
There’s a lot of information about Japan floating around on the internet, so finding a really great site can seem like a never-ending endeavor. As self-proclaimed Japanophiles, we have more than a few sites we frequent to get our daily dose of anything about our home away from home. It was hard to choose, but here are five of our favorite blogs about Japan.
More Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan – Ojisan Jake
This beautiful blog does exactly what the name implies and shows off a different side of Japan that few tourists get to see. Based in the lesser known Shimane Prefecture, the blog’s author, Ojisan Jake, explores the hidden backroads of this sleepy area of Japan, showcasing temples, hiking trails, and the traditional culture of the area. The blog is updated regularly with plenty of photos to give you a true glimpse of unfamiliar Japan.
Exploring Japan’s Ruins / Haikyo – Michael John Grist
More of an official website than a blog, Exploring Japan’s Ruins is a photo-filled subpage of author Michael John Grist’s site. There are many blogs out there that explore Japan’s numerous abandoned buildings, but Grist’s is filled with skillfully taken photographs and detailed accounts of his adventures in withering shrines and forgotten hospitals.
This wonderfully simple blog is about “an American guy with a wife and daughter trying to build a life in the Japan countryside – and share some of it along the way.” It gives a charming view of a mixed family’s life as they go mulberry picking, plant rice, and make traditional foods in the Japanese countryside. The family also runs tours through rural Japan for those interested in getting away from the normal sightseeing spots. This is a somewhat infrequently updated blog, but there are plenty of archived adventures to read through to give you a thorough glimpse of natural Japan.
If you’ve ever wanted to explore the natural sites Japan has to offer, Hiking in Japan is a wonderful resource cataloguing various hikes throughout the country. Categorized by area and including valuable information such as when to go, access routes, and level of difficulty, this blog is a must-view if you’ve ever been told to “take a hike” while living in Japan.
This blog catalogues photographs taken between the 1860s and 1930s, a time when Japan had just opened its doors to the outside world after 200 years of isolation. As the blog states, “many of the customs that are now called traditional were invented during this time. And many that are still seen as new can trace their origins to this time as well.” The photos on this site are not only beautiful, but informative; each one is presented with the photographer’s information and a brief description.
***BONUS*** I just can’t today
Though not quite a blog, this tumblr “apprehensively maintained by an expat in Tokyo” is full of sarcastic, hilarious and extremely snarky GIFs about life in Japan. When you’ve had one of those expat days in Japan where you curse the day you set foot in the country, I just can’t today will put a smile back on your face and get you laughing off having to deal with all that mold in your apartment and having to work uncompensated overtime for the eighth day in a row.







On living in Japan: Five essential essays from the internet, the greatest library on earth
Five nature hikes and trail runs just off Japan’s bullet train
All about the Kumano Kodo, the World Heritage Sites of the Kii Peninsula【Pics & Video】
How many have you seen? 18 must-visit sites in Japan 【World Heritage】
Japan Airlines is giving away free domestic flights to international tourists
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
Starbucks Japan opens new Kyoto store in Place of Scenic Beauty
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
We asked our Japanese team of writers how they deal with seasonal allergies in Japan
Heinz Japan finds its perfect pitchman: Pokémon’s Pikachu!
Advice from Japanese women on dealing with your boyfriend’s anime girlfriend
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Can you eat lunch in Tokyo for less than 500 yen?
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan opens new cafe and art gallery in top Tokyo tourist neighbourhood
Is Japan’s Crab-shaped Cup Ramen Timer worth the hype?
Pizza Hut Japan teams up with creator of one of the country’s best kinds of ramen for ramen pizza
Starbucks Japan releases a new Cream Puff Frappuccino for a limited time
The top 10 graduation songs in Japan as chosen by current Japanese high school students
Pikachu and Eevee become handmade Lladró porcelain sculptures to celebrate Pokémon’s 30th birthday
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Beautiful forest in southern Japan will spirit you away to another world
Japan travel bucket list: top places to visit in each prefecture before you die【Part II】
The top five best multiple-hot-spring hotels in all of Japan
2020’s most popular hot springs in Japan, as ranked by Japanese travelers
Staircase National Highway: the only highway in Japan that cars can’t enter
The top 10 haunted spots in Japan as chosen by a professional ghost chaser
Going to Japan? Be sure to check out our official RocketNews24 travel guide!
Haunted, abandoned hotel complex on Okinawa is a lesson against messing with Japan’s spirits
There’s something fishy about this mysterious tourist spot in Japan
The oldest tunnel in Japan is believed to be haunted, and strange things happen when we go there
March 10 was Sato Day in Japan, so here are five wonderful things about our own amazing Mr. Sato
Everything you need to know about climbing Japan’s second-highest volcano
The top 9 sakura cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan that you should know about
Often-overlooked castle in Japan looks so beautiful in the snow that we can’t take our eyes off it
Searching for Japan’s “river of the dead” in Tottori Prefecture【Photos】