A historic city on Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan’s four main islands, Kumamoto is renowned for its imposing castle, rich regional food culture and friendly, welcoming inhabitants.

If you’re well prepared, there is nothing to fear,” the saying goes. The men, I’m assuming men, who drew up the blueprints to Himeji Castle thought of everything. History records the names ...

Read the following text, and answer questions 1-9 below: [1] A local government in northern Japan is asking people for blueprints, photos and floor plans of a 16th-century castle. This castle once ...

KARATSU, Saga -- Fourteen gorgeous floats recently paraded through the streets to lively calls and music during Karatsu Kunchi, the autumn festival of Karatsu Jinja Shinto shrine in this southwest ...