Culture Ako: A Seaside Retreat Tom Fay Nestling on the peaceful shores of the Seto Inland Sea, Ako is a small city with a rich history, rising to prominence from the..
Activities One Day in Nachi-Katsuura Alena Eckelmann In Kii-Katsuura Town in the south of the Kii-Peninsula there is a tuna auction rivaling Tsukiji and a bay cruise rivaling Matsushima...
Activities Zuihoji Park Kim Bergström One of Hyogo Prefecture's best places to enjoy autumn is Zuihoji Park. Located in the Arima Onsen area which is known as one..
Culture The Japanese Fan Elena Lisina Fans are an integral part of the traditional Japanese costume - a functional and at the same time beautiful accessory. The Japanese..
Activities Poppy Season at Awaji Hanasajiki Kim Bergström From the mid-April to mid-May timeframe, Awaji Hanasajiki Prefectural Park in Hyogo is filled with thousands of Icelandic poppies..
Activities Mount Yoshino Sakura Festival 2026 Mar 20th - Apr 19th Nara's Mount Yoshino is often regarded as one of the country's top sakura spots. An annual festival and illumination event..
Food Visiting Mikan Orchards in Arida Alena Eckelmann Mikan (satsuma mandarin) orchards in Arida City, Wakayama Prefecture, date back to the beginning of the Edo Period (1600) and they..
Activities Plum Blossoms at Tsukigase Plum Grove 2027 Mid Feb - Late Mar One of Nara's best plum blossom spots is the Tsukigase Plum Grove, where over 10,000 plum trees burst into bloom in shades of..