Ornately-dressed women, discrete well-off businessmen, art, performance and slavery… The stories that surround Japan’s historic red-light districts may seem more like movie plotlines than anything else, but the truth of what occurred in these secretive streets inspired an important cultural legacy that continues even to this day. Yoshiwara If you’ve ever watched the cult-classic 1927...
Japan may be at the forefront of games, cartoon and comic creation, yet for many parents, it can be difficult to tell whether it would make a good destination for a family holiday – particularly if your impression of Japan is one of crowded trains, respectful silence and unique culinary experiences that may not appeal...
When travelling to a foreign country, it’s natural to worry about potential language barriers and communication issues causing problems during your trip. What’s more, you may have read online about restaurants, hotels and other tourism services charging extra to people who can’t understand or read menus or information displayed in a country’s native language. While...
If you’ve spent a lot of time at home so far this year, then chances are that you’ve probably grown a bit bored of some of the pastimes and hobbies that you usually enjoy. If that’s the case, why not take a break from normality and try some new, Japan-inspired activities instead? Calligraphy Calligraphy is...
Japanese food is famous around the world for its rich ‘umami’ flavour and healthy yet delicious ingredients, but the common use of fish broth and animal-derived ingredients can make it difficult for vegetarians, vegans and allergy sufferers (amongst others) to truly enjoy the local cuisine when they visit Japan. While vegan-friendly restaurants and meals are...
You may have heard of a ‘Global Citizen’ before, but what does it mean, and how can you become one? Simply put, ‘Global Citizenship’ is a new way of thinking and living that transcends the barriers of nationality, race and language. Having been actively implemented in the education of children across the world for well...
It’s already July, yet for many of you living across the world, the confusion and disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic are still as severe and life-affecting as it was in March or April. This month was set to bring the 2020 Olympics to Tokyo, introducing sports fans and curious visitors from around the world...
Taking an active, off-the-beaten-track tour through rural Japan makes for a truly unforgettable and unique trip, with plenty of opportunities to explore and experience Japan’s authentic culture and traditions first-hand. With that said, we also know that travelling around the countryside isn’t the right fit for everyone. Whether it be due to scheduling restraints, activity...
There’s nothing better than a holiday, and very few things can beat the excitement and anticipation that accompany a trip to Japan. Unfortunately, travel restrictions and health concerns mean that for most people, travelling abroad is not a current possibility. For those who had plans to visit already in place, this is understandably disappointing –...
The traditional Japanese sport of ‘Sumo’ is widely-known across the world, with the instantly-recognisable image of a Sumo wrestler now considered synonymous with the country’s global reputation. Yet despite Sumo’s global appeal, very few people outside of Japan have ever actually watched the sport, or know much about it. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways...
Few traditions are as thrilling and mesmerising as Kagura, a special form of dance-based performance worship that has existed within Japan for over 1,300 years. Dressed in elaborate, brightly-coloured costumes and masks, Kagura performers twirl and dart across stages erected within and around Shinto shrines in order to reenact well-known Japanese folktales to entertain and...
Planning your dream holiday can be pretty tough. Quickly search for your ideal destination online and you’re sure to find hundreds of different companies, all claiming to provide ‘perfect’, ‘unforgettable’ and ‘once in a lifetime’ trips that sound suspiciously similar to what all of their competitors are offering too. What’s more, you may discover that...
