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  • Lisa Wallin
Lisa Wallin
Lisa Wallin

A certified traveloholic, Lisa had traveled to or lived in a whole slew of countries before calling Japan home. She has an unquenchable thirst to learn about the world and is a stickler for facts and authenticity. As a result, her writing provides insights on topics ranging from the quirky and rare to easy-to-unpack explanations of Japan’s more complex customs and practices. She’s practically an encyclopedia. Her knowledge of Japan is only dwarfed by her love of Instagram Shiba inu videos and Japanese metalcore.

Articles by Lisa

There is no shortage of upscale accommodation in Japan — there is so much, in fact, that it can be impossible to choose. We’ve selected three captivating hotels that stand out in…

Residents of Nakagawa-machi, a quiet town on the eastern border of Tochigi Prefecture, live enviable lives. From rich lush greenery on every corner — translating to an explosion of blossoms when sakura…

At 240 pages, The Obsessed: Otaku, Tribes, and Subcultures of Japan is a hefty tome. Jam-packed with striking visuals of people showcasing their passions, the book documents pastimes ranging from intricate embroidery…

Celebrating 10 years since its opening, Ripery’s Sugar is an unforgettable Tokyo fashion experience. It’s surprisingly easy to miss if you’re not looking for it, hidden away on a side street adjacent…

Shun Kosaka moves with an air of confidence that belies his mere 24 years of age. Bartender at the illustrious Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo in Shinjuku, he’s racked up experience in dozens…

Whether you’re dipping your toes into Japanese fiction and you want to start small, or you’re looking for new-to-you writers, short story collections are a great way to explore without making too…

Tsushima is one of those places that students in Japan learn about in school, but never really think about where it is, or consider it in any context outside of a history…

Kyoto — one of the must-visit destinations on every traveler’s list — is replete with hotels for tourists and seasoned travelers alike. However, two new hotels by Banyan Tree Group opened in…