Japan Travel Tips & Hidden Gems
Well folks, it’s that time of year again! As the sultry summer finally comes to a close and the temperatures gradually start to drop, the autumn leaves are again about to grace us with their magnificent presence. Beginning in October,…
Ever since I first visited the timeworn hot spring town of Atami, I’ve wanted to venture out to Hatsushima. Located just off of the coast, this small island is the first of a long chain that collectively is known as…
These days, almost everyone has heard of Nagano. Thanks to its capital city being the host of the 1998 Winter Olympics, this part of central Japan has a lot of recognition internationally (even among those who have never visited the…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
If you’re active at all on social media, chances are high that you’ve seen photos of the northern parts of Gifu Prefecture somewhere before. From the ever-picturesque hamlet of Shirakawago to the historic town of Hida-Takayama, this part of Japan…
Today, we’ll be getting off the beaten path again to examine Nagano Prefecture’s city of Iiyama. Truth be told, it was only recently that this part of Japan popped up on the radar for me. While I had some vague…
Today, we’ll be venturing back to Hamamatsu in Shizuoka Prefecture. Though this city is already somewhat of an off of the beaten path destination, the topic of this article is an even more obscure hidden gem (at least as far…
For a hot minute now, Shizuoka Prefecture’s city of Hamamatsu has been on my bucket list. Though I first got to visit back in 2021 for Tokyo Creative’s #HostTownRelay, I really never had enough time to thoroughly explore all of…
A few weeks ago, while browsing the endless list of locales that I want to see in Japan, I realized that I had somehow managed to not feature Gero Onsen. Seeing as it is considered to be one of the…
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…