Kansai is one of the most popular areas in Japan, and for good reason. You have perhaps the most visited city in Japan, Kyoto, Shiga, as well as Osaka and Japan’s largest lake: Biwa. Over in the west of Kansai, there is Okayama, the beautiful town of Kurashiki, and the first half of the Seto-inland sea. However, central to Kansai is Hyogo prefecture, a prefecture you should not overlook. …

Saitama prefecture is located in the Honshu region of Japan and makes up part of the greater Tokyo area. With many popular Saitama locations easily accessible by train from central Tokyo, it makes a great day trip. Why should you visit Saitama prefecture?  Things to Do in Saitama: Visit Kawagoe The town known as Saitama’s Little Edo Kawagoe should be the number one spot in Saitama prefecture to visit …

With the festive season in full swing, now is a time when a lot of people living abroad in Japan find themselves craving some home comforts and other international food. If you are looking for an international food store where you can buy American snacks or popular Western food, or even harder-to-find rare imports, here are some of our favorites. 1. Gyomu Super This is one of the favorite …

St. Valentine Around the World The celebration of St Valentine was originally from a Christian feast and celebration of the patron saint. Nowadays, however, the celebration of St Valentine has spread across the world, far beyond its origins. On St Valentine’s Day, those celebrating may send greeting cards (known as Valentines), and gifts, the most popular being flowers, confectionary, and jewelry. It is best known as a day to …