As a landlocked prefecture in the center of Honshu, the hidden gems of Gifu (岐阜県) are more than Shirakawa-go (白川鄉) and the Takayama (高山). It is estimated that there were 5000 castles at the peak in Japan. After defeating the Toyotomi clan (豐臣氏) at the Siege of Osaka (大坂の陣), Tokugawa Shogunate (徳川幕府) issued the “One Castle per Province Law (一国一城令)” in 1615 to prevent military resistance of rival clans and cement his unification of Japan. Over 100 castles were dismantled or des

With over two million inhabitants, Nagoya (名古屋) is the fourth most populated city in Japan, after Tokyo, Yokohama and Osaka. As the capital of Aichi Prefecture (愛知県), not only is Nagoya a major urban center between Tokyo and Kyoto, but also a gateway to access Kanazawa, Takayama and other destinations in the Hokuriku (北陸) region. History of modern Nagoya began to take shape in 1610, when Tokugawa Ieyasu (徳川家康) ordered the construction of Nagoya Castle (名古屋城), transferring the

The Walt Disney Company has officially confirmed plans to build its seventh global resort, Disneyland Abu Dhabi. Currently, there are 6 worldwide Disney resorts featuring 12 theme parks. Walt Disney World and Disneyland are directly managed by Disney. Disneyland Paris was eventually turned into a wholly-owned subsidiary by Disney. Hong Kong Disneyland, and Shanghai Disneyland are operated as joint ventures with local government-affiliated companies. In contrast, Tokyo Disney

Located in Kanagawa Prefecture, Kamakura (鎌倉) is a coastal town which takes less than an hour from Tokyo. In the late 12th century, Minamoto Yoritomo (源賴朝) established a national military government as the first samurai and turned it into a political center. This regime ruled Japan over a century, until the gradual replacement of the Minamoto era (室町時代) in Kyoto. Nowadays, Kamakura has become a popular tourist destination. With numerous temples, shrines and historical monumen

With approximately 2,400k annual visitors, Jozankei Onsen (定山溪温泉) is undoubtedly one of the most popular hot spring districts in Hokkaido. It takes less than an hour’s drive from the city center of Sapporo. Better known as “Sapporo’s Annex (札幌の奥座敷)”, the name showcased its continuous popularity, as well as proved its long-lasting historical and cultural charm. Jozankei Onsen is a land imbued with 160 years of history. Under the guidance of the Ainu people, the Shugendo (修験道)

“L'automne est un deuxième ressort où chaque feuille est une fleur.” Albert Camus, French Philosopher Hanami Dango (花見団子) is a traditional Japanese rice dumpling categorized as confectionery (和菓子). The three colors: pink, white and green symbolise cherry blossoms in Spring, melting snow in winter, and plant growth in Summer respectively. Why is Autumn left out? The word “秋ない (no Autumn)” sounds identical to “飽きない (ever get bored of something)” and “商い (prosperous business)”.

To differentiate people from the gods or kamuy, human beings are described as “Ainu (アイヌ)” in the Ainu language. Their history began around 30,000 years ago when humans arrived in Hokkaido. During the Yayoi period, rice cultivation and the use of iron tools began to spread through the main island of Honshu, although life in Hokkaido continued to be centered on hunting, fishing and gathering, before it was changed by trading with Honshu in the 13th century. This ethnic group i

Legend has it that God rewarded Hou Yi with immortality, after he shot down nine of the suns and left one to keep the world warm. He refused to become immortal without his wife, Chang'e, so he hid the potion, until his apprentice stole it. To protect the potion, Chang'e swallowed it, floated to the sky and landed on the moon. Hou Yi thus honored the moon to commemorate her. Full moon (圓月) shares the same Chinese character as reunion (團圓) with family and friends. In ancient ti

Changing the way we perceive the world is changing the world. – JR, French Street Artist The Pont Neuf is a unique monument in the history of the capital. Built in 1607, it was the first Parisian bridge to be made entirely of stone sourced from local quarries rather than of wood. JR drew his inspiration from these limestone quarries to spotlight the origins of Paris' historic architecture, and to establish a dialogue between the past and the present, from 6th to 28th June of

As the second largest city in Taiwan, Kaohsiung has managed to shake off an industrial past thoroughly. From shipyards, heavy industry and petrochemicals, to a green, services-oriented cultural city. It has the second busiest airport in Taiwan, and is 1.5 hours from Taipei by High Speed Rail. After the Yellow Rubber Ducks and BLACKPINK, what’s more to be discovered? The Great Harbor Bridge (大港橋) illustrates its innovative ambition. Spanning 110 meters, its resembles the shape