Japan Travel Tips & Hidden Gems
One of the things about exploring Japan is that, just when you think you’ve seen everything that a region has to offer, it’ll turn around and surprise you with something new. This recently happened to me on another visit to…
When I started publishing on this Japan travel blog back in 2016, the city of Kanazawa was one of my go-to recommendations for people looking for an alternative to Kyoto. Alas, times change, and what was once true then is…
Calling all fans of hot springs, amazing autumn scenery and, yes, epic train photography. Do I ever have the place for you. Allow me to introduce Naruko Gorge. Located in Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, this massive chasm is one of…
If you’ve spent any time on the Japan side of social media, you’ve likely seen the picturesque JR Tadami Line crossing over a bridge that spans the river below. Seen above, it’s this charming little green train car passing through…
“If you long for me, come and seek me in Shinoda Forest in Izumi…” — Kuzunoha You know what folks, it’s been a hot minute since I’ve done an installment of my ongoing Backyard Tourism series where I try to…
Kyoto’s temples like Kiyomizu-dera are now so crowded and so commodified to eke out as much revenue from overseas tourists that they’ve lost all semblance of authenticity and are but a mere shade of their former culturally important selves. In…
As I often say on social media, nowhere compares to the majesty of Japan during the months of autumn. In fact, it’s so beautiful that it’s the only time of the year when I halt my crusade against Kyoto and…
This is going to be something of a hot take, but I really don’t get the allure of Osaka when it comes to tourism. Sure, it’s great if you’re a foodie, looking to experience the city’s nightlife, or using it…
Gather round, folks. Today I want to look at Uwajima, a place like Mt. Oe, the stronghold of the drunken demon Shuten Doji, that you’d otherwise probably never hear of in daily life. This time the thread is the Ushi-oni.…
For the longest time, I’ve always had this strange fascination with Tochigi Prefecture’s Kinugawa Onsen. Conveniently located near the spiritual enclave of Nikko, this warm hot spring town has seen far better days. Though it is a convenient logistical hub…
Recently, I was showing family members who were visiting from abroad around some of the key highlights of the Tohoku region in northern Japan. During our adventures, we stopped by the former samurai town of Kakunodate as well as Akita’s…
Japan never ceases to amaze me. The more I travel, the more I discover just how deep the proverbial rabbit hole goes when it comes to this amazing country. Just when I think I have seen all I need to…
Let me begin by saying that if you’re here for advice on cycling, where to get a bike rental, etc., you’ve come to the wrong place. While I’ll, of course, touch on these topics in this piece on the famed…
Even over a decade ago, back at the start of Japan’s tourism boom, Nikko was never somewhere one could describe as off the beaten path. While nowhere near as bad as Kyoto or Senso-ji in terms of crowding, this cluster…
It’s no secret that I am in love with Shikoku Island, and one of the many reasons I keep coming back is that it is home to a third of Japan’s 12 remaining original keeps. While reconstructions like Osaka Castle…