Insights from a Kagurazaka Store Owner

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...

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 hottest and most humid month of the year . If you're planning a trip to Tokyo in July, we strongly recommend limiting outdoor activities . This is especially important when attending outdoor summer matsuri festivals , which require extra caution due to the extreme heat and humidity. Instead, we highly recommend spending your time enjoying tr

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: matsuri , or summer festival. Did you know that many of Japan’s most iconic and energetic festivals take place in the peak of the summer heat—and that most of them are completely free to attend? But why are these festivals held in the first place? In this third installment of our " Japan and Tokyo Travel in July " series, we explore the cul

How Seasonal Japanese Food Enhances Your Cultural Journey Through Japan In this second installment of our " Japan and Tokyo Travel in July " series, we explore one of the most anticipated aspects of travel: food. July brings with it a host of seasonal culinary delights—from fresh seafood and succulent fruits to elegant wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets)—that offer a taste of summer across Japan. Japan is a culinary paradise, drawing food lovers from around the world. Acc