Insights from a Kagurazaka Store Owner

Get ready for the Kagurazaka Machi Tobi Festa 2025 ! If you're looking for unforgettable Kagurazaka events in 2025 , this is the one you...

I was recently inspired by a scene in a popular Japanese historical drama, or Taiga drama , called Berabō . In the episode aired on...

Imagine two very different evenings. In one, your curiosity about the dishes and the geisha’s attire remains unanswered. In the other,...

Why Do Geisha Wear White Makeup? More Than Just Shadows of the Past For foreigners and Japanese people alike, the white makeup of the...

Imagine the scene: in an intimate banquet room, a geisha rises to perform. With the elegant arc of a fan and rhythmic steps in tabi...

If you're planning a trip to Japan, you might find that Tokyo in September is the " hidden best season " to visit. As the peak summer heat subsides and the city regains its calm, it's the perfect chance to experience the true charm of Tokyo. This article will tell you everything you need to know to make your trip perfect: why September is recommended, the special experiences unique to this season, and the charm of Kagurazaka, an area where you can feel the essence of "real Ja

Discover an Authentic Side of Japanese Culture in Tokyo With Our Unforgettable Tours Great news! Our unique cultural experiences at NINJA...

Introduction Are you planning a trip to Tokyo? Beyond the famous landmarks and bustling streets, perhaps you're searching for something...

A Parable That Reflects Our Work In Japan, there’s an old story about a stonecutter who strikes a rock day after day—hundreds of...

Echizen Knife: A Blueprint for the Future of Japanese Traditional Crafts Many of Japan's traditional crafts, with their centuries of...

Paper making with a vat (suki-bune), bamboo screen (su), and mold (keta) A sheet of paper is something we take for granted. Yet, a recent...

On July 30th, I had the unique opportunity to visit Echizen City  in Fukui Prefecture , thanks to an invitation from the city's Vice...

Kagurazaka in Summer: A Guide to Geisha, Artisans, and "Iki" Culture When you picture Tokyo in August, you might imagine the scramble of Shibuya Crossing or the towering skyscrapers of Shinjuku. But tucked away in the heart of the city lies another world: Kagurazaka . Here, the summer heat seems to soften along stone-paved alleys, and the city's chaotic energy is replaced by a sophisticated calm. Kagurazaka is the perfect summer antidote—a place to escape the crowds and disco

As a longtime resident and professional tour planner in Tokyo, I have a secret to share about surviving August: sometimes, the best way to enjoy the city is to leave it. A quick but important note for first-time visitors: many travelers plan to follow the classic "Golden Route" from Tokyo to Kyoto and Osaka. While this is a fantastic itinerary for other seasons, I strongly advise against it in August. The reason is simple: you'll be escaping the heat of one major city only to

What comes to mind when you think of summer food? For me, it's always been somen noodles and watermelon. Some of my most cherished childhood memories are of family gatherings centered around these two things: trying to catch noodles as they flowed down a bamboo slide, and the chaotic fun of suika-wari (watermelon splitting). In Japan, it's precisely because the summer is so hot that we have these foods that create such lasting, joyful memories. This guide is your invitation t

I've always loved the solemn atmosphere of the Obon season in Japan. When I was a child, I would often spend this period at my mother's rural hometown in Nagano Prefecture . In the countryside there, the traditional scenes of a Japanese summer are still very much alive. I vividly remember how my cousins and I would be playing and joking around one moment, but the instant it was time to visit our ancestors' graves, a quiet, respectful mood would settle over all of us. It was t

Let's not sugarcoat it: August in Tokyo is incredibly hot and intensely humid. Stepping outside can feel like walking into a giant, open-air sauna. But don't let that deter you! This guide is your ultimate survival manual, and it goes beyond the usual tips. As a local who sees visitors struggling with the heat every year, I'm sharing the truly effective strategies I personally use—including some unique Japanese items you've likely never heard of, like " air-conditioned clothi

If there's one month to experience Tokyo at its most vibrant, dynamic, and joyfully chaotic, it's August. Forget the serene image of tranquil temples for a moment; this is when the city's neighborhoods erupt in celebration. The air fills with the sounds of taiko drums, the streets become stages for energetic dancers, and the night sky explodes in a kaleidoscope of color. This is your definitive guide to embracing the festive spirit of Tokyo in August. We'll dive deep into the

Is August a Good Time to Visit Tokyo? An Expert's Guide to Thriving in Tokyo's August Heat Every August, I see it: foreign visitors, flushed and exhausted, sitting on the roadside, completely overwhelmed by Tokyo's intense summer heat. As a professional tour planner specializing in cultural experiences here in Tokyo, it's a sight I've always wanted to change. I truly believe that with the right advice from the start, a trip to Japan in August can be safe, healthy, and incred

Why I've Fallen in Love with Izakayas After a long day of exploring the vibrant streets of Japan, the inevitable question arises: "Where...