Metropolis

Japanese tourists have earned themselves a reputation for turning up in some of the most far-flung and obscure spots on the planet, but there are some places that they’re unlikely to want to visit. And if they did, they’d be eyed with a fair amount of hostility. To Japanese, the barren islands between Honshu and the Korean peninsula are known as Takeshima—but don’t utter that word...

Aug 26, 2010 | No Comments | 554 views

Enrique Balducci

More airlines have announced plans to operate in and out of Haneda from later in the year. Most of the new services will start with the opening of the airport’s fourth runway on October 31. Hawaiian Airlines will fly to and from Honolulu, American Airlines from New York’s JFK, and Delta Air Lines will connect Haneda with Los Angeles and Detroit. Those aren’t the only companies getting in on the act, though. All Nippon Airways Co will start flying to Los Angeles, Honolulu, Singapore, Bangkok and Taipei; JAL to San Francisco, Honolulu, Paris, Taipei, Bangkok and Singapore; and Thai Airways to Bangkok. Speaking of Thai Airways, the airline is going to do something unusual from October: its advertised airfares will start including the fuel surcharge. Wiwat Piyawiroj, the airline’s general manager for Japan, said that the new policy comes in response to complaints from customers who felt they were being ripped off when they were asked to pay more than the fare originally advertised.

(July 22nd, 2010)

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Shiroyama

If you find Mt. Takao a bit too crowded and are looking for somewhere to enjoy nature without having to battle with hordes of daytrippers, Shiroyama might just do the trick. Though the mountain is home to the ruins of Hachioji Castle, a historical landmark and one of Japan’s top 100 castles, it [...]

Jul 22, 2010 | No Comments | 745 views

Spring Pottery Festival

If you’ve grown tired of the latest collection from Daiso and want some one-of-a-kind pottery, head to Mashiko in Tochigi. The town’s annual Spring Pottery Festival runs until May 5, giving locals and outsiders alike a chance to display their latest works. With up to 600 tents vying for attention, it’s a fascinating—and unintimidating—place to browse and see what catches your eye. Galleries and studios line Mashiko’s streets,...

Apr 29, 2010 | No Comments | 313 views

Guide

Boutique city guides are all the rage these days, promising an eclectic overview of popular destinations without the headache of trying to be comprehensive. À La Carte produces a range of hand-drawn maps printed on heavy-duty paper, accompanied by basic touring info and tips from the locals. My Tokyo À La Carte makes the city’s spaghetti road map look deceptively simple, but doesn’t skimp on...

Jun 24, 2010 | No Comments | 439 views

Sports World

This large-scale amusement and sports complex opened in 1988 at the height of Bubble era prosperity. The park featured a giant wave pool, water slides, putting greens and other attractions, but its middle-of-nowhere location proved to be a handicap. Sports World shut its doors in 1993 and began its transformation into a well-known ruin—one that’s scheduled to be demolished within the next year.

Jun 10, 2010 | One Comment | 573 views