Vineyard Voyages: Grape-Harvesting and Wine-Tasting in Japan
Japan may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking about wine, but it boasts a burgeoning wine industry with a distinct culture of grape-harvesting (vendanges) and wine-tasting. Explore the fascinating world of Japanese viticulture, highlighting the grape-harvesting season, notable wine regions, and the cultural nuances that make wine-tasting in Japan a unique experience.
Confections of a Cake-holic: Desserts Aplenty in Otaru, a Pastry Paradise
Discover tasty treats in Otaru, a paradise for cake connoisseurs and pastry pundits!
Wilderness of the North: Exploring Hokkaido’s Top 5 National Parks
Whether you’re hiking through towering mountains or kayaking along tranquil rivers, Hokkaido’s national parks promise unforgettable experiences for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. Explore five of Hokkaido’s top national parks in every season.
Confections of a Cake-holic: Desserts in Hokkaido’s “Sweets Kingdom” Obihiro
Hokkaido beckons with exquisite confectionery creations, so let’s check out the tasty pastries in Obihiro, Hokkaido’s Sweets Kingdom!
Beyond Blossoms: 9 Spring Festivals in Japan to Leap into This 2024
If you’re planning to visit Japan in spring time between March, April, and May, here are nine spring festivals to check out in every region!
Freshness Explosion! The Best Places to get Japanese Seafood Ocean-to-table
If you’re keen on making the jump from sushi fan to aficionado, and want to travel the land in search of Japanese seafood so fresh it might as well have leaped from the ocean right onto your plate—then this article is for you!
5 Most Beautiful and Scenic Winter Train Lines in Japan
Visiting Japan during winter? Take a look at 5 of Japan’s local train lines that offer spectacularly scenic snowy views!
A Winter Railway Adventure Around Southern Hokkaido & Northern Tohoku
The guide to winter travel around the southern portion of Hokkaido as well as northern Tohoku, that can be experienced by rail.
Sear-iously Delicious: Aburi Hotate Don
The monthly menu of JAPAN RAIL CAFE in November 2023 is the Aburi Hotate Don! Let’s learn a bit more about delicious hotate from Japan.
JR News: Price Revision of JR East Rail Passes for Foreign Visitors (2023)
With effect from 1 October 2023, JR East will revise the prices of various rail passes for foreign visitors to Japan in accordance with the increasing inbound travel needs.
Sakura Forecast 2024: 7 Recommended Spots for Cherry Blossoms in Central & East Japan
Here are 7 of our recommended spots to view sakura trees in East Japan for 2024!
So Sen-station-al: 7 Striking Stations in Japan
Japanese train stations exist in so many different shapes and forms, some of them can even be considered attractions in themselves. Here are seven unique stations across the whole of Japan, from Hokkaido to Kyushu!
Sakura in Ezo: 5 Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots in Hokkaido
Discover where to enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms in Hokkaido!
Chasing Hokkaido’s Winter Festivals: A Friend’s Experiences
Think you can cover 10 winter festivals in a single trip? Someone did! Find out more about his experiences and advice for planning such a trip!
Walkin’ in a Winter Wonderland: Winter Festivals in Hokkaido
Visiting Hokkaido in winter? Check out these 3 winter festivals to enjoy tons of fun in a winter wonderland!
Nature and Utasebune Boats in Hokkaido’s Notsuke Peninsula
Discover Notsuke Peninsula on Hokkaido’s east coast, and find out more about its scenic nature and traditional utasebuna boats!
Meet Wild Orcas and More off the Coast of Rausu, Hokkaido!
Learn more about the magnificent sea creatures yo can meet at Rausu in Hokkaido’s Shiretoko Peninsula!
Hokkaido Delicacies: Uni & Kombu from the Coastal Town of Rausu
If you’re visiting Eastern Hokkaido, be sure to make a stop at Rausu and enjoy this coastal town’s best products—uni and kombu!
Beyond The Brochure: JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass
The JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass is catered towards those who intend to both start and end their trip in Sapporo or Tohoku’s largest city Sendai, circling around various locales in Tohoku along the way. Let’s begin our 6-day trip with the JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass!
Highlights from a Central & Eastern Hokkaido Self-Drive Itinerary
Hokkaido is so vast and wide, with many amazing sights, so why not go on a self-drive tour to enjoy the countryside view and take in the sights and sounds of nature?
Exploring the Land Down South: Southern Hokkaido (Part 2)
Southern Hokkaido is home to so much more than just Hakodate—an area rich in heritage and culture, there is plenty to see and do in the surrounding towns!
Exploring the Land Down South: Southern Hokkaido (Part 1)
Find out more about some of the things you can do, and places you can visit in Southern Hokkaido’s Kinonai and Onuma!
Awesome Autumn: 4 Spots to Enjoy Hokkaido’s Awe-tumn Colours
Discover 4 spots to enjoy the splendid autumn colours of Hokkaido, all easily accessible by train!
A Peek at Japan’s Most Luxurious Trains
Find out more about Japan’s most luxurious trains, which range from overnight cruise trains to sightseeing trains to speedy bullet trains!
JR East’s Luxury Cruise Train: Train Suite Shiki-shima
Take a look at what a journey onboard the Train Suite Shiki-shima, JR East’s luxury cruise train, is like!
A Trip on the Soya Main Line to Japan’s Northernmost Station of Wakkanai
Take a trip on the Limited Express Soya to Wakkanai, Japan’s northernmost station, and explore the scenic sights around Japan’s northernmost city!
Ride the Hakodate Main Line and Climb Shioya-Maruyama in Hokkaido
Join us on a climb up Shioya-Maruyama, a low mountain suitable for beginners, that’s easily accessible from Shioya Station on the Hakodate Main Line!
Chasing Gold: A 7-Day Golden Kamuy-Themed Road Trip Across Hokkaido
Inspired by the Golden Kamuy series, here is a 7-day road trip across Hokkaido through its scenic and cultural must-visit attractions.
JR News: Renewal of Furano Lavender Express, Enjoy Hokkaido’s Lavender Fields
Have a look at the new features of the Furano Lavender Express, and enjoy a day trip to see summer flowers in Furano and Biei by riding both the Furano Lavender Express and the Furano Biei Norokko Train!
Exploring the Wonders of Hokkaido’s Northern Soya Area
Visit Japan’s northernmost area in Northern Soya of Hokkaido!
Road Trip through Hokkaido: Spots and Eats You Can’t Miss
Breathtaking scenery, unforgettable experiences, and tantalising dishes are just the beginning of a road trip to Hokkaido. Discover the sights and eats to expect while driving along Hokkaido Tongari Road and Hokkaido Hashikko United.
#MyJALtrip: Autumn & Winter Japan Trip Tips by Japan Airlines Cabin Attendants
See Japan in autumn and winter through the eyes of Japan Airlines cabin attendants!
JR News: Renewal of JR East Rail Passes, Easier to Use!
Find out about the new features and prices of the recently renewed JR East Rail Passes.
So-Ya’ve Been to Hokkaido: A Rail Trip across Hokkaido
To spend a week in Hokkaido, get a Hokkaido Rail Pass and set off on a rail trip across Southern and Northern Hokkaido!
Umami: Japan’s Unique Flavors with Furikake, Tsukudani & Sake
Umami: Japan’s Unique Flavors with Furikake, Tsukudani & Sake
5 Lesser-Known Places in Hokkaido That You Should Visit
Instead of planning your itinerary around Hokkaido’s “standard” routes, why not make your trip to Hokkaido a unique experience by including one of these less-visited places? Check out the beautiful cities and spots in Wakkanai, Abashiri, Shibetsu, Nayoro, and Nemuro!
Enjoying a Hot Spring Soak in the Chill of Hokkaido’s Winter
Apart from the well-known onsen destinations, Hokkaido also has many lesser-known hot springs waiting for you to discover them!
7-Day Hokkaido Winter Itinerary with the Hokkaido Rail Pass!
Interested in visiting Hokkaido during winter? Here is a 7-day winter itinerary using the Hokkaido Rail Pass!
Exploring Southern Hokkaido & Northern Tohoku in 7 Days
Explore the southern part of Hokkaido and the northern part of Tohoku in a week with the JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass.
4 Must-Visit Hokkaido Breweries & Distilleries for Beer & Whisky Lovers
If you’re looking to discover a side of Hokkaido just as tantalizing as the abundant natural landscapes that decorate the island, here are four perfect places to explore on your next visit.
Expedition Shiretoko: Uncovering Japan’s Most Pristine and Remote Wilderness
From pristine lakes, beautiful natural scenery, mountains, waterfalls, wildlife, and onsen, there is something to be enjoyed by all at Shiretoko, Hokkaido.
Winter Trains in Hokkaido: SL Fuyu-no-Shitsugen Train & Ryuhyo Monogatari Train
Enjoy winter in Hokkaido with two winter sightseeing trains: the SL Fuyu-no-Shitsugen Train and Ryuhyo Monogatari Train!
Beyond The Brochure: Hokkaido Rail Pass
In this edition of Beytond The Brochure, we take a look at the Hokkaido Rail Pass, and how to make full use of it for a whirlwind trip itinerary of South and Central Hokkaido.
Hearty Meals in Hokkaido at 3 Train Station Restaurants
Dig in to delicious and hearty meals at 3 train station restaurants in Hokkaido!
Eastern Hokkaido’s Scenic Nature with the Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko Train
Hop on the Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko Train to enjoy a superb view of Eastern Hokkaido’s scenic nature!
JR News: Online Sales of Japan Rail Pass to Begin on 1 June 2020
From 1 June 2020, passengers will be able to buy the Japan Rail Pass online and make train reservations up to 1 month before travelling.
Winter across the Tsugaru Strait: Hirosaki, Aomori & Hakodate
Discover 3 cities across the Tsugaru Strait to visit in winter for a snowy wonderland: Hirosaki, Aomori, and Hakodate!