Inspired by the or cherry blossom at its height in April, we decided to do a Japan takeover for our May 2025 Fresh Picks. While the blossom may be fleeting, Japanese culture and Japan as a tourist destination all year round is enjoying an enduring popularity which only continues to increase.
2025 will see record breaking numbers of visitors heading to the East Asian Island, with the predicting over 40 million arrivals this year, and it’s no surprise when we think about how its multifaceted culture of deep-rooted traditions coexists with its constantly evolving technology and trends, often miles ahead of the rest of the world.
The Archives
One of the many characteristics making Japan so popular as a destination is undoubtedly its rich tapestry of history and culture, and this combined with a deep respect of tradition makes it home to a cornucopia of well-preserved treasures.
Dipping into our own archives we can discover a huge amount about Japan’s fascinating history, from ceramics and theatre to significant events such as the Sino-Japanese Wars and Hiroshima.
Japanophiles can start their journey as early as 14,000 BC with pottery from the Jōmon period, explore the architecture of the subsequent Yayoi period at Yoshinogari Park followed by the beautifully illustrated battles of Japan’s feudal era and the world-famous woodblock prints of Hokusai.
Our Archive not only contains regal portraits of 19th century emperors but also allows us a captivating glimpse into the everyday lives of the Japanese from a bygone era including dancers, street vendors and religious pilgrims.
Looking through these images chronologically allows us to see how Japan’s history influences the present and how the past continues to weave through Japan’s culture today.
Discover just a part of our huge archive of Japanese history and culture here.
Hidden Gems
Returning from the archives and landing firmly back in 2025, we can explore one of this year’s emerging travel trends: ‘Destination Detour’. Those jumping on this trend will seek to balance visiting well-known popular hotspots with exploring lesser-known destinations. While Tokyo, Mount Fuji and Kyoto will be at the top of most people’s Japan bucket lists, this year will see an increase in people making the effort to branch out to more obscure hidden gems.
In its 2025 trend report, Expedia suggests adding on the lesser-known seaside city Fukuoka as a detour from Tokyo. Avid explorers might want to trek through the Tottori Sand Dunes, walk along the ancient Ochiai cobblestone path in the Kiso Valley, or take tea in the Higashi Chaya District.
Continue to be inspired and explore more hidden gems in our collection here.
For the Foodies
When we think about Japanese food, it’s more than likely we’ll go straight to sushi, ramen or wagyu beef, but Japanese cuisine, also known traditionally as is so much more than these stereotypical dishes.
Those itching to try the latest in Japanese food can look to enjoy dishes like Onigiri, rice balls typically shaped into triangles, or neo wagashi which combine traditional Japanese sweets with western elements. More traditional experiences can be found by visiting centuries old saki distilleries and for perhaps the most authentic and immersive foodie experiences, try seafood and traditional snacks at the food markets.
Delve deeper into the Japanese food scene and get your tastebuds tingling with our Japan Food collection here.
Authentic Japan: Amana Images
Contributing to ڹϳsince 2007 and operating for over 40 years, Amana Images hold an extensive and ever-expanding library of over 429k images with ڹϳat the time of writing, making them a key provider of premium Japanese lifestyle content. Committed to uploading regularly, Amana’s philosophy is to be ‘a supporting force in creativity.’
Being based in Tokyo means that Amana are genuine experts of Japanese culture and with invaluable knowledge of local idiosyncrasies, they are able to provide real representations of Japan. So from food to families, animals to architecture, Amana is your go to when it comes to trustworthy and safe Japanese imagery.
Check out our curated selection which highlights the very best of their current collection here.
We hope you enjoyed our Japan Fresh Picks Takeover, perhaps it’s inspired you to book that once in a lifetime trip, or venture down the road to your nearest Japanese convenience store! Make sure to check out our Fresh Picks page for the best of our freshest content, updated monthly.