Derek Yamashita, Author at VOYAPON

Derek Yamashita

Derek Yamashita is a Tohoku based photographer and writer with a passion for cycling and hiking. He is also the co-founder of The Hidden Japan, a group dedicated to help make the Tohoku Region more accessible to travelers.

18 articles

Articles by Derek Yamashita

Japanese Buddhist statues carved into rock in Oita Japan

Discover the Magaibutsu Buddhist Carvings of Bungo-ono in Oita, Kyushu

April 15, 2021 Car Rentals, Historic Sites, Kyushu, Mountains, Oita, Rail Passes, Shinkansen, Sponsored, Temples & Shrines, Volcanoes

Sponsored by Tourism Oita Scattered across the Ono River Valley in Oita Prefecture are hundreds of magaibutsu Buddhist figures carved into the volcanic rock created by the massive eruption of Mt. Aso nearly 100,000 years ago. Statues of Buddhist figures can...

Luxury Lodging and Must-Visit Culinary Destinations in Kyushu

January 15, 2020 Culture, Historic Sites, Kyushu, Luxury Accommodation, Nagasaki, Ryokan, Sponsored

Sponsored by Kyushu District Transport Bureau Japan's southernmost main island of Kyushu was once the center for Japanese civilization and has an endless amount of historical treasures, beautiful coastlines, and natural beauty to discover. In addition to all there is...

Culinary Excellence in Fukuoka, Kyushu’s Largest City

January 15, 2020 Costs, Fukuoka, Fukuoka, Izakaya, Kaiseki, Kyushu, Sashimi, Sponsored, Sushi

From 100 yen snacks at street stalls to the highest concentration of Michelin stars in the world, Japan truly is a culinary powerhouse with delicious food across an incredibly wide price range. When visiting this country, I absolutely implore all...

Exploring the Cuisine and Urban Nightlife of Fukuoka

January 15, 2020 Culture, First Time in Japan, Fukuoka, Fukuoka, Kyushu, Nightlife, Sake & Alcohol, Souvenirs, Sponsored, Sushi

Day or night, Fukuoka city offers a dizzying array of food, from roadside yatai serving late night meals to exclusive 3 Michelin starred sushi restaurants.

Cultural and Culinary Fusion in Nagasaki

January 15, 2020 Autumn, Autumn Leaves, Culture, Gardens & Parks, Kyushu, Nagasaki, Sponsored

Sponsored by Kyushu District Transport Bureau At the height of the Fall season, I recently had the pleasure of visiting the beautiful southern port city of Nagasaki for two days of culinary and historical exploration. Nagasaki served as the sole...

The Hidden Luxury of Takanosu Onsen

December 27, 2019 Luxury Accommodation, Mountains, Niigata, Onsen & Sento, Ryokan, Sponsored

Sponsored by Sekikawa Village Traditional Luxury Deep in the Countryside of Niigata Prefecture After finishing off a day of cycling through the small picturesque farming community of Sekikawa, I drove out of town to a small parking lot along the...

Sekikawa’s Neko-chigura “Cat Houses” Sustain Tradition and Cats Alike

December 27, 2019 Niigata, Souvenirs, Sponsored

Sponsored by Sekikawa Village Its no secret that people here in Japan absolutely love cats. At almost every port, downtown area, and even on multiple islands that locals refer to "cat islands," you can see many friendly stray cats that...

Cycling through the Fall Colors of The Niigata Countryside

December 27, 2019 Autumn, Cycling, Historic Sites, Mountains, Niigata, Rail Passes, Ryokan, Shinkansen, Sponsored, Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo

Sponsored by Sekikawa Village If you are going to make an excursion to experience the Japanese countryside, it would be a waste to limit yourself to the trains and buses that skip over so much of what these regions have...

The Salmon Heritage of Murakami City

December 26, 2019 Fishing, Niigata, Sashimi, Sponsored, Sushi

Sponsored by Murakami City During the last day of my travels in Murakami City, I went to see the annual salmon harvest taking place on the Miomote River that runs through the middle part of this city. Shiobiki Salmon are...

Murakami City – Best Ways to Enjoy Fall Colors

December 26, 2019 Autumn Leaves, Culture, Gardens & Parks, Niigata, Sponsored, Temples & Shrines, Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo, Vegetarian & Vegan

Sponsored by Murakami City Located along the Sea of Japan about 4 hours from Tokyo is the small coastal city of Murakami. Rich in cultural arts, cuisine, and history this city is a perfect place for those looking to get...

Higher Goals: A Guesthouse Sustaining Life in Murakami City

December 26, 2019 Hostels, Rice, Sake & Alcohol, Sponsored, Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo

Sponsored by Murakami City Finishing off a day of exploring Murakami City, I checked into a guesthouse nestled in a quiet neighborhood on the edge of the city. This guesthouse was called Iromusubi and was opened by a man named...

A 4 Day Journey From Iwate Prefecture to Hokkaido on the Hokkaido Shinkansen: Day Three

September 25, 2019 Cycling, Hokkaido, Hokkaido, Hokkaido, Iwate, Mountains, Niseko, Sapporo, Shinkansen, Sponsored, Summer, Sushi

Sponsored by Hokkaido Government A Four Day Journey Along the Hokkaido Shinkansen As you may know, the Rugby World Cup 2019, one of the three major sporting events in the world, is now being held in Japan. To commemorate Japan...

A 4 Day Journey From Iwate Prefecture to Hokkaido on the Hokkaido Shinkansen: Day Four

September 25, 2019 1 Week, First Time in Japan, Hokkaido, Hokkaido, Hokkaido, Iwate, Nightlife, Niseko, Ramen, Sapporo, Shinkansen, Sponsored, Summer

A 4 Day Journey from Iwate Prefecture to Hokkaido on the Hokkaido Shinkansen: Day One

September 25, 2019 Cycling, First Time in Japan, Football, Hokkaido, Hokkaido, Hokkaido, Iwate, Shinkansen, Sponsored, Summer, Tohoku, Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo

A 4 Day Journey from Iwate Prefecture to Hokkaido on the Hokkaido Shinkansen: Day Two

September 25, 2019 Aomori, First Time in Japan, Hokkaido, Hokkaido, Hokkaido, Iwate, Rail Passes, Sashimi, Shinkansen, Sponsored, Summer, Sushi

Cycling along the coast of Kamaishi City.

A 4 Day Journey from Iwate Prefecture to Hokkaido on the Hokkaido Shinkansen: Day One, Part 2

September 25, 2019 Beaches & Islands, Cycling, First Time in Japan, Hokkaido, Hokkaido, Hokkaido, Iwate, Kamakura, Language, Shinkansen, Sponsored, Summer

Nature and Spiritual Travel in the Ogata Plains in Bungo-ono

March 14, 2019 Historic Sites, Kyushu, Mountains, Oita, Sponsored, Temples & Shrines, Volcanoes

Sponsored by Tourism Oita Located on the vast Ogata Plains is a most unexpected and beautiful sight. In the middle of this valley is a wide cascade of waterfalls spanning 120 meters that collectively form what is known as Harajiri...

A Farm Stay Experience in Bungo-ono, Oita

March 13, 2019 Culture, First Time in Japan, Kyushu, Language, Minshuku, Oita, Rice, Sake & Alcohol, Sponsored, Tea, Vegetarian & Vegan

From budget and quirky capsule hotels to extravagant and lavish onsen resorts, Japan offers incredible diversity in lodging options for resting up during your travels and explorations. However, there is another option of lodging that is unique from all of these...

Articles by Derek Yamashita

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