News & Tips
News & Tips
Festival dates, what is open when, and the practical things nobody tells you until you are already standing there. Written by the guides who run the tours.
OMAKASE’s Mission: Honoring Japan’s Traditional Culture and Supporting Its Preservation Through Donations
The journey that led the two of us to establish OMAKASE began with one fundamental question: How can we preserve Japan’s traditional culture, which…
A Journey of Hope: The World Tsunami Awareness Day High School Summit in Iwate
I had the privilege of spending a week with nearly 100 high school students from 14 countries at the World Tsunami Awareness Day High…
Gion Maiko Experience
What makes Kyoto’s maiko culture distinctive is that it is not simply a form of traditional entertainment. It is a highly refined cultural tradition…
Yasukuni Shrine, Dedication of Tamiya-ryu Iaijutsu
Tamiya-ryu Iaido is a traditional Japanese martial art with a history of more than 400 years. It is known for its emphasis on graceful…
Oiran
Oiran were high-ranking courtesans who worked in licensed pleasure districts during the Edo period. Unlike ordinary prostitutes, oiran were highly educated and trained in…
Indigo Dyeing
Indigo dyeing has a long history that dates back thousands of years and has developed independently in many parts of the world, including India…
Discover Your Perfect Sake in the Heart of Tsukiji
Tsukiji is famous for its incredible food, but your culinary journey isn’t complete without discovering the soul of Japan: Sake. My own obsession with…
Motorbike at Kawaguchiko Lake, near Mt. Fuji
Kawaguchiko is one of the Fuji Five Lakes, located at the northern base of Mount Fuji in Japan. It is one of the most…
Sakura, Cherry blossoms in Japan
In Japan, cherry blossoms (sakura) have deep symbolic meanings. First, they represent the idea of impermanence. The flowers bloom beautifully but only for a…
Ikebana, traditional Japanese flower arrangement
Ikebana is the traditional Japanese art of flower arrangement. Unlike Western flower arrangements that often focus on volume and color, Ikebana emphasizes balance, simplicity…