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Japan Travel Tips & Hidden Gems

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A Different Side of Japan

Japan Travel Tips & Hidden Gems

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Fukui’s Town of Obama | Visiting So-called “Nara by the Sea”

Sancho-machi in the Nishigumi district of Obama is one of the best reasons to visit this part of Fukui Prefecture.

To understand the allure of Obama, we’re first going to have to take a look at the town’s legacy across the ages. Since the early mists of time, this seaside hamlet has played an important role as a port of…

  • Donny Kimball
  • January 10, 2023
  • Area Guides

Nagano’s Narai-juku | An Edo Period (1603–1868) Post Town

Japan has a number of amazing post towns such as Narai-juku. Here, you'll find many a historic house along the central street.

Thanks to Instagram, the topic of today’s post likely needs no introduction. Known as Narai-juku, this medieval town has been getting far more attention than it used to thanks to social media these days. In addition to being incredibly photogenic…

  • Donny Kimball
  • January 3, 2023
  • Travel Tips

Solo Travel in Japan | ChatGPT’s Opinion on Traveling Alone

A solo traveler in Japan sits alone in a garden at a Buddhist temple.

In the spirit of being totally transparent with you, I am absolutely swamped right now with a number of things. In addition to my various freelance clients trying to end the year strong, there’s also a number of other matters…

  • Donny Kimball
  • December 19, 2022
  • Area Guides

Kita Onsen Ryokan | The Nasu Region’s Hot Spring Shangri-La

Kita Onsen Ryokan is a Japanese hotel in Tochigi that has many a room that dates from the Edo period but you can’t pay for a room with credit card.

As I write this article in my head, I am soaking away all of my worldly concerns at Kita Onsen Ryokan in Tochigi Prefecture’s Nasu region. As I begin to boil in the 43° C waters, I slowly stop fretting…

  • Donny Kimball
  • December 11, 2022
  • Area Guides

Shigisan Chogosonshi-ji | A Mountaintop Hidden Gem in Nara

Sunrise from the ancient temple on top of Mount Shigi.

Every single time that I think I’ve completed a prefecture, Japan turns around and hits me in the face with evidence that I’ll never be able to fully write somewhere off. Just recently, this reminder happened while I was down…

  • Donny Kimball
  • December 4, 2022
  • Area Guides

Shuzenji Onsen | One of Shizuoka’s Best Hot Spring Towns

A Japanese bridge crosses a river in the center of Shuzenji, one of the most famous and oldest hot springs in Japan.

There are a lot of great hot spring towns within the vicinity of Tokyo. Both for day trips and overnight stays alike, you’ll find a wide host of options on offer nearby Japan’s capital. For those looking for something a…

  • Donny Kimball
  • November 24, 2022
  • Misc. Other

All for Japan | Why I Slave Away for This Country

An overhead shot of one of the main intersections in Ginza, a place where Donny Kimball is often working for Japan.

For the past several years, I’ve always published some random musings on my birthday. Seeing as I am now, as of today, again an older man (37 years old if you’re wondering), I figured that I might as well continue…

  • Donny Kimball
  • November 21, 2022
  • Area Guides

Kawaji Onsen & Ryuokyo | A Hot Spring & a Gorge in Tochigi

A grouping of hotels and ryokan in a small, natural hot spring town where the Ojika River and the Kinugawa and River merge.

Since as long as I’ve been writing travel articles on this blog, I’ve always made a pilgrimage back to Nikko during the month of November. Not only is the area absolutely gorgeous during this time of the year, it is…

  • Donny Kimball
  • November 17, 2022
  • Travel Tips

In Praise of Dormy Inn | My “Business Hotel” of Choice

At Dormy Inn, you can always find a hot spring on the premises and this is one of the top reasons why you should stay there.

Oh my god… I am about to sound like the biggest shill in the world for Dormy Inn but I swear that this isn’t a sponsored piece of content or anything. Frankly put, I just want to get the word…

  • Donny Kimball
  • November 3, 2022
  • Area Guides

The Inatori Hosono Highlands | See Izu’s Susuki Silver Grass

A path through the fields of susuki in the kogen on a sunny day

It’s no secret that autumn is my favorite time of year in Japan. The entirety of the countryside comes alive with vibrant hues of red, yellow and orange. As those of you who have visited Japan during this magical season…

  • Donny Kimball
  • October 30, 2022
  • Area Guides

The Unko Museum | One of Tokyo’s Latest Oddities

A multicolor photo of the Poop Museum in Tokyo on the web tickets portal

Dear reader, allow me to begin by apologizing for all of the upcoming scattalogical puns an innuendos in the following paragraphs. This is truly going to be one crappy post. Today, we’ll be taking a look at Tokyo’s Unko Museum.…

  • Donny Kimball
  • October 22, 2022
  • Area Guides

Hiroshima’s Onomichi | More than Just the Shimanami Kaido

A view of a temple’s main hall along the temple walk path in Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture Japan.

If you’re an avid fan of traveling to Japan (which is now thankfully again possible as of Oct 11, 2022), you’ve probably heard of the amazing Shimanami Kaido. Running from Onomichi in Hiroshima Prefecture all the way to Imabari in…

  • Donny Kimball
  • October 8, 2022
  • Area Guides

Toyama Prefecture | An Oft-Forgotten Part of Hokuriku

The many meters-high mountains of Japan's Toyama Prefecture are covered by snow early in winter.

Today, I am going to take you to Toyama Prefecture. Sandwiched between the Sea of Japan and the mountainous core of the country, Toyama is a treasure trove of both natural and cultural wonders. Alas, many overseas visitors to Japan…

  • Donny Kimball
  • September 23, 2022
  • Area Guides

Gujo-Hachiman | Gifu’s Castle Town with an Epic Bon Dance

The view of a temple, Gujo-Hachiman Station and the Yoshida River from the top of Gujo-Hachiman Castle in Gifu.

Today we’ll be looking at the former castle town of Gujo-Hachiman. Located in Gifu Prefecture, this riverside hamlet has long been on my to-visit list. Best known for its pristine waterways and its famous summer obon dance festival, the Gujo…

  • Donny Kimball
  • September 15, 2022
  • Area Guides

Osaki Kamishima | Backyard Tourism Vol. 13

A view of many islands from the tallest mountain on 大崎上島.

Welcome back to another installment of Backyard Tourism. Today, we’ll be taking a look at the island of Osaki Kamishima in Hiroshima Prefecture. Located 30 minutes off of the coast in the ever-picturesque Seto Inland Sea, this island rarely, if…

  • Donny Kimball
  • September 4, 2022
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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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