Culture Trip • 25th November 2025

Kanagawa's Hidden Side Offers Adventures Worth The Detour

More than an urban park, Forest Adventure Yokohama delivers genuine treetop thrills just a short train ride from Tokyo. This aerial adventure park features authentic zip slides and athletic courses suspended high in the forest canopy, offering an exciting combination of adrenaline and nature. It’s the perfect morning expedition before diving into Kanagawa’s other attractions. The experience channels pure forest therapy with a side of heart-pumping excitement, proving you don’t need to travel to...

Culture Trip • 23rd January 2025

Shizuoka: A Culinary Journey Through Nature's Bounty

In Shizuoka, you can trace the path of ingredients from their source to restaurants all over Japan within an ecosystem of passionate farmers, artisan producers, and visionary chefs. Here are some of the best ways to explore this region’s delicacies, including coastal ingredients, mountain-sourced produce and, of course, sake. The waters of Mt. Fuji are inseparable from the produce of Shizuoka, which is no better exemplified than at Shimoyama Fish Farm. Akira Shimoyama has mastered raising am...

dkbooks • 12th October 2025

Los Angeles Like a Local

I served as a contributor to the 2025 edition of Los Angeles Like A Local, where I was responsible for comprehensive content updates and quality assurance. My contributions included fact-checking existing guide content, identifying and replacing outdated entries for closed businesses and venues, and developing original content for new sections added to the updated edition.

Business Insider • 11th March 2025

I moved from the UK to Los Angeles for love. I've never experienced such intense culture shock in my life.

Growing up in the UK, I never imagined I'd one day call Los Angeles home. In 2023, however, I traded the sheep in Wales and the Tube in London for the palm trees of Southern California.

When I first visited LA in 2020, I fell in love with a local who eventually became my partner. A few years later, our marriage brought me across the pond, and I was ready to start my new life in the City of Angels.

Though I'd traveled and lived abroad in places such as South Korea and China, adjusting to life i...

Culture Trip • 17th January 2025

Two Days In Hyogo's Historic Harima And Awaji Regions

In the southwest of Hyogo lies Harima, a region where traditional crafts still thrive in its inland areas. Further south across the sea is Awaji Island, which holds cultural significance as both Japan’s mythological birthplace and the historical heart of the nation’s incense industry. This two-day itinerary will take you deep into the heart of traditional Japan, where master craftsmen still practice centuries-old arts and sacred sites unveil the mythical stories of Japan’s birth. Your first...

Metropolis Japan • 19th December 2024

10 Must-Read Japanese Novels of 2024 - Metropolis Japan

From family dramas to thrilling mysteries and historical fiction, Japanese authors (and their translators) have brought something for everyone this year. Here are the ten must-read Japanese novels of 2024 that you shouldn’t miss.


A sequel to The Kamogawa Food Detectives, this short novel continues the story of a father-daughter duo who runs a hidden Kyoto diner with a unique twist. The chef, Nagare, and his daughter, Koishi, act as culinary detectives, recreating long-lost dishes that hold de...

31st May 2023

Kiyosumi Fukagawa, Tokyo's Artist Heaven

Morning Calm Magazine (Korean Air) Spring 2023

Tripadvisor • 8th April 2024

3 days in Kyoto: The perfect itinerary

Morning: Greet the dawn at two amazing temples

Morning: Get lost in the bamboo groves of Arashiyama

Afternoon: Eat your way around Nishiki Market

There are more than 100 vendors here, each with a story and a specialty. Many offer bite-sized samples, so try a few and get more of what you like the most. (A tip: When it comes on a skewer, it’s probably fantastic.) For a sit-down lunch, check out the small restaurants serving ramen, tempura, and seasonal kaiseki menus between the stalls (just mak

Tripadvisor • 20th March 2024

3 days in Osaka: The perfect itinerary

MORNING: Step into the past at Osaka Castle

There are plenty of ways to spend your night in Dotombori. Start with a stroll along the alley of Hozenji Yokocho. Splash some water on the Buddha statue at Hozenji Temple for luck, then check out the bars, cafés, and restaurants. For a caffeine boost, I love Arabiya Coffee, which has been around since the 1950s. Sit at the long bar at this kissaten—a traditional tea and coffee shop—and chat with the father and son team that runs it.

The park has two

Greatist • 13th January 2021

The Cauliflower Recipe So Good Even Sworn Cauliflower Haters Love it

Cauliflower: bland and inferior to broccoli in every way. Or so I thought.

For a long time, even cauliflower cheese (the florets baked and smothered in cheese sauce) wasn’t enough to convince me otherwise. We were often served mushy boiled cauliflower in school, and the soggy mess turned me off the white, bulbous brassica for years after graduation.

My father, who grew up in Egypt eating and making food that’s a world away from the bland fare of school lunches, never misses a chance to prove m

TripSavvy • 13th January 2021

Your Trip to Hokkaido: The Complete Guide

There is nowhere in the world like Hokkaido, let alone just in Japan. The nation’s north most island is an expansive landscape of snow-capped mountains, crystal blue lakes, and endless fields of lavender come summertime. Its capital city of Sapporo is often dubbed the “Tokyo of the north,” and is the birthplace of many of Japan’s best dishes. Home to its native Ainu people, Hokkaido is brimming with its own unique cultural history. All of this without mentioning the seasonal festivals, the skiin

Japan Objects • 13th January 2021

Haori: How to Choose the Best Japanese Jackets

As haori are loose fitting, they are very easy to wear, slipping easily over bare shoulders, layers of kimono, thick winter jumpers, or any other outfit.

When purchasing a haori, it will mostly come down to personal preference in terms of how decorated you want it to be and how you want to wear it. But whatever pattern or style you go for, haori always look striking when paired with western clothes. An ideal look to go with your haori is pairing it with jeans or plain pants and a shirt, it can

TripSavvy • 23rd May 2020

Ghosts, Demons, and Shapeshifters: An Introduction to Japanese Yokai Culture

Japan offers a rich tapestry of folklore, inspired by Shinto myths and traditions, and with that folklore come tales of ghosts and creatures—known in Japan as yokai—who play tricks on or help humans who cross their paths. These yokai have been around for centuries, and their stories are often told to children and frequently pop up in literature and cartoons. Even in this modern world, they're still deeply ingrained in Japanese culture.

The rise of Amabie, a mythical sea yokai which has become s

Culture Trip • 8th May 2020

The Story of Kitakata's Ramen and Where To Eat It, According to an Expert

If you don’t know where to commence your Kitakata ramen journey, consider trying Genraiken because – as Hanami says – it is “said to be the ‘original Kitakata Ramen restaurant’” and is the descendent of the original street cart mentioned above. Close to the main train station, you can literally hop off the train from Tokyo and go straight to Genraiken to try some classic Kitakata ramen, and perhaps a side of homemade gyoza or rice. With a drinks menu ranging from sake to cider and classic dishes

Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) • 23rd March 2020

4 Tokyo “Yokocho” Where You Can Experience the 1950s | Travel Japan | JNTO

1950s Tokyo was a place abundant with small hideaway izakayas and taverns tucked into narrow alleyways behind the bustling streets. And it was in these taverns and izakayas that the people of Tokyo could fill their bellies, enjoy local food, chat with friends, and even make some new ones. Today, these may be fewer and farther between, but they are certainly not forgotten. Known as yokocho, these colorful, narrow alleys overflowing with local bars and restaurants are the perfect place to sample r

Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) • 13th March 2020

Head North! 3 Discrete Hot Springs to Visit This Winter | Travel Japan | JNTO

A cornerstone of Japanese culture, bathing in hot springs (onsen) restores the body and mind and offers a relaxation experience like no other. There’s nothing better than escaping into nature and enjoying a discrete onsen experience surrounded by trees, mountains and even the ocean. From indoor sanctuaries with a snowy view to outdoor onsen that immerse you in your surroundings, the hot springs listed below are all perfect for warming up during the winter. Enjoy the snow around you and the crisp

13th March 2020

Six Master Sushi Chefs in Tokyo

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Japan Objects • 9th March 2020

Choosing the Best Zabuton Cushion: All You Need To Know

You will be surprised to learn that zabuton have more uses than you would first assume! Here are a few ways you will see zabuton being used in Japan and also how you can incorporate them in your day-to-day life.

Chairs: Although zabuton are traditionally used on the floor, they can also be used as seat cushions on uncomfortable chairs to make them more appealing or to simply brighten up the room. This can really help if you work or study from home so you’re kept comfortable for longer and can p

TripSavvy • 26th October 2019

9 Places in Myanmar That You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Bordering Thailand, this Kayah state boasts gorgeous hill scenery, pagodas set into limestone mountains, and a rustic village feel that charms anyone who visits. Many different tribal cultures live here, making for a culturally fascinating visit that’s best kicked off with a visit to the local culture museum. One of the most recognizable tribes here is the Kayan, which has been known in the past for "long-necked women" with brass rings around their neck, a custom that is much less practiced toda

TripSavvy • 31st January 2020

How to See a Maiko Show in Kyoto

Geisha (known as geiko in Kyoto) are strongly associated with Japanese traditional culture and history. While you will likely see women dressed in traditional costume walking in the Gion district of Kyoto, they are very rarely a fully-trained professional geisha. An evening with a professional geisha is hard to come by and can cost hundreds of dollars due to the amount of skill and training necessary to become a geisha.

A geisha must be trained in dance, flower arranging, musical instruments, t

Culture Trip • 5th January 2020

7 Places To Stay in Beijing For Luxury-Loving Culture Seekers

Chao is more than just a hotel. A stay here gives you admission to the exclusive Clubhouse where you can meet like-minded people and have access to the excellent roster of exhibitions and events. As for the hotel itself, the ultra-modern space feels almost like an art gallery. Everything from the bar and restaurant to the gym and library has a refined industrial aesthetic and rooms are filled with entirely custom made furniture. Guest rooms have been just as thoughtfully put together, and contai

16th November 2019

Find Tranquility in Shanghai's Tea Houses

One of the oldest teahouses in Shanghai, serving tea since 1855, Mid Lake Pavilion Tea House (also known as Huxinting Tea House) can be found at the entrance of Yu Gardens. It certainly looks the part with its two-storey traditional wood design, the zig-zag bridge extends deliberately from it in an attempt to keep out demons who prefer a straight route in. Many famous visitors to Shanghai have sat for tea within, including Queen Elizabeth II and Bill Clinton.

The tea served here is of the highe

Japanese Film Festival • 10th December 2018

The world of Japanese saké as seen in Kampai! For the Love of Sake

Anyone who has tried good sake (pronounced sah-keh) can attest to the initial simplicity behind the drink giving way to depth and flavor. Drinking sake is an ancient tradition amongst the Japanese people, and can be found mentioned as far back as the 3rd century. Sake, or nihonshu (literally, Japanese liquor) as it is known in Japan, is very much intertwined with the culture of Japan, and is considered one of the country’s national beverages.

Fascination with nihonshu is growing throughout the

Culture Trip • 22nd April 2019

An Arts and Culture Walking Tour of Shinjuku, Tokyo

An Arts and Culture Walking Tour of Shinjuku, Tokyo

Underneath the twinkling LED screens and skyscrapers, Shinjuku’s creative minds have let their imaginations fly. Take this manageable walking tour (with a little help from the subway) to see another side of the Tokyo neighbourhood.

Delve into the literary world of Natsume Soseki

Start your day of culture by taking a 10-minute walk from Waseda station to the Natsume Soseki Memorial Museum. Soseki is of Japan’s most prolific writers and a Shin

Tokyo Weekender • 14th November 2018

10 Contemporary Japanese Authors You Should Know

The last few years have seen sales of Japanese translated fiction booming in the West. As a result, more of these talented writers are finally being translated for people to enjoy. Here are some of the contemporary Japanese writers people are talking about, and where you should start.

Author of the award-winning Memoirs of a Polar Bear (translated by Susan Bernofsky) tales told from three generations of polar bear, Tawada is an author that isn’t afraid of a high concept. Her recent novel, The L