Culture Manda Coal Mine Yui Yamaguchi The winds of modernization came to Arao with the onset of the industrial revolution. Its appetite for fuel culminated with th...
9 Activities Kyushu's Mount Aso Steve Morton When it reopens to the public again, be sure to catch the awesome sight of Japan's largest and most active volcano
Culture Japanese Mascot Characters Amanda Ho Meet the cute, adorable, quirky characters only found in Japan.
Food Tengaiten Tom Roseveare Tengaiten (天外天) serves up Kumamoto ramen in the city centre – tonkotsu ramen with garlic.
Activities Kusasenri Plateau Mandy Bartok A grassy plateau sits atop the five peaks of Mt Aso, one of Japan's most impressive volcanoes.
Culture Yamaga Winter Lantern Festival 2025 Mandy Bartok Yamaga displays illuminated paper umbrellas and and bamboo candles on winter evenings in February.
Activities Exploring the Japanese Countryside Olivia Lee A blog about what the Japanese countryside has to offer.
8 Culture Suizenji Cherry Blossom Festival Bonson Lam The cherry blossom comes but once a year, and in a few days, it vanishes, scattered by the wind. Poets and lovers have gather...
Culture Aso Fire Festival 2025 Mandy Bartok The slopes of Mt Aso are alight with flames during the annual March fire festival.
Culture Arao Rice Planting Festival 2024 Mandy Bartok The town of Arao holds a rice planting festival to kick off the start of the annual growing season.