Lucia Tsujiguchi, Author at VOYAPON

Lucia Tsujiguchi

I arrived from Madrid to Tokyo in 2017, with two suitcases full of dreams to fulfill and one backpack full of fears to beat. I always carry my camera with me, my biggest passion, during all my trips and adventures. My ikigai is discovering the real essence of this country; the part of Japan that is hidden in the daily routine, in the supermarkets crowded with japanese grandmas, in the restaurants without english menu, in the countryside’s hidden gems and in the small things that we don’t notice everyday.

26 articles

Articles by Lucia Tsujiguchi

Sakura in Osaka: Where are the Best Places to Enjoy Cherry Blossoms in 2026?

February 4, 2026 Castles, Cherry Blossoms, editors'picks, Gardens & Parks, Kansai, Osaka, Osaka, small featured, Spring

Osaka is surrounded by some of Japan’s best sakura spots. To the north, Kyoto's temples and streets bloom with cherry blossoms, while to the east, Nara Park offers stunning views with roaming deer. Nearby, Mount Yoshino transforms into a pink...

Sakura in Nara: Cherry Blossoms Surrounded by Tradition and Deer

February 4, 2026 Cherry Blossoms, Gardens & Parks, Hiking, Historic Sites, Kansai, Nara, Nara, Nature & Outdoors, small featured, Spring, Temples & Shrines

Nara, one of the top tourist destinations in Japan’s Kansai region, becomes a breathtaking spectacle of pink and white every spring as cherry blossoms reach full bloom. The city offers one of the most enchanting hanami experiences in Japan in...

Yokai: Discover the History of Japan’s Legendary Monsters

January 21, 2025 Culture, Temples & Shrines 1 Comment

Throughout history, humans have always sought to explain the mysterious or illogical phenomena around them. To make sense of what couldn’t be easily understood, we created myths and legends that have endured for centuries. These stories often feature extraordinary beings,...

Minshuku in Okinawa: Connect with locals for an unforgettable experience

January 31, 2023 Culture, Language, Minshuku, Okinawa, Okinawa, Okinawa, Okinawa, Soba, Sponsored 2 Comments

When planning your trip to Okinawa and you need to choose accommodation, the first thing you probably think of is a fancy resort near the sea. But while these hotels are a great relaxing option, they don’t offer an immersive...

Jindaiji Temple, a Hidden Gem in Suburban Tokyo

April 28, 2022 Culture, Local Buses, Soba, Souvenirs, Street Food, Temples & Shrines, Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo

For many, the first things that come to mind when they think about Tokyo are the crowded streets full of neon lights in Shibuya or Shinjuku, the anime figure stores and game centers in every corner of Akihabara, the traditional...

Enjoy a Leisure Stay and the Best Local Experiences in Hamamatsu

March 31, 2022 Ferries, Fishing, Kyoto, Kyoto, Kyoto, Onsen & Sento, Sashimi, Shinkansen, Shizuoka, Sponsored, Sushi, Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo

Hamamatsu is located in the western part of Shizuoka Prefecture. In addition to its abundant nature and breathtaking sceneries, it also has a rich history. During the Edo period, this area was a vital heartbeat as an important stopping place...

The purification fountain decorated with flowers

Kohoku Gozan Meguri: Go Temple Hopping Japan’s Historical and Sacred Sites in Hamamatsu

March 31, 2022 Autumn Leaves, Culture, First Time in Japan, Historic Sites, Religion, Shizuoka, Sponsored, Temples & Shrines, Traditions

The Hamamatsu region in Shizuoka Prefecture is located in a privileged natural environment. With its impressive mountains and over 800 different types of plants inhabiting the area, Lake Hamana (the tenth-largest lake in Japan), and shores lapped by the Pacific...

Tenjinbashisuji Arcade in Osaka: Enjoy the Longest Shopping Street in Japan Like a Local

March 22, 2022 Culture, Fireworks, Osaka, Osaka, Osaka, Street Food, Summer Festivals, Temples & Shrines

Japan is a country of contrasts. From the snow and low temperatures in Hokkaido to the turquoise waters and tropical beaches in Okinawa. From the world’s busiest crosswalk in Tokyo to one of the most famous bamboo forests in Kyoto....

Yomitan-son: Visit a Traditional Village and Meet the Locals in Okinawa

September 8, 2021 Beaches & Islands, Castles, Culture, Historic Sites, Hostels, Museums & Galleries, Okinawa, Okinawa, Okinawa, Okinawa, Ryokan, Sponsored

Mensore! When you travel to Okinawa Prefecture, you will hear this word often. Mensore means "welcome" in the Okinawan dialect, but it is not only a polite greeting, it is also an intrinsic part of the Okinawan culture and way...

Sanshin: Discover the History of this Japanese Instrument in Machidaya

September 8, 2021 Culture, Kyushu, Okinawa, Okinawa, Okinawa, Okinawa, Souvenirs, Sponsored

It’s often said that music knows no borders. It’s a universal language understood all over the world and capable of weaving a shared bond between millions of people across different cultures, countries and generations. Sometimes, it remains intact, and at...

Unlocking the Secrets of the Japanese Ceramic Art with Kyoshi Matsuda

September 8, 2021 Culture, Historic Sites, Okinawa, Okinawa, Okinawa, Okinawa, Souvenirs, Sponsored

In Okinawan dialect, yachimun (やちむん) means pottery. Its history dates back hundreds of years when the islands were still the Ryukyu Kingdom. Yachimun is part of Okinawa's identity and highly valued among locals and visitors alike for its rustic design,...

The Legacy of the Traditional Japanese Pottery in Fuji Pottery Workshop

September 8, 2021 Culture, Okinawa, Okinawa, Okinawa, Okinawa, Souvenirs, Sponsored

When I think about Okinawa, the first word that comes to mind is "paradise". Its turquoise blue ocean contrasts with the white sand of the beaches. The deep green tropical plants intensify the hibiscus red tones. Traditional orange and reddish...

Nakama Pottery Workshop: The Science of the Handmade Pottery

September 8, 2021 Culture, Kyushu, Okinawa, Okinawa, Okinawa, Okinawa, Souvenirs, Sponsored

Handmade pottery is one of the oldest crafts in Japan. It’s a combination of art and tradition that reflects Japanese cultural values through the artisans' technique, who dedicate their entire lives to the clay. Ceramics are still a big part...

colorful glassware made of ryukyu glass, Okinawa, Japan

Okinawan Glass Making Experience in Ryukyu Glass Workshop Shizuku

September 8, 2021 Culture, Kyushu, Okinawa, Okinawa, Okinawa, Okinawa, Souvenirs, Sponsored

Like many of the traditional crafts of the ancient Ryukyu Kingdom (琉球王国), Okinawan glass is also part of a story of war, hard work, resilience, and rebirth. Nowadays, some artisans on these islands located in southern Japan continue to make...

Manufacture process of benimo tarts, a japanese snack

Okashi Goten: Indulge Yourself in a Paradise of Japanese Sweets

September 8, 2021 Autumn Leaves, Convenience Stores, Okinawa, Okinawa, Okinawa, Okinawa, Souvenirs, Sponsored, Sweets 2 Comments

If you've ever been to Japan, you've probably found yourself browsing the okashi (お菓子 Japanese snacks and sweets) area in a supermarket or konbini (コンビニ convenience stores) over and over again. It is impossible to pass by and ignore their...

Sookijiru, a healthy okinawan food in Japan

Okiham: Okinawan Food and the Secret of Longevity

September 8, 2021 Hokkaido, Hokkaido, Hokkaido, Okinawa, Okinawa, Okinawa, Okinawa, Ramen, Sashimi, Sponsored, Sushi, Tempura

Japanese cuisine is world-famous, but there is much more food to try than sushi, ramen, or tempura. Japan's varied landscape stretches from the tropical islands of Okinawa to the wintery highlands of Hokkaido. Thanks to this diversity, Japanese cuisine offers...

detail of women weaving a japanese textile

Yuntanza Hanaui: Japanese Textiles Created for a Royal Family

September 8, 2021 Clothing, Culture, Historic Sites, Okinawa, Okinawa, Okinawa, Okinawa, Souvenirs, Sponsored

When you think of traditional Japanese culture, one of the first images that probably comes to mind is a beautiful woman wearing a kimono, Japan's most famous and beloved garment. However, the kimono is only one example of the variety...

A public espace of a manga kissa in Tokyo

Manga Cafe: A Cheap Stay Where You Can Read Manga

May 13, 2021 Affordable Accommodation, Anime & Manga, Capsule Hotels, Costs, Culture, Nightlife 1 Comment

It is undeniable that manga is one of the most popular Japanese cultural phenomena inside and outside the country. Throughout history and especially after the Second World War, these Japanese comics have developed a huge industry that moves billions of...

Discovering Japan anew with the Hokuriku Arch Pass, Part 1: Sightseeing in Kanto

February 12, 2021 Gardens & Parks, Gunma, Historic Sites, Kanto, Language, Onsen & Sento, Rail Passes, Saitama, Shinkansen, Sponsored, Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo

This is Part 1 of a 3 part series of articles about the New Golden Route, a part of Japan conveniently accessed by the Hokuriku Arch Pass. To read the other 2 articles in the series, follow these links: Part...

illustration of a couple saying I love you in different japanese dialects

How to say ‘I love you’ in Japanese and other romantic phrases

January 20, 2021 Communication, Culture, Etiquette, Language

It is said that love is universal. That all human beings, wherever they are from, understand and express it with actions, gestures, or looks. Through our experiences, our learning, or our culture, we know how to give and receive love....

Japanese patterns created by MinaHomi Design Workshop

MinaHomi Design Workshop, the Art of Japanese Patterns

November 11, 2020 Culture, Fashion, Souvenirs

MinaHomi Design Workshop is a project born from the dreams of a young artist who rekindled her deepest roots when she began to observe her own country’s culture with a fresh outlook from the other end of the world. A...

woman wandering around blue light crystals at teamLab Planets in Tokyo

teamLab Planets: An Immersion into Another Planet Inside Tokyo

November 2, 2020 Museums & Galleries, Theme Parks, Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo

If we had been told a few decades ago that one day there’d be a place that would allow us to go barefooted while climbing waterfalls, chasing Japanese koi carp that turn into flowers when trying to catch them, or...

Katsuo-ji Temple: The Home of the Winning Daruma

August 30, 2020 Autumn Leaves, Gardens & Parks, Mountains, Osaka, Osaka, Osaka, Temples & Shrines

Close your eyes and imagine a path in the middle of a mountain, surrounded by trees of red, ocher and yellow. The sound of dry leaves crunching under your feet, the roar of a waterfall in the distance. The smell...

La Granda Familio front store in Nakazakicho

Nakazakicho, a Bohemian Neighborhood in Osaka

July 14, 2020 Historic Sites, Izakaya, Kansai, Osaka, Osaka, Osaka, Street Food, Tea

Umeda (梅田) is one of the most crowded areas in Osaka. It is a massive beehive of department stores, restaurants, and a never-ending labyrinth of train stations and skyscrapers hosting headquarters of top companies. It’s difficult to imagine that only...

General view of Yasaka Namba Shrine, Osaka

Power spots in Japan: Temples and Shrines of Osaka That Will Surprise You

June 15, 2020 Culture, Nightlife, Osaka, Osaka, Osaka, Spring, Temples & Shrines

Osaka is famous across Japan for its delicious cuisine, vibrant nightlife, and friendly people. It’s a crazy city full of neon lights, posters and facades with singular decorations and street food stalls. But, unlike the neighboring Kyoto, Osaka is not...

Shinsekai, the nostalgia-evoking New World in Osaka

May 4, 2020 Kansai, Nightlife, Osaka, Osaka, Osaka, Souvenirs

Shinsekai, which literally means ‘New World’, is a district located in southern Osaka. Its development began in 1912 and was presented as an ode to the future with great expectations of becoming a symbol of the city. But its history...

Articles by Lucia Tsujiguchi

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