Unagi (Eel) in Japan: Where to Eat It & Why Summer Is the Season
Unagi (鰻 / freshwater eel) occupies an unusual position in Japanese food culture — simultaneously a highly refined…
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Winter Illuminations in Tokyo & Yokohama: The Best Light Shows by Month
Roppongi Keyakizaka-dori — the tree-lined street between Roppongi Hills and the surrounding development — hosts one of Tokyo's…
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Yakushima vs Okinawa: Which Southern Island Should You Choose?
This question comes up constantly among visitors planning their first trip to Japan's southern islands, and the answer…
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Your Name (君の名は) Real Locations: Tokyo Spots from Shinkai’s Masterpiece
"Your Name" (君の名は / Kimi no Na wa, 2016) — directed by Makoto Shinkai (新海誠) — is the…
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Summer Fireworks Festivals (花火大会) in Tokyo: When, Where & How to Watch
Hanabi taikai (花火大会 / fireworks festivals) are the defining summer event of the Japanese calendar — large-scale, professionally…
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Surfing in Japan: Where Locals Go — Shonan, Chiba, Miyazaki & More
Japan has been surfing since the 1960s and has developed one of the world's largest and most passionate…
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Sushi for Beginners: How to Order, Eat & Actually Enjoy a Real Sushi Counter
Most people who visit Japan for the first time have eaten sushi before. The sushi they have eaten…
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Tempura in Tokyo: The Difference Between a ¥1,000 and ¥15,000 Lunch
Tempura (天ぷら) — seafood and vegetables coated in a light batter and deep-fried in high-quality oil — is…
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The Shotengai (商店街): Japan’s Covered Shopping Streets — Why They Matter
Shotengai (商店街) — Japan's covered shopping streets, typically single-story or two-story covered arcades lined on both sides with…
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Tokai Nature Trail: Japan’s Longest Hiking Route Explained
The Tokai Nature Trail (東海自然歩道) — established in 1974 as Japan's first long-distance hiking route — runs approximately…
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Tokyo Game Show: How to Attend Japan’s Biggest Gaming Event
Tokyo Game Show (東京ゲームショウ / TGS) — held annually in late September at the Makuhari Messe (幕張メッセ) convention…
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Tokyo Ramen Guide: Shoyu, Shio, Miso & Tsukemen — The Best Local Bowls
it is the city that originated the shoyu style (the "original" Tokyo ramen) and simultaneously the city that…
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