Stripes Japan

Nature, art and koi fish at Tokyo’s UWS Aquarium Ga-Kyo in Odaiba

Experience the beauty of nature, Zen and Japanese traditions at a new art aquarium in Tokyo’s Odaiba.

VIDEO: 3 great attractions in Hachinohe City near Misawa AB

As the temperatures start to warm in the northern regions of Japan, it’s time to get out and enjoy a day trip or two.

VIDEO: Japan Kitchen: Kanten jelly - a sweet, healthy alternative

As a kid, every New Year I would look forward to a sweet jelly called kouhaku kanten. Kanten is a jelly made from boiled tengusa algae and seaweed. It is known for being low-calorie and rich in fiber, so it is often used as a healthy alternative to regular sweets.

Travel

Oshino Village in Yamanashi: Exploring the home of pure water

Oshino Village is home to a set of eight ponds that were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2013.

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Food & Drink

Dry it yourself: The tasty art of dried persimmon

Eaves hung with heart-shaped persimmons is a classic fall scene in the Japanese countryside.

Travel

VIDEO: Exploring Japan: Beyond the airport, Narita home to countless attractions

In the northeastern part of the Kanto Plain, Narita is where most overseas visitors land when they first arrive to Japan.

Videos

Cicada Sake and Teahouse in Kumamoto: What was lost, is now found

A story my mother-in-law tells me, made me reminisce of the musings of Louise Bourgeois, a French American artist losing herself in her hometown. “

Travel

VIDEO: Virtual Vacation: Yamaguchi, Japan

Welcome to virtual vacation video series where we can explore destinations from the comfort of our homes.

Food & Drink

Taste of Japan: Satisfy your soy sauce cravings at Chiba’s Kikkoman factory

I can’t live without soy sauce. I can’t help but sprinkle it on virtually anything. From sushi, tempura and other Japanese dishes to rib steak, cutlet, pasta and even, salads, soy sauce is a must regardless of what I’m eating.

Food & Drink

Enjoy eel with a French twist near Hardy Barracks

In Japan, we often go to unagi (freshwater eel) restaurants on special occasions or when we want to recharge from hustle and bustle of daily life, especially during the unbearable, steamy summer months.

Travel

VIDEO: Exploring Japan: Kinugawa Onsen a superb overnight tourist destination

Kinugawa Onsen is a mineral hot spring destination near Nikko.

Travel

Submit photos for Welcome to the Pacific magazine by Jan. 22, 2025

Have you ever dreamed about having your photo featured on the cover of a magazine?In May 2025, the next edition of our annual Stars and Stripes Welcome to the Pacific magazine will hit the streets, and we’re looking for you, our readers, to help make it the best ever!