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Tokyo is a city that never sleeps, with a seemingly endless supply of sights, sounds and experiences to enjoy. But amidst all the excitement and energy, it can be easy to overlook some of the city’s hidden treasures. One such place is Gokokuji Temple, a beautiful and historic Buddhist temple that’s off the beaten path but well worth a visit. Temple BackgroundThe temple was founded in 1681 by the fifth shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi in honor of his mother. Gokokuji Temple is one of the oldest and most significant temples in Tokyo. It survived numerous earthquakes and air raids that had previously d...
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When you hear the word yokai(strange apparition), the first thing that might pop into your head is a turtle-looking kappa or the shapeshifting kitsune fox. Many of the creatures, ghosts and ghoulies you’ve heard of in Japan can fall under the umbrella term yokai. In Japanese (妖怪), yokai refers to something strange, mysterious or unexplained. Before contact with China, the Japanese yokai were formless and obtuse, much like Japanese gods, demons and assorted deities. However, yokai grew popular during the Edo period when Toriyama Sekien wrote his book Night Procession of One Hundred Demons, whic...
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The gates are open, folks. And many of our friends and colleagues who have been on the sidelines these last few years are again enjoying some forward momentum, swinging open their own doors, offering up Japan’s regional saké and serving up prefectural eats. And they’re welcoming tourists back to Japan and domestic help back to the game as well. So expect this upward swing to continue, flaneurs. And, extra-special bonus: if you’ve been hedging on time to get into the hospitality world, now might be the best time to give it a whirl. So here are our featured gigs for this month—all of ’em in hosp...
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The first time I tried goya chanpuru, a local favorite in the Okinawa islands, I didn’t know what to make of it. Bitter flavors are not exactly common in the average Brit’s diet! But on a trip to the islands, I tried it and then continued my day in the sun, not giving it much thought. I wasn’t expecting that when summer came around the following year, I wanted to eat goya chanpuru once again. Was it the bitter flavors I was craving for refreshment? Or was it simply the connection to the sun and the south I longed for? Either way, I was delighted to find that goya (bitter melon) was not hard to...
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In Japan’s greatest and most progressive moments, we tend to overlook those on the sidelines—instrumental but forgotten. More often than not, these integral components are women. Women have stirred the world into action as writers, artists, politicians, astronauts, entertainers, mothers and advocates—and I think it’s about time we remember their names. Here are eight Japanese women who have influenced the world. 1. Ichiyo HiguchiYou might recognize Ichiyo Higuchi’s face from the ¥5,000 note in your wallet. However, she is renowned as much more than Japan’s first female professional writer. As ...
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Life can be tough for us gals, especially when you’re on your own trying to find somewhere to live among Japan’s seemingly endless bureaucracy. So, here’s a guide to help all the single ladies find a place they can feel safe and comfortable. The first thing to consider is what type of place you want and where you want to live. That being said, let’s look at the pros and cons of share houses and apartments for single women in Japan. Living in a share houseShare houses are a popular option for first-timers in Japan, mainly because of their lower initial move-in and monthly costs. You have a bedr...
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The Mitsuboshi Kaidou, or “Three-Star Road,” is an area located in Japan’s Chubu region, encompassing Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture, Nanto City in Toyama Prefecture, Shirakawa Village and Takayama City in Gifu Prefecture and Matsumoto City in Nagano Prefecture. Often overlooked on most tourist’s radar, the Mitsuboshi Kaidou is a sprawling area filled with an amazing array of cultural attractions, natural beauty, world heritage sites and recognized Japanese national treasures. Despite its name, there’s no strict direction to follow on this “road.” To help you plot your way, here are our top s...
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