The Hill is Alive

Grab your coats and your wallets for a tour of the best of Osaka with local boy Simon Rowe.

Room at the Top

A new wave of luxury hotels is shaking up the industry in Tokyo like never before. Can they all survive? Chris Betros checks in.

Building Up

Tokyo's chaotic sprawl serves as the breeding ground for playful and cutting-edge building design. Stephen Mansfield tours the city's architectural highlights.

Pick of the Litter

She's cute, she's a commercial powerhouse and she's coming up on her 30th birthday. Ken Belson and Brian Bremner let the story of Japan's favorite cat out of the bag.

A Walk in the Woods

Matt Button heads to Hokkaido and revels in the serenity of Daisetsuzan National Park.

Beating the Blues

Feeling depressed or in trouble? Tokyo has plenty of support groups that are just a phone call or mouse click away. Chris Betros provides a few pointers.

Up Where We Belong

As the skiing and snowboarding season comes into full swing, a handful of pros provide tips on where to travel this winter. Carlo Niederberger reports.

A World Apart

For many foreign parents in Tokyo, providing their children with a fulfilling education is beyond reach. Steve Trautlein reports.

Time and again

The history of Arima runs as deep as its hot springs. Stephen Mansfield soaks up the local ambience.

Riverside Retreat

The rustic Okayama town of Takahashi offers the casual visitor a release from the world. Stephen Mansfield enjoys the time on his hands.

Tropics of Interest

Urban escapees in search of a little anonymity are drawn to Ishigaki-jima. Simon Rowe finds out why.

City by the Sea

Once a pirate haunt, the port town of Onomichi in the Inland Sea still houses an intriguing array of temples, and a surprising number of cats and cat lovers. Stephen Mansfield goes exploring.