Kantō Region | Vegetarian's Japan Guide

My Neighbor Totoro House Kurosuke's House in Sayama Hills in Saitama With Totoro

How to Visit Totoro Forest & Kurosuke’s House from Tokyo: A Complete Day Trip Guide

June 6, 2026 / Kantō Region, Saitama Prefecture, Trekking/Hiking in Japan

Tucked away in the scenic Sayama Hills of Tokorozawa in Saitama, Totoro Forest (トトロの森) and Kurosuke’s House offer Studio Ghibli fans a magical escape into the real-life landscape that inspired My Neighbor Totoro. Located just an hour outside of central Tokyo, this hidden gem allows you to wander through pristine nature trails and step inside a traditional Japanese home guarded […]

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Tamon-in Temple and the Cute Tiger Figure-Covered Precinct

May 30, 2024 / Autumn Foliage, Kantō Region, Places to Visit, Saitama Prefecture, Temples & Shrines

If you have a car and plan to visit Tokorozawa in late spring or autumn, visit Tamon-in (多聞院). The temple is a renowned spot for peony and the beautiful fall foliage. Besides the natural scenery, pilgrims can enjoy a couple of fun rituals. In addition, it is a temple filled with tiger elements!

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Renkeiji: A Temple to Pray for Child-Related Matters in Kawagoe

May 29, 2024 / Kantō Region, Saitama Prefecture, Temples & Shrines

Renkeiji (蓮馨寺) is the temple in Kawagoe closest to Taishō Roman Yume-dōri. It is close to the street’s popular udon restaurant, Udon Tsumugi. The temple has a serene atmosphere and is rich in history. Since its establishment in the mid-16th century, the locals would go there and pray for various things, especially child-related matters, such

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Kawagoe Hachimangu Yakuyokemomo Kawagoe Saitama Japan

Kawagoe Hachimangū – The Spot to Swap Bad Luck for Happiness

May 29, 2024 / Kantō Region, Saitama Prefecture, Temples & Shrines

Kawagoe Hachimangū Shrine (川越八幡宮), the most prominent Hachimangū shrine in Kawagoe City, was erected over 1,000 years ago. Among more than 200 shrines in the city, it is the only one with Kawagoe in its name. Despite its location, Kawagoe Hachimangū is quiet and serene compared to other shrines in the historical township. So if

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The Best Guide on How to Get from Haneda Airport to Tokyo

May 18, 2024 / Kantō Region, Tokyo, Transportation in Japan

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

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Nakamichi-dōri: A Street Condensing the Essence of Kichijōji

December 30, 2024 / Kantō Region, Tokyo

While Kichijōji in general is packed with intriguing shops and cafes, the establishments in the Nakamichi-dōri Shopping Street (中道通り商店街) stretching west from Kichijoji Station’s north exit are particularly unique. With a total length of 540 meters, it is the longest shopping street in Kichijōji. If you have unlimited time and want to get a feel

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What to Do at Kichijōji’s Taishō-dori Shopping District

May 12, 2024 / Kantō Region, Tokyo

The Taishō-dōri Shopping District (大正通り) in Kichijōji, east of the Tōkyu Department Store, mainly consists of the Taishō-dōri and Shōwa-dōri Street. The street is filled with unique boutique stores and restaurants. Because most of them have a European theme, the shopping district is also referred to as the Scandinavian street (北欧通り).

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The Top Three Taiyaki Makers in Tokyo’s Kichijōji

May 11, 2024 / Kantō Region, Tokyo

Speaking of the must-eat street food in Kichijōji in Tokyo‘s city center’s outskirts, the taiyaki has to be one of them. The fish-shape pastry is one of the top street foods in Japan and a must-eat when you explore the beautiful country! While taiyaki can be found across the country, some are just ordinary. So

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Amane: The Must-Try Taiyaki Maker in Kichijōji

April 25, 2025 / Kantō Region, Tokyo, Vegan and Vegetarian-Friendly Spots

Taiyaki is a street food commonly found in Japan. When you visit Kichijōji, it is the must-eat food. While there are several taiyaki makers in the area, our favorite is Amane (有職たい菓子本舗天音). Located in Harmonica Yokochō, Amane is one of the reasons that people visit the small alley during the day. Obviously, we didn’t feature

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Ozasa: A Yōkan Specialist That the Locals Would Queue for

October 8, 2024 / Kantō Region, Tokyo

Ozasa (小ざさ) in the Daiyagai District is one of Kichijōji‘s most famous traditional confectionery shops. It is a shop that the locals are willing to queue for! The small shop at the corner, established in 1951, is a yōkan specialist. Using simple and raw ingredients, the confectionery maker, using traditional methods, offers simple but amazing

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