Listening to Tortoise used to be a jazzy dreamscape of complex percussion, layered strings, and otherworldly electronic loops and licks. Their new album, Beacons of Ancestorship, shows a departure from that form into one that …

Stepping into the world of Nivek Ogre and cEvin Key is like stepping into a Dadaist electro-performance-art thrill ride. The show began with a crippled Ogre entering the stage. He was hunched over supporting himself …

Just a short train ride from Tokyo, Kamakura is a small seaside town with a big green Buddha. Besides seeing the famous Buddha, there are plenty of temples and shrines dotting the hills and valleys …

A throwback to '70s arena-rock with '80s synth-pop dropped in for good measure, this melodic, angsty, and ultimately upbeat solo debut from Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas manages to find its modern sound. At points, one …

Located near the tip of the Izu peninsula, this sleepy waterfront town is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of Japan’s big city life. Shimoda was of central importance during the 1850s, …

Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love – famous for Breyers ice cream, Tastykake and, of course, Philly cheesesteaks – is located approximately two hours south of New York City and two and a half hours …

Osaka Castle (or Osaka-jō) has a long, interesting history, and what remains of it is a feudal reminder sitting proudly in the middle of a modern Japanese city. The charming park surrounding the main tower …

The ultra-urban city of Seoul is best experienced gastronomically. One first realizes this while stepping off the jetway and catching a whiff of the unmistakable aroma of Seoul – a sort of kimchi-and-spices medley. Seoul …

In Japan, there are three major urban Chinatowns: in Kobe, Nagasaki and Yokohama. For travelers staying in Tokyo, the Yokohama Chinatown (Yokohama Chukagai) is the most accessible. You can check out the festively lit Chinatown …