Brace yourself, the annual tsuyu (rainy season) is on its way! Just when you were beginning to appreciate the sunny, warmer weather and treating yourself to lots of kakigori...
From around ...
A hot spring (onsen) in Shinjuku?
After the opening of the "super spa" luxury bathhouse Thermae-yu in Kabukicho in 2015, Shinjuku will get a new hot spring resort facility in the form of Onsen ...
First look at Dogo Onsenart 2018 hot spring resort art festival
February 21, 2018
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William
Following its successful debut in 2014, the site-specific festival Dogo Onsenart returns, transforming hotel and traditional Japanese inn rooms at the famous hot spring resort into art ...
Four years ago, the hot spring resort of Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, was transformed into an art bonanza, with artists allowed to customized and redesign rooms in hotels in Dogo. Given the pedigree ...
FireWood Home Campfire Simulator
Recreate camping experience at home
Remember the mayor of Beppu, who promised to build an actual hot spring amusement park with water rides if a promotional video went viral?
The video hit the necessary one million viewers mark very ...
Given the large increase in inbound tourist numbers in Japan, local authorities and service operators are on the lookout for ways to improve communication with all these newcomers.
Experiencing ...
Beppu mayor promises hot spring amusement park if video goes viral
November 22, 2016
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William
We have noted before the trend for regional cities in Japan to produce promotional videos in the hope that they will go viral and ultimately rake in tourist yen.
Some are successful, such as the ...
The Japanese are, it is often observed, crazy about bathing. This might take the form of a hot spring or public bathhouse, or even a mud bath.
In what is being described as a possibly world-first ...
Tokyo Kanji Characters Writing Practice and Memo Pad
Tokyo souvenir and language study notepad
How to beat Japan’s rules against tattoos in public baths
November 18, 2015
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Japan Trends
Regular readers don't need to be reminded of this: in Japan, a majority of hot springs (onsen), swimming pools (public and hotels), sports gyms, public beaches, and even some public baths (sento) ...
Every region in Japan needs to promote itself.
Some push their meibutsu: regional merchandise and food. Others use yuru-kyara mascot characters, such as Kumamoto's Kumamon. Still others create art ...
The beautification of Kabukicho continues.
Now it will literally get a "clean" with the opening of Thermae-yu on August 18th.
The massive bathhouse will be the biggest in Tokyo and includes ...
It's no secret that we hate the policy that many Japanese hotels, hot springs, pools and beaches have regarding tattoos (irezumi or shisei).
The out-dated custom bans inked visitors from either ...
Mount Fuji Eraser
The Mount Fuji Eraser is a fun and clever way to bring this icon of Japan into your home or work stationery set. As you use the cuboid eraser, the shape of Fuji gradually comes into view and you find yourself holding Japan's most famous peak.
Heading to a Japanese onsen (hot spring) is one of the best trips you can do in Japan during the winter.
But the exclusive onsen resorts don't come cheap and they need to keep innovating to ...
Omotenashi means "hospitality" and that is what we know and love Japan for. But, of course, this is not where the dreams of a tolerant and friendly society end. If you have ever visited or lived in ...
Forget the Lemon Detox, no-carbs-after-4pm and anything-that-can-be-eaten-through-a-straw detox plans and try an Enzyme Bath instead! Just 15 minutes in this bath full of naturally fermented sawdust ...