LONELY PLANET
Exploring Japan's Wild North
With its wide-open spaces, national parks, active volcanoes, forests of silvery beech, forlorn coastlines and remote fishing towns, Hokkaidō is ideal for road trips.
Japan is famous for its efficient rail system and doesn't exactly scream road trip. But ...

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JAPAN TRAVEL
A peaceful campsite surrounded by colorful tents
Mount Tateyama in Toyama Prefecture is probably the easiest mountain to reach in the Japanese Northern Alps. It can be easily accessed with the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route that connects east and west bases of the mountain (in Nagano P...

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JAPAN TRAVEL
Hands-on experience with traditional Japanese crafts!
The Kyoto Handicraft Center sounds like another visit-and-forget attraction. Well, it's NOT. Not only do you get to participate in hands-on activities, you will also be able to bring home a piece of memory of your time there. 
 
U...

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JAPAN TRAVEL
Popular daily events at the Sarusawa Inn
 “This is beautiful, but this one leaf seems a bit lonely,” observed the ikebana (flower arranging) instructor. She took another leaf, placed it in the student’s arrangement, took it out, trimmed it and placed it again. “There now, that’s perf...

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JAPAN TRAVEL
Be a samurai at this Asakusa-based studio
Why not become a samurai on your next visit to Japan? A few blocks from Asakusa's Kaminarimon Gate, visitors can do just that at the truly exclusive Samurai Studio.
 
Open for a limited time, visitors can try from a range of full-spec authent...

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JAPAN TRAVEL
Kyoto's sake-brewing district
During my two months in Kyoto, I stayed in the Fushimi District, which is very different from Downtown Kyoto in the Gion and Sanjo area, as well as around Kyoto Station. Fushimi is a lot more residential and suburban, so there are a few things I would li...

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JAPAN TRAVEL
 
A guide to a long-term stay in Kyoto
Recently I spent two months living in Fushimi, Kyoto. It was a challenging but rewarding experience, and in this article I will provide some advice, tips, and information on how to go about living in Kyoto for a longer duration of time. If you a...

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JAPAN TRAVEL
Going inside the birthplace of instant ramen
For all those who love instant ramen, prepare yourselves - here is your mecca. Located a short walk from Ikeda Station on the outskirts of suburban Osaka; the Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen museum is an absolute must see for all the devout fo...

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JAPAN TRAVEL
Two years of large-scale renovations later, TOP Museum reopens
The Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography underwent two years of massive renovations, and finally reopened its doors on 3rd September 2016, with it now re-branded as the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum (TOP Museum).
 
As...

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JAPAN TRAVEL
Visit Nohonbashi and transport yourself back to Edo era
Nihonbashi literally means Japan Bridge. It connects the banks of the Nihonbashi River since the 17th century. The Nihonbashi district was an important trade center during the Edo period. The area surrounding the bridge was burn...

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