Planning a trip or simply curious about Japan? This comprehensive collection of websites serves as your essential guide to discovering everything from majestic castles and serene temples to breathtaking natural landscapes and vibrant cultural experie...
Japan’s regional railways stand out in every sense: the color, appearance, interior and exterior of the trains and those that are themed with promotional characters.
Find your Perfect Train Journey to Any Corner of Japan
The many scenic railways throughout Japan are your ticket to the natural beauty and essence of each region. Hop on and journey into a haven of local highlights - take your pick from the wide choice of areas!
Scenic Railway Journeys
Railways have been part of the Japanese people’s livelihoods since the late 19th century, and with over 27,000km of railway tracks built across Japan, people use trains to commute and travel between urban cities and rural hometowns all year round. Wh...
Discovering Train Lines in Japan with the Best Scenery
Japan is blessed with majestic mountains, picturesque seasonal colours, and scenic rivers and lakes. Whether it’s in the floral season of spring, the verdant green season, the fiery-red and golden-coloured season of autumn, or the pristine white snow...
Getting a perfect shot of the surrounding natural view usually requires one to do so from the air, and one of the best ways to do this is to hop on a ropeway. The ropeway isn’t just a mode of transport to get up a mountain or an observation deck; it ...
High in the Sky! Ropeways with Fantastic Scenery in Eastern Japan
Japan is an island nation that has always been known for its stunningly beautiful landscapes but even amongst these, there are three locations that rise above the others and are designated as the most scenic spots of the nation:
Matsushima (松島) in Miyagi Prefecture (宮城県),
Amanohashidate (天橋立) in Kyoto Prefecture (京都府), and
Miyajima (宮島) in Hiroshima Prefecture (広島県).
Together, they are known as Nihon Sankei (日本三景), or the Three Scenic Views of Japan. Shunsai Hayashi, a Confucian scholar who lived during the Edo Period (1603–1868) bestowed unparalleled praise upon these three locations in his book “Observations Ab...
The breathtaking panoramas, distinguished by the sea and verdant landscapes, have enchanted innumerable individuals, and have been enshrined in the works of poets, artists and writers throughout history.
Nihon Sankei (日本三景): The Three Scenic Views of Japan
Big cities in Japan, especially the Tokyo megalopolis, are built in a very vertical manner.
Even if skyscraper districts tend to be rare, Japan likes to build very high towers and buildings. They are often divided like this: the first floors are open to the public, usually with diverse stores and then the upper floors are dedicated to sever...
Sometimes, it can be natural monuments that offer a point of view on the environment, most of the time high hills or mountains. The most sacred ones have at their top a temple or a shrine that benefits from an unobstructed panorama on the surrounding...
Japan Observation Decks - Panoramic Views on the Archipelago
History and Religion
History of castles in Japan
Fortresses have been built in Japan since early times. A particular need for castles arose in the 15th century after the central government's authority had weakened and Japan had fallen into the chaotic era of warring states (sengoku jidai). During t...
When Oda Nobunaga reestablished a central authority over Japan in the second half of the 16th century, and his successor Toyotomi Hideyoshi completed the reunification of Japan, many larger castles were built across the country. Unlike the earlier ca...
After the end of the feudal age (1868), many castles were destroyed as unwelcome relics of the past or were lost in World War II. Only a dozen "original castles", i.e. castles with a main keep that dates from the feudal era (before 1868), survive tod...
Castles of Japan
From Wikipedia:
The Shikoku Pilgrimage (四国遍路, Shikoku Henro) or Shikoku Junrei (四国巡礼) is a multi-site pilgrimage of 88 temples associated with the Buddhist monk Kūkai (Kōbō Daishi) on the island of Shikoku, Japan. A popular and distinctive feature of the island's cu...
Introduction of each sacred place – Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage
Shinto shrines (神社, jinja) are places of worship and the dwellings of the kami, the Shinto "gods". Sacred objects of worship that represent the kami are stored in the innermost chamber of the shrine where they cannot usually be seen by anybody. In so...
People visit shrines in order to pay respect to the kami or to pray for good fortune. Shrines are also visited during special events such as New Year, Setsubun, Shichigosan and other festivals. New born babies are traditionally brought to a shrine a ...
List of Japan Shrines
While many of Japan's historic buildings and districts have been lost due to fires, earthquakes, wars and city redevelopment, some cities and towns have managed to preserve a street block or whole district of traditional buildings for residents and t...
Historic towns and districts
Culinary Specialties
Explore the diverse regional cuisines of Japan! This website offers insights into local dishes, food products, and culinary traditions from across the country via an interactive map. Discover hidden gems and plan your gastronomic adventure by explori...
Japan Local Food Map
Discover the vast culinary landscape of Japan with this interactive map. Explore regional dishes, see where they originate, and learn more about Japanese food culture.
Japanese Food Map | TasteAtlas
Traditional Japanese foods are famous for showcasing local and seasonal ingredients, and as a result, each region has its own distinctive culinary style and regional dishes.
The secret lies in the regional specialties of Japan’s prefectures, each offering unique flavors and dishes shaped by local ingredients, traditions and geography. From Hokkaido’s fresh seafood to Kyoto’s delicate kaiseki, Japan’s culinary map is rich...
Discover how these regional cuisines go beyond sushi and ramen, highlighting the distinct tastes that make Japanese culinary delights truly one of a kind. Whether you’re craving the savory miso of Nagoya or the sweet delights of Osaka, Japan’s prefec...
Japanese Culinary Specialties: 47 Prefectures & Regional Cuisines
Dive into the delicious world of Japanese ramen! This website explores various ramen styles, from tonkotsu to shoyu, and highlights regional specialties across Japan. Find your perfect bowl and plan your ramen adventure.
Shotengai—these neighborhood shopping streets have prospered and grown with the residents who frequent them. From tasty, affordable food to offbeat fashion items to one-off souvenirs, discover the unique charms of Tokyo's different communities.
Shotengai Tour―Visit Neighborhood Shopping Streets for a Local Experience of Tokyo
Have you ever visited a shotengai before? “Shotengai” refers to a covered shopping arcade or shopping street in Japan. Typically reserved for pedestrians, and occasionally cyclists, a shotengai usually caters primarily to local residents, with a mix ...
Because of the hyper-local nature of each shopping street, no two shotengai are the same — making a visit truly delightful. It’s a real peek into the local character of an area and a great way to get under the surface of a city!
Moreover, you can find souvenirs specific to each shotengai. What better way to commemorate a visit to a charming local shopping street? In this article, we’ll introduce a selection of iconic shopping streets in Japan, along with a unique souvenir yo...