Shops are overflowing with hand-made treasures in a myriad of colours that encapsulate island life. Many of the pieces I saw were a blue that was reminiscent of the tropical seas of the region, and can only have taken inspiration from the surroundings.
Read MorePracticing the tea ceremony gave me the opportunity not only to deepen my understanding of the ritual, but simultaneously to expand my knowledge into other areas of Japanese culture because of its relation to the practice. In essence, I have come to feel that the tea ceremony is a microcosm of Japanese culture as a whole.
Read MoreKyoto is a city that is famous for its rich and historic culture. But the beauty of culture is that it is never fixed. Innovation and exploration, defining qualities of Kyoto Brewing Company, are at the center of a cultural revolution maintaining Kyoto’s relevance in our modern world.
Read MoreToday we’re more than happy to introduce you to Jenkie, from our Tokyo team. This month is a bit special because Jenkie is not a guide but she is very important to the whole company and our operations at Arigato Japan…
Read MoreIf you have ever been to Japan, you might have seen plastic models of food in the windows of restaurants, displaying the edible counterparts that lay within. These are called ‘sampuru’ or ‘sample’ and have been part of the Japanese economy and food culture for nearly one hundred years…
Read MoreToday we are so happy to ask some questions to Eka Wong, author of the “Hungry in Tokyo”, “Hungry in Osaka” and “Hungry in Kyoto” books….
Read MoreThe peaks of northern Kyoto are crisscrossed with roads and trails that wind through valleys and over mountain passes to Fukui Prefecture and the Japan Sea. Since at least the Heian Period (794-1185), the mountain passes have connected the imperial capital to the port of Obama City, which was a hub for marine goods. The Saba Kaido (kaido 街道 usually translates to “old road”) that connected these ancient areas…
Read MoreCheck on the best foodie events around Tokyo in September! Delicious craft beer, Local Gin, Markets and Moon-inspired foods for the start of the autumn season!
Read MoreSearching for real matcha flavors? Nanaya is unassuming, so you can miss it if you are not keeping an eye out for the signs. The outside is decorated with a mural of rolling, scenic hills and a blue mountain (Aoyama means ‘blue mountain’) and a few wooden chairs are the shop’s only customer seating….
Read MoreAre you are traveling to Japan and worried about the language barrier? Pocketalk could save your travel and make you feel like a local!
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