TRAVEL
Kimono Rental Shops in Japan: What’s Real, What’s Fake, & How Not to Get Swindled
Learn about the different types of kimono styles and how to tell serious, traditional shops apart from the TikTok trends.
kyoto
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JAPANESE LANGUAGE
Why This Japanese Phrase from Kansai Sounds Strange to the Rest of Japan
It's a phrase that confuses Tokyoites. But to many in the Kansai region, it's a daily expression rooted in the region's unique…
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Japan’s Inbound Tourism Crowds Into Just Seven Prefectures: Report
A Tokyo Shimbun and Kyodo analysis of 2025 smartphone-location data finds seven prefectures account for 72 of Japan's top 100 inbound-tourist hotspots,…
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Surviving Summer: A Traveler’s Guide to Japan’s New Era of Extreme Heat
You CAN travel to Japan during the summer. It just takes a little preparation. Here are some tips for where to go…
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Scenic Train Journeys in Japan That You Can’t Miss
Sometimes, it really is more about the journey than the destination. Here are some romantic train rides in Japan that prove it.
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More Than Matcha: A Guide to Uji, a Kyoto Travel Gem
Discover temples, tea culture, and hidden history just outside Kyoto.
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Kyoto City May Partially Ban Vacation Rentals to Give Residents Tourist Relief
The city's mayor won't rule out creating "zero-day vacation rental" zones in residential areas in response to chronic complaints.
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Japan Sets New February Tourism Record Despite China Boycott
Travel from other countries offset a 45.2% drop from a nation that used to lead the pack in Japan tourism.