A large pond and cherry blossom tree in Ueno Park.

Ueno Park: Why is it Tokyo’s Cultural Center?

Few places in Tokyo combine history, culture, and nature as clearly as Ueno Park. Located in one of the city’s busiest districts, the park attracts millions of visitors each year. People come to see museums, temples, cherry blossoms, and wildlife at the zoo.

A sumi-e painting with leaves and a red dot on it.

Sumi-e in Japan: The Development of Ink Wash Painting

Sumi-e is a style of ink painting that uses black ink to create images with simple brush strokes. The name comes from the Japanese words for ink, sumi, and painting, e. Artists use brushes, ink, and paper to create landscapes, plants, animals, and calligraphy-like forms.

A woman in a red dress walking outside of a ryokan in Ginzan Onsen.

Ryokan: The History of Japan’s Traditional Inns Developed

A ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn that offers a unique style of hospitality. These inns feature tatami floors, futon bedding, baths, and carefully prepared meals. Today, ryokan are popular with Japanese travelers and international visitors.

A plate of anko donuts on a plate.

Anko Donuts: A Sweet Combination of Cultures

Anko donuts combine a familiar Western pastry with a classic Japanese filling. These soft, fried treats are filled with sweet red bean paste known as anko. The result is a dessert that blends two food traditions in a simple and recognizable way.

Two cups of amazake with sakura petals on top.

Amazake: A Sweet Sip of Wellness from Japan

Amazake is one of the most unique traditional drinks enjoyed by Japanese people since the Nara period (710-794). Even though its name includes the word sake (alcoholic beverage), most amazake contains little to no alcohol, so both children and adults can enjoy it together.

A plate of sakura jelly wagashi.

Jelly Wagashi in Japan: Everything You Need to Know

Jelly wagashi brings a touch of elegance to Japan’s confectionery traditions. This dish offers a light and cooling alternative to denser sweets like mochi or festival pastries. Crafted from agar, a seaweed-based gelling agent, these translucent delights capture subtle flavors of fruit, tea, or seasonal blossoms.

The entrance to Yokohama Chinatown.

Yokohama Chinatown: Everything You Need to Know!

Yokohama, a city just south of Tokyo, is home to the largest of Japan’s three Chinatowns, called “chukagai” in Japanese. Established in the late 19th century, Yokohama Chinatown is a historic area home to hundreds of businesses.

Someone picking up sea snake meat from a bowl.

Dining in Okinawa: What is Sea Snake Soup?

Would you try a soup made from a sea snake? In the islands of Okinawa, this bold and unusual dish has been part of local life for centuries. Known as irabu-jiru (Irabu soup), it carries stories of the sea, royal history, and traditional healing. T

The entrance to an ice hotel in Hokkaido.

Hokkaido on Map Spotlight: What is the Ice Hotel?

In Japan, few places capture winter like Hokkaido. It’s the country’s ultimate winter destination, full of fun and frosty things to do. This year, though, there’s something extra special for visitors. Instead of a cozy cabin, why not spend the night in a hotel made entirely of ice? That’s right—Hokkaido is now on the map, with a brand-new ice hotel that’s the talk of the season!

People using umbrellas as they walk through the snow in Japan.

Snow in Japan: What Happened During the Most Recent Blizzard?

Winter may be one of the most exciting and fun times of the year, but like all weather, it can be dangerous and unpredictable. This current winter snow in Japan has been particularly dangerous for citizens across the northern prefectures.

A senior woman, potentially from Osaka, Japan, enjoying a cup of tea.

Osaka Japan Now Has a Collective for Senior Women!

In Osaka, Japan, women are redefining aging. They plan to create a shared home where senior women can live together and support each other. Rather than move into care facilities or depend on family, they aim for a community-style house with shared chores, worries, and joys.