized for centuries as two of the 'Three Renowned Onsen..
Food Okinawa Goat Misaki Bonson Lam What do you call a goat of wisdom and stamina? From the Maritime Silk Road to the byways of Sakae Machi, the past and present meet,..
Food Shu'n Wine and Dine Swissotel Namba Bonson Lam Onkochishin is a philosophy that I often associate with the chefs of Osaka. Confucius explains, “Exploring the old and deducin..
Activities Okinawa Tropical Illuminations 2025-2026 Oct 24th - May 24th The Okinawa Tropical Illumination at Southeast Botanical Gardens is one of the country's top illumination events, ranking third..
Activities Atami Plum Garden Plum Festival 2026 Jan 10th - Mar 8th The Atami Plum Garden in Shizuoka is home to some of Japan's earliest blooming plum tree varieties. The annual plum festival..
Activities Sounkyo Onsen Ice Fall Festival 2026 Jan 24th - Mar 8th The annual Sounkyo Ice Fall Festival has been running for over 40 years now, and it celebrates the beauty of the harsh, cold winters..
Activities Iwakura Cherry Blossom Festival 2026 Mar 27th - Apr 5th From late March to early April each year, the banks of the Gojo River in Iwakura come alive with the color of 1400 cherry trees..