Respite and Relaxation in Wakayama’s Arida City
Three days in Arida City is what it takes to re-center yourself — three days of absorbing its soothing nature, vibrant cuisine, and cheerful hospitality.
Todd Fong
111 articles
Articles by Todd Fong
How to Tie an Obi: Hanhaba Bunko Style
The kimono 着物 is one of Japan’s most iconic traditional garments, worn by both men and women for centuries. Unique to Japan and deeply rooted in its cultural heritage, the kimono is more than just clothing — it’s a symbol...
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How to Wear a Kimono: With Step-by-Step Pictures and Video
The kimono 着物 is one of the most iconic symbols of Japanese culture. This traditional Japanese garment, worn by both men and women, is known for its elegant shape, detailed patterns, and deep cultural meaning. Today, it's common to see...
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Hina Matsuri: A Day of Celebration For Girls
During Hinamatsuri literally “doll’s celebration”) beautiful ornamental dolls are displayed in Japan’s household to celebrate the good fortune of girls.
How To Spend 3 Rejuvenating Days on the “Healing Island” of Ojika
Wellness and self-care are concepts that have recently become associated with upscale spas and luxury resorts offering epicurean amenities and exotic treatments. But the truth is we don't need such luxuries to heal our psyches from the daily stresses of...
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How Ojika Island Heals Visitors with Friendship
In the social media-fueled new world of tourism, we are tempted to hurry from one Instagrammable spot to the next, creating evidence that we have physically been somewhere even if, in reality, our minds were a thousand miles away. It's...
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Rest for the Weary: A Healing Trip to Nagasaki’s Ojika Island
In hindsight, the timing couldn't have been more perfect. Having spent most of the prior week attempting to outmaneuver one of Japan's most persistent typhoons in recent memory, I arrived on Ojika mentally and emotionally exhausted. I had been on...
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How Kobe is Emerging from the Shadow of Osaka
A phoenix is rising in the shadow of Osaka, but you'll need to look closely. It rises slowly and deliberately from the ashes of a disaster that occurred nearly 30 years ago. In the small hours of January 17, 1995,...
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Hot Hot Hot: The Best and The Worst of Summer in Japan
Congratulations! You've worked hard all year and are ready for your well-earned summer vacation, so you booked your non-refundable trip to Japan in July, and what? Now you're scanning Reddit and Facebook and hearing that summer in Japan is the...
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Kakigori: Japanese Shaved Ice is More than a Summer Treat
On arriving in Japan a decade ago, one of my early purchases was a photo book documenting kakigori かき氷, the airy, refreshing, and often beautiful Japanese dessert made using shaved ice. The book contained exquisite photos and details about 365...
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How Japanese Baseball Hit a Home Run With International Fans
Explore the history of Japanese baseball and its rise to new heights in international popularity by producing some amazing players.
Through the Fire: How Kawagoe Became One of Tokyo’s Best Day Trip Destinations
With its historical warehouse district and important shrines and temples, Kawagoe is one of Tokyo’s best day trip destinations in Saitama.
West is Best: Discover the Enchantment of Kyushu, Japan
For years, overseas visitors to Japan have seemingly worn a groove traveling between Tokyo and Kyoto / Osaka during their holiday stay. A few have ventured further west, perhaps to Hiroshima, to visit the Peace Park or the mystical island...
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A Hamamatsu For All Seasons
I first visited Hamamatsu in the Spring of 2021. Before that, my only knowledge of the city was a blur on the Shinkansen between Tokyo and Kyoto or glimpses of the ocean and the red torii gate standing in the...
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Sustainable Tourism Destinations Near Tokyo for 2024 – Fukushima, Tochigi, Ibaraki, and Gunma
As global tourism rebounds in the post-pandemic world, travelers must think about how their travel practices impact the places they choose to visit. Done well, international tourism increases global understanding across national borders, supports local businesses and economies, and seeks...
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Sustainable Tourism Destinations Near Tokyo for 2024 – Niigata, Nagano, and Yamanashi
As global tourism rebounds in the post-pandemic world, travelers must think about how their travel practices impact the places they choose to visit. Done well, international tourism increases global understanding across national borders, supports local businesses and economies, and seeks...
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Japan’s “New Golden Route” Transforms to “Rainbow Route” with a New Addition in Spring 2024
The image of the Shinkansen, Japan's high-speed train, is iconic for travelers worldwide. Its sleek facade is instantly recognizable, and even locals may stop and stare to watch it glide gracefully by, sometimes at speeds approaching 300 kph. For many...
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Adventure Travel Destinations Await Using the Discount Hokuriku Arch Pass
If you're looking for a way to round out an itinerary in Japan focused mainly on visiting famous landmarks, shopping til you drop, and eating Japan's incredible cuisine, might I suggest adding a bit of adventure to your trip to...
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What You Should Know about the Japan Rail Pass
The Japan Rail (JR) Pass is one of the most coveted tools in the Japan traveler's toolbox, but it is also one of the most misunderstood. Is it worth buying a Japan Rail Pass for your trip to Japan? And...
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The Innovative Spirit of Hamamatsu, from Japan’s First Shogun to Makers of Instruments & Motorcycles
From an Evangelion-themed train, a traditional cotton weaving heritage, to makers of motorcycles and grand pianos, Hamamatsu’s culture of innovation is on full display, making it a perfect off-the-beaten-path addition to a Japan travel itinerary.
The Best Examples of Sustainable Tourism in Niigata, Yamanashi, & Nagano
Sustainable Tourism has become an increasingly important topic as the world considers how to maximize the potential of global tourism to support local businesses and economies, increase global understanding between nations, and sustain fading traditions and cultures. At the same...
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The Best Examples of Sustainable Tourism in Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi, & Gunma
As the world returns to travel as a business and leisure activity after a forced hiatus, once again, we are faced with the question of how to ensure tourism is a positive force in this world to increase global understanding...
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Finding Hope: Fukushima’s Road to Recovery
On March 11th, 2011, the northeastern coast of Japan suffered the most unimaginable horrific disasters of modern history. A magnitude 9.0 earthquake triggered a powerful tsunami that inundated coastal towns with up to 6 meters of water. By estimates, nearly...
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The New Golden Route: Discover Hidden Kyoto and Osaka with the Hokuriku Arch Pass
While the cities of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka continue to get the lion’s share of overseas tourists to Japan, few visitors realize that there is a lot of Japan to see between them. Fewer still know that apart from the...
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The New Golden Route: Discover Gifu, Fukui, and Shiga with the Hokuriku Arch Pass
In the modern age of international tourism to Japan, Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka capture the vast majority of foreign visitors, who often travel between these cities using the Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train line. But suppose there was another way to...
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Why the Goto Islands Are Japan’s Irresistible Travel Destination
Near the geological center of Goto’s Fukue Island, there is a tiny general store catering to the locals living in the nearby agricultural area of Kishiku town (岐宿町). Attached to the general store is an even tinier café with a...
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A Cycling Escape from the City without leaving Tokyo
Full disclosure: This article was written in collaboration with Trekkling to promote a cycling experience people can enjoy near (or more accurately, in) Tokyo. Trekkling provided me with a complimentary 4-hour tour so I could write this article, and if...
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Adventure and Luxury Await on Japan’s New Golden Route Between Tokyo and Kyoto
There's more than one way to get from Tokyo to Kyoto. You could, for example, hop on a Shinkansen at Tokyo Station and arrive uneventfully at Kyoto Station two and a half hours later. But that would be boring, and...
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