Become a holy rider. Shinto shrines can be found all over Japan and although most are dedicated to fairly universal things like good health, studies, and finding a romantic partner, others specialize in far more niche things. Take the case of a relatively new shrine located in the town of Miki (Miki-chō) in Kagawa Prefecture which is dedicated to keeping …

Travel to Kyoto in style, Kyoto-style. Japan’s famous train system is about to become even more unique, thanks to the introduction of the Kyo-train Garaku, a new train service that will soon start running between Kyoto and Osaka. Forget the dull, sparse interiors of most trains—the interior of the Kyo-train Garaku is styled on Kyoto townhouses and the carriages feature …

Is 2019 Tottori’s time to shine? When most people think of visiting Japan, they probably think of neon-lit, bustling cities like Tokyo and Osaka, or the old capital city of Kyoto. However, it was Japan’s most rural area—Tottori Prefecture—that was named the number one Japan place to visit in Japan  in 2019 by GajinPot Travel. GajinPot Travel is a popular …

A whole new way to enjoy Tokyo Skytree. On October 23, a little over six years after opening its doors, the 634 meter tall Tokyo Skytree began letting the general public onto a previously restricted open air observatory. Dubbed the Skytree Terrace, this observation deck is located 155 meters above ground. Formerly a maintenance area only used by employees, the …

Please do not shoot at any sideways walking employees. Along with Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and a handful of others, Space Invaders is easily one of the most well known and beloved games of the early days of arcades. This year marked the 40th year since those little crab-like aliens began trying to take over earth and in order to celebrate …

Hands down, one of the best things to do during your stay in Fukuoka. On the second floor of a building located on Oyafukō Street in the Tenjin area of Fukuoka is a little theater called Anmitsu Hime (hime means “princess” and anmitsu is a type of Japanese sweet). Featuring stunning costumes, extravagant song and dance numbers, and plenty of comedy, the nightly …

Another excuse to visit Tokyo Disney. Fans of Tokyo Disney have one more reason to be happy because it has been announced that DisneySea is about to get a whole lot more magical thanks to a massive 250 billion yen (~$2.26 billion USD) expansion. Red circle indicates expansion area. Green is Disneyland and blue is current DineySea. Set to be …

Your one-stop shop for “tattoo friendly” bathing in Japan. As fun and great as visiting Japan can be, it can also be a bit frustrating for anyone with a tattoo. Although attitudes have somewhat loosened up, many in Japan still very much disapprove of tattoos due to their association with organized crime. As a result, it is not at all …

Brace yourselves. The Pikachu are coming. This August Yokohama will once again be overrun by legions of everyone’s favorite yellow electric mouse Pokemon, Pikachu, when the city plays host to the 2018 Pikachu Outbreak! event (Pikachu Tairyō Hassei). Set to take place between August 10-16 in the Minato Mirai harbor district of Yokohama, Pikachu Outbreak! is a yearly event started …

The big Buddha club just got a new member. Located a 90-minute car ride to the west of central Tokyo is Hinode-machi, a rural town of 17,000 which unless you’re an avid hiker or love fall foliage, you’ve probably never heard of. However, Hokōji, a Buddhist Temple in this small town is hoping to change that via their new gigantic …

It’s like the car is driving itself! Getting stuck in a taxi with an overly chatty driver when all you want to do is relax for a few minutes can be a pretty painful experience. However, the Yokohama-based taxi company Sanwa Kotsu has come up with a new and very unique way to put an end to this pesky problem. …

Japan just can’t get enough Snoopy. The Hokkaido city of Otaru will soon be home to the latest location of Snoopy Chaya (Snoopy 茶屋,  Snoopy Tea House), a popular chain of Japanese style cafes featuring food and decor based on Charles M. Schulz’s beloved comic strip: Peanuts. When the Otaru Snoopy Chaya opens its doors on April 19, it will …