Japan Travel Tips & Hidden Gems
When it comes to visiting a medieval military stronghold in Japan, most tourists tend to conjure thoughts of the Osaka and Himeji Castle. While these fortresses are definitely worth visiting, they are located to the west in the Kansai region…
Themed dining experience are one of the things that Tokyo has no shortage of. Sadly though, the foreign media tend to only focus on a few places such as the Robot Restaurant or the Kawaii Monster Cafe (which both tragically…
Welcome back to another one of my area guides where I detail all the things you need to know for a successful, hassle free trip! This time, we’ll be looking at the charming Hakone area in the western reaches of…
Any visitor to Tokyo knows that there is absolutely no shortage of random temples and shrines to explore. Indeed, at times it can seem as if there’s a spiritual establishment sandwiched between each of the city’s many high rises. Many…
Note: Unfortunately, this place closed down in 2021… Those familiar with Tokyo may be rather surprised to see an Oedo Onsen Monogatari post on a blog typically dedicated to off the beaten path destinations. After all, the facility isn’t really…
Note: Unfortunately, this place closed down in 2019… What’s up nerds and nerdettes? Today we will be taking a look at one of Tokyo’s latest attractions, VR Zone Shinjuku. This virtual reality theme park opened at the start of summer…
It’s no secret that Kyoto has become a tourism powerhouse in recent years. The ancient capital’s notoriety however has come at a cost. Everyday, visitors from across the globe flood the city’s marvelous attractions. Consequently it can be hard to…
Today we are going to take a look at a destination that has been on my bucket list for a LONG time. Known as Chikubushima, this secluded little island lies in the middle of Lake Biwa, Japan’s biggest lake. Chikubushima…
Ninja-dera is a temple in Ishikawa Prefecture’s city of Kanazawa. I had intended to only include this attraction as an afterthought in my area guide for the region. Despite my initial plan though, I was so overwhelmed by Ninja-dera that…
Many travelers immediately think of either Osaka Castle or Himeji Castle when considering a historical visit to a castle in the Kansai region. Few are aware of another fortress that has served as a solemn guardian of important trade routes…
Tokyo is a city comprised of a near infinite number of tall buildings. Because of this, life on the streets below can often feel cramped and claustrophobic. Luckily there is an easy way to escape the concrete jungle; simply go…
Sarushima (lit. “Monkey Island”) is a small, uninhabited island located off the coast of the Miura Peninsula in Tokyo Bay. Despite its name, Sarushima is unfortunately devoid of any real monkeys. Nevertheless, while it may be lacking in simians, Sarushima…
In today’s post, we will together be making an expedition to Aichi Prefecture’s Nagoya Castle. Originally dating from the early 1600s, this mighty structure was first erected to protect the Tokugawa clan from potential enemies in the west. Thanks in…
Today’s article is the next installment in my area guide series where I go into great detail on a specific spot. This will be a VERY long post but not without good reason! We’ll be going far off the beaten…
In today’s post we’ll be examining one of the northernmost outposts of the Tendai Buddhist sect that has been on my bucket list for years. Officially known as Risshaku-ji, the temple is more colloquially known as Yamadera (lit. “Mountain Temple”)…