Tokushima gets new Muslim-friendly, multinational café/guest house DARUMA
Photo Source: The Tokushima Shimbun Just a 10-min walk from Anan Station! With experience in running a Muslim-friendly soba (buckwheat noodle) restaurant in Tokushima, the Japanese company T.O FUTURE PLAN has opened the foreigner-friendly "DARUMA Café / Guest House" on Nov. 2022, welcoming Muslims and other multinational guests. The first floor is a cafe space that can be rented to be used as a cafe or plan an event, equipped with a Muslim-friendly certified*1 kitchen. The guesthouse on the second floor is the first halal-compliant accommodation facility in Tokushima, providing...
ONE PIECE x Kumamoto: Tour via your favourite characters with a special app
A group of students from Prefectural University of Kumamoto developed a smartphone app 'IKOU' to support reconstruction efforts of the areas stricken by the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes. By using the app, visitors can now tour around the earthquake's traces, together with the Straw Hat Pirates (characters) from the popular manga series 'ONE PIECE'. Source: ONE PIECE Kumamoto Revival Project's IKOU Official HP With 10 statues of the Straw Hat Pirates placed in 9 spots severely affected by the 2016 quake, this app is also part of the ONE PIECE Kumamoto Revival...
Tour in Japan’s scenic 7-star train, Top-ranked 2 years running
From immersive farm stays to biking expeditions, travelling by TRAIN is still one of the coolest– a true classic –way to explore Japan. For two years in a row, JR Kyushu's luxury cruise train "Seven Stars in Kyushu" has been voted the NO.1 train in the 2022 READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS conducted by Condé Nast Traveler, a leading US travel magazine. Blending Japanese and Western elements, "Seven Stars in Kyushu" train travels through Japan's island of Kyushu with complete amenities, including guest rooms, Japanese tea room, and lounge.Stopping at each of...
2 Muslim-friendly snow resorts for a worry-free snow fun
Come the winter months, which usually starts around December, Japan has tons to offer from skiing over the beautiful white snow, spectacular winter illuminations, to stunning ice festivals. Want to try out fun snow activities? Want to play but worry about food and prayer? If you answered YES for both questions, then these resorts are the one for you! (more…)
A treat for kitty fans! Kawaii cat-themed train station in Yokohama
If your a fan of trains and all things KAWAII (cute), then this is a place you must check out! Although trains are mainly used for people to reach their destinations, this subway station in Yokohama goes beyond that to even satisfy your eyes. Along the Yokohama Municipal Subway Blue Line, you will find a stop called "Odoriba Station" filled with designs all related to cats, from giant cat eyes on the wall to cats dancing on the ceiling lights. Even the train ticket has cats on it!Odoriba literally means...
Ghibli Park tickets for overseas individuals to go on sale in Jan 2023
Admission tickets for Ghibli Park, opened at Aichi in November 2022, will be on sale for overseas individual visitors from 10 Jan 2023 on 2pm (Japan time) on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors can buy from its English website for use in the period of 15 March – 30 April. No Face from Spirited Away, a part of Ghibli's Grand Warehouse (Source: Ghibli Park Official HP) The tickets this time will be limited to the noon admission slot for the park's main area, Ghibli's Grand Warehouse. From May onwards, overseas...
Muslim-friendly Ikeda (Osaka): 2 recommended cultural spots, halal/vegan food
If you're looking for somewhere calm– some quietness away from the metropolitan area –mixed with a cultural ambience around Osaka, Ikeda City is perfect for you! Located in the northern Osaka prefecture, 20 minutes away by Hankyū Train from Umeda, stroll around Ikeda City to immerse yourself in the local history and its beautiful nature. Check out two sightseeing spots you can visit there to experience Japanese culture, such as Rakugo (a Japanese traditional art form). When you're hungry, why not try one of these Muslim-friendly and vegan options, such...
How to ride Japan’s shinkansen (bullet train) following the new baggage rule
Fast, Convenient, Comfortable! Riding a bullet train (or 'Shinkansen' 新幹線 in Japanese) is probably one of the top must-do experiences for many travellers when visiting Japan. Japan's shinkansen network has multiple lines with the Tokaido Shinkansen (Tokyo - Nagoya - Kyoto - Osaka) being the most popular. Similar to airplanes, the shinkansen have seat and class categories: Ordinary and Green Car, with reserved or non-reserved seats.Plus, a new rule was implemented in May 2020 that requires passengers to book in advance if they have any baggage between 160cm and 250cm...
Journey to Amami Oshima Island Part 1
Hi everyone! Konnichiwa! Let me introduce myself. You can call me Hood; I'm from Malaysia, and my favourite food is the infamous sushi!I have been living in Japan for 7 years: 2 years studying in Okayama and 5 years working in Japan. I spent most of my years in Kagoshima prefecture, my second home, or in Japanese, we say Dai Ni no Furusato. (more…)
5 Most Beautiful Winter Destinations in Japan
One of the reasons why I love Japan is because Japan has so many to offer throughout the seasons. Spring with its beautiful sakura (cherry blossom), Summer with its advanced technology of hanabi (fireworks), Autumn with its gorgeous golden-red-orange colour trees and Winter with its outstanding mountainous landscape covered with snow. (more…)
Muslim bento in Yonezawa, To let tourists enjoy local Yonezawa food
Under the SDGs philosophy of 'No One Will Be Left Behind', students from Kurino Gakuen High School in Yonezawa City have been developing Halal bentos (lunchboxes) since this spring, so that Muslim travellers can enjoy local food in Yonezawa. What kind of a place is Yonezawa? Scroll down to find out more! (more…)
Klook Visit Japan Promo, JNTO Asia Campaign kicked off in 11 Asian countries
Klook, Asia's largest attractions, tours, and activities booking platform, has launched a unique Japan tourist attraction promo "KonnichiWOW!" for 11 countries in the Asia-Pacific Region. The platform is also running a large-scale collaboration campaign "Asia Campaign" with Japan National Tourist Organisation (JNTO) for 9 Asian countries. ■ Targeted Countries・KonnichiWOW! Campaign: Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, South Korea, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand・Asia Campaign: Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, South Korea, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia As part of these campaigns, visitors can find out all kinds of sightseeing experiences...