Author: yokosojapan

Shinagawa International Film Festival 2025 — Where Tokyo Nights Turn Cinematic Every November, when the air in Tokyo takes on a crisp edge and the city’s lights start to shimmer with early winter energy, Shinagawa quietly transforms into a stage. Between high-rise towers and the waterfront breeze, the Shinagawa International Film Festival unfolds — an…

To balance tourism growth with sustainability, Kyoto City has announced a major revision of its lodging tax, effective March 2026. This “Kyoto Accommodation Tax” (宿泊税) applies to anyone staying overnight within the city — whether in a hotel, ryokan, or guesthouse — and is calculated per person, per night. It’s a tiered tax: the tax…

Eerie Symbolism, related Legends, and the Best Places to See Higanbana Near Tokyo Every September, Japan’s landscapes transform as vivid red flowers bloom along riversides, temples, and fields. These are higanbana (彼岸花), known in English as spider lilies. Their curling petals, shaped like flames, are one of the most striking signs of the Japanese autumn…

— Where Old Traditions Meet New Moons. Autumn in Japan has always been a season for looking up. For over a thousand years, people have gathered under the clear September sky to admire the moon, reflect on the harvest, and share food with friends and family. This custom, called Tsukimi (月見), still shapes how people…

Fireworks Festivals Are the Soul of a Japanese Summer Summer in Japan isn’t complete without fireworks festivals—hanabi taikai—lighting up the night sky. These summer traditions date back to the Edo period, when fireworks were used both for entertainment and to ward off evil spirits. Today, they’re one of the highlights of the season, drawing thousands…

Japan, a land where ancient traditions blend seamlessly with modern advancements, offers travelers an immersive experience into its rich cultural tapestry. Exploring Japan on a tourist visa provides an excellent opportunity to delve into its heritage, natural beauty, and culinary delights, all while enhancing Japanese language skills through authentic interactions.​ Japan’s Rich Cultural Heritage Japan’s…

As this is our first blog post, we would like to use this opportunity to tell you a little bit about the journey of YOKOSO Japan and what matters to us the most Back to the Start Our journey started a couple of years back when we left the comfort of our homes to chase…