Watch performers balance spectacular lantern poles on their chins in an unforgettable summer festival.
lanterns
Local resident reveals the secret spots you won’t want to miss during this breathtaking festival.
Centuries-old Kyoto craft workshop teams up with Tokyo luxury hotel for an unprecedented portioning system.
Filled with marvelous displays and breathtaking performances, this is one festival you won’t want to miss.
The Nagasaki Lantern Festival gives the city an amazing ethereal atmosphere for just a few nights every February.
Southern city’s lunar New Year celebration is even more ethereally beautiful when viewed from the rails.
In a short, short time from now, this awesome Star Wars lantern could be in a room very, very close to you.
If you are in Niigata this March, you can live out your Tangled fantasy with a breathtaking view of floating lanterns that rival the beauty of the Disney movie and the festival in Thailand that inspired the film’s iconic scene.
In case no one told you, it’s obon this week in Japan! For many people this means a well-deserved long vacation and a trip home. It also means lots of fun cultural events. As you may know, obon is a Buddhist holiday all about the spirits of deceased ancestors coming back for a short visit. Tourou nagashi, literally “lanterns flowing,” is a special ceremony where, as the name implies, lanterns are set afloat, usually down a river. It’s a fun way to spend your evening and an incredible sight as well! This week, we headed to Azuma Bridge in Asakusa, Tokyo to check out the ceremony!
MOST POPULAR
Now
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Massive manga collaboration bringing 100 years of Shueisha manga to Uniqlo T-shirts【Photos】
Which Japanese beef bowl chain’s near-identical demon grater onioroshi ponzu gyudon is the best?
11 different ways to say “father” in Japanese
The secret of Starbucks Japan’s Chocolate Chunk Cookie: It’s not made by Starbucks!
What’s inside the McDonald’s Japan fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
Japanese thug wear from Birth Japan perfect for those breaking bad next year
How should you respond when a Japanese person gives you a compliment?
The Yellow Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is so bad it may damage Japan-US relations
How to ride Japan’s awesome Pokémon Sandshrew Train【Photos】
Weekly
- Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
Totoro cream puffs and Catbus cookies are finally available in downtown Tokyo
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
What’s inside Starbucks Japan’s fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
Monthly
- Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
- 10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】- Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches- Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
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】- Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
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
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- Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
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
What’s inside the McDonald’s Japan fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
Japanese thug wear from Birth Japan perfect for those breaking bad next year
How should you respond when a Japanese person gives you a compliment?
The Yellow Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is so bad it may damage Japan-US relations
How to ride Japan’s awesome Pokémon Sandshrew Train【Photos】
Say hello to Japan’s new stationmaster cat!【Video】
Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
10 great autumn Japan travel spots for fall colors and retro atmosphere【Survey】
Popular Japanese ramen restaurant Ichiran’s lucky bags are great value for money
“Denki Anma”: The Japanese traditional torment that you’ll be glad stays in Japan
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japan’s kid-friendly ski program is now selling Pikachu snowboards for a limited time only
Private booths are coming to Japan’s Shinkansen bullet trains even sooner than we’d thought【Video】
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
-
