My Top 5 Sakura viewing spots

My best Hanami spots

Travel to Japan during the beautiful Sakura season and witness nature’s amazing transformation! Me Kazue visited many cherry blossom spots in Japan, and here are the top 5 Ohanami spots of my selection! No.5 – Philosopher’s Path in Kyoto🚶🌸 Stroll along the canal to experience a serene escape in nature! The two-kilometer path, named after renowned philosopher Nishida Kitaro who … Read More

Shinshū Zenkōji Temple: A Must-Visit Destination in Nagano

Nagano, Japan is home to a rich cultural heritage, including the beautiful and historic Zenkōji Temple 善光寺. This ancient temple, which dates back to the 7th century, is one of the oldest and most important Buddhist temples in Japan, attracting millions of visitors from all over the world each year. Zenkōji, open to everyone 💕 The temple is located in … Read More

5 best places to see Sakura, cherry blossoms in Osaka

Osaka cherry blossom viewing

Are you dreaming of a trip to Japan and the breathtaking view of sakura, cherry blossoms? Lately, more and more tourists are flocking to this city in western Japan. Relaxing in gorgeous parks with hundreds of beautiful blooming trees that create mesmerizing visual effects takes only one day out of your vacation – yet, it’s likely something you will remember … Read More

What to do in Okinawa? 10 popular places to visit

what to do in Okinawa

Okinawa is a beautiful island paradise with rich subtropical nature and mesmerizing coral reefs. Home to many unique species, it has been designated as national parks in its northern Yanbaru region and Kerama Islands – not to mention the blissful 23°C average annual temperature! In other words: Okinawa is undoubtedly one of Japan’s top vacation spots! When travelling there for … Read More

10 Best Plum blossom Viewing Spots in Japan

10 Best Plum blossom Viewing Spots in Japan inabeshi Nogyokoen

Persevering through even the coldest of winter days, beautiful plum blossoms bloom to grace their surroundings with a mesmerizing display. These delicate flowers come in an array of colors ranging from pale white and soft pinks, all radiating sweet fragrance that will delight your senses. With five petals set atop no leaf stalks they represent hope and temperance – inspiring … Read More

Osorezan (恐山): Japan’s “Fear Mountain”

osorezan lake and statue

Japan’s Mount Osorezan (恐山) in Aomori Prefecture is ranked along with Koyasan and Hieizan as one of the three most sacred places in the entire country. Today, it known as the site of Bodai-ji Temple, where female mediums called itako are said to be able to communicate with the deceased. Read on to learn all about Japan’s fascinating “fear mountain”.

Cats and Japanese Love History

Hello Kitty tomb

In Japan, there are many items with cat motifs, such as Hello Kitty and Maneki Neko. There are also many cat goods, and it seems that Japanese people are full of cat lovers. In this blog, I would like to introduce the history of cats and humans, cat cafes, cat temples, and a cat temple museum that I recently visited. … Read More

Feel peace of mind at Zentsuji Temple

zentsuji walkthrough and drive

If you are looking for a calming place in the Japanese countryside, this is the place to be. Located in the western part of Kagawa Prefecture in Shikoku, the head temple of the Zentsuji School of Shingon Buddhism is the birthplace of Kukai (Kōbō Daishi) and is widely known as one of the three great spiritual sites of Kobo Daishi … Read More

Catch Your Own Fish At This Restaurant in Japan

fish your own dinner in a restaurant

Seafood doesn’t get any more fresh than this! At this uniquely interactive restaurant in Shinsekai, Osaka, you can use a rod to choose a type of fish, catch it, then have it cooked for you to eat! Here was our experience.

The 10 Most Unique Matsuri in Japan

Japan’s matsuri (祭り) festivals are an incredibly important part of traditional Japanese culture. Matsuri are typically dedicated to Shinto Shrines and their divine deities, and because there are over 8,000 different recognized deities, matsuri come in all shapes and sizes! Some matsuri are very quiet, intimate affairs, while other matsuri are notoriously lively and high-energy. Here is our list of some … Read More