Umachan_arigato

20/01/2025

Happy Birthday to.....ME! It's my birthday and can you guess my age? You won't believe it...I am as old as our company Arigato Travel. Still can't guess? Well here goes....I am 9 years old today!

16/01/2025

Ready to warm up from the inside out? Join us on our ramen tours and discover the best bowls of rich, savory goodness across Japan! From traditional shoyu to indulgent tonkotsu, every bowl is a new adventure. What’s your favorite ramen style? Let’s slurp together!

At Arigato Travel, we want to share the best local knowledge and experiences with our guests so when it came to offering a ramen tour we knew just who to work with. In collaboration with a Ramen expert and blogger who knows all the ins and […]

13/01/2025

Turning 20 is a big deal in Japan! Today, we celebrate Coming of Age Day (Seijin no Hi), honoring those who officially step into adulthood. Expect to see gorgeous kimonos, heartfelt speeches, and lots of smiles across Japan. I can't wait to celebrate this milestone when I turn 20!

The day when Japanese youth officially become adults.

13/01/2025

Breaking open the New Year with tradition! Kagami Biraki is all about cracking open the decorative kagami mochi and turning it into something delicious, like a warm bowl of oshiruko (sweet red bean soup)! A perfect way to start the year with luck and a full belly. How do you celebrate new beginnings?

New Year in Japan is a big deal, it’s one of the most important and biggest celebrations in the country! In addition to New Year's Eve on December 31st which is called Ōmisoka (大晦日), Japan also celebrates the entire New Year period, which runs from January […]

09/01/2025

Hokkaido may be a frosty snow land, but it is filled with delicious bites to grab. Wanna go adventuring here for food? We got you covered!

https://arigatojapan.co.jp/five-foods-worth-trying-when-you-visit-hokkaido/

31/12/2024

Sayonara 2024! You were amazing with tons of delicious food and new adventures. We at Arigato Travel are grateful for all the many guests we have hosted this year and projects we have successfully pulled off! We couldn't have done that without your support. Looking forward to a new year with more goals and wishes in mind. See you in 2025!

28/12/2024

Nothing beats the warmth of a donabe on a chilly night! Picture this: fresh ingredients simmering in a beautiful clay pot, creating flavors that feel like home and wrap around you like a cozy blanket. (Hai!) Who’s ready to grab a bowl and enjoy this delicious experience with me?

Winter. The season of cold nights, staying in, warm drinks by the fire, and for Japan - the hotpot. For those chilly winter evenings, there’s nothing better than getting the whole family together and sitting around a warm meal cooked in a traditional clay pot or donabe (土鍋). Iga Ware and the H...

25/12/2024

Wherever you are in the world, whether it is sunshiny, rainy, or ice cold, make sure to enjoy the last few days of 2024. Happy Holidays to everyone from the team here at Arigato Travel!

21/12/2024

Looking for an indoor holiday activity? Why not Karaoke? What, you don't know how? Ah that is okay. Daijoubu desuyo! Here we have a guide for you to follow along, and you will be a PRO in no time.

Have you ever been to karaoke? Lots of laughter, maybe some out-of-tune singing, and overall, it’s just a really fun time. However, not all karaoke is the same, and I was very surprised by the differences I saw between the ones I experienced in New Zealand […]

19/12/2024

Hey did you hear? We have a huge Holiday giveaway that is going on right now and lots of amazing prizes to be won. Come on and try your luck!

Seasonal Surprises: Enter Our Giveaways Now! The holiday season is upon us, and we couldn’t be more excited to announce our BIG Annual Holiday Giveaway for 2024! This is our favorite way to spread holiday cheer and show heartfelt appreciation for you—our guests, readers and supporters. […]

19/12/2024

From sweet strawberries to savory oden, Japanese supermarkets have so much to offer in winter! Want to find out what else you can discover this season? Check out our latest article for all the must-try items that will make your winter shopping extra special!

Winter brings a lot of change as temperatures drop. Yet, regardless of whether the concept of winter spurs happiness or dread for you, the special food of the season is bound to give us all a reason to smile. We created a list of foods that you can look forward to finding in the supermarket this win...

15/12/2024

If the chill of winter is slowly creeping up your spine and you need a relaxing and warm way to defrost, why not try an onsen? A slow dip in some steaming, clean water sounds perfect, don't you think? Check out this amazing onsen town that is also tattoo-friendly.

Imagine it’s 1300 years ago in the year 724 AD, the Nara era of Japan. You’ve heard whispers of Kinosaki, a small town nestled along the Sea of Japan. Word has it a Buddhist priest named Dochi Shonin prayed for one-thousand days in order to help […]

10/12/2024

Usually, when it gets to Winter in Japan, a lot of people may be familiar with the season bringing forth lots of yummy, citrusy goodness to our doorsteps. It's also an amazing way to get in your vitamin C and remain healthy during the cold days. Yuzu is a familiar famous friend we always enjoy during this time, especially as a jam. Have you tried it?

https://arigatotravel.com/blog/japanese-yuzu

06/12/2024

Oseibo season is here! In Japan, December is all about sharing gratitude through thoughtful gifts. From delicious sweets to beautiful teas, it’s the perfect way to show appreciation! Who’s on your Oseibo list?

Oseibo refers to the year-end custom of giving gifts in Japan to show appreciation for kindness in the past year and to request continued kindness in the new year.

04/12/2024

In case you did not know, Saitama has some delicious munchies that are sure to leave you enthralled. There are even miso potato balls on a stick! Interesting right? Then why not go try it yourself?

Saitama, located right next to Tokyo prefecture, might be most famous for its close proximity to the capital city, with many viewing Saitama as a sort of ‘suburb’ to Tokyo. Although it is true that many of those who live in Saitama commute to Tokyo daily […]

28/11/2024

Is the chill slowly creeping up on you? Onsen (Japanese hot springs) are a magnificent way to wind down and get rid of your frostbite. Before you head off there, we have a guide that is perfect for you. You'll become a professional, I'm sure!

25/11/2024

Ne ne! Have you met our guide Miyuki? She is such a hard-working spirit that is super knowledgeable about Hiroshima, a city many may overlook. Don't worry, there is more to discover here and Miyuki-san is here to help you enjoy it to the fullest!

Today, we’re back with our guide series and we are super excited to introduce you to Miyuki San, one of our lovely and talented tour guides in Hiroshima. Awarded the honor of

21/11/2024

Momiji; beautiful and vibrant red leaves fill the air as the colder season settles in. Don't you just love these amazing colors? Find the best spots around Japan and make sure to take lots of gorgeous pics!

Autumn in Japan is truly a wonderous sight. Be sure to check out our guide on the best places to see the beautiful autumn colors in Japan and how to get there.