Japan Travel Tips & Hidden Gems
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
“While this article was originally written during the pandemic, all of the locations and information featured are still valid…” — Donny Kimball Over the years, I’ve been quite weary of visiting Japan’s former capital. Simply put, the place has been overrun with…
Dear reader, allow me to begin this one with an intriguing folktale. According to this legend, back in the early mists of time, a deity descended from the heavens. Seeking a place to spend the night, this divine being beseeched…
“I am going to burn them with the flames of war and let the true Buddha be called forth from these ashes!” — Oda Nobunaga Imagine this. You’ve just consolidated control over most of Japan but there’s still a constant thorn in…
“While this article was originally written during the pandemic, all of the locations and information featured are still valid…” — Donny Kimball It’s really no secret that I’ve not been a fan of Kyoto over the years. Though I am sympathetic towards…
It should really come as no surprise to those who already follow me on the Gram that Asakura has a special place in my heart. Not only is this provincial section of Fukuoka Prefecture a treasure trove of bucolic delights,…
Ladies and gentlemen, this is a daikon (lit. “big root”). Known internationally among culinary circles in English as the daikon radish, this mild-flavored winter radish originally hails from China’s northern reaches. Though common to many Asian countries, the vegetable is…
Welcome back to another installment of Backyard Tourism. As always, we’ll be taking a look at an often-overlooked part of Japan in an attempt to prove that just about anywhere in this amazing country has potential. This time, I’ll be…