Blog

The Best Cultural Guide (and more) on Japan?

A couple of weeks ago, my mother--in-law gave me the book "Ippo Ippo" which means "step by step" in Japanese.  Had never heard of it, but once I read the first pages, I couldn't put it down.  Part of the impetus for the name is that after the Great East Japan...

Niigata Is Nice!

Have you seen our latest video on Niigata?  Check it out by clicking here.  Niigata is on the northwestern side of Japan and sits on a large flat plain along the coast.  After departing our family home on Lake Nojiri, we travelled to the Niigata area where we stopped...

Nagoya Flooding

Those who follow us know that we love Nagoya, perhaps the most underrated large city in Japan.  But in the last 48 hours this amazing city has suffered a deluge in which up to four inches of rain fell in one hour!  That is mind boggling.  Given that Nagoya is a highly...
The Best Open Air Museum in Tokyo?

The Best Open Air Museum in Tokyo?

We recently discovered the Edo Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum on the edge of Tokyo.  It was an exceptionally nice find.  If you have only one day or two in Tokyo and want to get a true sense of its history through its architecture and culture, then you simply...

read more
Christmas Lights:  Japanese Style!

Christmas Lights: Japanese Style!

During December, the larger cities of Japan go all out when it comes to Christmas lights.  Over here, they call them Winter Illuminations and generally run from mid November through mid January.  Some of them, such as those of Nabana no Sato run into Spring.  Its an...

read more
Go Fly A Kite!  In Japan!

Go Fly A Kite! In Japan!

Kites are a big deal in Japan, and nowhere is this more apparent than just outside the city of Niigata.  The Shirone River runs through the area and is the site of the largest Kite Battles in Japan.  The tradition dates back to the mid Edo Period and as the story...

read more
JR Rail Pass Giveaway Winner!

JR Rail Pass Giveaway Winner!

This week we had the privilege of showcasing Uncharted Japan at the Southeastern US/Japan Conference.  This is an annual conference in which seven southern states come together to foster business relationships with their Japanese counterparts.  Included in the list of...

read more
Izushi:  Soba Capital of Japan?

Izushi: Soba Capital of Japan?

The soba noodle is a major staple food of Japan.  Typically made from buckwheat and very often served cold, its a dish we have always enjoyed.  The town of Izushi is one of the best known places in Japan for excellent soba.  Depending with whom you speak, Izushi is...

read more
How To Travel Japan Without Knowing The Language

How To Travel Japan Without Knowing The Language

One reason some have not yet visited Japan that wish to do so is a lack of understanding the language.  Don't let that hold you back!  Yes, for those of us from Western countries, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, languages, etc. are very odd looking and strange sounding. ...

read more

To follow our travel blog, enter your information below for notifications.

OR

To subscribe to our YouTube Channel for videos, click here.

Got a Question Send Us a Note

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.