When people talk about going to an art gallery, an image of a wide space with viewers appreciating various paintings and artworks will most likely pop into your head. However, at Towada Art Center (十和田市現代美術館) in Aomori‘s Towada City, this is not the case. Inside each exhibition room, only one piece of artwork is displayed. […]
Towada Art center: A Must-Visit Contemporary Art Museum in Aomori Read More »
Yokochō in Japanese means small alley with copious small eateries and bars great for gatherings and/or a drink after work. At Hachinohe, there are a total of eight Yokochō. Seven out of eight Yokochō have existed long ago since the Showa period. The Hachinohe Yataimura Miroku Yokochō (八戸屋台村みろく横丁), on the other hand, was only created
A Night Out at Hachinohe Yataimura Miroku Yokochō Read More »
Kakunodate, or Kakunodatemachi (角館町), is a town in Akita Prefecture that is known as “Michinoku no ko Kyoto (みちのくの小京都)”, or “Northeastern’s Little Kyoto”. The town used to be the home of the samurai stationed at Kakunodate Castle back in the Edo period (1603 – 1868). Even now, traces of the presence of the samurai remain
Kakunodate Town – The Little Kyoto of Northeastern Japan Read More »
While Kakunodate isn’t the most well-known cherry blossom destination in the Tōhoku Region, it is highly recommended. In addition to the cherry blossom in the town center, the cherry trees also lined the Kinokinai River (桧木内川) for two kilometers! Moreover, the cherry trees’ foliage also paints the town in vivid color when the temperature starts
The Cherry Blossom and Fall Foliage Spots in Kakunodate Read More »
If you visit Sendai between late February and late March, head to Tsutsujigaoka Tenmangū Shrine (榴岡天満宮) to adore the lovely plum blossoms. Just like all the Tenmangū shrines in Japan, Tsutsujigaoka Tenmangū enshrines Sugawara no Michizane (菅原道真). Because plum blossom is Michizane’s favorite flower, plum trees are planted here and there in the shrine’s precinct.
Tsutsujigaoka Tenmangū and the Plum and Cherry Blossoms Read More »
One of the best attractions in Sendai that is scenic all year round is Zuihōden (瑞鳳殿), the mausoleum complex of Sendai Domain’s first lord, Date Masamune and his heirs. The temple’s precinct is filled with stunning nature, and the buildings are intricately decorated with vivid colors and various auspicious images. In fact, when Hanyu Yuzuru was asked for recommended places to visit in Sendai in
Zuihōden – Date Masamune’s Splendid Mausoleum Read More »
Hanyu Yuzuru is more than just a two-time Olympic champion. People around the world are enchanted by his great passion and dedication to ice skating, as well as his gentle and compassionate personality. His self-challenging spirit continues to move the audience in each of his performances. So if you are a “Fanyu” or someone who
A Guide to a Pilgrimage to Hanyu Yuzuru’s Hometown, Sendai Read More »
If it is your first time traveling to Tokyo and you are on a self-guided tour, the first challenge you might encounter is how to get to the hotel in Tokyo from the airport. While the Transportation System in Tokyo is really convenient, it is also complicated. So below is a summary of how you
The Best Guide on How to Get from Haneda Airport to Tokyo Read More »
A common question that we see in various Japan travel forums is whether to rent a pocket WiFi or purchase a SIM card or an eSIM card. So, we decided to test it using Mobal’s eSIM and WiFi. Overall, both products worked great during our 15-Day Trip to Japan’s Tōhoku Region chasing the cherry blossom. We were able to
Pocket WiFi vs eSIM, Which One Is Better in Japan Read More »
Most people who have been to Japan would agree that it is a great place to visit. If you love the country so much that you want to stay for more than a fortnight or are an expat, purchasing a Mobal WiFi can be a great way to stay connected to the internet. The device
Mobal WiFi: A Great Internet Solution for Longer Stay in Japan Read More »
