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Stories from Japan

Travel inspiration, cultural insights, and thoughtful guides to help you find your way through Japan.

Person walking alone on a dimly lit path beside a dark wall at night, with city lights in the distance
By CJ Sceaphierde • October 5, 2026
Tokyo rebuilt itself many times. Its ghost stories never left. Here's where to find them.
Person with purple wig and white wings smiling in a street parade crowd
By CJ Sceaphierde • September 18, 2026
Cats by rank: citizen, noble, royal. The folklore behind them is far darker. Tokyo's strangest autumn festival, explained.
Map of Japan with red and yellow shaded regions and date labels marked across the islands.
By CJ Sceaphierde • September 7, 2026
Peak maple and ginkgo dates for every region of Japan, with a crowd rating for every spot. TOMOGO! updates the forecast all season.
Autumn forest with a tall waterfall and blue lake in the background under a clear sky
By CJ Sceaphierde • August 28, 2026
Light jackets on the third, a proper coat by the twenty-fifth, and the maples somewhere in between.
Busy city street at dusk with cars, pedestrians, and orange light on the crosswalk
By CJ Sceaphierde • August 28, 2026
Mild days, cool nights, and more rain in Tokyo than any other month. Here's what to actually expect.
Boat on a green river beneath vivid red autumn trees in a shaded forest.
By CJ Sceaphierde • August 19, 2026
Festivals, seasonal food, moon viewing and cat parades. Here's what the season really looks like.
JR Shinjuku Station entrance with blurred commuters crossing in front of the sign and traffic lights
By CJ Sceaphierde • July 17, 2026
Shinjuku Station has over 200 exits and 5 rail operators. This guide explains the station layout, which exit to use and how to transfer smoothly.
Urban street at dusk with cars, tall buildings, and colorful illuminated signs under a pink sky
By TOMOGO! • June 30, 2026
Explore articles tagged with "Expat Life & Living Abroad" on TOMOGO! Discover insights, tips, and stories about traveling in Japan.
Canal in Osaka with colorful billboards and a yellow sightseeing boat under a bright blue sky
By TOMOGO! Team • June 26, 2026
Live in Osaka and know the city better than any guidebook? Here’s how to become a Local Expert with TOMOGO! and get paid to share it.
Friends raising glasses in a cozy restaurant, smiling around a wooden table under warm lighting.
By Tiffany • June 19, 2026
From izakayas and karaoke boxes to Golden Gai and Fukuoka yatai -- the complete guide to nightlife in Japan for 2026, across Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and beyond.
Two people in colorful traditional kimono walk away on a city street at dusk
By TOMOGO! Team • June 5, 2026
Tokyo's summer festivals go far beyond fireworks. From 30,000 lanterns at Yasukuni to iris fields in Katsushika — here are 10 unique events for summer 2026.
Narrow neon-lit alley lined with shop signs and vending machines at night
By TOMOGO! Team • May 29, 2026
Golden Gai has 200 bars, cover charges, and a few unwritten rules. Here's everything you need to know before your first visit.
People posing by a giant red lantern at a temple gate, with visitors walking past.
By TOMOGO! Team • May 26, 2026
Interested in tour guide jobs in Japan? No licence needed. Find out how foreigners become Local Experts in Tokyo, Osaka & Kyoto with TOMOGO!
Hands arranging takoyaki on a griddle at a street food stall
By TOMOGO! Team • May 22, 2026
Planning a Tokyo food tour? This guide covers every neighborhood, tour type, and price ranges. Plus advice on what's worth your time and money.
Night fireworks burst above a colorful festival market at dusk, with stalls lit below.
By TOMOGO! Team • May 15, 2026
Are you planning your trip to Japan this summer? Catching a fireworks show is an unforgettable way to experience Japanese summer culture and escape the heat.
A thoughtful start to Japan

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