Book Review: A Beginners Guide to Japan: Observations and Provocations

A particularly idiosyncratic book this may not suit the tastes of some but is certainly one which provokes.

There are many and often inexperienced travellers to Japan who seem to think they understand the country after just one visit. The author and commentator Pico Iyer, who has lived in Japan for more than thirty-two years, seems to ‘beg to differ’. In this enjoyable romp, through a plethora of very varied perspectives from other commentators, philosophers and writers and also from his own experience during his time there, Iyer seems to assert that even after thirty-two years he no more understands

The Taste of Chūbu

Where ancient and modern coexist!

Chubu, the most central region of the main island of Honshū (Chūbu means central), is made up of nine prefectures; Aichi, Fukui, Gifu, Ishikawa, Nagano, Niigata, Shizuoka, Toyama and Yamanashi. At the region’s centre lie the Japanese Alps, made up by the Northern Hida, the central Kiso and the southern Akaishi mountains.

The region offers an extensive range of attractions to visitors, both domestic and foreign including gardens, castles and temples; the tradition and culture of geisha, traditional costume, samurai, festivals, events and fireworks; wellness through

Book Review: Unbeaten Tracks In Japan By Isabella Bird

A remarkable contribution to the world of explorative literature of early modern Japan!

An interesting and charming read though interspersed throughout with comments, occasionally outrageous (e.g. ‘The Japanese have a perfect passion for children, but it is not good for European children to be much with them, as they corrupt their morals, and teach them to tell lies’), that illustrate stereotypical Victorian based attitudes and prejudicial perceptions towards the Japanese in a relatively undiscovered (at the time) country. Isabella Bird frequently exhibits a patronising pseudo-proselytising attitude towards the lower classes, cites their ‘national defects of concave chest and bow legs’, and refers to them as

Book Review: Another Kyoto By Alex Kerr With Kathy Arlyn Sokol

An enchanting and fascinating insight into Japanese landscape, culture, history and future!

Almost a follow up to his ‘Lost Japan’ the book is a written record of conversations between Alex Kerr and his colleague and friend the author Kathy Arlyn Sokol on their visits to various sites around Kyōto. As Kerr points out the various sections delve into and expound three major influences; South East Asia, China and Japan. It takes an “off the beaten path” look at what he has seen many times before, picking up on the details that usually go unnoticed when visiting temples and shrines. More casual in style than Kerr’s previous publications his chatty style makes this guide very accessible even if the information that it contains is much more

Find Yourself in Tokyo

Those who wander aren’t always lost!

It’s pretty common these days for people of all ages to hit the open road in hope of ‘finding themselves’. Is it just a myth, or is there some truth behind that fact that experiencing a new culture or place can help us to have that lightbulb moment that changes our life forever? If it is true, there’s no better place to find yourself than in the colourful city of Tokyo. Popular with luxury travellers and backpackers alike, this brightly-lit city is on the map for all the right reasons. If there is a

Hit The Road With NHK WORLD TV This Spring

Japan’s international English-language channel launches travel season

This spring NHK WORLD TV, the 24-hour international English language channel from Japan’s public service provider NHK, presents an exciting season of travel programmes offering unique insights into Japanese culture, both ancient and modern.

Kicking off this April, the season of travel programmes form part of NHK WORLD TV’s extensive resource of materials for anyone studying Japanese, planning a trip, or interested in learning more about the country in the run up to Japan’s Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Book Excerpt: “A Night Out in Tokyo” From Glimpses Of Snow Country: Travels In Japan By David Clive Price

“I devoured it in one sitting” – Susan Sontag (1933 – 2004), author, filmmaker and political activist

David Clive Price is an international cultural expert and author of several books on Asian culture and business including The Master Key To Asia. First published in 1984, Glimpses of Snow Country: Travels in Japan has been revised and updated to include three new chapters on aspects of Japan and glimpses of Snow Country in Hokkaido, Takayama and Nagano, and is set for publication on 1st December 2014. It’s been described as a fascinating diary of intercultural life that illustrates the complex strands of Japanese attitudes towards work, ancient beliefs, and national

The 10 Best Places To Go Shopping In Tokyo

Shopping in Tokyo gives you access to both the different styles and products that are unique to Japan!

For many people who get the opportunity to go to another country, it’s not always enough to just visit. Many people want to experience the culture of the country they are visiting, and this experience can be had in a variety of ways. One great way to get a feel for what it’s like to live and work in a different country is to go shopping at the local stores and

Off The Beaten Path: Dream Destinations In Rural Japan

Nature’s work of art!

When hitting up popular tourist destinations in Japan, it’s possible you may have a good time. But bumping into other tourists every five seconds may take you out of the experience of being abroad. Or if you’re headed back to Japan for a repeat trip, it could be you’ve seen all the usual tourist spaces. Regardless of the reason, some individuals just desire to see areas of Japan that are free of tourism and

3 Quick And Essential Tips For Spending Money In Japan

How to be mindful in the state of yen!

If you’re getting ready to travel to Japan as a tourist or for a business trip, things could go much more smoothly after you take a bit of time to learn the basics of spending money there. Foreigners characteristically feel a bit overwhelmed when dealing with a new currency, but as you’ll soon see, it’s not difficult to

Christmas Japan-Style – Yule Be Amazed!

It’s more about KFC than JC (Jesus Christ)!

Traditions vary from culture to culture. In Japan, Christmas customs are far different from the reindeer, Christmas morning gifts, caroling and other traditions known to the Western world. Christmas is mostly a commercial holiday in Japan, and actually, it isn’t a real Japanese holiday at all. But Japan has really made this pseudo-holiday its own, spinning it into something

The Nakasendo Road Part Three: Day 7 – 10

Third and final part: Japanophile Trevor Skingle ‘walks Japan’ to raise funds for the humanitarian charity RedR UK!

Day Seven: O-tsumago to Kiso-Fukushima – Reports came in that 800mm of rain had fallen on Kyōto as a result of the typhoon Man Yi, that the level of the Kamogawa River at Sanjo Obashi Bridge where the group had walked a few nights before was phenomenally high and there had been

The Nakasendo Road Part Two: Day 4 -6

Part Two of Three: Japanophile Trevor Skingle ‘walks Japan’ to raise funds for the humanitarian charity RedR UK!

Day Four: Hosokute to Okute – For those who had suffered from the unseasonal heat the day’s walk was limited to hiking from Hosokute to Okute, whilst the remainder of the group went on to complete the second part of the hike across Jūsan Toge (Thirteen Passes) into Ena. After an early morning stretch outside the

The Nakasendō Road Part One: Day 1 – 3

Part One of Three: Japanophile Trevor Skingle ‘walks Japan’ to raise funds for the humanitarian charity RedR UK!

Stretching 533km from Edo (modern day Tōkyo) to Kyōtō the Nakasendō Road, though extant since the seventh century, was administratively established as one of the five official roads of the Edo Era (the others being the Tōkaidō, Kōshū Kaidō, Ōshū Kaidō, and Nikkō Kaidō) by Tokugawa Ieyasu shortly after his victory at

Japan Promotes Its Events Industry In Thailand

Japan aims to revive it’s economy through hosting Asian and International events!

Singapore, 12 August 2013 – Japanese MICE exhibitors are returning to IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific with the largest delegation from the country since 2010.

Comprising of Convention Visitors Bureaus (CVBs), Destination Management Companies (DMCs), corporate companies and hospitality chains, the Japan cluster includes

Luxury Holidays In The Land Of The Rising Sun

Castles, theme parks, breath-taking scenery…  Japan has it all!

Japan is a fascinating country with a rich history and culture, a unique mix of old and new. It is a country definitely worth visiting in style. Here is what you need to know about spending a luxury holiday in this beautiful place.

A Guide For Finding Pretty Places Anywhere In Japan

Finding Japan’s inner elegance can be an exhilarating adventure!

Japan’s multifaceted landscape is cloaked in a mysterious ambiance that has engaged the hearts of travellers for centuries. Its isolation as an island nation kept its traditions, many of which date back thousands of years, preserved from outside influence until the war brought in a major influx of foreign pressure in the mid part of the 20th century. Since then, the country has developed to

Travel & Tourism: Activity Holidays In Japan

Japan has a comprehensive and diverse range of attractions to offer!

Japan is often thought of as one of the world’s technology hubs. With activity tours, however, you can see its little-known side filled with natural, historical and cultural wonders. There is more to Japan than what you can find in its hustling and

A Short Guide To Walking holidays and singles activity holidays In Japan

Reasons to visit Japan!

Here is a short guide to walking and activity holidays in Japan and how to get the most out of your time there. Japan is a country of contrasts, with fascinating history, scenic landscapes and ultra-modern cities. You can enjoy the culture and the cuisine provided by the friendly people.

From the tranquil Zen gardens to the vibrant city of Tokyo, Japan has so much diversity to offer. Getting to Japan