A 10-Day Hidden Japan Family Itinerary
A realistic no-car route through Tokyo, Nagano, Matsumoto, the Kiso Valley, Kyoto and Uji, designed around family energy rather than a checklist.
2026
Hidden Gems in Japan With Kids
Ten family adventures beyond the usual route—from ninja forests and old post towns to dinosaurs, trains and easy day trips.
National Foundation Day in Japan: Understanding Kenkoku Kinen no Hi
Many countries celebrate their sense of nationhood with different terms such as Independence Day, National Day, Republic Day or Revolution Day. Each term reflects a unique historical story. In Japan,…
Spogomi: Japan’s Most Unexpected Competitive Sport
On the streets of Tokyo, something unusual is happening. Teams huddle, strategize, and sprint—not toward a finish line or a goalpost, but toward discarded cans, cigarette butts, and plastic bottles.…
Jazz Kissa: Tokyo’s Hidden Musical Sanctuaries
Between the towering skyscrapers of Tokyo and the neon glow of Shinjuku, a nearly forgotten Japanese cultural tradition thrives—Jazz Kissa, intimate café-bars dedicated to the serious appreciation of jazz music.…