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Travel off the beaten path and experience Utsubuki Park in Tottori Prefecture
Located in Kurayoshi City in Tottori Prefecture (Japan’s least-populated prefecture), Utsubuki Park is an off-the-beaten-path destination that lets visitors enjoy cherry blossoms away from large crowds. Thousands of trees bloom here from late March to mid-April, and the park is counted among Japan’s top 100 city parks and cherry blossom viewing spots. Aside from cherry… Read
Gamblers, Fraudsters, Dreamers & Spies: The outsiders who shaped modern Japan
Foreigners behaving badly goes down well with audiences in Japan. Stories of Yankee misfits, British conmen and Korean upstarts are guaranteed to find eager readers. Throw in shady espionage rings, guys who started out by sleeping on park benches, plus stories of massive transfers of dollars bills in brown paper bags, and you… Read
Japanese company starts project to restore Nakagin Capsules to capsule hotel
Some famous Japanese architectural structures are getting a new chance to live on. Hello! Renovation, a renovation company that specializes in revitalizing akiya vacant houses, announced a new project in which they will restore five retired Nakagin Capsules to capsule hotel rooms with a gorgeous view. ▼ Here’s the view you could… Read
Don’t roll your vegetarian ‘meatballs’! Smash them for better flavor
Keftedes are Greek meatballs, sometimes made with a mixture of chickpeas and sardines. For our vegetarian version, we substitute the sardines with feta cheese, which gives the keftedes a deeply savory note while keeping them meat-free. Based on the chickpea and sardine keftedes from “Smashing Plates” by London chef Maria… Read
In Vietnam, farmers reduce methane emissions by changing how they grow rice
There is one thing that distinguishes 60-year-old Vo Van Van’s rice fields from a mosaic of thousands of other emerald fields across Long An province in southern Vietnam’s Mekong Delta: It isn’t entirely flooded. That and the giant drone, its wingspan similar to that of an eagle, chuffing high above… Read
Get better sleep with these 5 tips from experts
Spending too many nights trying to fall asleep — or worrying there aren’t enough ZZZs in your day? You’re not alone. Nearly one-third of American adults say they don’t get the recommended seven to nine hours a night. Some of the major causes: Stress, anxiety and a culture that experts say… Read
Unlock Japanese fluency: Your guide to preparing for language school in Japan
Are you dreaming if immersing yourself in Japanese culture, mastering the language and foreign lifelong friendships in Japan? Look no further. Our comprehensive guide will equip you with the tools and strategies to kickstart your Japanese language adventure even before you set foot in Japan. This webinar will be presented… Read
New private rooms on Tokaido Shinkansen change the way we travel from Tokyo to Kyoto
Japan currently has 10 shinkansen (bullet train) lines to shuttle passengers around Japan at super high speeds, but the busiest by far is the Tokaido Shinkansen, which has been known to operate over 470 trains along the route in a single day. The Tokaido Shinkansen stretches from Tokyo to Kyoto and Osaka, making it the one that foreign tourists to… Read
Thanko releases full-body cooling suit just in time for summer
Now that we’re heading toward summer, it’s time to start preparing for the inevitable heat and humidity that comes with it. There are portable fans, cooling sheets and UV umbrellas on the market but sometimes it just doesn’t cut it. With almost 40-degree days ahead, it’s time to check out… Read
Cosplay in front of explosions and flames at the upcoming fiery Baku Festival
On April 28, the third annual Baku [Explosion] Festival (爆フェス) will take place in Hitachiomiya City, Ibaraki Prefecture, in a quarry often used as a set location for movies, TV shows, and music videos. The experience is sure to feel like a dream come true for anyone who spent their childhoods pretending… Read
