JAPAN TRAVEL
Discover the beautiful landscape of Mount Koya
Hidden high in the mountain tops among the lush and mysterious forests exists a spiritual world in Japan which feels very much alive. Mount Koya, or Koyasan as it is also known, is home to the origins of Shingon Buddhism and the spiritua...

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JAPAN TRAVEL
Engage in The Art of Tea-making and Get Historical and Cultural Insight by a Real Master of Tea Highlights Introduction about the history of Chado, tea, and tea utensilsWatch a traditional ceremony by a lecturer of Urasenke, one of the most famous schools of ChadoLearn how to make yo...

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JAPAN TRAVEL
Watch the most number of balloons in Asia appear by the Kase Riverside
Venue: Kase Riverside When: Oct 30th - Nov 6th 2018 ,  10:00am - 5:00pm
Held every autumn along the Kase River just outside Saga City, the Saga International Balloon Fiesta brings together hot air balloon enthusia...

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DEEP JAPAN
 
Taiga is the ramen shop in Asakusa you should visit when you are very hungry, tired, and need "chicken soup for your soul". The chicken soup that makes up the base for the ramen and tsukemen here is that good.
Choose from the ramen or tsukemen menu and decide how many noodles you wou...

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JAPAN TRAVEL
Four days of fun shows all around the city
Venue: Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan When: Nov 1st - Nov 4th 2018 ,  10:00am - 5:00pm
From Thursday 1st November 2018 to Sunday 4th, the annual Daidogei World Cup will be held in Shizuoka City. At dozens of stages all around the city,...

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JAPAN TRAVEL
In Chiba, mother's is the place to be
Venue: Mother Farm When: Sep 15th - Nov 25th 2018 ,  9:00am - 4:30pm
Imagining wide, open spaces in Japan can be a chore, but anyone who has stepped outside of Tokyo proper will know that open space abounds. And space is good, especially when tra...

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TRAVEL GAIJIN
 
Shhhh. Don't wake the samurai spirits.
Matsushiro Town, as it was formerly known, may no longer exist as it recently became a suburb of  Nagano City. However, the Matsushiro area has retained much of its own character, culture and customs. The locals still consider it a distinct t...

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JAPAN TRAVEL
440 years of bargains
Venue: Boroichi Dori When: Dec 15th - Dec 16th 2018 ,  9:00am - 8:00pm
A sea of stalls and smiles. That's what it feels like strolling through Setagaya's biannual flea market. Held over two days in January and then again in December, the 440-year old Setagaya Bo...

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DEEP JAPAN
 
 
Handmade noodles and thick tonkotsu soup
Fuji Ramen in Asakusa serves tasty ramen in tsukemen with tonkotsu base soup and noodles made fresh at the shop.
This shop is special because it makes its own noodles. You can see the small workshop near the entrance. The noodles are straigh...

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GAIJIN POT
A brisk day hike accessible from Matsumoto
Hikers in search of a brisk day hike in the Northern Alps should consider Mount Jonen. This alpine peak overlooks the Azumino area near the popular Nagano transportation hub of Matsumoto City.
Just a few hours west of Tokyo, Matsumoto is a fan...

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