Kyoto

Cuisine:

Kurotani Washi-no-sato: A visit to a historic Japanese papermaking village

Not far from Kyoto, there’s a village that has been dedicated to the traditional craft of washi papermaking for more than 800 years. Kurotani village is lulled in quiet nature, with streams of clear...

Read on Stripes.com

Travel

Cuisine:

Kyoto's secluded gardens you shouldn't miss

Kyoto is like a sprawling open-air museum which captivates by its peaceful demeanor, cobblestoned alleys, and intricately raked sand gardens.

Read on Stripes.com

Travel

Cuisine:

Kyoto in summer, things you shouldn't miss

Summer in Japan is perhaps the least popular season because it gets incredibly hot and humid, mosquitos attack at full force, while cicadas get obnoxiously loud.

Read on Stripes.com

Travel

Cuisine:

Uji, Japan's green tea capital

From the dense forests of Nara, where deer roam free, to fascinating artisan villages that line up the spectacular northern coastline of Tango Peninsula, there is plenty to explore and enjoy in Kyoto Prefecture once you venture beyond the former Imperial capital. Uji is of such gem sites.

Read on Stripes.com

Travel

Cuisine:

7 wonders of Kyoto you didn’t know existed

An early, two-hour ride on the bullet train brought me to one of the most postcard-worthy cities in the world. After hastily dropping off the bags at the hotel, I set off to enjoy the first rays of sun sipping through the bamboo forest of Arashiyama and wrapped up the day savoring matcha in a tea house of Gion.

Read on Stripes.com

Travel

Cuisine:

Kyoto by the Sea: Ine Fishing Village

Continuing on my journey past Maizuru, a port city heavily influenced by its naval history, and Amanohashidate, known to be one of the three most scenic spots in Japan, I arrived at the north end of Tango Peninsula.

Read on Stripes.com

Travel

Cuisine:

Kyoto by the Sea: Secrets Behind Kurotani Washi Paper

Washi paper is a traditional Japanese paper, wa (和) meaning Japanese and shi (紙) meaning paper. It is one of Japan’s most fundamental artistic products which has formed the backbone of many other Japanese art forms during its 1,300 years of production.

Read on Stripes.com

Food & Drink

Cuisine:

Places to Eat in Kanazawa

Bountiful produce coupled with the wizardry of local chefs have earned Kanazawa a world-wide reputation as one of the best culinary destinations in Japan.

Read on Stripes.com

Travel

Cuisine:

Perfect Weekend in Kanazawa

A brisk shinkansen ride from Tokyo through the bamboo-covered hills and rice paddies will bring you to Kanazawa, a charming coastal town often compared to Kyoto and referred to as the hidden pearl of the Japan Sea.

Read on Stripes.com

Food & Drink

Cuisine:

Shaved ice cools down the Japanese summer

Summer in Japan gets scorching and steamy. Mid-summer Temperatures often reach 95 F or higher depending on the region. Along with beer, watermelon and soomen (cold udon noodle), kakigoori (shaved ice) is a popular cold food that cools us down during summer.

Read on Stripes.com

Food & Drink

Cuisine: American

Bros in Onna Village, Okinawa makes sandwiches special

Americans may be hard to please when it comes to sandwiches. Every U.S. state has its signature sandwich, and individuals often have their own favorites.

Read on Stripes.com

Food & Drink

Cuisine: Café

Beat the heat with a trip to this oceanside café

About a 5-minute drive from Gate 1 of Kadena Air Base, Breeze Café Sea Glass is a favorite place for many families from the U.S. military community.

Read on Stripes.com

Food & Drink

Cuisine:

Speakin’ Japanese: Sushi sayings

The following Japanese phrases sure will help you fully enjoy some tasty sushi. Don’t be afraid to speak up, it’s part of the fun.

Read on Stripes.com

Food & Drink

Cuisine:

The art of using chopsticks in Japan

Any meal in Japan is sure to include some form of chopsticks. Since their invention in ancient China more than 3,000 years ago, chopsticks have been widely used in Asian countries.