Japan Travel Tips & Hidden Gems
As anyone who has ever had the pleasure of visiting Japan during the sultry months of summer already knows, things can get downright unbearable here. In addition to the intense heat, the humidity combines with the sweltering temperatures to create…
Despite being one of the most popular places in all of Japan, few international visitors realize that Kyoto City itself is but one part of a much, much larger prefecture. Confusingly called Kyoto Prefecture, this slot of land is simply…
These days, almost everyone has heard of Nagano. Thanks to its capital city being the host of the 1998 Winter Olympics, this part of central Japan has a lot of recognition internationally (even among those who have never visited the…
Today, I want to take a second to introduce a pair of attractions from my adventures this spring. Known as the Hitome Senbonzakura and Funaoka Castle Ruins Park, this duo of destinations can be found up in the southernmost portions…
Lately, the many spots for cherry blossoms in northern Japan’s Tohoku region have been getting more and more attention. Perhaps partially due to my incessant promotion of places like the ever-amazing Hirosaki Park, I am now seeing a lot more…
Today, I’d like to introduce you to yet another part of Japan that is amazing during the springtime. Locally known as the Kumagaya Sakura Tsutsumi, this hidden gem can be found up in Saitama Prefecture along the Arakawa riverbank. Every…
Today, I’d like to introduce you all to a cherry blossom spot that most overseas visitors to Japan have never even heard of. Referred to in Japanese as the Senbonzakura of Torayama (lit. “The 1,000 Cherry Blossom Trees of Mt.…
At least insomuch as my own personal outings have been concerned, the 2023 cherry blossom season has largely been a wet one. I guess that is part and parcel of being what the Japanese call an ame-otoko (lit. “rainy guy”).…
Hakodate… Hakodate… That’s right! I did actually go there last year for 2022’s cherry blossom season! Somehow, I totally forgot to write about my adventures up in Hokkaido’s third biggest city. How the hell did that happen? Anywho, while I…
For some reason, whenever I get overwhelmed by the challenges of life, I always find myself heading down to Chiba Prefecture’s bucolic Boso Peninsula. Last time this happened, I made a much-needed escape to Katsuura. Recently though, life dealt me…
Today, I’d like to introduce you to the former merchant town of Omihachiman. Found on the shores of Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture, this picturesque hamlet looks just as it would have 400 years ago. Back during the Warring States…
In comparison to some of my more in-depth area guides on the blog, today’s article is going to be quite condensed. This week, we’ll be taking a look at Kyoto’s lovely Yodo Suiro Waterway. Lacking the normal historical pedigree that…
These days, everyone under the sun knows that the cherry blossoms are at their best in mid to late March. Alas, this timing doesn’t always work out for some travelers. Moreover, spring is extremely popular both with international tourists as…
Allow me today to take you to the seaside town of Tomonoura. Located down on the southeastern edge of Hiroshima Prefecture, this homely hamlet is a picturesque port on the Seto Inland Sea. In the days of yesteryear, Tomonoura was…
Hail and well met travelers! Today, we’ll be taking a look at the mysterious Muro-ji. Found in the eastern sections of Nara Prefecture, far away from the ever-adorable deer, this Buddhist temple is a spot that often pops up on…