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VOYAPON •

Shikanoshima: The Island Where Japan Met the World

Shikanoshima may be small, but its history reaches back to the very beginnings of Japan’s recorded past. Located at the mouth of Hakata Bay in Fukuoka Prefecture, the island is known for the discovery of a gold seal, believed to have been given by a Chinese emperor to a local ruler — one of the earliest physical pieces of evidence of Japan’s existence in written history. It was here, too, that the Mongol Empire launched two invasion attempts in the late 13th century, both of which ultimately fai...
VOYAPON •

A Torii Without a Shrine: The Forgotten History of Haneda Airport

Haneda is by far Japan’s busiest airport, handling well over 200,000 passengers each day. For many travelers, it is also their first encounter with Tokyo.


Yet very few of those people realize that just outside Haneda’s perimeter stands a lone torii (a traditional gate to a Shinto shrine) facing the runways. Unlike most torii in Japan, this one does not lead to a shrine, but marks the former site of Anamori Inari, a coastal shrine once central to the villages that occupied this land long befor...
JapanDen •

Inside Japan’s Vending Machine Culture

A vending machine dreamVending machines are literally everywhere in Japan. At first glance, they may seem ordinary, just another part of the urban landscape. Yet their sheer number is remarkable.Estimates vary, but Japan is believed to have roughly 4 to 5 million vending machines nationwide, or about one for every 25 to 30 people—among the highest per-capita concentrations in the world. Most sell drinks, from canned coffee to bottled tea. But even a “standard” machine can surprise overseas visit...
VOYAPON •

Why Omiya Deserves a Spot on Your Itinerary

Less than an hour from central Tokyo, Omiya in Saitama Prefecture is one of the region’s most important transportation hubs. Fifteen rail lines converge here—including six Shinkansen routes—making the city a gateway to northern and eastern Japan. That and the fact it has one of the country’s largest railway museums has turned Omiya into something of a pilgrimage site for train enthusiasts.


Despite this, Saitama has long carried the nickname “Dasaitama,” a mash-up of dasai (“uncool” or “lame”)...
VOYAPON •

Step Aboard the Soya: Tokyo’s Antarctic Icebreaker

Permanently moored in Odaiba (near the site of the now closed, ship-shaped Museum of Maritime Science) the retired icebreaker Soya has lived several lives. Built before WWII, repurposed during it, and later sent to Antarctica, the ship’s long career mirrors some of the most dramatic changes in Japanese history. Now preserved as a museum ship, Soya offers visitors an easy but rewarding stop, where decades of history unfold within a short, walkable visit along Tokyo Bay.


The Soya was first laid...
SETOUCHI REFLECTION TRIP •

A Nostalgic Japanese Landscape - A Relaxing Inn in the Mountains to Revitalize Your Body and Mind

In the quieter parts of Japan, life moves at a different pace. From thoughtfully renovated farmhouses and traditional ryokan to coastal villages and stunning natural landscapes, these accommodations offer a nostalgic retreat for guests who want to unwind and relax. What’s more, they provide a meaningful way to reconnect with the land and its traditions—by experiencing time-honored building techniques, local cuisine, and living history firsthand.
SETOUCHI REFLECTION TRIP •

Five Cycling Routes in Setouchi

Sandwiched between Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu, the Setouchi region is a calm, island-dotted corner of western Japan best known for its Mediterranean-like climate and sparkling inland sea. It’s also one of Japan’s premier cycling destinations, with a network of routes — most notably the iconic Shimanami Kaido, which links Onomichi in Hiroshima Prefecture with Imabari in Ehime Prefecture — that appeal to both casual and more professional cyclists.
VOYAPON •

From Osaka to Everywhere: How Mister Donut Won Over Japan

Only 30 minutes north of central Osaka, Minoh (also spelled Mino or Mino-o) is the kind of place that makes you forget you’re near one of Japan’s largest cities. Home to Minoh Falls, a 33-meter-high waterfall in one of Japan’s oldest (and smallest) quasi-national parks, the area has long been a favorite weekend escape for Osakans. But, Minoh also carries another somewhat unexpected claim to fame: it’s the birthplace of Japan’s donut obsession. In 1971, the very first Mister Donut opened its door...
VOYAPON •

Shibamata: Exploring Tokyo's Time Capsule

Located in the far northeast of Tokyo, along the Edo River which marks the border with Chiba Prefecture, you’ll find Shibamata. A town unlike many others, where Tokyo’s Showa-era charm is still part of daily life. From its centuries-old temple to a shopping street lined with local vendors and cafés, Shibamata offers something rare in a city obsessed with innovation: continuity. For film buffs, there’s even an entire museum dedicated to Otoko wa Tsurai yo — a long-running Japanese film series...
VOYAPON •

Fussa: Little America in Tokyo

Hidden away in Western Tokyo, a large area that once formed the northern part of Kanagawa Prefecture, Fussa might not be the first place that comes to mind when planning a day trip. Known for its quiet residential neighborhoods, the city, however, offers something you really can’t find anywhere else in Tokyo: a glimpse of retro Americana. Up and down National Route 16 (aka Fussa Base Side Street), you’ll find everything from antiques and vintage clothing to New York-style bagels and classic Amer...
Tokyo Weekender •

The Top 5 Shotengai Shopping Streets in Tokyo

If you truly want to experience Tokyo, or need to squeeze in some last-minute souvenir shopping before continuing your travels, consider spending a few hours in the city’s shotengai. Essentially meaning “shopping street,” the shotengai you’ll find here are diverse, ranging from pedestrian-filled streets with flashy signs and vendors loudly hawking their wares, to quiet, almost forgotten corners of Tokyo with mom-and-pop stores offering traditional goods.
Either way, shotengai often are found nea...
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