Japan's tourist hubs struggle to find polite ways to stop people eating while walking
Tourist destinations are struggling for ways to ask tourists to stop eating while walking without offending them. One such place is Nishiki Market, which for over 400 years has been known as the kitchen of Kyoto. The municipal government estimates that around 30 percent of ...
Wheelchair-accessible tour in Kamakura aims to revolutionize tourism for people with disabilities
The owner of a barrier-free guesthouse in Kamakura is prepping a tour that will allow people with disabilities to travel to sightseeing spots that would have previously been virtually impossible to visit.
Kishin Kamakura: Giving breakfast its proper due
For most of us, the first meal of the day is also the fastest, a quick bite or perhaps just some java on the run. But why the hurry? Slow down, breathe, take your time, reward yourself. This is a good half of the ...
Oxymoron Komachi: Piquant curry favored by the locals
In a tourist town, it pays to know where to eat before you get there. Pro tip: The best places are usually off the main drag. Look where the locals are lining up; the queue outside Oxymoron in Kamakura is always one of the ...
Carcass that washed ashore on Japan beach confirmed to be of blue whale
The carcass of a 10-meter-long whale that washed ashore on a beach in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, last Sunday has been confirmed to be a blue whale — the largest known animal to have lived on Earth. The National Museum of Nature and Science, which examined ...
A decade on, Shonan surfer is still making waves in the world of soba
Fate intervened when the heavens opened, guiding Ippei Hayashimoto on his path to mastery in the art of pure buckwheat noodles.
'Congestion pricing' eyed to ease traffic in top tourist spots
The transport ministry plans to test "congestion pricing" in four municipalities with major tourist attractions, including Kyoto and Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture. The plan was presented to a panel on Thursday, with tests slated to begin this fall in Kamakura, Kobe and Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture. No ...
Kamakura offers something for everyone
Japanese cities are fantastic places to explore with children, but if this column has proven anything, it's that I like to get away from urban centers whenever I can. Japan is full of natural and cultural wonders for curious families, but they are not ...
Many of Japan's major historical attractions remain unknown to foreign tourists
Japan as a whole may be attracting record numbers of foreign tourists, but a report by McKinsey & Co. indicates that the four major historical regions of Nara, Kamakura, Nikko and Ise Shrine are almost unknown among Western tourists. The consultancy's Japan office surveyed over ...
Kamakura boasts ancient history, hip beaches
Kamakura, an ancient capital city during the Kamakura Period (1185-1333), may not be as popular as Kyoto, but it is one of the few places near Tokyo where visitors can explore the nation's ancient history. Currently major tourist draws, the Great Buddha statue, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu ...
Little Thailand: Beachside beer and spicy food an hour from Tokyo
The sun, the waves, a sea breeze, the sand beneath your feet — and a nice, chilled beer on the table with good, spicy food, too. When you're stuck in the heart of the sweltering city, the beach can seem a very long way away. ...
Zushi opens with eye on reviving summer buzz
Zushi Beach in Kanagawa Prefecture opened for the summer on Friday as it battles to attract visitors following a clampdown on rowdy partygoers that saw numbers drop by more than half last year. Cloudy skies greeted participants in an opening ceremony featuring around 400 children ...
