Mathilde Heidary, Author at VOYAPON

Mathilde Heidary

Hello ! My name is Mathilde, I'm French. I left Paris in March 2016 for 1 year of traveling through Japan (thanks to the Working-Holiday Visa). On the agenda: discovery of the most secret little spots of Japan. Follow the guide!

20 articles

Articles by Mathilde Heidary

A Free Museum Dedicated to Ukiyo-e in Fujisawa

July 23, 2025 Arts, Crafts & Experiences, Culture, Historic Sites, Kanagawa, Language, Museums & Galleries, Sponsored

If you’re an art lover on a budget, don’t miss the free Ukiyo-e Museum in Fujisawa City. Ukiyo-e 浮世絵, which translates to “pictures of the floating world,” refers to woodblock prints that captured the essence of everyday life in Edo-period...

Your Guide to Camping in Japan

June 6, 2025 Beaches & Islands, Car Rentals, Costs, Essentials, Mountains, National Parks, Saving Tips, Summer

With over 70% of its land covered by mountains, Japan is one of the best countries in the world for camping. From scenic lakes to forested hills, and nearly 3,000 public campsites nationwide, it's a paradise for nature lovers. After...

Around Lake Hamana-ko: My Night in a Ryokan of Kanzanji Onsen

February 27, 2017 Beaches & Islands, Car Rentals, Local Buses, Onsen & Sento, Ryokan, Shizuoka, Sponsored, Summer, Temples & Shrines

Sponsored by the Shizuoka Prefecture Tourism Association During my trip to Shizuoka Prefecture, I wanted to see Hamana-ko, which is the tenth largest lake in Japan. As the eastern part of the lake is lined with hot springs, I...

Yoshiwara, Fuji City: The Daruma Festival at the Bottom of Mt. Fuji

February 26, 2017 Culture, Historic Sites, Local Buses, Mount Fuji, Shizuoka, Sponsored, Summer Festivals, Temples & Shrines

Sponsored by the Shizuoka Prefecture Tourism Association Yoshiwara is a district of Fuji city, located in the east of Shizuoka prefecture, and known as the most industrial side of the Fuji. I was casually strolling around town when I learned...

Hamamatsu: Vegetarian Cuisine and Calligraphy at Okayama Houkouji Temple

February 25, 2017 Culture, Kaiseki, Local Buses, Shizuoka, Sponsored, Temples & Shrines, Vegetarian & Vegan

Sponsored by the Shizuoka Prefecture Tourism Association Located in Hamamatsu (near Inasachō Okuyama, Kita-ku), Okuyama Houkoujito is the head temple of the Houkouji Buddhist Zen sect. This temple offers a taste of Shoujin ryouri cuisine (fine vegetarian cooking of Zen Buddhism) and lessons of Shakyo (transcription...

Izu Peninsula: Stroll in Matsuzaki Town and Ishibu Terraced Rice Fields

February 24, 2017 Car Rentals, Fishing, Historic Sites, Local Buses, Ryokan, Shizuoka, Sponsored

Sponsored by the Shizuoka Prefecture Tourism Association During my journey to the Izu peninsula (Shizuoka Prefecture) – on the road to the fishing village of Kumomi Onsen (see the article “Izu peninsula: my night in a ryokan in Kumomi Onsen,...

Shizuoka: Shrines Dedicated to Fujisan and a Lava Cave to the East of Mount Fuji

February 23, 2017 Hiking, Mount Fuji, Mountains, National Parks, Sponsored, Temples & Shrines

Sponsored by the Shizuoka Prefecture Tourism Association To the east of Mount Fuji (Shizuoka Prefecture) there are three must-see places to visit if you have the opportunity: first Fuji Sengen-jinja and Suyama Sengen-jinja, two shrines dedicated to Princess Konohanasakuya, the...

Izu Peninsula: Dogashima Blue Cave and Koganezaki Park

February 20, 2017 Beaches & Islands, Car Rentals, Diving & Snorkeling, Mount Fuji, National Parks, Sponsored

Sponsored by the Shizuoka Prefecture Tourism Association After my night in a ryokan owned by a fishermen family in the Kumomi Onsen village, I went to Dogashima on the western coast of the Izu Peninsula near Nishi-Izu. With its wild coasts and its...

Soba, Dango and Visit of the Okuni Jinja Shrine, the “Little Kyoto” of Enshu

February 16, 2017 Historic Sites, Shizuoka, Soba, Sponsored, Sweets, Temples & Shrines

Sponsored by Shizuoka Prefectural Tourism Association While I was traveling in the western part of Shizuoka Prefecture (also known asTōtōmi-no-kuni 遠江国 or Enshū 遠州), I went to visit the Okuni Jinja (小国神社), one of the four main shinto shrines in Shizuoka Prefecture, known...

Hamamatsu: Making Your Very Own Bottle of Soy Sauce at Meijiya Soy Factory

February 16, 2017 Gardens & Parks, Historic Sites, Shizuoka, Sponsored, Sweets, Tea

Sponsored by Shizuoka Prefectural Tourism Association Meijiya Shoyu While I was visiting Shizuoka prefecture, I visited Meijiya Shoyu, a traditional soy factory which produces organic soy sauce. This family-run company was established in the 8th year of the Meiji era around...

Izu Peninsula: My Night in a Ryokan of Kumomi Onsen, a Fishing Village

February 16, 2017 Beaches & Islands, Minshuku, Mount Fuji, Onsen & Sento, Ryokan, Sashimi, Sponsored, Temples & Shrines

Sponsored by Shizuoka Prefectural Tourism Association Kumomi Onsen Kumomi Onsen (雲見温泉) is located on the west coast of the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture. It is a very little town, know for its excellent hot springs (hence the word “onsen,”...

Shizuoka: Shiraito Falls and Tanuki Lake to the West of Mount Fuji

February 16, 2017 Highway Buses, Local Buses, Mount Fuji, Mountains, National Parks, Rail Passes, Shinkansen, Shizuoka, Sponsored, Summer

Sponsored by Shizuoka Prefectural Tourism Association Located in Shizuoka prefecture to the west of Mount Fuji, Tanuki Lake and Shiraito Falls are two stunning places you should go to see! The Fuji 4 main routes Fujinomiya—alongside Yoshida, Subashiri and Gotenba—is...

Farm Stay Experience (Nouhaku) in Izumi’s Mountains

February 4, 2017 Culture, First Time in Japan, Kagoshima, Kyushu, Language, Ryokan, Sponsored, Tea, Vegetarian & Vegan

Sponsored by Izumi City It is not very well known, but in Japan there is an original type of accommodation called "noupaku" (農泊), a private residence temporarily hosting lodgers. It is a perfect way to live like the Japanese in a...

“Izumi Oyako Steak Gohan”: Izumi’s Culinary Speciality

February 2, 2017 Izakaya, Kagoshima, Kyushu, Rice, Sponsored, Yakitori

Sponsored by Izumi City Located on Kyushu island, to the north of Kagoshima Prefecture, Izumi has the second highest production of chickens and eggs in the country. It comes as no surprise that these two ingredients are found in the"Izumi...

Izumi, a Cranes’ Paradise: Observation Center and Ryokan

January 30, 2017 Kagoshima, Kyushu, National Parks, Ryokan, Sponsored, Winter

Sponsored by Izumi City Cranes (Tsuru in Japanese) are migratory birds that play a very important in the Japanese culture. They are often represented in old paintings, symbolizing fulfillment and hope. Unlike many other birds, cranes are much more difficult...

Tea ceremony in an old samurai residence

Izumi: Tea Ceremony Dressed in Kimono in an Old Samurai Residence

January 29, 2017 Clothing, Culture, Historic Sites, Kagoshima, Kyushu, Sponsored, Tea, Temples & Shrines

Sponsored by Izumi City If you have always dreamed about wearing a kimono and/or attending a Tea Ceremony, no need to look any further because Izumi is the right place! In its old samurai district, the Izumi City Tourism Division...

How to Get to Izumi, Kagoshima’s hidden gem

January 28, 2017 Kagoshima, Kyushu, Rail Passes, Ryokan, Shinkansen, Sponsored

Sponsored by Izumi City Located on the Kyushu island in Kagoshima prefecture, Izumi is a real hidden gem! In this small city you can: attend a tea ceremony wearing a kimono (that you can take home) in an old samurai district, observe...

beautiful ginkgo tree with yellow leaves in Yugyo-ji temple

Yugyo-ji, the unknown historical temple of Fujisawa

December 30, 2016 Autumn Leaves, Gardens & Parks, Historic Sites, Kanagawa, Rail Passes, Shinkansen, Sponsored, Temples & Shrines, Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo

Sponsored by Fujisawa City Tourist Association Yugyo-ji temple (also known as "Shōjōkō-ji temple") is a very interesting historical place located in Fujisawa, a city you can easily reach by train from Tokyo, so come off the beaten path pay it a...

Visit of the Enoshima Yacht Harbor getting ready for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

December 28, 2016 Beaches & Islands, Fishing, Kanagawa, Sponsored, Summer

Sponsored by Fujisawa City Tourist Association When you go to Enoshima Island, you can't miss the Yacht Harbor and its numerous sailboats on the left side of the bridge. Created for the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games, the harbor is now getting...

Enoshima Illumination Festival – the amazing Winter Illumination!

December 16, 2016 Gardens & Parks, Hakone, Kanagawa, Kanto, Mount Fuji, Sponsored, Winter

Sponsored by Fujisawa City Tourist Association You have until Feb.19, 2017 to admire “Enoshima Illumination Festival” on Enoshima Island. This award winning illumination event is one of the most important winter illumination festivals within the Tokyo and Kanto areas. It's...

Articles by Mathilde Heidary

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