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A Different Side of Japan

Japan Travel Tips & Hidden Gems

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A Different Side of Japan

Japan Travel Tips & Hidden Gems

  • Area Guides

Rainy Days in Osaka | How to Salvage a Now-Ruined Itinerary

The city of Osaka on an overcast night following a typhoon

“This is really taking a long time…” I thought to myself while sitting on the Hashidate №1 limited express train bound for Kyoto’s Amanohashidate. Due to the heavy rains, my departure had been delayed by over an hour now. Little…

  • Donny Kimball
  • August 19, 2021
  • Misc. Other

Benzaiten’s White Snakes | On Chance & the Pull of Destiny

A statue of the Buddhist deity Benzaiten and a white snake

“Time is like a river that will take you forward into encounters with reality that will require you to make decisions. You can’t stop the movement down this river, you can’t avoid the encounters. You can only approach these encounters…

  • Donny Kimball
  • August 15, 2021
  • Area Guides

The Story of Shimoda | How Japan Was Forcefully Opened

An artist's rendition of Commodore Matthew C. Perry's black ships sailing into Tokyo Bay.

In 1853, on the 8th of July, the American navy steamed four of its mighty warships into the bay of the Shogun’s capital city. The crew carried an ultimatum for Japan to open up for trade. Though not the first…

  • Donny Kimball
  • August 5, 2021
  • Area Guides

Braving a Visit To Kure | A Neglected Side of Hiroshima

A historical photo of Japan’s Yamato battleship while out at sea

Let’s face it. When it comes to tourism and Japanese history, the period of World War II often gets skipped over completely. While visitors to Japan do indeed flock to Hiroshima’s Atomic Bomb Dome, rarely do you see anyone seeking…

  • Donny Kimball
  • August 1, 2021
  • Area Guides

Tokyo’s Retro Koenji | Backyard Tourism Vol. 11

Dancers perform at the Koenji Awa Odori Festival

As anyone who has visited Tokyo before can attest, Japan’s capital city is like one of those Matryoshka dolls. Every time you think that you’ve reached the bottom of what Tokyo has to offer, it always surprises you with something…

  • Donny Kimball
  • July 15, 2021
  • Area Guides

Back in Hiroshima | Why You Should Properly Explore the City

Hiroshima's tragic Atomic Bomb Dome during a pleasant summer day

Much like those who call themselves content travelers in the inbound tourism space, I am no stranger to Hiroshima. Alas, though I’ve been in (and through) the city numerous times, I’ve never really had a chance to savor Hiroshima’s lesser-known…

  • Donny Kimball
  • July 7, 2021
  • Area Guides

Fantastic Fuchu | A Quaint & Quite Picturesque Part of Tokyo

Hydrangeas outside the Fuchu City Local Forest Museum in Kyodo-no-Mori

Tokyo just never ceases to amaze me. Every time I think that I’ve seen most of the spots that I want to, something new pops up on the proverbial radar. Simply put, this megalopolis is like an onion. Every time…

  • Donny Kimball
  • June 27, 2021
  • Area Guides

Inuyama Castle | Japan’s Oldest Surviving Medieval Fortress

Inuyama Castle perched on a forested hill overlooking the Kisogawa, with the cityscape and mountains in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Those who have visited Japan in the past are likely already aware that the country is home to a great many medieval-style fortresses. Alas, only a few of the structures in this collection are actually historic buildings. In fact, just…

  • Donny Kimball
  • June 4, 2021
  • Travel Tips

Chasing the Cherry Blossoms | Following Peak Bloom in Japan

This cherry blossom heart shape is one of the main draws in Hirosaki Park. It is most enchanting during the night time so expect to see many cameramen here trying to grab the perfect shot.

As anyone who has planned (or is currently planning) a springtime trip to Japan likely already knows, the cherry blossoms tend to reach their zenith in Tokyo around the end of March. While still somewhat chilly, this annual flowering is…

  • Donny Kimball
  • May 25, 2021
  • Area Guides

Iwate’s Morioka | The Noodle Capital of Japan & So Much More

Mt. Iwate as seen from Iwate Prefecture's capital city of Morioka.

Ah, Morioka — Known internationally for its three great noodles and well… not much else. What a tragedy! You see, my dear readers, the capital city of Iwate Prefecture has so much more on offer than just these famed delicious dishes. While…

  • Donny Kimball
  • May 13, 2021
  • Area Guides

Ashinomaki Onsen’s Okawaso | Real Life Kimetsu-no-Yaiba

The main lobby of Ashinomaki Onsen's Okawasao ryokan that was the basis for the Infinity Castle in Kimetsu-no-Yaiba

Hey there, my fellow Kimetsu-no-Yaiba fans! Did you know that a lot of spots in everyone’s favorite anime series are actually based on real-life locales in Japan? For example, the home of the Kamado family is based on a peak…

  • Donny Kimball
  • May 6, 2021
  • Area Guides

Gunma’s Koizumi Inari Shrine | Backyard Tourism Vol. 10

The most photogenic shot of endless torii gates at Gunma Prefecture's Koizumi Inari Shrine.

Dear reader… Are you the type of person who will do just about anything for the Gram? Do you regularly make insane journeys to picturesque locations simply to snap the perfect selfie? If so, I have the superb spot in…

  • Donny Kimball
  • April 29, 2021
  • Travel Tips

Why I Love Japan | Five Reasons Why You Need to Visit

The famed Chureito Pagoda and the ever-majestic Mt. Fuji during winter

Years ago while I was on the Gram, a fellow creator here in Tokyo asked me out of the blue why I spend such a staggering amount of money traveling around and promoting my Japan travel blog. At the time,…

  • Donny Kimball
  • April 22, 2021
  • Area Guides

The Site of Reversible Destiny | Gifu’s Bizarre Yoro Park

Odd objects are strewn about at Yoro Park's Site of Reversible Destiny in Gifu Prefecture.

The subject of today’s post is an odd destination that has been on my to-visit list long before I started producing travel content in 2016. Known as the Site of Reversible Destiny, this peculiar attraction resides within Gifu Prefecture’s much…

  • Donny Kimball
  • April 15, 2021
  • Area Guides

Visit Misaki Port | The Southern Tip of the Miura Peninsula

Mt. Fuji at sunset from the Miura Peninsula's Jogashima

Every time I think I’ve crossed Kanagawa Prefecture off my bucket list once and for all, something always comes along to capture my attention. Recently, while contemplating possible day trips from Tokyo, I realized that I had yet to cover…

  • Donny Kimball
  • April 8, 2021
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About A Different Side of Japan
Exploring the sides of Japan that you can't find in any of the mainstream travel guides. Come follow the adventure!

Every week, I publish helpful travel tips and in-depth walkthroughs on how to visit some of the top hidden gems in Japan.

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