Parks are an integral part of life in Tokyo, a welcome break from the urban sprawl of skyscrapers and railway lines. They provide a chance to see a Tokyo of the past as you wander past shrines, explore museums, and examine statues of samurai and emperors, but also a slice of modern life where locals …
Japan
Japan loves festivals more than most things. The beauty, celebration, dedication, and splendour seen at Tokyo festivals is unparalleled! And whatever weekend you happen to be in Tokyo, you’re bound to find some kind of cultural celebration igniting the streets and lighting up the skies. That being said, there are some bigger Tokyo festivals and …
Tokyo is a foodie’s dream! It’s a city with more Michelin stars than any other city on earth, and a budget meal rarely means a bad meal. There’s a vast range of cooking styles and chefs taking great pleasure in using the finest ingredients. As many know, there’s more to Japan than just ramen, sushi, …
If there’s one nation that loves its cats, it’s… well, probably Ancient Egypt, but they’re gone. So, now, it’s Japan. Japan and cats go together like Murakami and Kafka. In Japanese culture and mythology, cats have been revered for centuries. The most famous example of this is the maneki-neko or beckoning cat — a statue, often …
It’s very easy to be inspired by Japan as an artist. From authors like Arthur Golden and David Mitchell to filmmakers like Martin Scorcese, Japan has sparked creativity in artists the world over. This, of course, also extends to music. Bands and musicians around the world have taken inspiration from Japanese art, music, language, aesthetics, …
Showcasing the imagination of the artists, kokeshi dolls take a simple idea and demonstrate stunning artwork, giving us characters to be treasured. They have changed a lot over the years but several details remain, including their limbless physique and vibrant hand-painted bodies. Find out everything about kokeshi dolls, from their history to how they are …
For so many reasons, modern life is full of stresses and anxiety is at an all-time high. Whoever you are, wherever you’re from, whatever your age or your job, you need downtime. You need relaxation, introspection, and peace. For a lot of us, one key ingredient in a relaxation cocktail is lofi music. For music …
The Japanese izakaya is, to put it simply, Japan’s answer to a British pub. Famed for delicious Japanese drinks and jaw-dropping Japanese food, Japanese izakaya are places that buzz with life and laughter; the perfect place to while away an evening with friends. Spend time with your colleagues after work; sip on cheap local drinks …
In the event of unfortunate and unpredictable tropical weather, here are some amazing things to do in Okinawa, Japan regardless of the state of the weather. Sooner or later, it will rain on your trip to Okinawa. The reason why it often rains on weekends in urban areas is due to the build-up of pollution …
Whether you like to hibernate in a corner with your favourite reads or scour shelves searching for new knowledge – libraries can transport you to another world. Despite the modern emergence of digital over print, libraries retain their aura of significance and continue to be places of happiness and comfort for many people. Dotted on …