Maria Peñascal, Author at VOYAPON

Maria Peñascal

When I was young, I kept dreaming of the Land of the Rising Sun. So, one day, I decided to move to Japan to experience the country firsthand. Currently, I live between Spain and Japan, and I'm willing to share its culture through my writing and photography.

54 articles

Articles by Maria Peñascal

One of the izakaya streets in Nishi-Ogikubo

A Guide to Tokyo’s Underrated Neighborhoods of Ogikubo & Nishi-Ogikubo

May 21, 2024 Anime & Manga, Local Buses, Museums & Galleries, Tokyo, Tokyo

Explore another side of Tokyo by visiting Ogikubo and Nishi-Ogikubo, two of the city’s most underrated and non-touristy neighborhoods.

Accommodation in Japan: A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing Your Perfect Overnight Stay

June 6, 2022 Affordable Accommodation, Hostels, Luxury Accommodation, Ryokan

The first thing to do before undertaking a trip is to plan it: looking for which airline to fly with, planning an itinerary or hiring a guide, thinking about what to add to the suitcase, and choosing your accommodation. There...

Religion in Japan: What is the Main Religion in Japan?

May 24, 2022 Culture, Etiquette, Religion, Temples & Shrines

“A Japanese is born as a Shinto, marries as a Christian, and dies as a Buddhist.” This looks impossible, but in Japan, it has its logic. The concept of spirituality and religion in Japan is different from what we are...

Spending the night in a shukubo (buddhist temple) on Mt Daisen

What is a Ryokan? Discover this Traditional Japanese Accommodation

April 5, 2022 Costs, Culture, Etiquette, Kaiseki, New Year's, Onsen & Sento, Ryokan, Tea

Experiencing an authentic aspect of traditional Japan is a dream come true for any fan of Japanese culture. While traveling around Japan, you may have many occasions to witness its deep-rooted culture, such as a matsuri (festival) or tea ceremony....

Cycling in Japan while you visit a torii in the sea

Cycling in Japan: Discover Fukushima Prefecture by Bike

February 25, 2022 Beaches & Islands, Culture, Cycling, Fukushima, Mountains, Onsen & Sento, Sponsored, Tohoku

Imagine riding a bike to explore natural locations with varied vegetation and wildlife. Get to enjoy incredible routes between mountains, lakes, and rivers. Learn about a new culture and its traditions. If this idea thrills you, why don't you try...

Hiking in Japan: Discover the Unexplored Fukushima Prefecture

February 25, 2022 Fukushima, Hiking, Mountains, National Parks, Sponsored, Tohoku, Volcanoes

With its stunning natural environment of mountains, trails, volcanoes, cliffs, and other geographic structures, Japan is full of wonder for hiking lovers. If you are one of them, we recommend adding any destination for hiking in Japan to your next...

Kaiseki Cuisine: Experience the Essence of Japanese Food

December 10, 2021 Culture, Etiquette, Kaiseki, Ryokan, Sake & Alcohol, Sashimi, Sushi

I was waiting for my dinner, sitting on the tatami floor at a ryokan in Oita prefecture. I didn't know that this would be my first time trying kaiseki cuisine, one of the best gastronomic experiences that I would have...

japanese programs on Netflix: mamesuke shiba dog

The Best Japanese Programs on Netflix: Anime, Movies and More

January 13, 2021 Anime & Manga, Culture, First Time in Japan, Language, Tokyo, Tokyo

Improving your Japanese level or delving into different areas of Japanese culture from your own country can be easier than it sounds. Little by little, the Netflix platform has been adding Japanese-related programs: series, anime, documentaries, and reality shows. Thus,...

A child in front on a shop window during Christmas Season

Tradition and Meaning of Christmas From a Japanese Point of View

December 23, 2020 Christmas, Culture, Seasonal events and Holidays 1 Comment

Since early November, Japan is filled with a Christmas atmosphere that feels both familiar and surprising: illuminated streets, seasonal decorations, Christmas products in shops, and festive music playing everywhere. At first glance, it looks like a classic Western-style Christmas, but...

Narita panels from international flights

The Complete Guide to Tokyo Airports

November 29, 2020 Airports, Rail Passes, Shinkansen, Tokyo, Tokyo

The experience of a trip starts with your transportation. If you want to travel to Tokyo, the starting point is a long trip by plane to reach one of Tokyo airports. In addition to creating online content, I am also...

Volcanoes in Japan: The 4 Most Beautiful Volcanic Destinations

November 27, 2020 Chubu, Kansai, Kanto, Mountains, National Parks, Safety, Tohoku, Volcanoes

According to Japanese mythology, Japan was created by the hand of the gods Izanagi and Izanami. Moreover, his children were mountains, rivers, volcanoes, and all the existing nature. So, it doesn't surprise me that the ancient Japanese attributed Japan's creation...

All the Japanese products inside the box

Peko Peko Box: How to Get Unique Japanese Products to Your Home

November 19, 2020 Culture, Souvenirs, Sponsored, Sweets, Tea

I’m sure you are missing Japan. You would like to be closer to this wonderful culture and experience its essence. What about if I tell you that this is already possible? Peko Peko Box will make your dreams come true:...

Japanese Cakes: What Are the Most Popular Pastries in Japan?

October 22, 2020 Culture, First Time in Japan, Sweets

Japanese cuisine includes a great variety of dishes, and, little by little, they are becoming known in Western countries. Many people are discovering that there is much more than sushi and ramen. If you are one of those, I invite...

In kabuki they liked to have dramatic stories, this is why they liked a yurei aparition

Yurei: The Japanese Culture of Ghosts through History

October 13, 2020 Culture, Obon

In many cultures, the deceased have great relevance. And Japan is no exception: death is almost as important as life. When a person dies, their soul travels to the yominokuni (黄泉の国), the Shinto afterlife, or the anoyo (あの世), the pure...

Restaurants at Ichibangai with ta Showa style

Akabane: A Day in the Charming Neighborhood of Tokyo

September 25, 2020 100 Yen Shops, Convenience Stores, Department Stores, First Time in Japan, Kanto, Local Buses, Sweets, Tokyo, Tokyo

Sometimes, coincidences give you incredible opportunities to visit a place you wouldn't have otherwise. My visit to Akabane (赤羽) was a matter of fate since I didn't consider visiting it when I first came to Japan. That was until a friend living in...

Mameda, the “Little Kyoto” of Hita, Oita, Japan

June 11, 2020 Autumn Leaves, editors'picks, Kyushu, Oita, Onsen & Sento, Ryokan, Sponsored, Summer Festivals

Kyushu (九州) is a largely unexplored island for Western tourists. Unsurprisingly, most of them won't know about a true hidden gem of this area, the old town of Hita, Japan, located in Oita's Prefecture (大分県). Hita has many attractive experiences...

One of the rotenburo in Tensui ryokan in Hita, Oita, Japan

Staying at a Ryokan with Private Onsen in Hita, Oita, Japan

June 11, 2020 Culture, Kyushu, Language, Luxury Accommodation, Oita, Onsen & Sento, Ryokan, Sponsored 2 Comments

Have you ever experienced staying in a ryokan with a private onsen? In my point of view, this is one of the best accommodation options when traveling to Japan. And, without a doubt, spending the night at the Tensui Ryokan...

Streets of Beppu, with the steam going up from the floor

A Tour of the Best Hot Springs of Beppu, Japan

June 11, 2020 Kyushu, Local Buses, Mountains, Oita, Onsen & Sento, Ryokan, Sponsored, Volcanoes

After my relaxing stay in a ryokan in Hita, I continued my hot springs tour of southern Japan. I was on my way to a well-known onsen town in Oita Prefecture: Beppu, Japan. There are so many hot springs in...

Exterior Onsen at the City Spa Tenku in Oita, Japan

The Modern and Traditional Luxuries of Oita City, Japan

June 11, 2020 Kyushu, Luxury Accommodation, Oita, Onsen & Sento, Sponsored

Oita city (大分市) is the main city of Oita Prefecture (大分県), located on Kyushu Island (九州) in southern Japan. It is a convenient base for exploring the surrounding area. Not only that but also the city itself has a lot...

Ohara residence at the Samurai town in Kitsuki, Oita, Japan

Visiting Kitsuki and Futagoji, a Japanese temple

June 11, 2020 Castles, Gardens & Parks, Historic Sites, Kyushu, Oita, Sponsored, Taxis, Temples & Shrines

After visiting Hita, Tensui ryokan, and Oita city, I said goodbye to Oita Prefecture with my last visit to its sacred mountains of Kunisaki, the impressive Japanese temple of Futagoji hidden in nature, and the samurai city of Kitsuki. The...

Old traditional house in Izumi, Kagoshima, Japan

Farmstay in Izumi in a Traditional Home

March 9, 2020 Culture, Kagoshima, Kyushu, Language, Ryokan, Sponsored, Tokyo, Tokyo

Living in Tokyo is amazing, but at the same time, such a big metropolis can be overwhelming. Experiencing the rural life of Izumi city (Kagoshima Prefecture) helped me to relax and also to remember my hometown in a Spanish rural...

Tea Ceremony in the Izumi Samurai Town

March 7, 2020 Castles, Clothing, Culture, Historic Sites, Kagoshima, Kyushu, Sponsored, Tea

Izumi (Kagoshima prefecture) is a city with many surprises. After my experience staying in a traditional rural house and seeing the Izumi's cranes, it was time to explore the samurai town. It was a complete immersion in Japanese culture: I...

Observe the Japanese Cranes of Izumi

March 7, 2020 Animals, Culture, Historic Sites, Kagoshima, Kyushu, Museums & Galleries, Nature, Sponsored, Winter

After having a wonderful rural experience in Izumi City, I had a very special sight to see: the Japanese cranes of Izumi. Our goal was to arrive before the sunrise and observe how these animals are fed. I was really...

The Jewel of Shonan: Winter Illumination Paradise of Enoshima

February 15, 2020 Gardens & Parks, Kanagawa, Mount Fuji, Mountains, Sponsored, Winter

After a whole day walking around Enoshima, I was exhausted. The sun was setting and the chill was rising, but I was still waiting for the main attraction of the day, The Jewel Of Shonan, the famous illumination of Enoshima....

The foggy Mount Fuji in Enoshima, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan

The Pearls of Enoshima: Fish, the Sea and Mount Fuji

February 15, 2020 Beaches & Islands, Kanagawa, Mount Fuji, Sponsored, Summer, Winter

Enoshima, that small and enjoyable island located in Kanagawa Prefecture, offers a huge variety of activities. It is not surprising that it is considered one of the favorite spots for the Tokyo inhabitants, as it is just one hour away...

Tokyu Rei Hotel, King Sky Front, Kawasaki Coastal area in Kawasaki, Kanagawa

The Environmental Factories of the Kawasaki Coastal Area

January 7, 2020 First Time in Japan, Kanagawa, Kanto, Safety, Sponsored

Sponsored by Coastal Area International Strategy Headquarters, City of Kawasaki In my mind, industrial areas were dark, dirty and noisy places. But after my experience in the Kawasaki Coastal Area, my ideas have definitely changed. Located in the Keihin district...

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