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The Best Gardens in Japan
Rikugien Garden (Tokyo): It's not as centrally located as Tokyo's other gardens, but Rikugien stands out not only for its quintessentially Japanese setting but also because its vistas…
The Best Museums in Japan
Edo-Tokyo Museum (Tokyo): Housed in a high-tech modern building, this ambitious museum chronicles the fascinating and somewhat tumultuous history of Tokyo (known as Edo during the…
Frommer's Favorite Experiences in Japan
Long ago, Japanese ranked the three best of almost every natural wonder and attraction in their country: the three best gardens, the three best scenic spots, the three best waterfalls,…
Best Dining Bets in Japan
Experiencing a Kaiseki Feast: The ultimate in Japanese cuisine, kaiseki is a feast for the senses and spirit. Consisting of a variety of exquisitely prepared and arranged dishes, a…
Best Hotel Bets in Japan
The Best Traditional RyokanHiiragiya Ryokan (Kyoto; tel. 075/221-1136): If ever there was an example of the quintessential ryokan, Hiiragiya is it. Located in the heart of old Kyoto,…
Western-Style Accommodations in Japan
Western-style lodgings range from luxurious first-class hotels to inexpensive ones catering primarily to Japanese businessmen.When selecting and reserving your hotel room, contact…
A Cultural Primer in Japan
Traditional TheatreKabuki -- Probably Japan's best-known traditional theater art, kabuki is also one of the country's most popular forms of entertainment. Visit a performance and…
In Two Weeks in Japan
This is something of a whirlwind trip, but it allows you to take in some of the best that Honshu has to offer. If you have 1 or 2 extra days, you might wish to devote more time to…
In One Week in Japan
This trip takes you to Japan's highlights, from fast-paced Tokyo to the quiet temples of Kyoto, along with a couple of other worthwhile destinations. It's designed for first-timers, so…
Finding Temples, Hot Springs, and Snow Monsters in Quiet Northern Japan
This complete stillness Sinking into the very rocks The voice of cicadas That’s the haiku that Matsuo Bashō wrote after climbing the stone staircase to Risshakuji Temple in 1689.…
Japan Wants to Pay for Part of Domestic Travel To Boost Tourism
Hiroshi Tabata, chief of the Japanese Tourism Agency, announced in a press conference his intention to help revive visitation to his country by discounting vacations there. Tokyo's…
The Tourist Tax Is Becoming the Norm in Japan (and Other Places)
Bimyō (微妙) is an essential concept in Japanese culture. An embrace of ambiguity, of subtlety, of nuance, the word explains everyday conversations where nobody says exactly what they…
WATCH: Hilarious Video on How to Ride a Japanese Roller Coaster Without Screaming
Back in May, when amusement parks began reopening in Japan following coronavirus closures, owners imposed a widely reported ban on screaming while riding roller coasters. Letting out…
A Weak Yen Is Making Japan Vacations Cheaper Than They’ve Been in 30 Years
The U.S. dollar soared this week to its highest rate against Japan's yen since 1990. As of Friday, 1 dollar equates to around 157 yen, according to Reuters—the dollar's strongest…
10 Food Rules to Follow in Japan, Plus the Right Way to Eat Sushi
Have you ever felt intimidated to walk into a Japanese restaurant? With its rich and venerable food culture and emphasis on aesthetics and subtlety, the country has accumulated a large…
John P. Humes Japanese Stroll Garden
This serene Japanese garden is a wonderful refuge from the frenzied world, a truly surprising sanctuary set amid 4 acres of deep woodland. Step through the gate and you'll be awash in…
How to Experience Japan's Pop Culture, Sacred Pilgrimages, and Foods That Make You Live Longer
This is part one of a two-part interview from a recent edition of the Frommer's podcast. Pauline Frommer spoke with David McElhinney, author of the newly released Frommer's Japan…
The Best Temples & Shrines in Japan
Meiji Jingu Shrine (Tokyo): Tokyo's most venerable and refined Shinto shrine honors Emperor Meiji and his empress with simple yet dignified architecture surrounded by a dense forest.…
The Best National Parks in Japan
Nikko National Park: This 80,000-hectare (200,000-acre) national park centers on the sumptuous Toshogu Shrine with its mausoleum for Tokugawa Ieyasu, majestic cedars, and lakeside…
The Best Outdoor Pursuits in Japan
Climbing Mount Fuji: Okay, so climbing Japan's tallest -- 3,766m-high (12,355 ft.) -- and most famous mountain is not the solitary, athletic pursuit you may have envisioned -- but with…
Minding your P's & Q's in Japan
As an island nation with few natural resources, Japan's 127 million people are its greatest asset. Hardworking, honest, and proud about performing every task well no matter how…
Recommended Books, Films & Music in Japan
Japanese publisher Kodansha International (www.kodansha-intl.com) has probably published more books on Japan in English -- including Japanese-language textbooks -- than any other…
Japanese Ryokan Stays: Are They For You?
Traditional inns in come with traditions—many of them! Here's what to expect if you choose this type of lodging.
Autumn in Tokyo: Japan at its Best
Indulge in the changing of the leaves and the flavors of the season during Tokyo's most underrated time to visit.
The Art of Bathing: Japanese Hot Springs
October 8, 2004 -- The Japanese didn't invent the art of bathing (that was something the ancient Romans can take credit for), but they certainly have perfected it. Hot spring bathing…