JAPAN TRAVEL
By Mandy Bartok
In the mid 1800s, the farmers of the Shiraito plain in southeastern Kumamoto had  a problem. Rice paddies weren't receiving enough water and the peaks and valleys of the area assured that water run-off didn't quite go where the farmers desired. In 1854, local Yamato v...

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ROCKET NEWS
Japan is often known by tourists for its most popular attractions, like Mount
Fuji, the cities of Tokyo and Kyoto, and its amazing shrines and temples.
But there’s a lot more to the island nation than that.
We took a look at a Quora thread that asked, “what are some of Japan’s best ke...

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JNTO 
When I first heard of Hokuriku I thought it sounded like a rooster call. When I actually visited the region just two and half hours from Tokyo on the new Shinkansen route (that opens in March 2015), I quickly discovered that it is one of the most scenic regions of Japan.  It is a place I re...

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JAPAN GUIDE
 Today I headed to Nakanojo in northwestern Gunma Prefecture to check out the Nakanojo Biennalewhich started on September 12, 2015 and will carry on for a month through to October 12, 2015. This contemporary art event is held once every two years, and I was pleased to be able to go th...

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JAPAN TIMES
 The island of Okinawa shimmers beneath the wing of our plane, a dark green smudge on the azure seascape. I can’t see it well, ensconced as I am in the aisle seat, already subconsciously distancing myself from this visit. But my daughter, on the other end of the row, peers out the win...

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JAPAN TIMES
Saga prefecture sits in the northern half of Kyushu, sandwiched between bustling Fukuoka and historic Nagasaki. From the wild north coast to the porcelain towns of western Saga to the sake brewing districts of the southern Kashima region, this compact prefecture offers a host of hidde...

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JAPAN TIMES
 Taking in Tokyo TowerCommemorating its 10th anniversary, the Prince Park Tower Tokyo is offering a limited edition package, the “Collection10 Tokyo Tower Precious Day” on Sept. 18 and 25.
The plan allows guests to enjoy the most of Tokyo Tower, which is a short walk from the hotel. T...

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ROCKET NEWS
What would modern life be like without the humble toilet? Actually, we’d rather not think about that.
Many of us around the world should direct our thanks to TOTO Ltd., the world’s largest manufacturer of toilets and the very company that invented the washlet. In fact, Friday, August ...

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Never Stop Traveling
Japan is a country that’s relatively easy to travel about and, surprisingly to many, much less expensive to visit than many other major destinations.
And although it may sound more like promotional hyperbole, the truth is that Japan really is a country of contrasts. Yes, it i...

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JAPAN TIMES
Thanks to a favorable exchange rate, relaxed visa restrictions, more discount airlines flying into Kansai airport and an increase in the number of duty-free shops downtown, the number of foreign visitors to Osaka this year is expected to top 5 million for perhaps the first time.
From ...

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