Spring in Japan is not just about sakura (cherry blossoms)! Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island, only really starts warming up in May, when its beautiful pastoral flower fields and gardens burst into bloom. If you're sick of sakura, make sure to visit one of these 10 non-sakura related flower fields if you go to Hokkaido in this season.

From ancient traditions such as lucky charm bonfires, throwing your cushion at the end of a sumo match and, er, men's festival loincloths, to more modern inventions such as silent sushi eating, drunken office parties (Japanese-style), and KFC on Christmas Eve, learn more about 30 of Japan's most interesting traditions.

Whether you’re out to capture images that reflect your interest in and deep connection to Japan, or just taking some cool snaps to share on Instagram, Japan offers some amazing photo opps. Here are 10 great locations to take pictures of Japan, with backdrops so beautiful they make it hard to take a bad picture!

Using traditional wood-carving techniques, this Instagram artist incorporates eye-catching and mesmerising patterns into his designs, many based on traditional Japanese wood-carving and kimono patterns. Who knew it was possible to carve such beautiful patterns into an apple?

Japan stretches over 3000km (1864 miles) from north to south, so its regions are hugely diverse in terms of climate, culture, and history. Visit 3 of Japan's most unforgettable cities on this suggested tour from north to south, which takes in Sapporo, the wintery capital city of Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island; Matsumoto, a historic castle town nestled at the foot of the Japanese Alps in Nagano; and Kagoshima in balmy southern Kyushu, known for its proud tradition of samurai culture.

Sapporo, Hakata, or Onomichi - what's your favourite flavour of regional ramen? Tell us below!🍜

Our lovely Finnish guides return to show you round the ancient wooden temples, giant bronze Buddha statue, and 1000 sacred deer of Nara, Japan's most ancient capital city.

Photographer Ronny Behnert drove over 6000 km in 3 weeks and visited the better part of 2000 locations to make this collection of stunning images documenting the contrast between the perfection and minimalism of Japan's modernism and the mysticism and remoteness of its spirituality. With ancient rock formations and sacred torii shrine gates seemingly floating on the water or suspended in the sky, the colours, textures and shapes he captured simply defy words.

Looking to stay somewhere really special on your next trip to Japan? Here is a list of the top 10 historic ryokan in Japan, as voted for by the guests themselves. All of them are cultural properties or a National Treasures, so staying in one of these places is almost like sightseeing while you sleep!

We are totally obsessed with these Tokyo gifs right now...
James Curran is making a new gif for every day of his 30 day stay in Tokyo, inspired by what he sees and does there. Godzilla, ramen, cat cafes, bonsai museum, vending machines, Yayoi Kusama, conveyor belt sushi - it's all here, to the point that we're having trouble choosing our favourite!

Kyoto is known as the city of a 1000 temples, but it offers so much more than that, with unique events and cultural experiences in every season. Make sure you catch the spring geisha dances or the old town lantern festival if you're visiting Kyoto this spring.

A Glasgow native and long-time resident of Japan shares her top 15 reasons why she thinks her adopted country of Japan is awesome. Karaoke, customer service, cute mascots, plum wine and fantastic food are just some of the reasons she gives!

Enjoy local cuisine with a trip on the Orange Express in Kagoshima, Kyushu. Known as the "restaurant train", the express is equipped with a fully-functioning restaurant car, which serves up mouthwatering, bite-size dishes of regional food en route, as well as a proper lunch, all made using the freshest local and seasonal ingredients.