Japanese history
Edo period confectionery store learnt the secret recipe from a monk on a mountain in Kyoto.
Famous sites like Ueno Park and Sensoji temple look amazingly like they do today, but the people look entirely different.
People used to travel on a ropeway between department store rooftops overlooking today’s scramble crossing.
From Heian Period ladies to today’s modern girls, Shiseido finds a unique way to showcase dramatic changes in beauty trends over the years.
Bear sacrifice, female tattooing and fish-skin boots are all hallmarks of Ainu culture. Join us as we learn about Japan’s indigenous people and watch an intriguing video about their way of life.
This video might not help you ace a final, but it will definitely help you get motivated to study Japanese history.
With its rich history, visitors to Japan have no lack of interesting sites to see, from imperial palaces to castles, to the seemingly endless shrines and temples all across the country. Each spot has its own particular attraction that draws tourists in for a visit, from the giant Kaminarimon lantern at Tokyo’s Sensoji Temple, to the literally thousands of torii shrine gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto.
But here’s one temple you don’t want to forget to add to your itinerary: nicknamed the “Ninja Temple“, Myouritsu Temple is not just your ordinary run-of-the-mill Buddhist sanctuary. Full of secrets and surprises, adults and children alike are sure to enjoy what this special place has to offer.
If you’ve ever wanted to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Kyomachi, the old streets of Kyoto, there’s a special dining establishment in Tokyo that will take you there. The Kyomachi Koishigure restaurant features private dining rooms, red bridges, bamboo corridors and a running stream so you can enjoy all the traditional beauty of Kyoto without having to leave the nation’s capital.
And now, for a limited time only, the restaurant will take you back in time to the late Edo period, with a special “fair” that recreates the infamous Ikedaya Incident, a significant moment in Japan’s history when a group of masterless samurai were ambushed at Kyoto’s Ikedaya Inn.
As part of the experience, diners can enjoy a specially designed menu inside a recreation of the inn, and staff dressed as members of a sword-wielding police force who “ambush” your private room every time you place an order.
MOST POPULAR
Now
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Japanese thug wear from Birth Japan perfect for those breaking bad next year
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Survey finds more than 70 percent of Japanese children have an online friend
Start saving room now – Japanese grocery store’s biggest sushi roll yet is coming for Setsubun
Final Fantasy and KFC team up for new collaboration meal, Colonel Sanders/Chocobo figure
We try eating nothing but emergency food rations for three progressively tougher days
We tried super spicy wasabi ramen and yakisoba that’s rumored to make anyone cry【Taste Test】
Japanese restaurant serves up the biggest sushi we’ve ever seen!
It’s like the samurai era never ended at this beautiful Japanese mountain town
Weekly
- Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Monthly
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches- Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan- Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Yearly
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
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Final Fantasy and KFC team up for new collaboration meal, Colonel Sanders/Chocobo figure
We try eating nothing but emergency food rations for three progressively tougher days
We tried super spicy wasabi ramen and yakisoba that’s rumored to make anyone cry【Taste Test】
Japanese restaurant serves up the biggest sushi we’ve ever seen!
It’s like the samurai era never ended at this beautiful Japanese mountain town
100-year-old brush shop in Tokyo sells a Japanese body brush that’s painfully good
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
Tokyo Disneyland’s Space Mountain is now closed
7-Eleven Japan introduces extra large size coffees at stores… but how big are they?
Attack of the Clones: Finalists in this year’s Miss Korea contest once again looking eerily alike
We get our hands on a coveted Yodobashi lucky bag, this time the beauty and health gadget box
Have you ever noticed how much Totoro looks like New Year’s mochi? This plushie’s designers did, and the result is adorable!
-
