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The Hidden Charm of Japan’s “Michi-no-Eki”
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

Koji
Mar 73 min read


♨️ Why Staying at a Japanese Onsen Ryokan Is a Cultural Experience — Not Just Accommodation
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

Koji
Feb 113 min read


Japan and Natural Disasters: What Every Visitor Should Know
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

Koji
Jan 63 min read


The Samurai Spirit Lives On: Japan’s Ancient Bullfighting Culture
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

Koji
Dec 24, 20254 min read


Hidden Japan: 7 Uncrowded Destinations for a Deeper, More Authentic Journey
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

Koji
Dec 1, 20254 min read


A Remarkable Moment I Couldn’t Ignore — Even If the Topic Happened to Repeat
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

Koji
Nov 27, 20252 min read


Grand Sumo Returns to London After 34 Years – Japan’s Sacred Sport Steps Back onto the World Stage
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

Koji
Oct 16, 20252 min read


Stepping into a Living Canvas: Reflections on teamLab and Its New Kyoto Home
Explore, engage, and enrich your experience with the teamLab App—where art meets technology. Grab your numbered ticket and skip the lines...

Koji
Oct 9, 20253 min read


Walking with Kobo Daishi: The Shikoku Pilgrimage Across 88 Temples
A Sacred Path Beyond UNESCO Shikoku Fudasho List and visuals provided per Shikoku Henro Association by Ministry of Education, Culture,...

Koji
Sep 30, 20253 min read


Discover True Healing with Dr. Terada: Japan’s Renowned Chiropractor with “God’s Hands"
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....

Koji
Sep 20, 20251 min read


🏯 Japanese Castles: Living Symbols of Beauty and Power
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

Koji
Sep 4, 20252 min read


World’s Oldest Climber: 102-Year-Old Reaches Mt. Fuji’s Summit
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...

Koji
Aug 20, 20251 min read
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