Culture & Customs

Culture & Customs, Hidden Gems, Hokkaido & Tohoku

Aizu-Wakamatsu Travel Guide: Samurai History, Sake and Feudal Japan in Fukushima

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Aizu-Wakamatsu in Fukushima Prefecture is one of Japan’s most historically compelling cities — home to the stunning red-roofed Tsurugajo Castle, the moving Byakkotai memorial on Mount Iimoriyama, and a celebrated sake-brewing tradition. This complete guide covers the city’s samurai history, the best attractions, where to eat Aizu cuisine like wappameshi and Kitakata ramen, sake breweries to visit, accommodation in Higashiyama Onsen, how to get there from Tokyo, and day trips to Ouchi-juku and Kitakata.

Chugoku & Shikoku, Culture & Customs, Ehime (Matsuyama)

Dogo Onsen Guide: Japan’s Oldest Hot Spring and Matsuyama’s Crown Jewel in Ehime

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Dogo Onsen in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture is Japan’s oldest continuously operating hot spring resort — with over 3,000 years of history and the iconic Honkan main building (1894) that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away. This comprehensive guide covers the different bathing options and their prices, the history behind this extraordinary place, how to get there from Hiroshima and other cities, what to eat in Matsuyama, the best ryokan for an overnight stay, nearby attractions including Matsuyama Castle and Ishite-ji Temple, and all the practical tips first-time visitors need for an unforgettable onsen experience in Shikoku.

Culture & Customs, Kumamoto, Kyushu & Okinawa

Kurokawa Onsen Guide: Japan’s Most Charming Riverside Hot Spring Village in Kumamoto

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Kurokawa Onsen in Kumamoto Prefecture is widely regarded as Japan’s most beautifully preserved hot spring village — 30 traditional ryokan lining a forested mountain valley, their lanterns reflected in the Tanoharu River, with steaming outdoor baths carved into rocky riverbanks and cedar forests. This complete guide covers how to get there, the famous nyuto tegata bath-hopping pass, where to stay, what to expect from kaiseki dining, the best seasons to visit, and everything first-time visitors need to know about this extraordinary Kyushu onsen destination.

Steam rising from Japanese hot springs at Kusatsu Onsen
Culture & Customs, Gunma, Kanto

Kusatsu Onsen Guide: Japan’s #1 Hot Spring Town in Gunma Prefecture

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The ultimate guide to Kusatsu Onsen, Japan’s #1-ranked hot spring town for over 20 consecutive years. Located in Gunma Prefecture’s alpine highlands, Kusatsu features the iconic Yubatake plaza, scalding sulphur baths, and the unique Yumomi water-cooling ceremony. This complete guide covers how to reach Kusatsu from Tokyo, where to stay, the three-bath strategy, what to eat, when to visit, and how to combine Kusatsu with Karuizawa, Nikko, or a wider Japan itinerary.

Culture & Customs, Hidden Gems, Hokkaido & Tohoku

Kakunodate Travel Guide: Japan’s Best-Preserved Samurai District in Akita, Tohoku

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Kakunodate is one of Japan’s most perfectly preserved samurai towns, tucked into the mountains of Akita Prefecture in the Tohoku region. This complete guide covers how to get there by Shinkansen from Tokyo, the six original Edo-period samurai residences of the bukeyashiki district, the famous spring cherry blossom season, the unique kabazaiku cherry bark craft tradition, Akita regional cuisine including kiritampo and Inaniwa udon, day trips to Lake Tazawa and Nyuto Onsen, where to stay, and practical tips for every season. An unforgettable destination for first-time visitors to Japan seeking authentic history and culture.

Culture & Customs, Kansai, Kyoto

Arashiyama Complete Guide: Bamboo Grove, Temples, River Boat Rides and Everything You Need to Know

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Arashiyama is one of Kyoto’s most magical districts, home to the famous Bamboo Grove, Tenryu-ji UNESCO World Heritage Temple, and the iconic Togetsukyo Bridge. This complete guide covers how to get there by train from Kyoto and Osaka, what to see and do across all seasons, where to eat the best yudofu and warabi mochi, the Hozugawa River Boat Cruise, the Sagano Scenic Railway, and expert tips on avoiding the crowds. Whether you have a few hours or a full day, this guide gives you everything you need to experience one of Japan’s most beautiful destinations.

Culture & Customs, Hokkaido & Tohoku, Yamagata

Ginzan Onsen Guide: Yamagata’s Fairy-Tale Snow Village and Japan’s Most Photogenic Hot Spring Town

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Ginzan Onsen in Yamagata Prefecture is one of Japan’s most beautiful and atmospheric destinations. This fairy-tale village of historic wooden ryokan, gas lanterns, and steaming hot springs is set deep in the mountains of Tohoku and transforms into a magical snow scene in winter. Our complete guide covers how to get there, where to stay, onsen etiquette for first-timers, the best seasons to visit, what to eat, day trip options, and a full budget breakdown for every type of traveller.

Culture & Customs, Hokkaido, Hokkaido & Tohoku

Noboribetsu Onsen Guide: Hokkaido’s Most Famous Hot Spring Resort

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Discover Noboribetsu Onsen, Hokkaido’s most famous hot spring resort. This complete guide covers the nine spring types, Jigokudani Hell Valley, the best ryokan and hotels, kaiseki cuisine, getting there from Sapporo, the best times to visit, onsen etiquette for first-timers, and practical planning tips for an unforgettable Hokkaido hot spring experience.

Akihabara Tokyo electronics district neon lights at night
Culture & Customs, Kanto, Tokyo

Akihabara Guide: Anime, Manga, Electronics and Otaku Culture in Tokyo

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Your complete first-timer guide to Tokyo’s otaku capital. Walk through Akihabara’s 80-year transformation from post-war black market to the global epicentre of anime, manga, retro games, electronics, idols and maid cafés. Includes the must-visit megastores (Animate, Mandarake, Yodobashi, Don Quijote, Super Potato), maid café etiquette, the AKB48 theatre, photography spots, where to eat and stay, full-day and half-day itineraries, FAQs, and how to combine Akihabara with the rest of Tokyo.

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