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. 

The spring weather brings us the re-opening of many pubs but some of us might be discouraged by how fleeting those moments of warmth have been. You don't have to wait until the summer to enjoy an 'evening out', just crack open the beers and prep a feast of delicious Japanese bar snacks! Read on to find out just how easy it is to recreate a Japanese beer garden - beers, snacks and vibes - from the comfort of your very own home! 

With most of Japan now re-opening its doors to domestic tourists, when better for Japan-based photographer Ben Richards to head out on the road and continue to experience all the beauty Japan has to offer? Join Ben as he sheds a little light on his Hokkaido road trip and offers some words of wisdom when hiring a car in Japan. 

Join us as we sit down with Takako Imai, a local lodge-owner in Fukushima's beautiful Oku-Aizu region, to find out what life is like in this idyllic and enigmatic part of rural Japan and how you too can experience its many charms.