Japan tips
January 28, 2026
The Ume Blossom: Japan's First Sign of Spring
While winter still seems to have Japan firmly in its grip, spring is already quietly announcing its arrival. Not with cherry blossoms and picnic blankets, but with a delicate fragrance wafting through the cold air—the ume blossom. Usually at the end of January, sometimes not until the beginning of February, the first delicate blossoms of the Japanese apricot tree open, marking the very first peak of flowering of the year. For many Japanese people, the ume blossom is more than just a botanical event. It is a cultural symbol, an occasion for rituals, festivals, and culinary traditions.
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Dec. 23, 2025
Japan and its 8 regions – a journey through diversity, contrasts, and culture
Japan is a country of contrasts: ultra-modern metropolises and centuries-old temples, snow-capped mountains and subtropical islands, tranquil Zen gardens and vibrant neon districts. To truly understand Japan, one should not view the country as a single entity, but rather as a mosaic of eight very different regions. Each of them has its own character, its own traditions—and its own unique highlights. A journey through Japan's regions is a journey through history, nature, and the present all at once.
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Nov 6, 2025
Between light and paper - Japan's lanterns and the silent magic of light
If you stroll through the narrow streets of Kyoto at night, you might hear the soft click of bicycle chains, the distant clink of dishes, and hanging above it all: round, cylindrical, sometimes oval shapes made of bamboo and paper that seem so delicate that you wonder how they can even withstand the wind and rain. These lanterns are called chochin and they are so commonplace in Japan that although they are everywhere, you rarely really notice them.
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Yuru-kyara: The success story of Japanese mascots
In Japan, almost everything is a bit cuter. From police cars to sewage offices - almost every institution, every city and every company has a mascot. These cuddly characters are present on posters, packaging, souvenirs and election posters. But there is more than just kitsch behind the army of fluffy faces. Mascots are part of the cultural DNA in Japan.
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Liquid gold - A journey through Japan's whisky distilleries
Over the past two decades, whisky from Japan has developed from an insider tip for connoisseurs to an international prestige product. Characterized by craftsmanship, respect for nature and a penchant for perfection, there has been a real boom in Japanese whisky since 2015. Many distilleries regularly open their doors for guided tours.
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Interplay of the elements - the best time to travel to Japan
Hardly any other destination embodies the changing seasons as sensually, ritually and visually impressive as Japan. For many, a trip there is a long-cherished dream. But when is the trip most worthwhile? Spring, summer, fall and winter - each season has its advantages...
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Izakayas in Japan: cultural diving, sharing & drinking
When the sun sinks behind the rooftops in Japan and the neon lights begin to flicker, they come to life: Izakayas. Izakayas are much more than places to drink and eat. They are vibrant microcosms of everyday life in Japan, social melting pots and cultural experiences.
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Ginza - Tokyo's glittering microcosm of luxury, culture and history
Anyone strolling through the streets of Tokyo will quickly realize that this city is full of contrasts - and almost nowhere is this more evident than in Tokyo's famous Ginza district.
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Green tea in Japan - ritual, art of cultivation, everyday drink
From Zen meditation to PET bottles: green tea has undergone a development in Japan that is deeply rooted in the culture - and at the same time is constantly breaking new ground.
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Kumamoto: nature, culture and culinary delights
In the southwest of Japan, on the third largest island of Kyushu, lies a region that is a treasure trove in many respects: Kumamoto. This prefecture is not only known for its majestic castle, but also for its breathtaking natural wonders, eventful history and cuisine that warms the heart and soul.
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State of emergency: Golden Week in Japan
Every year from the end of April to the beginning of May, Japan turns into a country on the move because it's Golden Week! Golden Week is one of the longest and most popular vacation periods in the country. For many Japanese, it is a rare opportunity to escape the stress of everyday working life and spend a few days with family, friends or traveling.
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11 Apr 2025
Yuzu, mikan, kabosu, hassaku & co: Japan's citrus fruits - diverse and aromatic
The Japanese love citrus fruits in all their variations and flavors. Known as "kankitsu" in Japan, the country probably has the largest variety in the world. There are currently over 100 known varieties of citrus in Japan, and the different types of citrus are among the Japanese's favorite fruits.
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