Fall in love with Hokkaido's historic port A fishing port close to Sapporo, Hokkaido's capital, Otaru grew with the development of the island's rail network to inland coal fields during the nineteenth century. Beautifully maintained European heritage buildings constructed during this era still… Read More
Hot spring heaven around the corner from Niseko Niseko still has a few secrets up its sleeve, and one of these is Niseko-cho, or the Niseko town district. Covered by forests and rivers, it is an abundant farming area known for melons, asparagus and tomatoes; eateries in town serve farm prod… Read More
www.grand-hirafu.jp/winter/en/ | Yamada 204, Kutchan-cho, Abuta-gun | 2+81-136-22-0109 | Days 8:30-20:30, Nights 18:30-20:30 (Limited time only) | Travelling times to Grand Hirafu New Chitose Airport: 2 hrs (car), Sapporo: 2 hrs 30 min (train) WORLD CLASS Niseko Grand Hirafu is … Read More
Once you go, you can never get enough… Of all the reasons to visit Niseko on a snow holiday, the most important one is, has and always will be one thing: powder, and lots of it. The powder which comes with cold winds all the way from Russia is served fine, dry and in bulk from November to Apri… Read More
The bullet train journey from Tokyo through the Japan Alps to Ishikawa Prefecture is like being fast-forwarded through a Japanese winter hall of fame; a snow resort from the Nagano Winter Olympics here, a hot spring retreat that inspired a Nobel Prize-winning novel there. The pot of gold at the end… Read More
Edomae sushi In the days before refrigeration, soy sauce, salt, vinegar and wasabi weren't just optional extras with sushi; they were essential ingredients used to preserve the texture of fish, and keep bacteria from rapidly invading. The creative use of these ingredients established a numbe… Read More
Essential highlights of Japan now and then The towering skyscrapers and ornate temple pagodas that symbolise Tokyo and Kyoto today are also an expression of the rich culture and history of Japan. Each city is a fascinating journey between modernity and tradition, and must be experienced on any tri… Read More
Maiko Maiko are the apprentice geisha of Kyoto, which remains a bastion of this antique entertainment culture in Japan today. Although they may come from any part of Japan to study the geisha arts, once they become maiko, all speak in the Kyoto dialect. Maiko live, study and work in the Gion… Read More
Day or night, the 'Kitchen of Japan' brims with traditional charm and modern edge Travelling through time in Osaka Read More
Osaka is Japan’s western capital, and the underdog of Japanese travel destinations. Pioneers and built Osaka on innovative ideas; they were the ones who brought us instant noodles, and sushi train. An air of nostalgia complement the city’s modern, trail-blazing energy, which is just what makes… Read More
Osaka’s mecca of street food Kuromon Ichib Known as one of Osaka’s largest food markets, Kuromon Ichiba is a must-visit spot for a tasty feed. Locals come to this 114 year-old market for their daily shop, some socialising, and of course delicious street food. The market spreads out in all f… Read More
Loud and proud nightlife hub Dotonbori Dotonbori prides itself as the most popular entertainment district in Osaka; Encompassing both sides of the Dotonbori canal, the area is home to many of Osaka’s signature nightlife destinations. The best way to begin your adventure there is with a walk… Read More
Everywhere you go in Japan there’s a different kind of local Japanese food, and the Mount Fuji and Fujikawaguchiko area is the same. Blessed by bountiful nature and the spring water of Mount Fuji, the farm produce grown here is fresh and juicy. There are many little veggie patches along the lake… Read More
Lake Kawaguchiko is famous as a hot spring area; it has many well-established lakeside inns with restaurants and outdoor baths with views of Mount Fuji, and there are many family-run bed and breakfasts in town. In recent years, with a further increase in the number of overseas visitors, basic ac… Read More
Mount Fuji, or Fujisan as it’s called in Japanese, has long been an influential presence in Japanese art. The work of countless Japanese artists captures this majestic icon, and an all-time classic is Katsushika Hokusai's ‘Koshu Misaka Suimen' ([Reflection in the] Surface of the Water, Misaka, Kai … Read More
Exploring Japan's iconic peak and local lakeside hot spring town The instantly recognisable Mount Fuji presides over the Fuji Five Lakes area; step into its historic hot spring base town of Fujikawaguchiko in Yamanashi, and discover the many ways to enjoy this World Heritagelisted attraction. … Read More
// EXPERIENCE THE WARM HOSPITALITY AND VAST SCALE OF JAPAN’S UNFORGETTABLE NORTHEASTERN SNOW COUNTRY Metres upon metres of fluffy ‘aspirin powder’ snow, ‘hitō’ hidden hot springs, and surreal snow monsters are just some of the amazing winter highlights of the Appi, Hachimantai and Hakkoda ski … Read More
The hotels of the Hachimantai resort area lie at the foot of the rugged Mt Iwate (2,038 m), and are a haven for nature lovers throughout the seasons. This complex volcano is one of Japan's 100 famous mountains, and one of the many in Towada-Hachimantai National Park, which encompasses a vast area o… Read More
Morioka Grand Hotel Annex offers convenient access to and from Appi, as well as the heart of Morioka, an historic castle town. The hotel's sharp Western-style single, twin and double rooms all come with Wi-Fi and LAN connections; their selection of four types of pillows for guests shows that this i… Read More
HOTEL APPI GRAND With ski-in, ski-out access to the slopes, fine-dining restaurants and hot spring baths, Hotel APPI Grand provides its guests with luxury and convenience. The hotel is a creation of pioneering Japanese designer Yusaku Kamekura, and with an eye-catching lemon-coloured exterior, is… Read More
