Curiously enough, Japanese microbrews have only been legal since 1994. Prior to ’94, only uber-large breweries were granted permission to brew. Do the names Sapporo, Asahi, and Kirin sound familiar? That’s because these are some of the few macro-breweries in Japan that were granted permission to produce beer. After the legislation was lifted, sake brewers from far and wide began experimenting with brewing. With high-quality equipment and careers worth of knowledge about the production of alcohol, they quickly began reaching deliciousness.

Add ‘tasting Japanese microbrews’ to your list of to-dos once you get to Tokyo. Here are four of the best bars to get your tasting on: Ant ‘n’ Bee, Popeye, Ushi Tora, and La Cachette. If you don’t speak Japanese, don’t worry. There’s only one word you need to know for this tasty experience: “oishii!” (delicious).

Photo credits: Japanese beers at Meno Mosso, craigemorsels; Japanese Beers, foilman;

Thanks to Insulinde on Flickr for this great photo.

Japan is a nation filled with a unique cultural mix of modern society and ancient tradition. This small country is also home to some of the most spectacular natural sites in the world. This is no secret to visitors, and they flock to Japan in the summer for its mild coastal climate. However, while some areas in northern Japan are still snow-covered during the springtime, the early blooming of Japan’s flowers are the first sign that warm seasons are on the horizon.

The spring season means one color is loud and clear in Japan: pink. The spring season in Japan awakens millions of bright, vibrant cherry blossoms. If you stand in front of the average cherry blossom tree during the wintertime, its beauty is hibernating. Leafless, spindling branches trick you into overlooking the majesty the tree will bring in the springtime. The intense pink shades of these beautiful trees will inspire you come spring.

When should I go?

Generally, the best time to see these beautiful blossoms at their best is late February through May. This varies by region. In southern Japan and the Okinawa area, the best time is February until March. In the colder north nearby Hokkaido, April and May are best. Delta Air Lines offers nonstop flights from PDX to Tokyo to take you there.

Where should I go?

1. Areas around Mount Fuji: This beautiful area is complete with historic castles and rivers. It’s a must-see for every spring traveler.
2. Kakunodate Street: This remarkable street in Tokyo is world famous for its blooming cherry blossoms.
3. Ueno Park: One million people per day passing the 620,000 square-foot park all agree – the park turns into a natural paradise during the spring season.
4. Hirosaki Castle: 5,000 cherry blossom trees were cultivated in order to demonstrate the castle’s beauty every year around May.

For more information about Japan’s cherry blossoms, click here.

Photo credits: Cherry Blossoms Ueno, AlexanderMensa; Mt. Fuji, and Cherry Blossoms By Night, skyseeker; Sakura at Kumamoto Castle, JoshBerglund19.

1. Christmas trees in Japan are most commonly made from which material?

A. Paper

B. Plastic

C. Glass

D. Recyclable Materials

2. Santa Claus in Japan acts most similarly to which other traditional character?

A. The Easter Bunny

B. The Tooth Fairy

C. The Abominable Snowman

D. Cupid

Give us your answers in a comment! What do you think?

Photo credit: エリスマン邸, naitokz; Christmas Lights in Tokyo 5, maggie loves hopey.

Bonenkai Parties

These social gatherings are specifically designed to ‘forget the year’ and start fresh for the new year to come. A good bonenkai party will have plenty of food, drink and karaoke. If you’re in December in Tokyo, read up on the best places for bonenkai food and drink specials to make sure your night is one to remember…or forget?

Japanese New Years Cuisine

Several special dishes are served on New Year’s Eve in Japan. New Years is a time of feasting, and elaborate and delicious spreads are laid out before families ready to enjoy a meal together during this time. Dishes served often include soup with mochi, toshikoshi soba (buckweat noodles) and sweetened rice wine.

Japanese New Years Games

In Japan, New Years is the time to let the games begin! Badminton, flying kites and a card game called karuta are only a few of the popular activities that take place during New Years in Japan.

Are you headed to Japan this winter? Let us know and we’ll help you prepare for a vacation you won’t forget!

Photo credit: IMG_0797, tomer.gabel; Japanese New Year Cuisine, h_okumura; Kit flying scenes, mikebaird.

toshikoshi soba

Clues:

• This city is home to the 3rd tallest building in the world.
• The west side of this city’s waterfront might look like a scene out of English parliament. It was was occupied by the British in the mid 1800′s.
• The city is noted for having the world’s first commercial high-speed magnetic levitation train line. Top speeds have reached 311 mph.

Bonus Questions:

• In 2010, this city received a major face lift. Roads were improved, the waterfront was built up and beautified, and money was put into preparing the city for thousands of tourists. Which event was responsible?
• Which Portland sister city is located a few hours outside of this city? Craftsmen from this place were responsible for building one well known city garden in Portland.

Think you know where? Tell us! Leave your best guess as a comment.

Photo credit: Thomas Lok on Flickr

What are you waiting for? Give us your best shot!

Clues:

1. There are over 250 islands that comprise this island nation.

2. 21, 000 people live in this destination, with only eight islands inhabited.

3. A major television show was filmed here in 2005.

4. Taro is a staple food.

5. Tourism is the country’s main industry, with dolphin encounters, scuba diving and snorkeling some of the country’s coolest activities.

Think you got the answer? Share it with us in a comment!

Photo credits: simonglucas on Flickr

Clues:

1. Travel and Leisure Magazine named this location the “World’s Best City” in 2008.

2. The king of the nation that this city is in was born in Massachusetts.

3. Street food is a big part of the culture in this city. The culinary arts of this country are well-known and celebrated worldwide. You are likely to find lots of sticky rice, spicy green papaya salad, noodle soups, fresh seafood and lots of unfamiliar and delicious foreign items that you must try. Be adventurous!

4. Floating markets are a must-see in this city. Small wooden boats come from far and wide bearing fruit, vegetables and other freshly grown produce from around the country. Floating markets give travelers a blast from the past, and a real-life look into what life was like in this country for centuries. Only a few markets still exist.

Too easy for you? Give us your best shot and answer these bonus questions as well:

1. This nation is called the “Land of ___________”.

2. What does the word “khruang bin” translate to in English?

3. Where is this beautiful beach located (hint: not the same city as highlighted in the clues above)?

If you think you know the city and nation we are highlighting, let us know in a comment! The challenge is on.

Photo Credits: Noodles, scaredey_kat; Floating Market, Chrissy Olson; Beach, knopfzelle.

Earthquake, tsunami
Sight and smell I can’t forget
I am not the same

When we landed in Tokyo, we were the first ones at immigration.  It was a bit of an anomaly, as we not only flashed through immigration but also through customs.  We wielded our Flight of Friendship stickers, our pins, our t-shirts proudly as we exited the airport and prepared to face Japan.  Really, it hadn’t changed, but, really, it had…

You are the first large group to Japan since March 11.

With that simple statement, Sue-san, our tour guide established a sense of urgency in all of us that was quickly quelled by the realization that we were already doing our part. Against many odds and obstacles, we were here.

March 11, 2011 will be the new benchmark for disasters and the effects of the continuing struggle between Mother Nature and humanity.  A 9.0 earthquake, a 10 meter (33 foot) tsunami that, in places, reached 10 km (6 miles) inland and a devastated nuclear power plant that had the world on edge.

A humble group of Americans and Japanese had come to raise spirits, strengthen resolve, provide an economic injection and lend our backs to the recovery efforts. To remind the Japanese that they are real, that they are relevant and that they are not forgotten.  And with that in mind, some of us put on our best “tourist” hats and hit the expectant crowds of Tokyo…  that never materialized…

When people think of Japan, they probably think “crowded” and “packed” anywhere and everywhere, and for many of us who had been to Japan before, we knew this to be true.  So when we stepped onto the grounds of Asakusa, one of the most famous attractions of Tokyo and Japan, the quietude that displaced the normal cacophony of the crowds was shocking.

When a group took to the ocean off the coast of Sendai to visit Matsushima, one of the three most celebrated scenic attractions in Japan (the other two are Miyajima and Amanohashidate), they were the first international visitors the residents and proprietors of the islands had seen since that fateful day.  Imagine not seeing any visitors at the Mt. Rushmore or Carlsbad or Yosemite for over three months.  But this was their reality. You could already see the recovery in the places we visited.  Where once doors were closed, shopkeepers welcomed us with smiles and open arms.  This was indicative of not just Sendai, but Tokyo as well. Visitors can have peace of mind in knowing that Japan is ready to showcase itself once again as a treasure to be taken in first hand.

In the words of a friend: I remember the faces of the shopkeepers in Matsushima who had only re-opened their stores three weeks earlier as we bought mementos that may have been worthless to us, but right then, were priceless to them.

We weren’t there to be a catalyst for change; we were there to be a catalyst to return things to the way they used to be.

Truth be told, the logistics of trying to help with the recovery efforts are daunting, but there are so many more ways that we were able to help, and as strong and stoic as the Japanese people are, one thing was obvious no matter where we went…  Japan needs its friends now, more than ever.

Have no doubt, Japan is on the road to recovery on the backs of a strong, resilient people instilled with dignity and cultural pride. The recent win of the Women’s World Cup by the Japanese Women’s Soccer team demonstrated to the world what the Japanese are all about and that Japan’s future is bright.  Together, we can help get them there faster and in the company of friends and partners. They say that when times are hardest, that is when you know who your true friends are.  Well folks, now is a great time to demonstrate your friendship with the Land of the Rising Sun.

It’s too late to join the Flight of Friendship that Azumano led just a month ago, but it’s not too late to do your own thing and make your own contribution.  Go there, be a tourist, visit friends or family, offer a smile, a nod of understanding and experience that infamous Japanese hospitality.

You can read more about the Flight of Friendship and the people they met, experiences they had and memories they shared on Sean’s blog.