When one thinks of items representative of Japan the list inevitably includes kimono, sushi and bullet trains but one shouldn’t overlook the beauty of Japanese woodblock prints or ukiyo-e. The word ukiyo refers to the world of common people and e means picture. This art form originated in the late sixteenth century in the ancient […]
Get your hands dirty! Well, maybe not dirty but get some paint on them and learn about Japanese traditional crafts by making some yourself in the historic city of Kyoto. You will walk away with a better understanding and appreciation for the art forms than you will get from any museum – and you’ll have […]
Summer heat and fatigue, natsubate, has struck The Nihon Sun! That, a few earthquakes, and visitors with crazy schedules has made me a sweat drenched and sunburned resident with lots of inspiration but an inability to peck out a cohesive string of words down on my keyboard… My trusty folding fan is never far from […]
I’m off to Kamakura in Kanagawa prefecture today – it’s just one of a few great day trips that can be made using Tokyo as a base. Many of these places can be explored in a day but if you have time you may want to consider staying the night at a hotel or ryokan […]
Bring a keen sense of observation with you when you visit Japan and you will leave with more than the usual photo album and stories of shrine visits, great food, and trains. The scenes of daily life in Japan are often fanciful, sometimes quite mundane and on other occasions very thought provoking and serene. No […]
Tokyo beers gardens can be found in parks and on building rooftops throughout the city and there’s nothing better than enjoying a cold beer, or two, with friends on a warm summer evening in the city. Social and business networking on Tokyo has now been taken to a new level with the creation of the […]
Everyone loves a bargain and whether you live in Japan or are planning a visit it’s always good to look for Japan Travel Specials and ways to save a few Yen. Japan Rail, better know as JR to locals, offers a selection of special tickets that will do just that! Some promotions are seasonal but […]
In early August, Aomori Prefecture in the Tohoku region of Japan hosts the Nebuta & Neputa Festivals, where giant illuminated floats featuring famous warriors and and kabuki actors are paraded through the streets. Accompanied but the thundering sound of beating drums, the music of bamboo flutes and shouts of “rasseera” by Haneto dancers this is […]
There is more to Tsukiji in the morning that just the tuna auction. In fact a stroll through the streets outside the market can be as invigorating experience as the market itself. This is one early morning jaunt that I would recommend – while it is still a place of business, consumers are welcome to […]
Taking the train in Japan is really quite easy but like doing anything for the first time it can be a bit intimidating at first. Which train line do I want? Which track do I need to be on to go in the right direction? These questions and more will be racing through your mind […]
