All the coolest news about Japan!
My first trip to Japan (many years ago), was also my first trip overseas, so I really didn’t know what to expect on the 14 hour flight. The longest flight I had been on before was a couple of hours, and I had no idea what would–or wouldn’t–be available for me on such a long flight. Fortunately, it all worked out for me in the … Continue reading Essential Tips for Your First Flight to Japan
I recently put out a post about Cheap Travel to Kyoto, you can read it here: Affordable Travel Guide to Kyoto, Japan Well, now that you have arrived in Kyoto, its time to have some fun! But I’m sure your wallet is probably starting to get stretched a bit thin, so here are some options for some cheap things to do during your visit. Fushimi Inari Taisha … Continue reading Affordable Kyoto: Free and Cheap Things to Do
Recently, a friend of a friend decided that he wanted to go to Japan for a short vacation, but rather than going to Tokyo, he wanted to travel to Kyoto instead. So he asked if I had any advice about cheap travel to Kyoto. And I do! But I realized I hadn’t shared this great information with all of you, so here you go! This … Continue reading Affordable Travel Guide to Kyoto, Japan
Japan is known for many cool things, like its amazing food, tons of anime and manga, and having some of the most convenient and cute trains! And of course, Japan has a train that looks like a fish. On April 28, 2016, Nankai Electric Railway Co. introduced a train that is themed on red sea bream, known as the Medetai Train (“tai” means red sea … Continue reading Explore Japan’s Unique Medetai Train Experience
“Kodomo no Hi” or Children’s Day is the last holiday in the Golden Week party. Children’s Day is celebrated on May 5th, and was designated as a national holiday in 1948. History It was originally known as “Tango no Sekku” or Boy’s Day, and as the name suggests, was a festival for boys. Japan also set aside a festival for girls known as “Hina-Matsuri” or Doll … Continue reading Celebrate Kodomo no Hi: Understanding Children’s Day in Japan
Looks like McDonald’s Japan and the Pokémon Trading Card Game are teaming up again! Mysterious posts featuring Pokemon shadows has fans convinced a new Pokémon Happy Meal promo is on the way, likely celebrating Pokémon’s 30th anniversary. Fans are already excited… and a little nervous. Last year’s promotion sold out fast, with long lines and scalpers causing enough chaos that McDonald’s had to limit purchases. … Continue reading Pokémon and McDonald’s Japan: Exciting Happy Meal Collaboration 2026
Fans visiting the Pokémon Center Shibuya got a surprise this week—the iconic Mewtwo statue has mysteriously vanished from its display tube! 👀🧪 The empty chamber sparked wild theories online, from “Mewtwo escaped!” to “Team Rocket stole it!” But the most likely explanation? A clever promotion for Pokémon GO, which is about to debut Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y during this summer’s big event. … Continue reading Mystery at Pokémon Center Shibuya: Where Did Mewtwo Go?
One of Japan’s most beautiful times of year is Sakura or Cherry Blossom season. The Sakura are so important to Japan that much of the country comes to a standstill when they bloom. Right now the Sakura are blooming in Japan, and though many of you are not able to see them in-person, you can still enjoy their beauty. Sakura symbolize the ephemeral nature of … Continue reading Experience Japan’s Breathtaking Sakura Season
Den Den Town (Nipponbashi) is the go-to place in the Osaka downtown district during March, for its very popular annual Nipponbashi Street Festa–an otaku-matsuri extravaganza. Den Den Town is known for its electronic shops that are lined with a mix of old school, new school, hip trending fashion, anime, manga, movies and games–reminiscent of what you might see in Akihabara in Tokyo, Japan. The matsuri … Continue reading Den Den Town: Nipponbashi Street Festa
Tanabata (七夕) also known as the “Star Festival”, is a popular festival in Tokyo, and is celebrated on July 7th each year. This festival celebrates the meeting of the gods Orihime and Hikoboshi (represented by the stars Vega and Altair). Legend of Two Lovers Orihime (織姫 Weaving Princess), daughter of the Tentei (天帝 Sky King), wove beautiful clothes by the bank of the Amanogawa (天の川 Milky Way). Her father loved the clothes, but Orihime was sad because she … Continue reading Tanabata Festival!
