Japan stands as one of the world’s most long-standing cultures. Throughout the centuries, the people of the archipelago have gone on to develop a medley of arts and crafts, and to this day, many of these artisanal works live on. The regions of Hokuriku, Kansai (historically known as Kinki), and Chugoku serve as premier destinations to see these crafts first-hand, oftentimes even allowing for a hands-on experience to get a taste of the process behind the pursuit. Let’s take a look at some of these famous handicrafts and the destinations whose cultures they are synonymous with!

Tsuchiyu Onsen is a quaint hot spring town located in Tohoku’s Fukushima Prefecture. After 2011 Tsuchiyu experienced a drop in visitors and the locals had to do something to change the fate of their beloved town. They decided to take a step into the future and do something other hot spring towns were afraid to do: they established a geothermal energy plant! Read more about this traditional hot spring and its journey to renewable energy.

Shinto shrines are some of the most popular attractions in all of Japan. Dotted all over the country, it is estimated that there are around 80,000 shrines across the country, and that’s not even counting the temples (around 77,000). If you ever visit Japan, you’ll most likely visit a shrine, let’s take a dive into shrines and what it is like to visit them!

Natalie Leon, author and Japanologist, recently sat down with us to discuss her new book ‘The Japanese Art of Living Seasonally: An Invitation to Celebrate Every Day’. Chronicling the idea of ‘kisetsukan’, or the awareness of the seasons, her new book covers festivals, food, and much more!

Ehime Prefecture sits on the northern coast of the island of Shikoku, facing Yamaguchi, Hiroshima, and the southern island of Kyushu. Noted for its pristine nature and scenery, Ehime has anything and everything that you could want for a getaway. From the historic capital city of Matsuyama to part of the legendary leg of the Shikoku Pilgrimage, let’s check out Ehime Prefecture!