The Most Punctual Train System on Earth The Shinkansen is famous for something almost unbelievable: Its average delay is often just 20–30 seconds . Yes—seconds. How Many Stations Connect to the Shinkansen—and How Many People Use Them? 1. How Many Transfer Stations Are There? Across Japan, the Shinkansen network has roughly: 👉 100+ stations in total Almost all of them are designed as interchange hubs  where passengers transfer to: • Local JR lines • Private railways • Subways

Roadside Stations Where Travelers Discover Local Japan If you travel through the Japanese countryside, you may notice signs that read “Michi-no-Eki.” At first glance they may look like ordinary roadside rest stops. But in reality they represent something uniquely Japanese. Michi-no-Eki (道の駅)  literally means “roadside station.” They function as rest areas for drivers, but they are also lively community hubs where travelers can experience the food, culture, and craftsmanship o

Japan, Transience, and the 2026 Cherry Blossom Forecast Fukuoka Castle Park Every year, Japan waits. Not for a holiday. Not for a sale season. But for a flower. Cherry blossoms — sakura — are not merely botanical events in Japan. They are a national emotional rhythm. They mark beginnings. They honour endings. They remind us that perfection is brief. In Zeppin language, sakura is nature’s ultimate Rare Masterpiece. 🌱 The Three Japanese Stages of Beauty 1. Sakikake (咲きかけ) — T

Kintsugi  (金継ぎ, “golden joinery”) is a traditional Japanese technique of repairing broken ceramics using natural lacquer and gold powder. Rather than hiding cracks, Kintsugi highlights them — transforming damage into beauty and history into design. The result is not simply a repaired object, but a renewed work of art. Rooted in Japanese aesthetics and philosophy, Kintsugi expresses the spirit of respect for use, time, and imperfection . Today it is admired worldwide as both a

When visiting Japan, most travelers book a hotel. It’s convenient, familiar, and efficient. But there is another way to stay — one that reveals how Japan relaxes, heals, eats, and lives. That experience is an onsen ryokan stay . A ryokan is not simply a place to sleep. It is a cultural immersion that combines hot spring bathing, seasonal cuisine, regional identity, and traditional hospitality — all in one stay. Japan: A Volcanic Country with a Nationwide Hot Spring Culture Ja

Here is some essential HELP information we want every visitor to Japan to know in case you experience an earthquake or any natural disaster during your stay. Yesterday, a magnitude 3.4 earthquake occurred in Tokyo and the surrounding Kanto region. And today, at 10:18 AM on the 6th, a much stronger M6.4 earthquake  struck Tottori and Shimane Prefectures , triggering loud alert sounds on TVs and smartphones that woke many people up. Earthquakes • Typhoons • Tsunamis • Volcanic

A Hidden Tradition Continuing From the Age of the Samurai Japan is a land of quiet traditions, but some of its oldest practices still pulse with raw power and emotion. One of the most remarkable among them is Japanese bullfighting —not the Spanish style where humans face bulls, but an ancient form known as tsunotsuki  or tōgyū , where bulls face each other in a ritualized contest of strength. This culture, still alive in rural communities from Niigata to Ehime and Okinawa, or

Discover the quieter, deeper side of Japan beyond overtourism. Japan is experiencing record-breaking tourism, but overtourism is affecting both locals and visitors. The solution is not avoiding travel—it’s exploring beyond the well-known hotspots, that are 7 uncrowded destinations offering real culture, nature, and human connection. 1. East Hokkaido – Shiretoko, Akan, Kushiro Wild Nature & Indigenous Culture in Japan’s Far North Frozen seascape stretches into the horizon, sho

A New Champion Ozeki Aonishiki Arata Recently, I found myself writing about sumo more than once. The repetition wasn’t intentional at all. Yet this time, not addressing the topic felt impossible. Some events demand attention — because they carry a quiet kind of greatness. And today, one young man on the dohyo created such a moment once again — Aonishiki Arata has officially been promoted to Ōzeki. This is not merely a headline in sports news; it is a milestone that speaks to

The Grand Sumo Tournament will be held in London at the Royal Albert Hall from Wednesday, October 15 to Sunday, October 19, 2025. For the first time in 34 years , Japan’s Grand Sumo  has returned to London’s Royal Albert Hall , bringing not only the might of the rikishi (sumo wrestlers) but also centuries of cultural spirit. As the salt is scattered and the drums echo through the hall, Londoners are witnessing more than a sporting event — they’re stepping into a living ritua

Explore, engage, and enrich your experience with the teamLab App—where art meets technology. Grab your numbered ticket and skip the lines...

A Sacred Path Beyond UNESCO Shikoku Fudasho List and visuals provided per Shikoku Henro Association by Ministry of Education, Culture,...

Living with Chronic Pain Spending long hours at a desk has left me with chronic lower back pain, a condition I’ve carried for years....

Sumitomo Forestry has announced an ambitious vision to construct a 70-story, 350-meter-tall wooden skyscraper by 2041 , highlighting...

When visitors come to Japan, one of the first everyday wonders they encounter is the ubiquitous konbini  (convenience store). Open 24...

A cultural journey through Japan’s architectural heritage When people think of Japan, they often imagine cherry blossoms, temples, or sushi. But another powerful and iconic symbol of Japan’s spirit is the castle — Shiro (城). These structures are not merely remnants of war, but living legacies of resilience, beauty, and identity. From the 15th-century hilltop fortresses of the Sengoku (Warring States) period to the majestic, multi-tiered masterpieces of the Edo era, Japan’s ca

Step into the imaginative world of Japanese miniature artist Tatsuya Tanaka, where everyday objects transform into extraordinary landscapes. From broccoli forests to pasta highways, his work sparks joy and wonder by revealing hidden stories in the ordinary. At his exhibitions, visitors can even see the original miniature models behind the photographs, gaining a deeper appreciation of his vast creativity. Tanaka’s art transcends language and culture, inviting everyone to redis

Teiichi Igarashi, from Sanjo City in Niigata, was a legend who climbed Mt. Fuji at the age of 101 years and 10 months. He first set foot...