Cut off from the rest of Japan by large mountains, the residents of Shirakawa-go developed a unique way to build their village and survive the winters.
A bit of Australia in Japan’s snowfields
For Australians looking for a ski holiday in the Northern Hemisphere, this valley in Japan offers the perfect mix of quality, price and distance.
The grumpy dolls of Takasaki
I always thought Daruma dolls looked grumpy and unhappy. But at the temple where they were created, I learn there’s much more to them than that.
It’s the small things that matter
The art of bonsai is an ancient and very special tradition in Japan. At this museum, you can learn more about the beauty of the art.
The penis worshippers
This has got to be one of the strangest festivals out there. In the usually demure country of Japan, a Shinto shrine dedicates the day to penises!
The pilgrims’ pain
Koyasan is one of the World Heritage Sites on the Kii Mountain Range of Japan. For the pilgrims a thousand years ago, it was a welcome sanctuary.
Where there’s a mill, there’s a nay
The Tomioka Silk Mill was critical to Japan’s entry into the world of globalisation and modernisation. So why hasn’t it been recognised internationally?
Those little silver balls
You’ll see a lot of pachinko parlours in Japan but it’s a confusing game for outsiders. For the Japanese economy, though, it’s a huge earner!
Is Japan actually expensive?
Japan has a reputation for being a very expensive country to travel in. It certainly costs more than most of Asia, but how bad is it really?