Located in the northeast of the Tohoku region, Iwate overlooks the Pacific Ocean via the Sanriku coastline and is buttressed by the Ou Mountains, home to some of Japan's best ski resorts and hot springs. Roughly divided into four distinct regions, Iwate is also marked by common themes of nature worship and traditional folklore, as well as samurai history and a long-standing tradition of high-quality metalwork craftsmanship. To find out more about this remote corner of Japan, we caught up with Oikawa-san to discuss all things Iwate and ferrous. 

Fish markets and morning squid auctions, a retro tram network with wood-panneled carriages, a weirdly wonderful and exclusively regional Japanese hamburger chain, beautifully preserved old timey boutique cafes overlooking sunsets on the sea… There's a lot to love about Hokkaido’s second city of Hakodate, but standing proudly next to Jujigai tram stop is another of the city’s characterful hidey-holes and a must-visit landmark on any craft-lover’s map: Hakodate Kogeisha gallery and boutique. Read on to find out what they had to say about their gallery and this wonderful port city.

From sakura cherry blossoms to koi carp and samurai kabuto helmets, enjoy all things Japan from the comfort of your very own home through the colourful and creative art of Origami!

Tom is in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture for day four of his adventure across the beautiful Tohoku region. Running on island time was very much the theme of Tom's time in Ishinomaki as he made feline friends on a cat island, marvelled at some colourful local art along the Michinoku Coastal Trail and ate plenty of delicious food on a homestay. Read on to find out more!

Get off the beaten path and onto a more creative trajectory by planning your trip to Japan around art, design and architectural experiences.