Posts

Grand Sumo Tournament on NHK World

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COVID-19 has robbed us of traveling to Japan for a second spring season. But not all is lost, because we can still watch the Grand Sumo Tournament on NHK World. Read more

7 Foods You Must Try While in Japan

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This is a short list of favorite foods based on more than two decades of living, working and traveling around this amazing country. Naturally, there are many more culinary options and each person has his or her own favorites, but these have proven to be the most popular dishes among our tour participants. Read more

Japan Reading List

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One of the best parts of giving tours of Japan is the excitement and eagerness our guests have to learn about this unique culture. I am always asked if there are any books I would recommend to gain a deeper insight into the people and their customs. The answer is always YES, and here is my personal Japan reading list. Read more

5 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Buy at a Japanese Convenience Store

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The Japanese convenience store is a businessman’s oasis as he navigates his daily commute through a concrete jungle. Called a konbini in Japanese, these meccas of sugary snacks and drinks appear to be on almost every corner and down every alley. Read more

WiFi Internet Access in Japan: A Work in Progress

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Even though it’s one of the world’s most developed countries, free WiFi internet access in Japan is still very much a work in progress. They have a great internet infrastructure for people that live there, but as a visitor your options can seem limited.  Read more

Takayama Festival Autumn 2017

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Takayama holds one of the most beautiful festivals in Japan. Three hundred year old floats elegantly decorated with intricate carvings, dolls, curtains, and lacquerware parade the streets.

The festival takes place twice a year, in the spring and in the fall. The Spring Festival or Sanno Matsuri is held every Read more

Japan First Impressions: Hospitality

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My first trip to Japan was as a student studying abroad. Upon arriving, I was instantly impressed by the kindness and hospitality of the people. At the train station, strangers went out of their way to help me carry my three large, 50-pound suitcases down the stairs. I had no Read more

Fuji Rock Festival 2017

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The Fuji Rock Festival is Japan’s largest outdoor music festival held every year at the Naeba Ski Resort in Niigata Prefecture. It is a 3-day event that draws in over 100,000 people from all over the world.

This year, the event will be held July 28-30. The lineup includes musicians Read more

Anime Japan 2017

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Anime Japan, one of the largest anime fairs in the world, will take place at Tokyo Big Sight on March 25-26 this year.

There will be over 150 exhibition booths, Cosplayer’s World, a Food Park, and shopping. Exhibition booths include Japanese and foreign production companies, toys, games, and software.  Read more

Japan First Impressions: Crowds

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When I first arrived in Japan, I couldn’t believe the sheer number of people everywhere I looked. I had expected large crowds, but had never experienced so many people in one place. It was as if the big game had let out in all directions.

I couldn’t imagine any open Read more