Blog
[Hidden Wonders of Japan] Hiyoko-chan Graces Manhole Covers in Ikeda, Osaka
Photo: A manhole cover with an image of Hiyoko-chan (Image provided by Ikeda City in Osaka) In the city […]
Culture
[Hidden Wonders of Japan] Harvesting Rice for the Imperial Succession
In early November, one of the most important ceremonies of the new era is set to take place. […]
[Hidden Wonders of Japan] Chōshi Railway: Clickety-clacking Through the Green
“The train does not run through a real tunnel, but it will take you through a ‘green’ one” “When […]
Travel
[Hidden Wonders of Japan] Autumn’s Here, and So Are This Osaka Shop’s Rabbit- Shaped Mochi
You might have heard of ohanami, the wonderfully decadent practice of admiring cherry blossoms in the spring. But have y
Travel
[Scary Places in Japan] Doai, the Deepest Running Train Station
In Gunma Prefecture a few hours north of Tokyo lies Doai Station, the deepest train station in Japan. With […]
Culture
[Hidden Wonders of Japan] Todaiji Buddha Gets A Cleaning Before Obon Festivities
The World Heritage site Todaiji Temple in Nara was home to a curious sight on August 7: the cleaning […]
Culture
[Hidden Wonders] Enjoy the Summer Cheer with Multicolored Nebuta Lanterns!
This is the season to be jolly! In Japan’s case, that means the season of summer festivals with delicious […]
Culture
[Hidden Wonders of Japan] Feel the Summer Breeze with Hyogo’s Decorative Ornamental Ferns
When I used to come to Japan as a child, my grandma would sometimes look at my thin […]
Culture
[Hidden Wonders of Japan] JR Tadami Line’s 4 Seasons of Mystical Mountain Scenery
Was it the rain from last night, I wondered? The bird’s chirping echoed early in the morning, while the […]
Culture
[Hidden Wonders of Japan] Square-Shaped Watermelon Production in Full Swing
Here’s a riddle: it looks more like a dice, but in reality it is a fruit. Those who […]
[Hidden Wonders of Japan] Summer Has Come, and So Has Japan’s Ubiquitous Mosquito Incense
Nothing says summer more than the coming of one of the most hated insects of all time: the mosquito. […]
Travel
[Hidden Wonders of Japan] Preserving Maruyama’s Thousand Rice Paddies
The sound of pheasants chirping and frogs croaking filled the air. The rice paddies reflected the blue […]