Stripes Japan

Nippon Professional Baseball: Home to Japan’s boys of summer

Ask your friends what the national sport of Japan is, and although many of them will give you the right answer (sumo, of course), some might say “it should be baseball.”

Baseball in Japan: The belle of the ballgame

One of the most unique aspects of Japanese baseball is how fans watch the game. While there are many families at stadiums, a ballgame is also a great social gathering place for businessmen.

Taste of Japan: Tender wagyu the reward for wait at steak restaurant in Yokohama

Thanks to its surroundings, an elegant port city of Yokohama is a treasure box of restaurants serving delicious meals.

Taste of Japan: Have tasty soba noodles in scenic Kiso Valley - Kurumaya

Kiso Valley in Nagano Prefecture is home to beautiful landscapes made up of majestic Japanese Alps, clean rivers and impressive villages where old traditional buildings, temples and shrines await.

Latest Stories

Get published in Stars and Stripes Destination Paradise magazine 2026-27

It’s time to book your flights and pack your bags to go on your next adventure! We know you love to travel as much as we do and being stationed in the Pacific provides great access to all the beautiful countries you never imagined you’d get to see.

Food

VIDEO: Taste of Japan: Making two types of Okonomiyaki

Often called Japanese pizza or pancake, Okonomiyaki is one of the most popular casual pan-fried dishes in Japan.

Videos

Japan Tip of the Day: Recycling PET bottles at grocery stores

Since my move to Japan, I have found many things to love, but also a few things that stress me out. One of those is off-base recycling.

Travel

The unspoken rules of umbrellas in Japan

From unspoken etiquette to environmental headaches—what’s really going on with umbrellas in Japan?

Food

Don’t skip Japan’s tasty burger chains

One December day I woke up and wanted a hamburger. Not a fancy hamburger, just a dry bun, squashed patty, spit of ketchup, and sprinkle of chopped onion. And maybe cheese. And fries. No soda.

Food

Green tea culture Japan vs Korea

When American friends come over to my place and ask for water, I hand them green tea stored in my refrigerator.

Food

Yakiniku, delightful fusion with Korean BBQ and sad history behind it

Yakiniku, known as Japanese BBQ, is a delightful fusion of Korean and Japanese flavors, originating from Korean BBQ.

Travel

VIDEO: Nippara Limestone Caves near Yokota AB, Japan

Soon the rainy season of tsuyu will kick in across the mainland, so you’ll want to seek dry shelter at a cool place.

Food

A guide to Japan’s family restaurant chains: Easy breezy family dining across the country

If you’re traveling to Japan with your entire family - particularly with little ones in tow - you may be wondering about quick, relatively inexpensive places to eat that cater to the whole crew.

Travel

Beautiful blossoms everywhere during Japan’s rainy season

We’ve finally headed into rainy season, aka “tsuyu” in Japanese, where not only is it raining a lot, but the heat and humidity might also be making you sweat buckets.