December 2013

NEX Tokyo Direct Ticket

A new discount ticket lets foreign tourists ride the Narita Express for just 1500 yen.

Mastercards accepted again

From January 10, 2014, ATMs at 7-Eleven stores resumed accepting Mastercard and Cirrus cards.

Japan during New Year

Visiting Japan during New Year can be rewarding as well as frustrating. To prevent negative surprises, read our advice.

Autumn Color Report 2013

Covering the seasonal colors from the peaks of Hokkaido to the parks of Tokyo and Kyoto.
November 2013

Tokyo Illuminations 2013

From around early November, Tokyo starts to be lit up by various seasonal illumination displays.
September 2013

Nakanojo Biennale 2013

Contemporary art festival which was held in a rural town north of Tokyo this autumn.
August 2013

We Love Japan Tour 2013

The first We Love Japan Tour was successfully completed on November 2. The next tour is planned for 2015.
July 2013

Ise Shrine Rebuilding

In October, the deities of the Ise Shrines moved into their newly built homes in a ceremony repeated every 20 years since the 7th century.
June 2013

New JR East Pass Revealed

A flexible 5-day pass has become available on July 1, 2013, replacing all the previously available passes.

Tohoku Rokkonsai 2013

Report from the festival that combines the Tohoku Region’s six major summer festivals into a single, spectacular super-festival.
May 2013

Izumo Taisha Sengu

Japan’s second most important shrine gets a major overhaul every 60 years. This May, its resident deity moved back into the freshly renovated main hall.

Tottori Sand Museum 2013

The unique Sand Museum next to Tottori’s sand dunes changes its exhibition once per year. This year’s theme is South East Asia.

Fuji Shibazakura Festival

The pink moss at the foot of Mount Fuji is now at its best. The festival continues until June 2.
April 2013

Two Years After The Tsunami

Part five in our open-ended series about the recovery of the tsunami-hit coast of the Tohoku Region.

Golden Week 2013

This year’s Golden Week lasts through May 6. May 3 to 6 will be particularly busy.
March 2013

Setouchi Triennale 2013

In the second edition of this wonderful festival, modern art will be scattered across a dozen small islands in the pleasant Seto Inland Sea.

Higashiyama Hanatoro 2013

From March 8 to 17, Kyoto’s historic Higashiyama District is lit up by thousands of lanterns in the evenings.
February 2013

Tokamachi Snow Festival

Report from the 64th annual snow festival held in Tokamachi, Niigata Prefecture.

Zao Snow Monsters

Photo report from the ski resort of Zao Onsen, where trees turn into monsters.
January 2013

2013 Cherry Blossom Forecast

The blossoms are predicted to open early in Western Japan, according to average schedule elsewhere.