Insights from a Kagurazaka Store Owner

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...

As a longtime resident and professional tour planner in Tokyo, I have a secret to share about surviving August: sometimes, the best way...

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...

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...

Let's not sugarcoat it: August in Tokyo is incredibly hot and intensely humid. Stepping outside can feel like walking into a giant,...

If there's one month to experience Tokyo at its most vibrant, dynamic, and joyfully chaotic, it's August. Forget the serene image of...

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,...

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

Why the Yukata-kai Is a Must-See Geisha Experience in Tokyo for Cultural Lovers When most people think of a geisha experience in Tokyo ,...

The countdown is on! In just 3 months, on Sunday, October 12, 2025 , the annual Bakeneko Festival will be held in Kagurazaka, Tokyo !...

Discover Where Japan's Geisha Culture Thrives Today White makeup , exquisite kimono , elegant dance ... The geisha is an iconic symbol of...

1. A Door to the Japanese Night: Welcome to the Izakaya! As the Tokyo sky melts into shades of crimson and the neon lights of Shinjuku's...

The first time I sat for Zazen in a quiet Tokyo temple, my mind was anything but quiet. My legs started to ache, and my thoughts raced...

Japan’s July is no joke when it comes to heat.  As mentioned in Part 1 of this series, Japan and Tokyo Travel in July , it is the second...

The Meaning Behind Matsuri in Japan: Why Summer Festivals Are More Than Just Fun When you think of July in Japan, one word comes to mind:...

How Seasonal Japanese Food Enhances Your Cultural Journey Through Japan In this second installment of our " Japan and Tokyo Travel in...

Understanding Tokyo, Japan’s Weather in July: What to Expect and How to Prepare Summer matsuri festivals. The opening of Mt. Fuji’s...

“My usual matcha is now twice the price...” — Growing Concern Among Tea Ceremony Practitioners Matcha that once seemed readily available...