Kanto

Travel guides for the Kanto region including Tokyo, Yokohama, Kamakura, Nikko and Hakone

Culture & Customs, Kanto, Tokyo

Shibuya and Harajuku Guide: Tokyo Fashion, Crossing, Meiji Shrine and More

A complete first-timer guide to Tokyo’s most exciting walking zone: the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, the Hachiko statue, Center Gai, Takeshita Street’s crepes and kawaii fashion, the calm of Meiji Shrine, the boutique luxury of Omotesando, and the rooftop views from Shibuya Sky. Includes a sample one-day itinerary, restaurant picks for every budget, photography tips for the crossing, hotel recommendations, seasonal notes, and a long FAQ. Walking it as one continuous afternoon is the single best introduction to modern Tokyo for first-time foreign visitors.

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

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.

Kanto, Tokyo, Travel Tips

Shinjuku Guide: Neon Lights, Golden Gai, Omoide Yokocho and Everything First-Time Visitors Need to Know

Shinjuku is Tokyo’s most electrifying neighbourhood — a dizzying mix of neon-lit entertainment, tranquil gardens, world-class shopping, and some of the city’s best food and nightlife. This complete guide covers all the top attractions including Kabukicho, Golden Gai, Omoide Yokocho, and Shinjuku Gyoen, plus where to eat, stay, and explore. With practical tips on getting there, navigating the station, and making the most of your visit, this is everything first-time visitors to Japan need to know about Shinjuku.

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

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

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.

Culture & Customs, Kanto, Tokyo

Asakusa and Ueno Guide: Senso-ji Temple, Museums, and Old Tokyo for First-Timers

Discover the soul of old Tokyo in Asakusa and Ueno — two historic neighborhoods where ancient temples, world-class museums, legendary street food, and traditional crafts sit side by side. This complete guide for first-time visitors covers Senso-ji Temple, Nakamise Street, Ueno Park museums, Kappabashi Kitchen Town, where to eat, where to stay, how to get there, and a full one-day itinerary.

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