JAPAN TIMES
by Robbie Swinnerton
Tradition looks quite different in Tokyo than, say, Kyoto. Concealed and evolving under constant layers of reinvention, it must be sought out. Where to start? Just head to Kohaku in Kagurazaka, Tokyo’s atmospheric nightlife district.
The outer wall of dark, tightl...

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THE GUARDIAN
In the Guardian and Observer Readers' Travel Awards 2012, Japan was your favourite long-haul destination. There, in historic Kyoto, Charlie Brooker takes a Japanese cookery lesson in a rare visit to a Japanese home.
Like most wimps, I have a thing about best-before dates. I know they...

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THE GUARDIAN
by Richard Barnes
In this year's Reader Awards, you voted the Land of the Rising Sun your favourite long-haul destination (again). Richard Barnes and family explore Kyushu island by rail.
"It's coming daddy, it's coming!" I was ready with my camera when the Sonic pulled into platform...

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THE GUARDIAN
Revered by the Japanese for its hiking, hot springs and cedar trees, Yakushima also provided the inspiration for Studio Ghibli’s anime hit Princess Mononoke. Now foreign visitors are uncovering this island delight
Nestling in the warm, sub-tropical waters 37 miles south of Kyushu, Ja...

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JAPAN TRENDS
Gotta catch ’em all. Or should that be “eat and drink ’em all”?
Shibuya Parco will open the Pokémon Cafe (Pokémon cafe Ω Ruby & α Sapphire) next month.
Opening January 9th, the pop-up cafe will be around until the end of February at THE GUEST cafe & diner, on the seventh floor of Par...

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JAPAN TRENDS
Pass the Baton has opened a new designer thrift store in the heart of Kyoto.
Located a short walk from Shijo Station in Gion, the old part of Kyoto, inside a 120-year-old wooden machiya (townhouse), the new store sits in a charming spot by the Shirakawa river.
Pass the Baton was foun...

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JAPAN TRENDS
This article by Grigoris Miliaresis first appeared on Tokyo Cheapo.
Contrary to popular belief, ceremony halls aren’t a creation of bubble-era Japan and the Meguro Gajoen is the proof. Built in the early days of the turbulent 1930s, when Tokyo was vying against Shanghai for the “Pari...

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ROCKET NEWS
For many in Japan, the bright green hues and bitter tones of powdered green tea partners perfectly with all things sweet, making for an irresistible dessert flavour. Now, as springtime brings the first tea of the new season, convenience stores and sweet purveyors are releasing limited...

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JAPAN TRENDS
 This article by Greg Lane first appeared on Tokyo CheapoIzakaya are one of Japan’s quintessential experiences. If it’s your first trip to Japan or you’ve been here for a lifetime, it’s hard not to enjoy a beer and yarn with friends over some heavily salted fried food at this Japanes...

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JAPAN TRAVEL
By Tristan Scholze
Tunnels of wisteria blooms the length of a football field—that’s why they come each spring in late April and early May from around the world to this majestic garden hidden in the mountains of southern Japan. The millions of tiny hanging blossoms meticulously arrang...

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