Long — ahem — the butt of jokes in the Western world, the superior experience and cleanliness of using a high-tech toilet in Japan is no laughing matter. Sure, one of the most immediate, formative experiences for first-time visitors to Japan is a confusing and awkward...
Japanese woodblock prints can take art lovers to another time and place. Ukiyo-e, as the art is known, flourished during Japan’s Edo period, from 1603 to 1868. Ukiyo-e was also accessible up and down Japan’s class hierarchy, and it’s still accessible to everyone...
From samurai swords to kitchen knives, Japan has mastered the craft of blade making over millennia. Ask any American of a certain age what they know of Japanese blades, however, and they’ll probably mention Ginsu, the kitchen knives sold on late-night infomercials in...
Ascending Japan’s tallest peak is a must-do excursion that will enrich your spirit. And your muscles will forgive you (eventually). There’s a saying in Japanese that roughly translates to: “A wise person will climb Mt. Fuji once in his or her lifetime, but only a fool...
Do you need to take a taxi in Japan? Less often than you’d think. In Tokyo, for example, the subways are superb: clean, fast, affordable and impeccably on time. But should you take a cab ride while you’re in Japan? Most definitely. A taxi ride is a great way to...
A source of endless creative inspiration, Japan has fueled the imagination of American novelist and screenwriter John Burnham Schwartz for decades. The author brings the country to life in two of his books, “Bicycle Days,” a coming-of-age story that reflects his...
