Dewa Sanzan, located along the borders of Tsuruoka, Nishikawa, and Shonai in Yamagata Prefecture, refers to the three sacred mountains: Mount Haguro, Mount Gassan, and Mount Yudono. During the Edo period, visiting these three mountains became known as a “Journey of Rebirth.” This journey symbolizes a pilgrimage through the present, past, and future. Mount Haguro – the present and prayers for happiness in the current life. Mount Gassan – the past and prayers for a peaceful aft

Growing up in a small town in Indonesia, famously known for its diversity of dialects—over 700, at least—being immersed in a multilingual...

When I moved to Japan about 8 years ago to start graduate school in Tokyo, I was acutely aware of the general attitude towards tattoos in Japan. As someone who sees tattoos as an expression of oneself and a form of art, I was initially worried about having to cover my own tattoos while living and traveling in Japan. Just to make sure I understand the basics of tattoo “etiquette” prior to moving, I learned that in general, I may not be able to enter the highly coveted Japanese

Japan's storied rail network is renowned worldwide for its punctuality, safety, and innovations in train technology—this is the country that developed the Shinkansen, or bullet train, after all. While the trains rightly get the plaudits they deserve, many of Japan’s stations—over 8,500 across the country—also stand on their own within rail folklore. Shimbashi in the central districts of Tokyo has the title of Japan’s oldest station, while the legendary Shinjuku terminal is wi

Throughout the history of Japan, thousands of castles have come and gone. While every castle has a unique look and a storied past, one...

Japan's cherry blossoms, also known as "sakura," are a rare and enchanting sight that only lasts roughly two weeks. However, Sakura's arrival changes the atmosphere of the country with a wave of anticipation and celebration. As spring approaches, news outlets forecast the blossoming and peak bloom periods while music programs play songs with cherry blossom themes. The streets come alive with accessories and culinary delights inspired by the iconic Sakura motif. The Kannonji