Astage https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Now Hiring: Freelance English & Japanese Photo Tour Guides in Japan Spend the day in the “Kingdom of Cats” at the Bakeneko Festival in Kagurazaka, Tokyo Blog Beyond Higashi Chaya: Why You’re Missing Kanazawa’s Hidden Dolls Museum in Nishi Chaya How to Survive the Morning Rush Hour (Spoiler: You Won’t, Because It’s a Myth) Beyond Koenji: Why Saitama’s Minami Koshigaya Awa Odori is Japan’s Best-Kept Festival Secret Beyond European Castles: How to Fall in Love with the Imperial Palace East Gardens Hidden Shizuoka: Discovering Anjin-dori’s Open-Air Shutter Gallery in Ito 486 Steps to Nowhere: Exploring Japan’s Most Eerie Underground Train Station From Spooky to Sparkling: Why Halloween in Japan Starts on September 1st (and Thanksgiving Gets Left Behind) Only 1 Minute Late?! Why Japan’s Trains Are Obsessed with the Clock From Superficial Tourism to Deep Culture: The New Positioning of Astage The Great 2,000-Yen Mystery: Why Do Only International Visitors Have Them? Two Islands, Two Teapots: Comparing the Tea Cultures of Japan and the UK Welcome to Our Corner of Japan! Why Your AI-Planned Japan Trip Looks Great on Screen (and Exhausting in Reality) Beyond the Vermilion Gate: Decoding the Symbols and Iconic Sights of Japan’s Shrines Unveiling Japan’s Timeless Soul: A Journey Through Traditional Arts, Philosophy, and Craftsmanship Lost and Found Abroad: The Incredible Journey of Returning Nikuhitsu-ga  The Ultimate Holiday Paradox: Why Visiting Japan at the End of the Year is Both Magical and Misunderstood Japan’s Plethora of Options for IC Transportation Cards: A Guide Through the Tap-and-Go Jungle