Japan is one of East Asia's most beloved countries, with a cherished ancient culture and exquisite sights. But, when is the best time to go?     Japan is an island country full of contrasts. From ultra-sleek modern cities, to soaring alps, traditional villages and ancient shrines. And with four distinct seasons that e...

A country that charms in any season, you’ll find winter delights aplenty in this wonderland   The most obvious: skiing Japan’s winter sports scene is world-renowned, thanks to its reliable snowfall, quality powder snow and epic runs. From the Winter Olympics cities of Nagano (1998) and Sapporo (1972) to popular resorts...

Deep into Japanese snow season, the northern city of Sapporo hosts the country’s largest winter festival Japan has long been considered a leading winter destination, thanks to its powdery slopes and heavy snowfall. From February 4-11, 2024, the Sapporo Yuki Matsuri (Snow Festival) turns the capital of Hokkaido into a f...

Dig deep into one of Japan’s most hallowed historic crafts: ceramics   Japan is known for many things, but one particularly unique Japanese craft is the art of ceramics. There are entire galleries and museums devoted to Japanese ceramics and their ancient history – one of the oldest ceramics traditions in the world – a...

From sights to scenery and five-star fare, Japan is the ultimate Asian all-rounder   Japan is undoubtedly one of the hottest destinations in the world right now, and for good reason. This geographically blessed country is spectacular year-round, easy to navigate and packed with ancient sights. In between attractions, d...

Japan is a country with buckets of charm and ancient history, but its customs can be tricky to navigate There’s a lot to love about Japan. Its quirky streets, delicious cuisine and centuries-old castles attract millions of visitors each year, but while its culture intrigues, it also confuses. Manners and strict etiquet...

From the delicious to the quirky, Japan is bursting with fun things to do   If you're all templed-out or just have some time to kill while visiting Japan, here, 101 ideas to keep you busy.   1. Queue up for sushi at Daiwa Sushi in the Toyosu Market (Tokyo) Recently located to a new, larger location, the sprawling fish...

Discover five faces of Japan’s sprawling capital over as many days with a jaunt through these diverse areas Day 1 – Shinjuku and Harajuku Dive headlong into two of Tokyo’s most colourful neighbourhoods. Begin in youthful Harajuku, where edgy boutiques line Omotesando Avenue and Cat Street and all things cute reign on T...

Get familiar with the Japanese love of innovation through its impressive network of bullet trains   A needle-nosed train speeds past the base of beloved Mount Fuji. It’s an image as synonymous with Japan as a geisha shuffling through the streets of Kyoto or a steaming bowl of ramen, and for good reason. The East Asian...

The act of viewing flowers in bloom is a sacred Japanese past time that dates back centuries What is hanami? The term hanami is a combination of two words: hana meaning flowers and mi meaning viewing. While it sounds like a vague expression, the term has become synonymous with the annual flowering of cherry blossom tre...

The act of viewing flowers in bloom is a sacred Japanese past time that dates back centuries   What is hanami? The term hanami is a combination of two words: hana meaning flowers and mi meaning viewing. While it sounds like a vague expression, the term has become synonymous with the annual flowering of cherry blossom t...

From March to April every year, millions head to Japan to see their famed cherry trees shower the landscape in pink and white petals   The annual blooming of sakura (cherry blossom) trees in Japan is a sacred occurrence that has been celebrated for over 1,000 years. While its origins are somewhat disputed, with some so...

Japan can be visited year-round, with each season showcasing its own special charm While its eclectic capital Tokyo exudes modernity and is one of the most technologically advanced cities in the world, there are many prefectures throughout Japan that resemble their traditional forms with wooden minka architecture and t...

Japanese food is treasured across the globe, but there’s much more to it than teriyaki chicken With such a vast array of flavours, dishes and regional specialties, it’s no surprise that Japan’s capital Tokyo, has been awarded the most Michelin Stars in the world, defeating culinary superpower Paris for 11 consecutive y...

From modern classics to guides and memoirs, the many facets of Japan are best explored through literature These days, it seems like everything you need to know about a place can be found with a quick Google search. But sometimes, the best way to find out about the history or culture of a country is to turn to a good ol...