Wagashi: 7 Traditional Japanese Sweets You Have to Try
If you come to Japan you have to try traditional sweets. Wagashi is an umbrella term for various traditional sweets and desserts. Apart from just…
Sightseeing
The Best Matcha and Other Green Tea Desserts in Tokyo
Matcha and other variations of green tea take pride of place as an important part of Japanese culture. Appreciated for its taste and health benefits,…
Chachanoma – Green Tea Heaven in Harajuku, Tokyo
Quality and presentation seem to be the name of the game at this café off Harajuku’s Cat Street. Offering a wide range of green teas,…
A Cafe with No Staff on an Idyllic Okinawan Island? Sounds Like Paradise
With its tropical beaches, glorious weather and laid-back attitude, Okinawa is Japan’s island paradise. It’s the perfect refuge for those trying to escape the bustle…
A Guide to All Pokemon Centers in Tokyo
Pokemon is surely one of Japan’s most wide reaching and successful exports. It took over the world in the late nineties and with the games…
![[Hidden Wonders of Japan] This is How They Line Up at Shinagawa Station](https://grapeejapan.com/wp-content/uploads/shinagawa-station.jpg)
[Hidden Wonders of Japan] This is How They Line Up at Shinagawa Station
The neighborhood of Shinagawa, with its high-rise buildings, is a vibrant heart of business in Tokyo. Large groups of salarymen in black suits seemingly rushing…
Kyoto’s Haunted Taxi Tour Spirits You Away to the Historical Capital’s Spookiest Spots
As Japan’s former capital, Kyoto is bursting with historical charm. You can’t walk a few feet without stumbling upon something belonging to the country’s bygone…
Tattoos and Onsens – They Do Mix
Ah, the onsen—a distant dream for those with tattoos in Tokyo…or so we thought. More and more bathhouses are allowing our branded friends through the…
Japan’s Gyoza Hot Dog is the Pinnacle of Junk Food Achievement
In Japan’s food capital, an extra carby challenge awaits. The Gyoza Dog. Gyoza are a type of pan fried dumplings, commonly known as pot stickers…
The Best Pet Cafes in Tokyo for Animal Lovers
Living in Tokyo, it’s hard to get a fix of the fluffy stuff. Pets are usually not allowed in apartments and hectic work schedules hold…
Japanese Village Faces Ninja Shortage–Even With Salaries As High As $85,000
Japan’s Iga City, the birthplace of ninja, is running out of ninja in 2018. Update: Iga city officials now deny the reported salary and the…
Omiya Railway Museum Showcases Dawn of Railroads in Japan Until Sept. 30
© Japan Forward Text: Earl H. Kinmonth, Professor Emeritus, Taisho University This year is the 150th anniversary of the Meiji Restoration. In a narrow sense…
Pikachu Outbreak Festival 2018 to be Invaded by Another Pokemon Army
You may have heard of the Pikachu Outbreak event which happens yearly in Japan. Year on year, every summer, the amount of Pikachu involved has…
4 Beaches Close to Tokyo for a Summer Day Trip to the Sea
Summer is here and as usual, Tokyo is going to be sweltering hot. It’s time to escape it all and relax by the sea. Problem…
Tokyo’s Dessert-Go-Round Café Shows Conveyor Belts Aren’t Just for Sushi
When you just can’t decide what you want off the menu, Kaitenzushi (conveyor belt sushi) created a novel way to solve that problem. The various…