to take a Japanese bath. Or that their regular customers just didn't like foreigners. If they let foreigners come in, they concluded, then Japanese customers would stay away, and Onsen Yunohana would go bankrupt. The funny thing is that I have a Japanese passport. In 2000, I had lived ...
Onsen means hot springs in Japanese. These are traditional areas where locals and visitors alike come for the healing properties of geothermal water. There is a strict set of rules when attending onsens. Similar to onsens, ryokans are traditional inns that often include communal baths. The same...
What is the government doing to prepare? As a result of the “megaquake advisory,” Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida canceled his planned Aug. 9-12 trip to Central Asia and announced he would lead the government response and ensure preventive measures and communication with the...
On 13 March 2023, theJapanese government dropped their recommendationfor wearing face masks in most situations, allowing individuals to choose if they wish to wear them. However, you’re still likely to see most locals wearing them. While the jury is still out on the effectiveness of face mask...
Japan is meticulously clean, yet garbage cans on the street are practically non-existent. Do not litter- carry your garbage in your day bag until you get to your hotel. I noticed that most Japanese don’t eat on the go. I was having a snack while walking down the street and got some...
Onsen experience: Soak in an outdoor hot spring while looking out onto snowed landscapes. New Year celebrations: Attend traditional New Year festivities, a significant and spiritual time for the Japanese. Illuminations: Cities across Japan light up with spectacular winter illuminations, creating a roma...
The dance show at Awa Odori Hall is both informative and entertaining. Amid short demonstrations of the beautiful Awa dance, historical facts are explained in Japanese with translations projected onto the wall. Organisers get the audience on their feet, so it’s a fun affair.Naruto...
Nestled in the heart of Japan, Hakone is a picturesque destination known for its hot springs, stunning views of Mount Fuji, and rich cultural heritage. Whether you're seeking a traditional Japanese experience or a luxurious retreat, Hakone's diverse hotel scene offers something for every traveler...
Well, if you can’t make it there quite yet, you might want to make a literary visit first. Even if you’re in Japan right now, each one of these books will let you delve deeper into a different facet of the Japanese nation – the closest any traveler is likely to come to experien...
In the country that invented anime, there is now a boom for characters that represent an area and its history called "yurukyara." There is a national Yurukyara Grand Prix held every year and there are all sorts of goods sold with yurukyara designs. There's no hints of yurukyara's popul...