Japan

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PASMO, SUICA cards make Japan travel easy

When traveling within mainland Japan, the two most common transportation cards are PASMO and SUICA. Both cards allow you to use most of the trains and buses within Japan.
Photo by Chi-Hung Lin
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The belle of the Japanese 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.
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Food & Drink
Cuisine: Japanese

Everything you wanted to know about family restaurants in Japan

Located from the northern island of Hokkaido through the southernmost island of Okinawa, family restaurants, aka ‘famiresu’, offer a variety of unique menu items at a reasonable price, providing an indispensable dining facility for anybody in Japan.
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Head for Hakkoda! Explore northern Japan’s majestic mountain range

An amazing experience awaits nature lovers and curious travelers alike in the Hakkoda Mountains. Breathtaking vistas amid snowcapped mountains and emerald forests are guaranteed to inspire, while crisp air, babbling streams and chirping birds refresh. Then there are all the old-world hot springs.
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Puppy Travel Diaries: Japan to Georgia

A while ago, I wrote a post about a road trip that I took with my puppies. I had a long journey coming up (I called it The Great Adventure) and wanted to do a test trip to see what taking my two gremlins on the road would be like.
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Pitch a tent and explore Japan's great outdoors

Ah! The aroma of fresh coffee in the early morning forest air. The first slow sip before my friends wake up. I take a deep breath while surveying our campsite surroundings – the trees, river and rolling hills. Nothing beats camping!
Photos by Vicky Amin
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Food & Drink
Cuisine: Japanese

Street snacks of Japan: Affordable munchies for a richer experience

One thing I won’t easily forget about Japan is its food. To me, everything is great—from sushi and sashimi in gourmet restaurants, noodles and curry rice ordered using vending machines, to konbini or convenience stores's chilled bento boxes and pastries, everything seems to be made with heart.
Photos by Takahiro Takiguchi
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Real-life art in the present day of Kanazawa District, Yokohama

The Kanazawa district of Yokohama City, 10 miles north of Yokosuka Naval Base, was once known as a popular sightseeing attraction made up scenic shorelines and mountains, along with majestic Buddhist temples and library of samurai lord.
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Clam up and start digging in Japan

Clam digging, or Shiohigari, is one of many popular outdoor activities for all generations in Japan from April to the end of June. For me, it’s an annual rite to dig clams and cook the fresh catch of the day in the evening.
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Soul-searching in Japan’s sacred Kii Mountains

Wakayama’s rugged coastline and mountainous, heavily forested interior is home to some of Japan’s holiest shrines, temples and monasteries that date back over 1,200 years.
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Food & Drink
Cuisine: American

Go Nuts for Doughnuts… At Home

I’ve never made doughnuts before. This was my first time. I’m sure they will only get better the more I make them. So I started by doing a bit of research. Then I figured out what kind of doughnut I wanted and got to work.
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Food & Drink
Cuisine: Chinese

Dim Sum & Then Some in Hong Kong

I like to eat. No. I love to eat. But there were a few things I’d heard are particularly good in Hong Kong that I absolutely had to try.
Photos by Takahiro Takiguchi
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Food & Drink
Cuisine: Café

Meet with lovable reptiles in Yokohama

At Anettaisakan, or subtropical teahouse, aka Reptiles Café, you can make friends with various snakes, turtles and other reptiles while sipping on some Chinese tea.
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Get it all at a Japan convenience store

Located throughout Japan, convenience stores sell virtually everything you need in daily life.
Undoubtedly you’ve seen the many stores, or maybe used one to pay your bills, receive an Amazon shipment or withdraw cash at an ATM.
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Food & Drink
Cuisine: Japanese

How sake is categorized

Sake is classified according to the amount of the rice grain that has been polished away - the rice polishing ratio.
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Food & Drink
Cuisine: International

Enjoy tasty Cajun-style cuisine, fine wine near Yokosuka

With full-flavored Cajun food and a well-stocked wine list, Razio has the perfect pairings to make your mouth water.
Located near Kanazawa Bunko Station of the Keikyu Line, if you are at Yokosuka Naval Base, the rapid express from Yokosuka Chuo Station gets you there in just two stops.