Japan is a food lovers paradise. And it isn’t all sushi and seafood.Ramen, okonomiyaki, tempura, yakitori, or the world’s finest beef are all delicious alternatives. If you are a food lover or a seafood enthusiast, then Japan is a paradise for you.Besides feasting on fresh fish and seafood in myriad ways, you also get a taste
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Japanese knives are known as the world’s finest. From kitchen and chef knives, to specialist fish and paring knives, the quality of the best Japanese knives made using traditional craftsmanship is unsurpassed. And one city in particular can justifiably lay claim to being Japan’s capital of traditional knife making: Sakai. Japanese knives made in Sakai are
If you’re an occasional hiker or even a more experienced trekker, then this excellent guide book is one you really should consider. It’s the perfect accompaniment to your next Japanese mountain adventure. If you’re interested in a more detailed guide than, say, a Lonely Planet or Rough Guide, continue reading to see if this book is
Is It Rude To Wear Kimono?“So, do you think it is rude for foreigners to wear Kimono?” I had said no without any doubts. However, my answer now has become somewhat complicated. Here’s why. Growing up as Japanese, I had no chance to learn to put on a kimono by myself until recently, which may come as a
I’m often asked… What are the best things to do in Japan? But ‘best’ can be subjective. What I like and what you like might well be different. However, there’s nothing subjective about what activities people are actually booking. Here then are the Top 10 most popular activities in Japan. These are the most popular based on the
Kansai is known as a region of contrasts.It is central to Japan’s spiritual and cultural development and is where modern Japanese civilisation evolved. At its heart lies Osaka, a city that knows how to enjoy life. But it’s Kyoto, Japan’s former capital, that most tourists flock to. Kansai: Bringing together the best of modern and traditional Japan However,
In this regularly updated Ultimate Guide I’ll show you everything you need to plan the best ever visit to Universal Studios Japan in Osaka. I share my experience and know-how, from multiple visits, featuring information and advice on all the best and latest attractions. Right, there’s a lot to cover – so let’s get started! Your Universal
As much as we’d all love to be exploring the sights, hidden gems and back streets of Japan right now, unfortunately the global pandemic still has other ideas. But I won’t let that stop you experiencing The Real Japan! Here’s my guide to 10 of the best-rated virtual Japan tours, each based on original research and genuine
Even if you only have a passing interest, visiting a sumo tournament is a great way to spend an afternoon/evening. This iconic sport evolved from a religious ritual performed in Shinto shrines more than 1,500 years ago, making it the oldest organised sport in the world. The 2021 Sumo tournament schedule has been affected by Covid-19.
If there is something you can be certain about, it’s that Japan has got an ample gambling culture. This despite the country having strict gambling laws. Most forms of gambling are banned in Japan but there are a number of exceptions. You may well have heard of pachinko, but what of keirin, kyoutei or toto? Read our
How much does a day in Tokyo cost? It’s a question that often comes up. In a recent post we looked at the 3 most common mistakes people make when planning a trip to Japan. One of those was thinking it will be prohibitively expensive. So just how much does it cost to spend a day
A samurai sword experience. How you can practice basic sword moves, use a genuine, 400-year-old samurai sword to slice through tatami and learn about the 1,000 year-old samurai tradition. All this while surrounded by exquisite samurai armour in a beautiful old machiya Kyoto townhouse. Alongside shrines and temples, Mt. Fuji, cherry blossom, geisha, bullet trains, and sumo