As I travel the world, I discover the charm of each country and also come to appreciate the beauty of my homeland, Japan. In spring, cherry blossoms dance gracefully at a rate of five centimeters per second. In summer, watermelon, wind chimes and...
If you’re planning a trip to Japan, Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto might be the first places that come to mind. However, if you’ve already visited these cities or are looking for something different from typical travel guides, consider Aomori Prefecture...
A trip to Japan usually involves at least one visit to a Shinto shrine. Unlike other religious sites, Shinto shrines do not have subdivisions or categories that define and divide faith or community. Instead, each shrine may house multiple gods...
When talking about travel, there are various types. For instance, eco-tourism, green tourism and sustainable tourism have been popular for the past years as many people are aware of environmental issues. In recent years, wellness tourism has been...
Are you looking for a better way to consider sustainability, including environmental and animal welfare? Many of you may have started by switching your daily products, such as skincare, haircare, body care and meals, to more eco-friendly and ethical...
While the World Economic Forum states “People live longer in more gender-equal countries. Women get the biggest boost in their life expectancy as gender equality increases…,” according to research conducted by the George Institute in 2023, women in...
Onigiri, often translated as “rice ball” in English, is a beloved Japanese staple that most Japanese of all ages, from kindergarteners to office workers and hikers, eat daily. They come with a variety of fillings are wrapped in seaweed, and are also...
This Mother’s Day, why not trade urban noise for the tranquility of Kitamoto City? Just an hour north of Tokyo, NPO itsWellness’s exclusive one-day forest wellness escape, tailored specifically for city dwellers, offers more than just a breath...
After moving back to Japan from the U.S., I have noticed a significantly wider variety of non-alcoholic drinks available here. My friends often opt for non-alcoholic beers and cocktails when they want to slow down their alcohol intake, and they...
The Japanese are long known for working hard and long hours. We do not take long vacations. Many of us remain at desks beyond office hours, partly because everyone else does and partly because there is too much work to do. The shrinking population...