Haneda or Narita? | Which Tokyo Airport Should You Choose? | Ep.39

Toyama may not be as famous as Tokyo or Kyoto, but it’s quickly gaining international attention. Named one of The New York Times’ 52 Places to Go in 2025, Toyama combines dramatic mountain scenery, traditional villages, local sake, and some of Japan’s freshest seafood. In this episode of Japan Story, we count down five reasons Toyama deserves a place on your Japan itinerary. #5 Toyama Bay — Where the Mountains Meet the Sea Discover the spectacular contrast of Toyama Bay and the towering Tateyama mountain range. #4 Tateyama Kurobe — A Dramatic Mountain Experience Explore the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, famous for breathtaking mountain scenery and its spectacular seasonal Snow Walls. #3 Gokayama — Step Into Old Japan Visit traditional mountain villages filled with distinctive gassho-zukuri houses and experience a quieter side of Japan at this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bonus: Toyama Glass Art Museum Discover Toyama’s modern side through glass art and design inside the striking TOYAMA Kirari building. #2 Toyama Sake — Mountains, Rice & Water Learn how Toyama’s natural environment, pure water, and rice contribute to its local sake culture—and why sake pairs so well with the region’s cuisine. #1 Sushi & Seafood — The Taste of Toyama Bay From shiro-ebi white shrimp and hotaru-ika firefly squid to seasonal yellowtail and masu-zushi, Toyama is an unforgettable destination for seafood lovers. Mountains, sea, traditional Japan, sake, and incredible sushi—Toyama might just be one of Japan’s best-kept travel secrets. #JapanTravel #Toyama #ToyamaJapan #JapanFood #JapaneseSushi #JapaneseSake #Tateyama #Gokayama #JapanCulture #JapanStory

You probably don’t travel to Japan thinking about bread—but maybe you should. Japanese bakeries have taken bread from around the world and transformed it with unique flavors, textures, and plenty of creativity. In this episode of Japan Story, we explore five things to try at a Japanese bakery: #5 Melon Pan Try this sweet, fluffy bun with a crisp cookie-like outer layer—and discover why it usually doesn’t taste like melon. #4 Anpan A Japanese classic filled with sweet red bean paste and a perfect example of how Japan adapted Western bread to local tastes. #3 Shokupan Discover why Japanese white bread is famous for its incredibly soft, fluffy texture and thick slices. #2 Curry Pan Enjoy Japanese curry wrapped inside bread, often coated in breadcrumbs and fried until crispy. #1 Sōzai Pan Explore Japan’s creative world of savory breads, from yakisoba pan and croquette sandwiches to sausage, tuna, and corn varieties. Japan didn’t simply adopt bread—it made bread completely its own. So next time you visit Japan, grab a tray and some tongs and explore a local bakery. #JapanTravel #JapaneseBakery #JapaneseBread #MelonPan #Anpan #Shokupan #CurryPan #JapaneseFood #JapanCulture #JapanStory

Japan takes on a completely different atmosphere after the sun goes down. From dazzling city views and late-night ramen to quiet temples and peaceful onsen towns, there’s much more to Japan at night than neon and nightlife. In this episode of Japan Story, we explore five nighttime experiences to try in Japan: #5 See Japan from Above Take in the incredible city lights from observation decks in Tokyo and other major Japanese cities. #4 Eat Late-Night Ramen Experience the Japanese tradition of ending a night out with a warm bowl of ramen. #3 Visit a Temple or Shrine at Night Discover a quieter and more atmospheric side of Japan through illuminated temples, shrines, and seasonal nighttime events. #2 Explore a Yokocho Step into narrow alleys filled with tiny izakaya, yakitori shops, lanterns, and the lively social atmosphere of Japan after dark. #1 Stay in an Onsen Town at Night Put on a yukata, walk through lantern-lit streets, enjoy a hot spring, and experience one of Japan’s most relaxing ways to spend an evening. Japan after dark isn’t just about bars, crowds, and neon. Sometimes the perfect night is simply a quiet street, a yukata, and one more soak in an onsen. #JapanTravel #JapanAtNight #JapanNightlife #TokyoNight #Yokocho #JapaneseFood #Onsen #JapanCulture #JapanStory

Japan’s cherry blossoms may get most of the attention, but autumn can be just as spectacular. From fiery red maple leaves to giant golden ginkgo trees, fall reveals a completely different side of Japan. In this episode of Japan Story, we explore five incredible places to experience Japan’s fall colors: #5 Nikko, Tochigi Discover colorful mountains, Lake Chuzenji, Kegon Falls, and the famous Irohazaka winding road. #4 Kusatsu Onsen, Gunma Combine beautiful autumn scenery with one of Japan’s most famous hot spring towns. Bonus Stop: Tokyo See the golden ginkgo avenue at Meiji Jingu Gaien and discover beautiful fall colors without leaving the city. #3 Kyoto Experience autumn among temples and shrines, including Kibune Shrine, Eikando, and Kiyomizu-dera. #2 Big Yellow, Aomori See the spectacular giant ginkgo tree at Kitakanegasawa turn brilliant golden yellow. #1 Shiretoko Five Lakes, Hokkaido Experience the wild side of Japan’s autumn with colorful forests, peaceful lakes, and dramatic mountain scenery. From historic temples and mountain onsen towns to golden ginkgo trees and the wilderness of Hokkaido, autumn is one of the most beautiful times to explore Japan. #JapanTravel #JapanAutumn #FallColors #Nikko #KusatsuOnsen #Kyoto #Aomori #Hokkaido #Shiretoko #JapanStory

Japan’s café culture is much more than just grabbing a cup of coffee. From modern specialty coffee shops to nostalgic kissaten, cafés offer a unique way to experience Japanese food, culture, and everyday life. In this episode of Japan Story, we explore five café experiences to try in Japan: #5 Modern Specialty Coffee Discover Japan’s carefully crafted hand-drip coffee and independent specialty cafés. #4 Japanese Pancake Cafés Try the famous fluffy soufflé pancakes, often served with cream, fruit, and seasonal toppings. #3 Matcha & Traditional Japanese Cafés Enjoy matcha with wagashi and other traditional Japanese sweets in a relaxing atmosphere. #2 Japan’s “Morning” Café Culture Experience Japan’s unique café breakfast tradition, especially famous in Nagoya, with coffee, thick toast, eggs, and even ogura toast. #1 Step Back in Time at a Kissaten Visit a nostalgic Japanese coffee shop with hand-brewed coffee, retro interiors, classic food, and a slower pace that feels like stepping into another era. From modern coffee to old-school kissaten, Japan’s cafés are another fascinating way to discover the country. #JapanTravel #JapanCafe #Kissaten #JapaneseCoffee #Matcha #JapaneseFood #JapanCulture #JapanStory