JAPAN TRAVEL
A salute to Tokyo’s bookworm wonderland
Many years ago, when I took my first job in Tokyo at the publishing house of Graphic-sha, in Kudan-kita, I discovered a place that I would wander through during my lunch hours, on free weekends, and at any opportunity I’ve had in the following ...

More

JAPAN TRAVEL
An ideal 5K loop you must do when in Tokyo
If you have time for only one run in Tokyo, you must do the Imperial Palace course. Home to the most famous family in Japan, the palace lies at the heart of the capital. The 5 km circuit around the palace is extremely popular among runners, ...

More

JAPAN TRAVEL
The changing face of Tohoku's eat street
Akita's food is widely popular in Japan. It is said that water here is of very high quality and so it's the rice. There are several famous dishes whose origins belong to this prefecture.
 
Just to name a few, Inaniwa Udon or kiritanpo are a co...

More

JAPAN TRAVEL
Sake select shop and bar
 Hakkaisan is the name of the holy mountain in Minami-Uonuma in Niigata Prefecture, an area famous for its high-quality rice which is the main ingredient of sake. Niigata is also an extremely cold region that often gets up to three meters of snow in the winte...

More

JAPAN TRAVEL
Niegawajyuku: a magical mystery tour
Like many villages in Japan, Niegawajyuku in Chichibu is coping with the issues of an increasing number of elderly residents on the one hand, and a decreasing number of children and young adults on the other. Due to its proximity to the Mitsumine ...

More

JAPAN TRAVEL
An immersive digital art experience in Tokyo
The unprecedented digital arts museum is set to open on June 21st. MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM: teamLab Borderless will feature about 50 digital artworks. Fully 10,000 square meters in area and divided into five zones, the museum inte...

More

JAPAN TRAVEL
Kowloon Walled City inspired arcade with dystopian vibes
Anata no Warehouse (Your Warehouse) or Kawasaki Warehouse is an arcade centre inspired by Kowloon Walled City in Hong Kong. Designed by Taishiro Hoshino in 2009, this five-storey building's interiors also gives off a dystopian ...

More

JAPAN TRAVEL
Hands-on Japanese paper-making experience
Washi is Japanese hand-made paper. While there are many places in Japan where washi is made, the Etchu Washi, Japanese paper made in Gokayama, has actually been designated as one of Japan’s Traditional Crafts. Etchu is the old name of present...

More

JAPAN TRAVEL
Hospital museum and restaurant with local produce
Hatagasako Hospital was built in 1892 by Reizou Hori. Originating from the Hori clan, Reizou Hori was placed in charge of the copper mines within the Tsuwano domain where their mansion is located 300 meters uphill from the former Hata...

More

JAPAN TRAVEL
Traditional yet, evolving sake-brewery in Tsuwasno
Tsuwano has a crystal clear river that is ideal for 'Washi' paper making, 'Wasabi' growing and sake brewing. Tsuwano has 3 long-established breweries. One of these is the Furuhashi (古橋 - old bridge) brewery on the main street.
This...

More