When you hear “Himeji” you probably think of the beautiful “Himeji Castle” which is certainly what Himeji is most famous for. However, there are a lot of other things to discover and enjoy! One of them is the annual “Himeji Yukata...

It’s probably not a secret that I’m a HUGE fan of Japanese castles. At this point I’ve been to around 150 of them and there are even more waiting to be explored. With so many castles around, it’s sometimes hard to choose which ones to...

Your Japan trip was cancelled due to Covid-19 and now you’re not sure what to do" No doubt these are crazy times we’re living in. I’ve already had my share of emergency states and chaos when I lived in Japan, e.g. when the triple disaster...

If you visit Japan for the first time, Tokyo is usually the place everybody wants to check out. And indeed there are many exciting things to discover in Tokyo – some of them will be introduced today. However, if you stick to the well-known...

Hello to anyone who’s still reading “Zooming Japan”. I know this blog has struggled with regular updates for the longest time now. And there’s a reason for that. I’ve been putting this off for quite some time now, but it needs to be...

Japan is famous for its green tea. If you ever drink tea in Japan, it’s most likely green tea. Among the famous types of green tea are Sencha, Genmaicha, Hojicha … but first and foremost Matcha (??).   What is Matcha" While matcha is green...

A question I get almost on a daily basis is: Is the Japan Rail Pass worth it" Short answer: Yes, for long distance travelling (e.g. a round trip from Tokyo to Kyoto). Ok, ok. You want the long answer, right" :)   What is the Japan Rail Pass"...

Enjoying a Japanese hot spring is something you don’t want to miss when visiting the country. Japan is blessed with onsen (?? / ?) thanks to its many volcanoes. The hot water origins from geothermally heated springs. This is different from...

This was probably my longest Japan trip ever since 2007. Either I lived in Japan or my trips were partly business trips to Japan, so I barely could add 1-1,5 weeks of private vacation afterwards. 3 weeks is a very good time frame for a Japan trip...

You might have already seen the scenic “Meoto Iwa” on photos and wondered what it is and where you can find it" Two rocks connected by a rope, standing strong in the rough ocean. Sounds kind of lame at first" Visited: August 9th 2010...

Ise Shrine is one of Japan’s most sacred places and thus popular among pilgrims and tourists. It’s no wonder that it has been designated a National Treasure by the Japanese government. If people ask for shrine recommendations, Ise Shrine is...

Even if you’re not interested in ninja, I still highly recommend checking out Iga Ueno. It’s a day trip from Kyoto or Osaka and there’s more to explore than just the ninja secrets. I was quite impressed and learned so much during my short...

If you’re interested in ninja, you should visit one of Japan’s oldest ninja villages in Iga Ueno. But the ninja village is not the only thing you can find there. There’s also Iga Ueno Castle – which was the main reason for me to visit as...

Here’s another “My Japanese Life” episode. I’m quite sure you’ll find this one interesting as it’s different from the previous stories. Life in Japan can have so many shades, but what is it like living in an American base in...

It?s hay fever season in Japan again. Does this concern you" If you?re a tourist, yeah, maybe. If you?ve lived in Japan for a few years and think you?re safe, don’t be too sure!   Be Aware of the Pollen! Always!! These pollen causing hay...

I?m sure you?ve seen them. I?m sure you?ve heard about them. I have to admit that I was quite shocked when I first came to Japan and saw so many people running around with surgical masks. In Europe (as well as in most other regions of the world),...

Cherry blossom season in Japan is probably the most popular time to visit. However, a lot of people wonder when’s the best time to view cherry blossoms in Japan in full bloom. The answer is both, easy and complicated. You can actually enjoy...

It’s time for another episode of “My Japanese Life”. This series has been brought to life to show you the different kinds of lifestyles, visa types and experiences of foreigners living in Japan. Today’s episode is featuring Anika, a...

If you?ve ever been to Japan, there?s no way you could have missed them. I?m talking about the most beautiful manhole covers in the whole wide world! It?s certainly no exaggeration to claim that Japanese manhole covers are true pieces of...

When you?re in Japan, you probably need to look up some tourist information, check timetables or use Google Maps. In order to do so, you need Wi-Fi / internet access. While the free Wi-Fi spots’ situation in Japan has improved quite a bit in...

Previously I?ve written about driving in Japan and how to obtain or even renew a Japanese driver?s license. But if you?re a tourist in Japan, that information probably isn’t very interesting. If you want to drive as a tourist in Japan, you...

Did you know that Japan offers a Working Holiday Visa to young individuals of a variety of nationalities, allowing them to stay in Japan for a duration of 6-18 months (depending on the nationality) and to accept almost any fully remunerated job to...

Welcome to this new series that I call “My Japanese Life”. As I get so many similar questions concerning visa, work and life in general in Japan, I thought having various people share their experience is probably the best answer. I hope with...

I know it?s been quite a while since I last posted, but trust me, this blog isn’t dead yet. Actually I?m hitting the 2-year mark since my return from Japan soon. I figured it might be interesting to share my experience and current opinion about...

Are you a cat cafe fan looking for a new animal cafe experience" Your next step should be to visit a rabbit cafe. Located in Shimo-Kitazawa, a hip town in Tokyo with heaps of funky cafes and restaurants, Usagi Cafe Ohisama is a must visit for...