Takahiro Takiguchi

1 day ago | okinawa.stripes.com | Takahiro Takiguchi

Fukuroda Falls (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi) Hidden away at the northeastern end of Kanto Plain, Ibaraki Prefecture’s Okukuji area boasts beautiful waterfalls, the country’s largest pedestrian suspension bridge and plenty more. In the fall season, Okukuji is teeming with visitors wanting to enjoy the peak crimson and golden foliage on the surrounding landscape. However, there are many other reasons to visit Okukuji no matter what time of year.

3 days ago | japan.stripes.com | Takahiro Takiguchi

(Photo by Yoshihito Morita) As Japan gets ready to enter the Golden Week holidays, Aomori Prefecture, home of Misawa AB, has finally entered cherry blossom season! The weather is warming up, festivals are ongoing and the landscapes are blushing with stunning sakura flowers. In Towada City, Harumatsuri, or spring festival, continues welcoming visitors enjoying the pale blooms on over 150 trees lining Kanchogai-dori Street.

6 days ago | japan.stripes.com | Takahiro Takiguchi

For those of you who have been in Japan a while, you’ve probably heard about the famous “Sasebo Burger.” And if you’ve bitten into one, you know they are deliciously satisfying and messy. But you don’t need to go to Sasebo to taste these delicious burgers. There are many place across Japan that serve these tasty treats, including Sasebo Burgers Uncle Sum, a tiny burger joint that’s a seven-minute walk from the main gate of Camp Zama. And it’s a walk that many take.

6 days ago | japan.stripes.com | Takahiro Takiguchi

Photos by Takahiro Takiguchi () Situated along the Pacific coast on central Honshu and a 5-hour drive from Kanto Plain is Nagoya, the fourth largest city of Japan with over 2.3 million people. The city is home to plenty of culture and history, such as a majestic castle, modern skyscrapers, a prestigious Shinto shrine and Buddhist temple, and a shopping arcade, making Nagoya a great place for a quick getaway.

6 days ago | japan.stripes.com | Takahiro Takiguchi

If you find yourself traveling around Miyazaki City, you may come across a peculiar sight: giant structures covered in daikon radishes sitting in the middle of fields. These daikon radish houses, or Daikon Yagura, are the traditional method of drying the beloved root vegetable in Japan. The agricultural method was even designated a Japan Cultural Heritage in 2021. For farmers in the region, this custom is important to pass on to the next generation of daikon farmers.