A bullfight in Okinawa is quite the spectacle – unlike bullfighting in Spanish speaking cultures, there is no Matador to face the bull; it is one bull challenging another and neither will be seriously injured or die in the event. The bullfighting arena is a dome-shaped structure with open sides providing air circulation. A circular […]
Once you have familiarized yourself with with the variety of options for getting around in Japan the next issue that you will need to tackle is how to find everything. While finding English maps online is not impossible, it can be a challenge especially if you are nowt following a predetermined route from a guidebook […]
Planning a trip to Japan or even travel within Japan is an exciting proposition that can easily get thrown into disarray once you are on the ground. One of the most common questions that we are asked in the Japan Discovered! weekly tweetchat goes something like this: “I have X days in Japan, can I […]
Parking is a rather precarious pastime in any country, but in Japan it seems to take on mythic proportions. There are as many types of parking lots as there are types of cars, and each one varies with location, price and method of holding the car. The Slide-Out Parking One of the best car parks […]
The bright red Togetsu Bridge connects Oshima Island (sometimes referred to as Ojima Island) to the town of Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture. After crossing the short but stunning red bridge take some time explore the small island’s rocky terrain along winding paths that take you past more than fifty caves carved into the rock containing […]
The decision on whether Tokyo will once again be honored as the host city of the Olympics is just a few months away. On October 2nd, the Olympic bid committee will decide whether Tokyo will be chosen to host the Summer Olympics in 2016. The Summer Olympics were hosted by Tokyo in 1964 and is […]
You may have though it was all bad news when you heard that Japan’s rainy season officially started this week but it’s doesn’t rain everyday and the weather is still relatively cool and pleasant – in fact it’s great sightseeing weather! One of the best things to do this time of year is to take […]
June is for brides – it’s a common saying in the west that is also applicable in Japan but not in the way you might think. Every June with the blooming of the irises the tradition of Yomeiri-Fune, also know as marriage boats or wedding ships, take to the waters in Japan. It is a […]
The beauty and tranquility of a well designed karesansui or dry garden is often spoken of but seldom experienced. Take some time to visit one in person or simply meditate for a moment upon the images below from some of Japan’s most famous Zen gardens. Banryutei Rock Garden Image Credit: Flickr, Zen garden / Koya […]
When you visit Japan you may choose to stay at a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) rather than a traditional hotel. Ryokan offer visitors an opportunity to learn more about Japanese culture in an environment that is second only to that of staying with a friend who lives in a home that was designed in the […]
