The New Year holiday period, known as “Oshōgatsu” in Japan, is one of the most important and widely celebrated occasions in Japanese culture. It is a major holiday in Japan, and many citizens return to their hometowns to celebrate it with their families. As a result, public transportation tends to be crowded and a lot of businesses, may close for the holidays. This might sound like a setback to your...
Nestled in the heart of Gifu Prefecture, Gujo Hachiman is a charming castle town that remains one of Japan’s best-kept secrets. Though often overlooked in travel guides, this hidden gem offers a blend of history, culture, and natural beauty that makes it an ideal day trip destination. If you are looking for a day trip that will have you feeling like you stepped straight into a Studio Ghibli movie, look...
Nagoya, like much of Japan, truly embraces the Christmas season with stunning illuminations and festive winter events throughout December. One of the highlights of winter in Nagoya is the breathtaking illuminations that begin in mid-November and often last until January or even February. These light displays create a magical atmosphere that’s hard to miss. In addition to the illuminations, Nagoya hosts a variety of fun Christmas and New Year events...
If you think that matcha is only from Kyoto, you are in for a big surprise! Matcha tea can be enjoyed all across Japan. The three most famous and regarded tea-producing regions in Japan are Uji in Kyoto, Fuji in Shizuoka, and Nishio, which is just a short train ride from Nagoya. Nishio is located roughly 40km south-east of Nagoya, which takes about 50 minutes by Meitetsu train. Nishio is...
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 raindeer, so 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 enjoy this...
