If there is one thing I’ve learned from consuming a frankly concerning amount of raw fish, whether off a plastic conveyor belt at a place like Sushiro or the occasional wallet-draining omakase...
Japan Culuture & Language
Dive into the heart of Japanese culture. These blogs cover everything from ancient traditions to pop culture and language learning.
Sapporo Snow Festival First-Timer’s Guide: 10 Tips to Know Before You Go
Planning your first-ever visit to the Sapporo Snow Festival? Well, firstly, that’s amazing! You’re going to have an incredible time! But, that being said, it is a big event that can seem a little...
Authentic Ramen Making: The Ultimate Foodie Experience
We have all been there. You queue up outside a tiny shop in Tokyo, sit at a wooden counter, and slurp down a bowl of piping hot ramen in ten minutes flat. It almost feels like fast food. But it...
Katsura Imperial Villa: Inside Japan’s Most Exclusive Garden
We know how hard it is to plan a Kyoto itinerary. The city is so dense with world-class history and culture that you could spend a month here and still feel like you missed something. It is almost...
Yabusame: The Complete Guide to Watching & Trying Horseback Archery
When most people think of a samurai, they picture a warrior with a sword. Or at least I did! But after moving to Japan, I learned that for centuries, the true mark of a skilled samurai was not how...
PokéPark Kanto: Everything You Need to Know About Tokyo’s New Attraction
PokéPark Kanto is easily one of the most anticipated openings of the year in Tokyo, with people planning entire trips around the experience. But what does a visit to PokéPark Kanto actually look...
Visiting Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine and the Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall
Takayama is famous for many things: its scenic beauty, the amazing preserved historic buildings, and the nationally renowned Takayama Festival. Well, did you know these three things have something...
6 Unmissable Japanese Snow Festivals to See Amazing Snow Sculptures in 2026
Did you know that Sapporo isn’t your only option when it comes to Japanese snow festivals? Believe it or not, but between December and March, there are places in Japan that get some of the deepest...
New Year’s Fireworks in Tokyo: Where to Welcome in 2026
Are you looking for New Year’s fireworks in Tokyo and…struggling? Don’t worry, it’s a rite of passage for Westerners spending the holidays in Japan to discover that things are done a little...
Kintsugi in Japan: Why You Should Experience the Art of Golden Repair
You have probably seen photos of it before: a cracked ceramic bowl that hasn't been thrown away, but instead repaired with a striking line of gold. It looks beautiful, but we think the philosophy...
Mochitsuki: Trying an Authentic Mochi Pounding Experience in Japan
We always tell our clients: getting mochi from a shop is great, but making it yourself is a completely different experience. To get that perfect texture (warm, soft, and incredibly stretchy!), you...
How to Experience Pop Culture in Japan: The Complete 101 Guide
I think it’s safe to say that pop culture in Japan isn’t like anywhere else in the world. It incorporates an incredible kaleidoscope of things and is somehow both one of Japan’s most defining...
What is Omakase Sushi? Guide to Japan’s Ultimate Food Experience
We know the feeling well. You duck under the noren curtains, slide open the wooden door, and step into a hushed room. The chef looks up from the counter, and suddenly, you feel a bit out of your...
Ultimate Guide to Otaku Culture in Japan
These days, being an otaku has gone global. Fans and hobbyists all over the world have proudly taken on the title, joining the online community of their particular special interest. But, what does...
15 Anime Places in Real Life (That You Can Visit on an Anime Tour of Japan)
Let’s be really honest, visiting Japan is probably the top bucket list icon for almost every otaku out there. Being able to make the trip to experience everything you’ve watched on screen in real...