New on The Wa Story
Our latest culture stories, seasonal guides, and trip ideas.
View all Seasonal Stories
Where Tradition Tells a Story
Discover Japanese culture through seasonal stories, traditional crafts, and culture-first travel. Use itineraries and simple tools—then go deeper with courses, membership perks, and curated items.
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The Wa Story is a culture-first guide to Japan
stories, itineraries, planning tools, online courses, membership perks, and curated items.
Seasons in Japan
Explore Japan’s seasons with culture-first guides to sakura, koyo, and New Year travel ideas.
Plan ahead · Spring (Mar–Apr)
Cherry blossom in Japan (sakura)
Plan your future spring trip with our culture-first guide to cherry blossom in Japan (sakura): what the blossoms mean, typical timing by region, and ideas for relaxed itineraries.
Read the cherry blossom guide
Plan ahead · Autumn (Oct–Nov)
Autumn leaves in Japan (koyo)
A slow, cultural guide to autumn leaves in Japan (koyo): timing by region, meaningful spots, and how to plan a relaxed trip.
Read the autumn leaves guide
Winter · New Year (Late Dec–Jan)
Japanese New Year traditions
Learn how people in Japan celebrate the New Year: key customs, shrine and temple visits, lucky decorations, and ideas for a culture-first New Year trip.
Read the New Year traditions guide
Winter · New Year trip idea (Dec–Feb)
Snow onsen & hatsumode guide
Discover a peaceful way to spend New Year in Japan with snow onsen towns, quiet hatsumode shrine visits, and simple model itineraries.
Read the New Year snow onsen guide
Explore Our Core Collections
Culture guides, seasonal calendars, and curated experiences — start your journey here.
Guides
Culture & Guides
Etiquette, crafts, language tips, and local know-how — essential guides for understanding Japan the Wa Story way.
Quiz
Tokyo Culture Personalities
Find your cultural vibe — from Architecture Buff to Zen Seeker — and get tailored guides.
Festivals
Seasonal Festivals
From spring hanami to autumn matsuri, discover living traditions and the meanings behind them.
Plan Your Trip to Japan
Use our cultural trip planners, seasonal calendar and tools to design a simple, happy trip that fits your pace.
START HERE
READ TRIP PLANNING TIPS
Plan your trip: tips & checklists
Learn how to plan a culture-first trip to Japan with simple checklists for flights, hotels, trains, money, phones, and everyday etiquette.
Japanese Calendar
Find the best season for festivals, crafts, and neighborhood gems — plan your trip with timing that matters.
NEW TOOL
Staff’s pick
Free Cultural Trip Planner for Japan
Plan up to 2 days in Kyoto, Osaka, Nara or Tokyo.
NEW TOOL
USE THE FREE PRACTICE TOOL
Free Travel Japanese Practice
Practice scene-based conversations for hotels, restaurants and trains before you arrive in Japan.
PLAN WITH CULTURE
Browse cultural itineraries
Cultural itineraries
Explore slow, story-based itineraries in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Arita and Echizen — designed for culture-first travel.
Tokyo · Kyoto · Osaka · Arita–Imari · Echizen-washi
FREE COURSE
START THE FREE COURSE
Seeing Japan Culturally 101
Learn how to shift from checklist sightseeing to culture-first travel with this free introductory course.
Plan your trip with The Wa Story Concierge
Your Interactive Cultural Guide — culture-first itineraries, craft studios, seasonal timing, and neighborhood gems.
- Personalized routes by interest (crafts, architecture, zen, food).
- Best-season suggestions using our Japanese Calendar.
- Bookable experiences and maker studio visits.
Go deeper with The Wa Story Membership
Enjoy members-only guides, tools, and seasonal perks for culture-first travel.
Join The Wa Story Membership
Experience Japan beyond the surface — curated culture, crafts, and seasons.
- Seasonal itineraries and insider stories for members.
- Exclusive guides, videos, and members-only posts.
- Special offers on workshops, trips, and shop items.
View all Seasonal Stories
Instagram / Visual Gallery
Latest three posts from our feed — follow for culture, crafts, and seasons.