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Nara — The First Capital and the City of Sacred Deer
Before Kyoto, there was Nara. Established in 710 as Japan’s first permanent capital (Heijo-kyo), this city is the cradle of Japanese culture, Buddhism, and art. While it is often visited as a day trip from Osaka or Kyoto, Nara possesses ... -
Nikko — The Splendor of the Shogun and the Beauty of Nature
Nestled in the mountains of Tochigi Prefecture, about two hours north of Tokyo, lies Nikko. It is a destination so magnificent that there is a famous Japanese saying: "Nikko wo mizu shite 'kekkō' to iu nakare" ("Don't say 'magnificent' u... -
Matsushima and Sendai — The City of Trees and the Scenic Bay
Located in the Tohoku region in northern Honshu, Sendai is known as the "City of Trees" (Mori no Miyako) for its leafy streets and lush parks. It is a modern metropolis with deep samurai roots, having been founded by the legendary warlor... -
Kanazawa — The Samurai City of Gold and Gardens
Located on the coast of the Sea of Japan in Ishikawa Prefecture, Kanazawa is often referred to as "Little Kyoto." However, this nickname implies it is merely a smaller version of the ancient capital. In reality, Kanazawa has a distinct, ... -
Hiroshima and Miyajima — The City of Peace and the Floating Shrine
Located in the western part of Honshu, Hiroshima is a city known worldwide for its tragic history as the first target of an atomic bomb. However, visitors today are often surprised not by sorrow, but by the city's vibrant, leafy boulevar... -
Osaka — The Nation’s Kitchen and the City of Laughter
If Tokyo is the brain of Japan and Kyoto is its heart, Osaka is undoubtedly its stomach—and its funny bone. As the third-largest city in Japan, Osaka pulsates with a raw, energetic vibe that is distinct from the polite reserve of the cap... -
Kyoto — The Thousand-Year Capital and the Soul of Japan
For over a millennium, from 794 to 1868, Kyoto was the imperial capital of Japan. It is the spiritual and cultural heart of the nation, a city where the past is not just preserved but lived. With 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and over 2... -
Nagasaki — The City of Slopes and the Window to the West
Located on the northwest coast of Kyushu, Nagasaki is a city like no other in Japan. Geographically, it is a dramatic "city of slopes," with houses clinging to steep hillsides surrounding a deep, narrow harbor. Historically, it was the o... -
Takayama and Shirakawa-go — The Snowy Village and the Alpine Little Kyoto
Hidden deep within the Japanese Alps of Gifu Prefecture, the Hida region offers a journey into the nostalgic heart of Japan. This is a land of steep mountains, pure water, and heavy snowfall, where traditional life has been preserved wit... -
Ghibli Museum Guide Mitaka — Let’s Get Lost Together
A Portal to Fantasy The Ghibli Museum in Mitaka (West Tokyo) is not a theme park. There are no rides. Instead, it is a building designed by Hayao Miyazaki himself to be a "portal to a storybook world." The museum’s slogan, "Let's get los...
