It's hydrangea season here in Japan and you don't want to miss your opportunity this year to see the best spots to view this seasonal delight!

Ibaraki Prefecture is known for its abundant nature and food production. The mascot character of Ibaraki Prefecture is “Nebaarukun.  Nebaarukun is based on natto (fermented soybeans), a specialty of Ibaraki Prefecture, and all of his profiles, including his birthday, height, and weight, use the word natto (natto: 710). The capital of Ibaraki Prefecture, which has the above humorous mascot as its official character, is Mito City. Located on the …

The 2007 Tokyo Marathon is said to have started the marathon boom. Many of you may have seen the scene of interviews with runners around the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on TV. There are many typical reasons for running, such as dieting, working out, stress relief, and being part of the boom, but when we asked marathon enthusiasts, some of their unique answers were, “Because I don’t have to …

There are many famous hot springs in Japan, but the Tohoku region is also known as one of the most famous hot spring resorts in Japan, with the largest number of hidden hot springs in the country. The hot springs with spectacular views where you can enjoy an extraordinary space surrounded by nature will surely heal you from the fatigue of daily life. In this issue, we would like …