castles (Page 3)
From the well-known to the obscure, this year’s annual ranking of top spots has some surprises in store for even the most seasoned travellers.
After months of debate, Nagoya city council approves 50 billion-yen (US$451 million) budget.
The conditions are just right to surround Takeda Castle with a sea of clouds.
Exploring the many ways wood pieces can slot into each other is the most strangely satisfying experience we’ve had today!
Introducing the “Street Museum” smartphone app enhanced with VR contents to make your travels that much more memorable.
How many of the top 20 most popular Japanese castles (according to TripAdvisor) have you been to?
Extremely talented builder needs neither stone, lumber, nor paper for this mind-blowing project.
Centuries-old earthenware plate gets a special assist from a kitty in becoming an ultra-rare, ultra-cute antique.
Nijo Castle is one of Japan’s hottest tourist destinations…but for a truly unique historical tour, you need this Minecraft recreation based on the original design!
For centuries, Japan has taken pride in the talents of its craftsmen, carpenters and woodworkers included. Because of that, you might be surprised to find that some Japanese castles have extremely creaky wooden floors that screech and groan with each step.
How could such slipshod construction have been considered acceptable for some of the most powerful figures in Japanese history? The answer is that the sounds weren’t just tolerated, but desired, as the noise-producing floors functioned as Japan’s earliest automated intruder alarm.
Over the years, Japan has earned a reputation for its awkward command of English, with results ranging from the perplexing to downright hilarious. The country’s translation screw-ups are so common that they’ve even earned their own collective name, “Engrish.”
But for all the sites that poke fun at Engrish, it’s almost impossible to find one that talks about why it happens. So today we’re offering a bit of explanation along with the laughs, as we look at a sign in Japan that informs English-reading passersby that “Today is under construction.”
It’s time once again for travel website Trip Advisor’s list of the best places in Japan, as chosen by overseas visitors to the country. One of the things that makes Japan such a fascinated place to travel is its extreme mix of historical and modern attractions, both of which are represented in the top 30 which includes shrines, sharks, and super-sized robots.
Japan is home to an enormous number of famous ruins and castles, with fascinating histories that transport us back to an era of clan warfare and old allegiances which remain at the heart of local tales today. As strongholds for the Lords and clans of old Japan, many castles have a commanding view of surrounding lands but none more so than this spectacular castle in Hyogo Prefecture. Often referred to as the Machu Picchu of Japan, and looking every bit like Ghibli’s famous floating castle from the animated movie Castle in the Sky, these ruins are expecting an unprecedented number of visitors this year. And with photos as stunning as these, it’s easy to see why.
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Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Giant Evangelion Spear of Longinus to be installed at Japanese train station with Eva art trains
Starbucks Japan releases a miniature display rack so you can create your very own store at home
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Kodama Shinkansen trains on popular Japan route get a whole new look this winter
Japanese Coo-Che becomes a viral sensation, and everyone wants a taste
Which country’s foreign tourists spend the most money per-person in Japan? Hint: Not the U..S. or China
Face lettuce appears in Japan, with the face of Death Note’s Light Yagami, but why?
Weekly
- Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
- New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]- 99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Japanese convenience store releases Japanese convenience store-flavor fried chicken- Which country’s foreign tourists spend the most money per-person in Japan? Hint: Not the U..S. or China
- Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Family Mart’s new Tokyo flagship convenience store doesn’t feel convenient, but is that a problem?
Monthly
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir- Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
- Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
- Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
- New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country- Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Yearly
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo- Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】- Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
- Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
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New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Kodama Shinkansen trains on popular Japan route get a whole new look this winter
Japanese Coo-Che becomes a viral sensation, and everyone wants a taste
Which country’s foreign tourists spend the most money per-person in Japan? Hint: Not the U..S. or China
Face lettuce appears in Japan, with the face of Death Note’s Light Yagami, but why?
Eight great words for talking about summer in Japan in Japanese
Starbucks Japan adds a new summer Frappuccino to the menu, but is it as refreshing as it looks?
Dance with demons in Kyoto at this Edo-period Japanese Halloween festival
“We want to be Japan’s best cheap restaurant” says new (but also not new) Akihabara noodle joint
Studio Ghibli releases Japanese curry shirts in honour of anime about the studio’s staff
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
Cup Noodle releases cold-water instant ramen in Japan, but can it really be made with just cold water?
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