JAPAN TRAVEL
Stretching north to south along the eastern side of the centrally located Kii Peninsula, sandwiched in between the bustling metropolises of Nagoya, Osaka and Kyoto is Mie Prefecture. It’s a prefecture rich in history, culture and legend. It’s also a naturally blessed region with over...

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JAPAN TRAVEL
Just 3 minutes walk from the west exit of Tsu Station is an inexpensive yet most pleasant hotel, the Grand Court Hotel, Tsu. Clean and modern, with friendly efficient staff, the designer hotel. was opened in April of 2008. Offering free parking for up to 20 vehicles, the hotel is jus...

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JAPAN TRAVEL
One of The Finest Examples Of a Warring States Castle
By Chris Glenn
Iga Ueno, home of the ninja!
Most foreign tourists head to the north western Mie Prefecture town to see the ninja, without even realizing the city of Iga Ueno was also a castle town, with one of the finest examples ...

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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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JAPAN TRENDS
Snoopy and green tea? Whatever will they think of next.
Actually, this isn’t such a big shock, since Snoopy is a popular character in Japan, though this is still a pretty original way to utilize the lovable Peanuts pooch.
Snoopy Chaya is a maccha (matcha) green tea-themed cafe openin...

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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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