Atsuta Shrine, also called, Atsuta-san or Atsuta-sama, is the second most important Shinto shrine in Japan, after the Ise Grand Shrine. The venerated sun goddess Amaterasu is enshrined here as well as being home to the sacred sword Kusanagi-no-tsurugi, which is one of the three Japanese imperial treasures. Legend has it that Amaterasu gave the sword to the first emperor of Japan and from it, he gained the right to...

Japan has a wide variety of traditional noodle-based dishes. The most famous are probably Ramen and Soba noodles but those are only the tip of the iceberg. Another popular type of noodle is Udon. Udon noodles are thick white noodles made from 3 basic ingredients: wheat flour, salt, and water. They are served in a wide variety of ways, in broth or soup, hot or cold, and with countless toppings...

Springtime in Japan is famous for a variety of beautiful flowers. One of them is the Japanese wisteria, a flower that captivates with its mysterious beauty and its sweet fragrance. Like wisteria’s more famous cousin the cherry blossom, multiple varieties of wisteria bloom at different times. The average blooming period extends from mid-April to early May. The characteristic color of the wisteria is purple, but they are also found in...

Tokoname is home to Chubu Centrair International Airport, the largest airport in the region. What many people don’t know, is that it is also a city with a long tradition of pottery and amazing craftsmanship. Tokoname is an excellent place to visit for a day or half-day trip from Nagoya (or the airport if you have a long layover). Let Yourself Be Transported to Tokoname by Watching A Whisker Away...