Although there is plenty of information about Japan online, do you enjoy holding an actual magazine in your hands? If so, there are three top quality magazines to consider: Kateigaho International, D Design Travel, and Rurubu Omotenashi Travel Guides. There are also many free publications that are filled with up-to-date event & travel information.  

#1: KATEIGAHO INTERNATIONAL
Anyone interested in Japanese culture should purchase a subscription to ‘Kateigaho International – Japan Edition’. It is an incredible magazine filled with educational articles, and gorgeous full-color photographs, of many of the things that make Japan so special. 

Kateigaho International is published twice a year, 1200 yen per issue. They can be purchased at most major Japanese bookstores and/or online (there is also a digital version). 

#2: D DESIGN TRAVEL

A fantastic bilingual series, each volume focusing on one prefecture within Japan. (There are 47 prefectures, so far, 22 volumes have been published). These magazines are filled with Japan’s ‘hidden treasures’.
Each volume contain sights/cafes/restaurants/hotel/shops/people selected based on a ‘design perspective’. The founder, Kenmei Nagaoka, says, “By design perspective, I mean an imagination, which discerns what has substance and will endure, and allows users to easily understand and enjoy innovations”.

The selection criteria: the business or product is uniquely local, communicates an important local message, is operated or produced by local people, is reasonably priced, and is innovatively designed.

D Design Travel – by D & Department Project. 1400 yen per issue

*Many Japanese bookstores only sell the latest volume, but they can order previous volumes. *You may need to ask for help in locating the magazines, they are rarely in the English section. The series can also be purchased on Amazon.co.jp

#3: RURUBU OMOTENASHI TRAVEL GUIDES

Popular Japanese-style travel magazines now being published in English.

Excellent guides have being published for Kyushu, Kyoto, and Tokyo. They can be found in the English section of many Japanese bookstores and on Amazon.co.jp  

*Guides for Okinawa & Hokkaido are available on a Kindle device. 

Rurubu Omotenashi Travel Guides, JTB Publishing, 1500 yen per issue

FREE PUBLICATIONS WITH WEBSITES

*These magazines are full of helpful information on Japan. They can be found at a variety of locations.

WATTENTION: Magazine introducing Japan’s unique culture and tourism sights.
TOKYO WEEKENDER: Monthly magazine, oldest English publication in Japan.
METROPOLIS: Monthly magazine on Tokyo
ATT.JAPAN: Map & area guide
KANSAI SCENE: Free monthly guide covering Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Nara, Wakayama, Shiga)

TIMEOUT TOKYO: Quarterly Magazine, TimeOut can be found in 108 cities around the world
OUTDOOR JAPAN TRAVELER: Travel & Adventure magazine
EDO PRESS JAPAN: Introduces Japanese tradition, culture, & sub-culture

BUSINESS PUBLICATIONS

THE JOURNAL: Magazine of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan
EURO BIZ JAPAN: Magazine of the European Business Council in Japan & the European Chamber of Commerce in Japan
BCCJ ACUMEN: Magazine of the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan