Japan Travel Tips & Hidden Gems
When I started publishing on this Japan travel blog back in 2016, the city of Kanazawa was one of my go-to recommendations for people looking for an alternative to Kyoto. Alas, times change, and what was once true then is…
Let me begin by saying that if you’re here for advice on cycling, where to get a bike rental, etc., you’ve come to the wrong place. While I’ll, of course, touch on these topics in this piece on the famed…
Nowadays, Nagano Prefecture really needs no introduction. Whether it’s because of the epic Japow found on the slopes of ski resorts like Hakuba or those ever-popular snow monkeys at Snow Monkey Park, Nagano is now a place firmly on the…
When it comes to Japan’s bloody Warring States period (1467–1600), no conflict looms larger than the Battle of Sekigahara. Fought on a misty morning on October 21, 1600, this pivotal clash marked the culmination of decades of political chaos and…
By now, I think I’ve said this more times than I care to count, but there is simply so much more to Hiroshima Prefecture than most people realize. You see, far too many overseas visitors only ever stop by the…
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…
For the past year, I’ve been working with the Setouchi DMO to help promote the region internationally via the press and on social media. Over the many moons that we’ve collaborated together, I’ve learned a great deal about this amazing…
Last year, while escorting a few journalists from the UK as part of my ongoing work with the Setouchi DMO, I had the chance to finally visit the impressive Kosan-ji temple complex. Located along the Shimanami Kaido on the island…
If you pay attention to Instagram at all, chances are you’ve already seen shots of the annual Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival floating around online. Generally running from mid-February to early March, this celebration is a herald of what comes later…
When I started producing content many years ago, Kanazawa, the capital city of Ishikawa Prefecture, was still largely unknown to inbound tourists. While die-hard fans of Japan were likely aware, few first-timers had any real notion that such a place…
They say that all good things eventually come to an end, and sadly, this statement proved true for the incredibly affordable Japan Rail Pass. If you’ve been living under a rock and haven’t already heard the bad news, the price…
Recently when I was slowly making my way back to Tokyo from Komatsu up in Ishikawa Prefecture, I had the shocking revelation that I’ve yet to feature the famous town of Hida-Takayama on this blog. Despite using a photo of…
In today’s article, I am going to take you to the artisanal town of Tokoname. Located on the western side of Aichi Prefecture’s Chita Peninsula, Tokoname has long been famous as one of Japan’s six ancient kilns. As far back…
In the years since I started writing about Japan, I’ve been down to the Izu Peninsula a shockingly high number of times. Somehow though, I never managed to make it to Ito. Located a mere stone’s throw past the timeworn…
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,…