After years of waiting it finally opened, the world’s first Ghibli Park, and we were first in line! So here it is, everything you need to know about the new Ghibli Park, the home of Totoro, Mononoke, Chihiro, and Co. What is Ghibli Park? Map of Ghibli Park, image via ghibli-park.jp Ghibli Park is often called a theme park, but we really shouldn’t compare it to the popular Universal Studios...Read More

With the arrival of spring, all of Japan is dyed in pink. This is because at the end of March Sakura (cherry blossoms) begin blooming. You can see the cherry tree flowers all across Japan: in parks and botanical gardens, around temples and shrines, on the banks of rivers, or covering mountains. The season of the cherry tree is synonymous with “a new beginning”. It coincides with the start of...Read More

Hida Takayama is a beautiful city located in the heart of Japan’s Gifu Prefecture. It is often referred to as “Little Kyoto” due to its Edo-era architecture and breathtaking restorations of many of its historic temples, making it a beloved destination among domestic and international tourists alike. We (Nagoya is not boring co-founders Elly and Lena) recently spent a day exploring Hida Takayama and a second in Hida Furukawa, and...Read More

The Japanese traditionally eat rice for breakfast. They serve it with some grilled fish, Miso soup, egg (either raw on top of the rice or fried as a Japanese-style omelet called Tamago Maki), and of course Natto (the smelly sticky stuff made from fermented soybeans). But in Nagoya everything is different. The typical breakfast in Nagoya isn’t rice at all, but something we Westerners like to have for breakfast: Toast....Read More

Japan has many spectacular winter illuminations each year, in fact, a lot of great ones can be found in Nagoya. Many have a Christmas theme with Christmas trees, Santa Claus, and raindeers and that’s why they usually end by January.  But one of the greatest winter illuminations in Japan can be found not far from Nagoya and it runs for more than half a year, giving you ample opportunity to...Read More