Former Deep Japan Writer Advice List

Yokohama Treasures: Nippon Maru and the Maritime Museum

Walk out of Sakuragicho Station towards either Queen's Square or the ocean and you can't miss it. The Nippon Maru, in all its magnificence, a Yokohama landmark since 1984. It was built in 1930 in Kobe as a training ship for cadets, and has for 54 years until her retirement trained some 11,500 cadet…(474 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Yokohama Museum Yokohama Treasures Nippon Maru History

Yokohama Treasures: Yokohama Museum of Art

Yokohama is rife with things to do and see, boasting countless places to eat and enjoy oneself. There is old and new, local and international, every shade of interesting to delight in. Soon, visitors from all over the country and world will flock here to marvel at blossoming "sakura" (cherry trees)…(309 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Yokohama Art Museum City Restaurant Visit Building History Landmark Tower Yokohama Treasures

Yokohama Hanami Hotspots

It's that time of year again, when we look forward to warmer weather and the rebirth of spring. In Japan, that also means the brief return of "sakura" (cherry blossoms) and "hanami" (flower viewing). All across the country, cherry trees will explode in whites and light-and-dark pinks, inviting peop…(227 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Yokohama Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing) City Visit Park Spring Cherry blossom Sport Flower Beauty

Running Around in Yokohama

I often write reviews and articles about restaurants in Yokohama, but what do I with the all the calories that come with the job? Well, like many of the 3.7 million people who live here, I run. And there really is no better city in Japan to do just that.Yokohama is chock-full of running routes,…(230 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Yokohama running City Event English Kanagawa

Make a Break for Coffee

The cold and wet of these last few weeks has certainly put me in the mood for coffee. And I can think of no better place for a better cup of it than Café Elliott Avenue in Yokohama.Café Elliott Avenue has been a local favourite for years, run by Seattle-trained baristas Junko and Kengo, who mak…(216 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Coffee Yokohama Cafe Yamashita Park Food Lunch

Valentine's Day in Japan

Japan is well-known for putting its unique spin on western holidays. Christmas, Halloween, even St. Patrick's Day - so why not Valentine's Day?The chocolatier Morozoff Ltd. introduced Japan to Valentine's Day back in 1936. By the mid 1950s, after it had marketed a hugely successful campaign of …(288 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Yokohama Event Holidays City Department store Christmas chocolate tradition custom Sogo

Yokohama's "Akarenga Soko" Red Brick Warehouse

The "Akarenga Soko" Red Brick Warehouse is one of Yokohama's most popular destinations for both tourists and locals alike. It's a great place to enjoy a walk or small picnic, or just sit around and stare at the sea. Because of its large open spaces, Akarenga is often the site for events - so there'…(202 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Yokohama Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Park Summer Food Beer Souvenir Sea Winter Walk

Yokohama's Best BBQ and Beer

Bashamichi Taproom is now celebrating their 4th year of serving locals and guests some of the most amazing authentic American-style barbecue and first rate craft beer. The restaurant, located in an area filled with jazz bars, coffee shops, and an exciting night life, has three floors, and is actual…(215 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Yokohama Beer BBQ Food Cuisine Restaurant style Drink

Stay at Your Home Sweet Away From Home

I recently required a place to stay at to finish up some work-related projects, but I dreaded the distractions from working at home. I needed somewhere that was enough like home but far enough away from it where I could seriously knuckle down, concentrate, and get things done. I thought about becom…(506 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Stay Roppongi Hotel Luxury Tokyo Dining Visit Convenience store

Make Friends with Great Food at AMI in Ishikawacho

Ami is a wonderful Japanese-Euro fusion bistro that's located just around the corner from Ishikawacho Station. It’s a tiny, comfortably cozy place run by well-known local chef, Yasu. Bossa nova jazz-infused music fills the atmosphere; the interior is left intentionally sparse, so as not to distract…(151 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Restaurant Yokohama Food Ishikawacho Cuisine Wine Drink

Italian Deliciousness in Delightful Izu

Izu is a favourite go-to locale for Japanese and tourists alike; its seaside hotels, hot springs, and some of the freshest seafood in the country are only a few of the reasons why. I recently spent a few nights there (in the Ito region) partaking in so much that the peninsula has to offer.So im…(225 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Izu Pennisula Restaurant Italian cuisine Hotel Seafood Food Pizza Drink

Start Your Deeper Sushi Education

Sushi. One of life’s little delicious pleasures. Say the word and images of towers of empty plates at kaiten (“conveyer belt”) sushi shops spring to mind. The food is so popular that the once only-in-Japan item can now be found around the world in nearly every supermarket’s take-away section.If…(346 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Sushi Food Cuisine Education Tokyo Shibuya Spring Walk Shop Sake (Rice wine)

SinKaya: Shibuya's Heavenly Secret

Shibuya's Dogenzaka has a reputation for its seedier side, albeit safe for those adventurous enough to wander its streets. One of its oldest areas, called Hyakkendana ("100 Shops"), is usually shunned by tourists and only ever used as a short-cut for locals.And it's exactly that reason why SinK…(336 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Shibuya Restaurant Izakaya Tokyo Drink Food Beef Shochu Beer Cuisine

The Absolute Best Burritos in Japan: Cactus Burrito

Cactus Burrito offers California "San Diego-style" burritos like no one else in Japan. They’re located just a few minutes’ walk from Musashi-Shinjō Station on the JR Nanbu Line in Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki.Their shop is tiny, but their menu is impressive. In addition to the regular assortment of Mex…(269 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Kawasaki Food Buritto Mexican Cuisine Beer Restaurant Drink

Coconoma Season Dining

I recently visited Roppongi for a day of museum hopping:http://www.deepjapan.org/a/3738Before I got started, however, I stopped by Coconoma Season Dining for lunch. They're located in the chic Roppongi Hotel and Residence building in 1-chome, just a few minutes walk from Tokyo Metro's Roppong…(270 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Roppongi Italian cuisine Dining Roppongi Hills Cuisine

Art in the Heart of Roppongi

Roppongi is usually talked about for its high and night life, but it's equally well-known as home to two of the most astounding art museums in Tokyo, if not all of the country. Within walking distance of each other, these must-experience venues should be definitely be included in your itinerary whi…(210 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Art Roppongi Museum Roppongi Hills Visit

History in Iron and Steel at Saitama's Railway Museum

If your kids love trains or if you're a railway buff at heart, look no further. Have I got the museum for you! Located in Saitama, Saitaima, Japan, the Railway Museum （鉄道博物館） is a treasure trove of all things related to Japanese trains - past, present, and future.The museum opened in 2007 …(220 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Museum History Railway Museum Railways Saitama Train

Tourist Tip #8: How to Pray at Temples and Shrines

Whether a tourist or native, visits to temples and shrines are par for the course while in Japan. While there are – usually – no strict rules aside from using common sense and exercising common courtesy (be considerate to others, mindful of property, no smoking, respect no photographing signs, …(352 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Tourist Tip Tera (Temple) Jinjya (Shrine) Praying Drink Coin Bowing

Kyoto - City of...Falafel?

Falafel Garden has been a staple hangout for Kyoto locals since 2004. I was first taken there (by a Kyoto local) two years ago, only to be - like everyone else who's been there - completely astounded by one of the best falafels I have ever eaten. The food at Falafel Garden is made with "organic…(280 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Food City Kyoto Restaurant Cuisine Lunch vegetarian Vegan

A Temple Less Crowded yet Equally Divine

Say the word Kyoto and immediately images of temples and shrines and all things traditionally Japanese spring to mind. It's Kyoto's inseparable association with the most beautiful and noble that Japan has to offer that makes it a choice destination for over 50,000,000 tourists that visit "The City …(399 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Kyoto Tera (Temple) Jinjya (Shrine) City Visit Travel Park

Wine and Dine - Ninja Style!

I'm usually averse to theme-restaurants, especially the more obviously themed ones, but Ninja Kyoto Restaurant and Labyrinth in - where else - Kyoto has been put on my top-ten list of must visits while in the city.The venue is actually three different shops. There's Dining Theater Ninja, a "the…(475 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Food Kyoto Restaurant style Dining Cuisine Drink City Akasaka

Japan's Money Men and Women (Part 2 of 2)

Ichiyo Higuchi (May 2, 1872 – November 23, 1896) is the pen name of Japanese author Natsu Higuchi, also known as Natsuko Higuchi. She was a short story writer, and Japan's first prominent writer. Although she died very young, at 24, her stories have had a massive impact on Japanese literature and i…(155 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Japanese money Yen Famous people

Japan's Money Men and Women (Part 1 of 2)

Have you ever wondered about the people who appear on Japanese paper money? Here's a quick two-part article to familiarize you with the famous faces that grace Japan's bank notes.Hideyo Noguchi (November 24, 1876 – May 21, 1928), also known as Seisaku Noguchi, was a distinguished Japanese bacteriol…(131 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Japanese money Yen Famous people

Cajun & Creole Cooking and Craft Beer at Nawlins BBQ House, Yokosuka

Sushi. Natto. Takoyaki. We all love Japanese food, but sometimes that inexplicable mood hits hard and you've just got to have some good old fashion BBQ. Thanks to Nawlins, Yokosuka’s first Cajun and Creole restaurant, you can satiate that craving any time you please. Nawlins serves delicious sl…(341 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Beer Yokosuka BBQ cooking Drink Restaurant Food Yokohama

Tourist Tip #7: DON'T!

Nobody wants to do the wrong thing when visiting a foreign country, and with Japan regarded as one of the politest countries in the world, there are plenty of wrong things that one can unintentionally D'oh!I posted a "Tourist Tip #5: Five Don'ts to Do" list a while back, and thought I would exp…(495 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Tourist Tip Etiquette Guide Taxicab Train Drink Beer Party

Yakimono: Japanese Pottery and Porcelain

Japanese pottery and porcelain, often referred to as 'Yakimono', is as beautiful as it is useful. It's also one of the world's oldest art forms dating back to the Neolithic period."Yakimono means fired thing. It's an important term that encompasses the entire ceramic culture of Japan," states t…(254 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Gallery Pottery Yakimono Kyoto Art Japanese pottery and porcelain Porcelain

Museums Off the Beaten Track

Japan is rife with museums of all shapes and sizes. There's the National Museum in Ueno, MoMAT in Tokyo, and Yokohama's Museum of Art. There's also the Silk and Doll Museum in Yokohama, and Shibuya's Bunkamura. Japan's food manias are even immortalized, like at Shin-Yokohama's Ramen Museum.But …(445 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Museum Visit City Tokyo Yokohama Shibuya Art Food History

Casual Waterfront Lunch or Dinner in Yokohama

Babel Bayside Kitchen is a craft beer and wine charcoal grill located in Yokohama Station's Bay Quarter (SOGO side). They've been serving delicious foods and drinks to all types of customers since April, 2013.In addition to their wonderful dishes, Babel Bayside Kitchen also boasts a prime water…(262 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Bay Quarter Yokohama Visit Lunch Food Beer Wine Cuisine Minato Mirai 21 Eat

Kirin Yokohama Beer Village

Yokohama is renowned as the home of the Japanese beer industry. You can learn - and taste - all about it at the Kirin Yokohama Beer Village. The Kirin Brewery Company, one of Japan's big four beer breweries, was founded in Yokohama in 1907.Located in North Yokohama near Shinkoyasu Station (JR K…(201 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Yokohama Beer Kirin History New year Holidays Express train Tohoku Negishi Line Negishi

Authentic Italian Napoli Pizza in Yokohama

Finding a credible pizzeria in Japan can sometimes seem impossible, but if you’re in Yokohama, all you need to do is make your way to Bashamichi's Pizzeria La casa di Nonno.La casa di Nonno is the real deal. It's as authentic as you can get without having to make the trip overseas (the cook act…(347 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Yokohama Pizza Food Cuisine Dining Wine Bashamichi

Tourist Tip #6: Know Your Animal Sounds!

OK...so you don't REALLY need to know your animal sounds to help you enjoy your time in Japan, but knowing a few will certainly help you ice break or seriously spice up a conversation while you're here! You'd be surprised by the amount of fun and laughs that can be had (and friends that you'll make…(212 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Onomatopoeia Tourist Tip Entertainment Animals Sounds

Tourist Tip #3 (Revisited): Stay Away from Souvenir Shops

In one of my previous "Tourist Tip" posts, I suggested staying away from conventional tourist-trap omiyageya (souvenir shops) and visiting instead some of the cooler places where there's more to shop for at better deals:http://www.deepjapan.org/a/3317There are many such places to visit. Som…(171 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Souvenir Tourist Tip Stay Visit Shop Yokohama Shopping Beer

Tourist Tip #5: Five Don'ts to Do

"When in Rome, do as the Romans do." - or in Japanese, 「郷に入っては郷に従え」 (Gou ni itte wa, gou ni shitagae; "Entering the village, obey the village.")Nobody wants to do the wrong thing, especially when it means very possibly embarrassing yourself, and potentially others, in front of other…(299 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Tourist Tip Taboo Shoes Drink Eat

Children Love Pokémon (and Pokémon Centers)!

Pokémon needs no introduction. But just in case you've been living under a rock in a cave for the last two decades, it is Nintendo's media franchise created in 1996, which has gone on to become their second-most successful character in history.What not so many people know, however, is that ther…(263 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Souvenir Shopping Pokemon Character Goods Landmark Tower Yokohama

Tourist Tip #4: The Underground World of Food and DEPACHIKA!

Japanese department stores are famous for many things: elevator girls, first-class customer service, and unparalleled gift wrapping. But venture underneath one (on the basement floor) and you'll discover something else they have to offer: the world of "depachika"."Depachika" is a portmanteau on…(296 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Food Tourist Tip Depachika Tokyo Train Shopping Visit Shinjuku Ginza Train station

Beat the Japanese Heat with "Chilled Chinese"

Looking for a quick, light, satisfying lunch that will also refresh you during these muggy rainy season months? Do what the Japanese do, then: eat Chinese. Chilled Chinese, that is."Hiyashi chūka" (translation: "Chilled Chinese") is a Japanese dish consisting of chilled ramen noodles with vario…(189 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Food Summer Ramen noodles Cuisine summer food Chinese cuisine

Tourist Tip #3: Stay Away from Souvenir Shops

Here's a quick tip to make your memories of Japan more memorable for you and your friends back home: stay away from souvenir shops!Like anywhere else in the world, souvenir shops, by nature, tend to offer only the most generic - and usually hokiest - of gifts. I've seen wares that - at best - w…(219 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Souvenir Tourist Tip Yokohama Shopping Visit Nature Shop Don Quijote Tokyu Hands Loft

Tourist Tip #2: Coin Lockers will Free Your Hands (and Mind)

Imagine: your hands are full with bags and boxes of on-sale purchases and more. The only thing is, now you’re on your way to spend hours going temple hopping, and then finish with dinner at a recommended cozy restaurant. What are you going to do with all of those bags and boxes?Never fear, do w…(353 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Tourist Tip Coin Lockers Train station Shopping Dinner Japan Travel Luggage 100 Yen Coins Suica Pasmo

Yokohama Marine Tower Summer Beer Garden

A Japanese summer just isn't complete without a visit to a beer garden. And although there are many to choose from, you'd be hard pressed to experience a more scenic one than at Yokohama's symbol of the city: the Yokohama Marine Tower.There you can enjoy BBQ at their open-air terrace on the gro…(173 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Yokohama Summer Beer Yamashita Park Yokohama Marine Tower Restaurant Park City Event Food

Tourist Tip #1: Invest in a Suica or Pasmo IC Card

The Suica and Pasmo IC cards are e-money cards that can be used in a variety of ways. The two most practical: riding public transportation and shopping. The cards are accepted at an impressive number of locations, including convenience stores, coffee shops, coin lockers, vending machines, and many …(226 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Suica Pasmo Tourist Tip Train Shopping Train station English Transportation Live

Former Deep Japan Writer's Advice List