JAPAN

Travel

VIDEO: City of Samurai: Step back in time in Aizu, Japan

Aizu region in Fukushima Prefecture accommodates a lot of historical sites, such as Tsurugajo Castle, Nishinkan School and Oyakuen Herb Garden, filled with rich heritage and traditions of samurai warriors.

Travel

VIDEO: A trip to Japan’s traditional countryside in Gokayama

See the landscape transform as you take a trip into Japan’s agricultural past, deep in the hills of Hokuriku region.

Travel

Money matters: Everything you need to know Japanese yen

If you are new to mainland Japan or Okinawa, local currency, and the conversion between dollars and yen, may leave you annoyed at the cash register.

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!


Latest Stories

Photo Of Table manners: Proper way to eat with chopsticks in Japan

Food & Drink

Table manners: Proper way to eat with chopsticks in Japan

Any meal in Japan is sure to include some form of chopsticks. Since their invention in ancient China more than 3,000 years ago, chopsticks have been widely used in Asian countries.

Photo Of Exploring Japan: Ziplining through Hakone’s beautiful forest

Travel

Exploring Japan: Ziplining through Hakone’s beautiful forest

Hakone is a beautiful town in a mountainous region blessed with impressive views of Mt. Fuji over Lake Ashinoko.


Videos


More Stories from Japan

Photo Of Traditional Coffee Shop Rikyu in Senju, Tokyo

Food & Drink

Traditional Coffee Shop Rikyu in Senju, Tokyo

Nibble on yokan jelly or sip freshly-brewed coffee in an antique cup.

Photo Of What is Forest Bathing in Japan?: Physical and mental wellbeing through forest therapy

Travel

What is Forest Bathing in Japan?: Physical and mental wellbeing through forest therapy

I first visited Japan when I was sixteen years old. A friend from Tokyo had invited me.

Photo Of Tasting Tokyo: Try top-notch Japanese tonkatsu in Meguro

Food & Drink

Tasting Tokyo: Try top-notch Japanese tonkatsu in Meguro

Only a 15-minute walk from the museum and park, you’ll find a top-notch tonkatsu restaurant.

Photo Of VIDEO: Don’t miss Japan’s rest areas while traveling along expressways

Travel

VIDEO: Don’t miss Japan’s rest areas while traveling along expressways

Smooth roads and convenience aside, Japan’s parking and service areas are another feature well worth hopping in a car to explore.

Photo Of VIDEO: Exploring Japan: A pleasant autumn stroll in scenic Hamamatsu

Travel

VIDEO: Exploring Japan: A pleasant autumn stroll in scenic Hamamatsu

Located on the Pacific coast in central Honshu and within a 3.5-hour drive from most military bases in the Kanto Plain, Hamamatsu is the largest city of Shizuoka Prefecture with over 776,118 people.

Photo Of Taste of Japan: Slurp some radish soba in Echizen

Food & Drink

Taste of Japan: Slurp some radish soba in Echizen

As you peruse Echizen’s traditional townhomes, shrines and temples on Teramachi Street, stop in for a bowl of soba steeped in over 600 years of history.

Photo Of Job Opening at Stars and Stripes: Multimedia, Digital, and Programmatic Sales Contractor

Community News

Job Opening at Stars and Stripes: Multimedia, Digital, and Programmatic Sales Contractor

Are you an experienced sales professional with a passion for multimedia and digital sales? Stars and Stripes is looking for independent contractors to join our team, working in Tokyo, Seoul, Okinawa, or Singapore.

Photo Of Stars and Stripes can help you customize T-shirts, tote bags!

Community News

Stars and Stripes can help you customize T-shirts, tote bags!

Stars and Stripes’ Printshop now offers customized T-shirts and tote bags.

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