Celia Jenkins 
Japan has thousands of festivals each year. The cherry blossom festival and summer-time firework displays take place all over Japan. Each city and town also have their own celebrations showcasing the local flavor unique to that part of the country. Attending a local festival is a great way to see another side of Japan and … Read more
When Is the Best Time to Visit Japan? This complete guide will give you all of the information you need to decide when the best time to visit to Japan is for you. We’ll take a look at the pros and cons of visiting Japan in certain seasons, and other factors (such as cost, weather, … Read more
Osaka Castle: The Most Touristy Castle in Japan? Any of you castle buffs will know that there are hundreds and hundreds of castles to visit in Japan – a tiny number compared to the thousands that used to stand in this country. But when you’re on a short trip to Japan, how do you choose … Read more
One of the largest aquariums in the world, Kaiyukan (Osaka Aquarium) is considered one of the best aquariums in the country. The are eight floors of exhibits to see, many of which circle around a central pool that spans several floors. Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan This is the crowning glory of the attraction – I’ll bet … Read more
Naramachi: Shiryokan – A “Monkey Museum” in Nara One of my favorite things to do when I travel is to discover places that are off the beaten track, where other foreigners don’t usually venture. Nara is a popular tourist destination in Japan and the main attractions (such as the big Buddha statue, the shika (deer) … Read more
The Nara National Museum: A Treat for Art Lovers Nara was the capital of Japan from 710 to 794, and is most famous for the friendly deer which roam the giant Nara Park, and for the large statue of Buddha. Pretty much everything there is to see and do in Nara is either in or … Read more
Ōkōchi Sansō: An Enchanting Japanese Garden Kyoto is a top tourist destination in Japan, and one of the most stunning areas you can visit there is Arashiyama (Storm Mountain in English). It’s only about an hour outside of central Kyoto by public transport, and well worth spending a whole day there. As well as walking … Read more
There are so many amazing things to see in Kyoto. It’s one of the top tourist destinations in Japan, and somewhere you could spend a whole week and still barely scratch the surface of what it has to offer. Iwatayama: See Monkeys Up Close Arashiyama is one charming area where you could easily spend a … Read more
An Easy Hike with Sights Along the Way For hiking enthusiasts and nature lovers, life in Tokyo (as in any big city) can easily get you down. But only an hour away is the quiet town of Kamakura which has a short hiking trail – easy access and an abundance of tourist information online make … Read more
Shokozan Tokeiji Temple: A Refuge for Women Seeking Divorce If you’re heading off on the Kamakura Hiking Trail, the Shokozan Tokeiji Temple is a great place to start. With its stunning garden, peaceful surroundings, and intrinsic quietness, this temple is a great way to plunge yourself into nature and feel the stress of city life … Read more
Hase-dera Temple: Home to One of the Largest Wooden Sculptures in Japan At about an hour outside of Tokyo, Kamakura and its hiking trail are a popular destination for day-trippers. The area is jumbled with temples and other religious sites. With its sea view and fascinating statues, Hase Temple is a popular place to visit. … Read more
Valentine’s Day is celebrated all over the world. Customs vary from place to place, but it widely recognized and with similar traditions. While the Japanese way of celebrating Valentines is quite different to how we recognize it in the west, there is also the added complication of White Day. White day takes places on March … Read more
When you think of Japanese cuisine, images of sushi, sashimi, ramen noodles and tempura probably come to mind. However, you might be surprised to learn that another popular and famous food here is curry. The taste of Japanese curry is usually sweeter than the more heavily spiced Indian or Nepalese curries. It also differs from … Read more
One type of attraction in Japan that is popular with both foreign and local tourists is castles. There are more than 100 castles in present day Japan; an impressive number until you learn that in days gone by there are thought to have been more than 5,000. Many Japanese castles have fallen into disrepair or … Read more
A Day in the Life of an International Kindergarten Teacher in Japan Working as an ALT or at an eikaiwa (private language school) seem to be the most popular career options for foreigners in Japan. However, a field in which there are increasing employment opportunities is at international kindergartens. As learning English becomes a more … Read more