Japan Travel Tips & Hidden Gems
In late 2024, I had the chance to visit Nihonmatsu in Fukushima Prefecture as part of a government initiative to encourage more tourists heading to Tohoku to stop by along the way. Truth be told, until this opportunity came up,…
You know, somehow, I completely neglected to do an Aomori area guide thus far. Though I did indeed cover a lot of what the city has to offer in my article about autumn in the prefecture, I guess I just…
For some time now, I’ve been escaping to Chiba Prefecture whenever I needed a break from the madness. Most famously, the seaside town of Katsuura saved me from complete and utter burnout back in 2022, and ever since, Chiba has…
These days, popular spots in Kyoto, such as Arashiyama and Kiyomizu-dera, have succumbed so badly to overtourism that they’re hardly recognizable anymore. Though this was already becoming an issue prior to the pandemic, these places have now reached a point…
One period of Japanese history that has always fascinated me is the unraveling of the Tokugawa shogunate’s hegemony during the mid-1800s. Known now as the Bakumatsu, this historical arc contains so much action that it would be difficult to even…
When I originally published my in-depth primer on Akita Prefecture, I thought I had covered it all. Alas, as is always the case with Japan, no endeavor to thoroughly introduce a place is ever fully complete. In my foolishness, I…
The city of Shimonoseki has LONG been on my bucket list, but for one reason or another, it took me forever to finally get there. As you’ll understand after reading this article, I’m quite ashamed to admit that I should…
Japan is an absolutely incredible destination, from its stunning natural landscapes to the buzzing energy of its cities. You don’t need to be a history buff to fall in love with the place, but trust me — getting a grip on Japan’s…
If you’ve spent any time on social media, you’ve likely seen plenty of pictures of Motonosumi Inari Shrine. Located along the coast of the Sea of Japan in Yamaguchi Prefecture, this Shinto sanctuary is one of the most photogenic spots…
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably already heard about the massive tourism boom Japan is experiencing. Driven by a weak yen and a deluge of social media-induced FOMO, it seems like everyone, their mother, and even their…
I’ll be straight with you, Kagoshima Prefecture is pretty cool. Comprising all of southern Kyushu, this part of Japan is blessed both with a rich history and beautiful nature. Though these days, Kagoshima is most well known for the role…
One summer, we were having our regular Baemeshi (a media company I set up with Kyodo PR, my former employer) for the month of July with the now-chairman when he mentioned that he had just recently made a pilgrimage to…
Welcome back to another installment of getting far off the beaten path. In this issue, we’ll be exploring a hidden gem in Kyushu known as the Kuma Valley. This area essentially maps to the confines of Hitoyoshi City (or more…
It was late February, and we were taking refuge from the cold at a ski lodge up in the Appi Highlands of Iwate. Outside, soft, powdery snow fluttered down tenderly from the heavens above. The journey that led us here…
Recently, I was down in Hitoyoshi City in Kumamoto’s Kuma Valley for a creator gig. Not wanting to waste an opportunity to explore more of Kyushu, I decided to extend my time in the area and cross Miyazaki Prefecture off…