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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JAPAN TRENDS
 This article by Adriana Mazza first appeared on Tokyo Cheapo. 
If you’re not familiar with Blue Bottle, it’s a highfalutin craft coffee joint in Tokyo that usually bears hours-long queues. No shade, but it’s not the only player in town brewing up some good coffee (with much shorter ...

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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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JAPAN TRAVEL
By Geoff Day 
With a pristine location near the base of Mt. Fuji, Fuji-Q Highland theme park offers fantastic views from towering rides that will please even the most extreme thrill seekers. Fuji-Q Highland is the most famous theme park in Japan for adventurers and boasts some of the...

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JAPAN TIMES
 Japan’s image of quality cheese has remained firmly attached to fine European imports. Processed sliced cheeses of the Kraft variety are ubiquitous, but for the “real” stuff you’d be smart to visit an international supermarket for a decent selection.
Imported cheese is certainly gain...

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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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ROCKET NEWS
Bright pink polka dots, zebra print, and purple stripes are printed on these oblong objects.  They look so showy and colorful, but what could they be?  A handkerchief?  A fancy sponge?
Believe it or not, these colorful circles are roll cakes (rolled sponge cake and cream filling), and...

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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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