A Treasure Trove of Japanese History: Discovering the Taito City

Jan 31, 2023 | News On Japan

TOKYO - If you’re in Tokyo and looking to explore the city’s rich cultural traditions, we recommend that you visit the Taito City area.

As the stage of some of Tokyo’s most well-known tourist attractions and beautiful neighborhoods, Taito-ku is an excellent choice for experiencing some of the many unique aspects of Japanese culture. Take in the atmosphere of Tokyo’s oldest temple and the surrounding alleys oozing with Japanese traditional history and enjoy life as a local by staying at a traditional ryokan inn, where you’ll have the chance to enjoy a typical, delicious multi-course meal served in Japanese style, and end the day with a soothing bath.

Sensoji Temple, in the Asakusa area, is the perfect spot to take in Japan’s history and traditions. Founded in 645, the temple is the oldest in Tokyo and now attracts millions of visitors all year round. As you reach its grounds, you’ll be greeted by the monumental Kaminarimon gate marking the entrance to Nakamise-dori, a colorful shopping street lined with stalls selling all kinds of traditional souvenirs and Japanese delicacies, including the popular ningyo yaki, small cakes with a red bean paste filling that come in various shapes including lanterns, dolls, and birds.

At the end of Nakamise-dori is the Hozomon, another big gate welcoming you to Sensoji’s main temple grounds. From here, you can take a tour around the main hall and take some breathtaking shots of the vermillion five-story pagoda, overlooking a pond brimming with lively koi fish.

For an even more memorable experience, you can rent a traditional Japanese kimono or yukata at one of the many stores around the area and enjoy taking beautiful photos that will double as a treasured memento of your trip. ...continue reading

Typhoon No. 18 Nears Okinawa as Four Storms Surround Japan

A very strong Typhoon No. 18 is forecast to make its closest approach to Okinawa's main island from the night of August 25 into the early hours of August 26, bringing violent winds, torrential rain and waves exceeding 9 meters near the storm's center as unstable weather continues across wide areas of Japan. As of 3 a.m. on August 25, Typhoon No. 18 was located about 120 kilometers southeast of Minamidaito Island and was moving west-northwest at 20 kilometers per hour.

Osaka Couple Donate 400 Million Yen for Giant Myaku-Myaku Statue at Expo Site

An 85-year-old couple have donated a combined 400 million yen to Osaka City with a request that the money be used to create a giant Myaku-Myaku statue about 20 meters tall at the former site of the Osaka-Kansai Expo, envisioning a landmark that could become a lasting symbol of the event and of renewed prosperity for Kansai and Japan.

Lawson to Cut Onigiri Prices by 10 Yen

Lawson plans to cut prices on its main line of onigiri rice balls by 10 yen from September 29 as falling rice prices begin to feed through to retail costs.

Taiji Boosts Security Against Anti-Whaling Activists

Police have established a temporary police post in the whaling town of Taiji, Wakayama Prefecture, ahead of the September 1 opening of the annual drive hunt for whales and dolphins.

Taiwanese Woman Accused of Pouring Oil on National Treasure

A 39-year-old woman from Taiwan has been arrested on suspicion of pouring an oil-like liquid on the national treasure Buddha Footprint Stone at Yakushiji Temple in Nara in April, police said.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Travel NEWS

220-Meter Skybridge Opens at Biwako Valley in Shiga

A new 220-meter pedestrian suspension bridge has been completed at Biwako Valley in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, offering visitors sweeping views of Lake Biwa from mountains about 1,100 meters above sea level.

Taiji Boosts Security Against Anti-Whaling Activists

Police have established a temporary police post in the whaling town of Taiji, Wakayama Prefecture, ahead of the September 1 opening of the annual drive hunt for whales and dolphins.

Typhoon No. 18 Disrupts Flights as ANA Cancels 119 Services

Air travel in Okinawa is beginning to be disrupted by the approach of Typhoon No. 18, with All Nippon Airways canceling 119 flights and more than 20,000 passengers expected to be affected.

Kyoto Expands Night Tourism

Kyoto is stepping up efforts to capture Japan's growing nighttime economy, with Toei Kyoto Studio Park extending its hours to 9 p.m., a new theater drawing visitors near Kyoto Station and nighttime tours expanding in Gion as the city seeks to encourage tourists to stay out longer and explore more areas after dark.

Hokkaido Town Keeps Its Steam Railway Heritage Alive

The whistle of a steam locomotive still echoes through the mountains of Engaru in northeastern Hokkaido, where the historic Amemiya No. 21 continues to run through a region once sustained by forestry.

Foreign Tourist Attacked by Bear at Lake Towada in Aomori

A foreign tourist was injured after being attacked by a bear near an observation deck on the shore of Lake Towada in Towada, Aomori Prefecture, on August 22, suffering a bite to his right arm and a bruised right shoulder.

Woman Swept Away by Flash Flood Survives Eight Days in Gunma Mountains

A 56-year-old woman who was swept away by a flash flood while climbing a mountain stream in Minakami, Gunma Prefecture, was rescued alive on August 17 after surviving eight days in the remote mountains with a broken heel, relying on food she had brought with her, stream water and her knowledge of the area until anglers found her sitting on a forest road.

Mount Fuji Climbing Fee of 4,000 Yen Helps Eliminate Bullet Climbs

The measures were introduced in response to concerns over reckless climbing, including attempts to reach the summit without staying overnight at a mountain hut or taking sufficient rest. Under the current system, climbers who do not have reservations are restricted from beginning their ascent after 2 p.m., helping discourage people from climbing through the night without adequate preparation.

< 2 3 4 5 >