Category: Japanese culture

  • Talk about your favorite shows in Japanese — but no spoilers, please!

    Talk about your favorite shows in Japanese — but no spoilers, please!

    Even though I’ve been studying and speaking Japanese for several years now, I feel like there is always something to learn! In this article for the Japan Times bilingual section, I share some fun phrases for discussing your favourite Netflix shows and how to avoid those dreaded spoilers. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2023/04/06/language/talk-favorite-shows-japanese-no-spoilers-please/

  • Take The Path Less Travelled On Japan’s New Golden Route

    Take The Path Less Travelled On Japan’s New Golden Route

    Earlier this year I visited some spots covered by Japan’s Hokuriku Arch Pass. Recently I’ve been spending more and more time in that north-western part of Japan, and there are so many interesting sights without anything being overcrowded, which is amazing. One of my favourite spots to visit is definitely Karuizawa, mentioned in my article:…

  • 20 Best Japanese Castles You Should Visit

    20 Best Japanese Castles You Should Visit

    At one point, there were tons of castles all over Japan, but eventually there came an order for only one castle to remain in each prefecture. Of course, these remaining castles have gone out of use now, and are largely open to the public to explore. These are some of the most stunning ones to…

  • 10 Most Popular Foods to Eat in Japan & How to Find Them

    10 Most Popular Foods to Eat in Japan & How to Find Them

    Sushi and ramen get all the love when it comes to Japanese food, but what other tasty treats are there in this gourmet wonderland? Find out in my post here:https://japanspecialist.com/w/10-most-popular-foods-japan

  • Exploring Ebisu: A Walking Guide to Tokyo’s Beer Hub

    Exploring Ebisu: A Walking Guide to Tokyo’s Beer Hub

    I’ll admit, I had never actually been to Ebisu until I did so for this article! I’d always known it was a place for beer, but until recently I hadn’t been much into craft beer… Now I’m just itching to go back! Don’t worry, there’s more to Ebisu than beer – for example the TOP…

  • Kagoshima Day Trips

    Kagoshima Day Trips

    In March I was lucky enough to visit Kagoshima, a beautiful southern prefecture of Japan. Even so early in the year it was starting to get warm, and I was really taking in that tropical atmosphere! Here are some fun and cultural activities you can do in the area:https://voyapon.com/kagoshima-day-trip-sightseeing-train-garden-museum/

  • The New Golden Route: Exploring Nagano and More with the Hokuriku Arch Pass

    The New Golden Route: Exploring Nagano and More with the Hokuriku Arch Pass

    I went on a trip around Japan’s northwest and was able to experience Japan’s nature and culture first hand in an area I’d rarely visited before. It was a very interesting trip, and I’m starting to love that area more and more, particularly Ishikawa! You can easily visit the area for yourself with the Hokuriku…

  • 20 Best Towns to Enjoy the Winter Snow in Japan

    20 Best Towns to Enjoy the Winter Snow in Japan

    I think, at least in the west, Japan is too often stereotyped by Tokyo and Kyoto. It’s either modern or traditional, and there’s nothing else special about it. But in reality, given how big Japan is, there’s this huge variety of interesting cultures that are often heavily influenced by their climate. These beautiful towns are…

  • 15 Iconic Japanese Mountains You Must Visit

    15 Iconic Japanese Mountains You Must Visit

    Although I was never much of a hiker (or a hiker at all, in fact) when I lived in the UK, since moving to Japan I have come to love the feeling of arriving at the top of a mountain after a good hike. Seeing that beautiful landscape is just that much better when you…

  • Japan’s Whisky Region: Experience Chichibu’s Food and Malt

    Japan’s Whisky Region: Experience Chichibu’s Food and Malt

    In November I visited Chichibu for the first time, and I’m happy to report that there are some great opportunities for foodies there! The highlight for me was the Highlander Inn, where they serve a bunch of British and Scottish food and whisky in a distinctly Japanese setting. They even had Thistly Cross cider, one…