JAPAN TRAVEL
Enchanting in all four seasons
Located in the Tohoku region of Japan, Yamagata Prefecture is a bit off the beaten path, but well worth the journey. In just under three hours from Tokyo by the Shinkansen train, the most authentic and memorable experiences await. Yamagata Prefecture pr...

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JAPAN TRAVEL
An excellent fall color viewing area
When Miwa was a child her father had a home in Nasu and every summer her mom and sisters would enjoy a month in the mountains. The home included a private onsen, which are very popular in this town. In fact there are seven major onsen that date ba...

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JAPAN TRAVEL
Be embraced by nature in a field of Lavender
“Hokkaido is a vast land of great natural splendour. Its beauty is so awe-inspiring that it evokes forgotten feelings in Japanese. Emotions bring out our drive to live. The whole body of the Atama Daibutsu can’t be seen from outside. Snow ...

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JAPAN TRAVEL
Where the ocean and mountains come together
If you cannot decide on whether to take a day trip to the mountains or the ocean, then here is an easy solution: See both! Two hours south of Tokyo via the Takaido Line is the beautiful city of Numazu. Until Miwa recommended I visit this pl...

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JAPAN TRENDS
 
Four years ago, the hot spring resort of Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, was transformed into an art bonanza, with artists allowed to customized and redesign rooms in hotels in Dogo.
Given the pedigree of many of the participants — including Yayoi Kusama, photographer Nobuyoshi Araki,...

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JAPAN TRAVEL
No longer just a stopover to the mountains
Asahikawa is Hokkaido’s second largest city, the gateway to Sounkyo Gorge, Daisetsuzan National Park, and many great hot springs.
The city is more than a stopover as there are some places you really want to see.
 
For us we came here to do r...

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JAPAN TRAVEL
Discover Omori's heritage in seaweed production
During the Edo Period (1600–1868), the area of Omori in Ota Ward was known for its cultivation of nori, the crackly sheets of seaweed most commonly wrapped around plump rice balls or sushi rolls. While development along the shores of To...

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JAPAN TRAVEL
The maker and his craft in the backstreets of Kyoto
On my second business trip this week, it suddenly dawned on me that I spent more time away than at home, something that led me to think about what home really means. I was having lunch with someone in Cairns when she said that Japan...

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JAPAN TRAVEL
 
Want to know where you can find 11 degrees Celsius on a 30 degree Tokyo summer day just two hours from the city?
Try Okutama and the Nippara Shonyudo Limestone Caves where 11 degrees (52 F) is the average year round temperature.
 
On a very hot and humid day we went exploring in th...

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JAPAN TRAVEL
The Pikachu have landed
On a very hot August day the Pikachu started showing up all over the Yokohama Mirai Area. This is an annual event that draws over 1500 Pikachu characters.
A Poke Spot park was set up near Red Brick Warehouse where you can capture all the Kanto area Pokemon Yel...

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