Todd Fong, Author at VOYAPON

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…

Todd FongMarch 27, 2023

Accommodation Activities Kanto Sponsored Tohoku

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…

Todd FongMarch 16, 2023

Accommodation Activities Chubu Kanto Shopping Sponsored

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…

Todd FongMarch 16, 2023

fishing on the shore of fukushima prefecture

Activities Featured Sightseeing Sponsored Tohoku

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…

Todd FongMarch 8, 2023

Accommodation Culture Kansai Shopping Sponsored

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…

Todd FongFebruary 2, 2023

mikatagoko summit park in fukui prefecture

Activities Culture Kansai Sponsored

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,…

Todd FongFebruary 2, 2023

Accommodation Activities Culture Kyushu

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…

Todd FongJanuary 31, 2023

Activities Featured Kanto

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…

Todd FongJune 29, 2022

Accommodation Activities Chubu Culture Food Kansai Kanto Sightseeing Sponsored

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…

Todd FongFebruary 9, 2022

Accommodation Activities Culture Featured Food Kyushu Sightseeing Sponsored

An Epic Four-Day Itinerary for a Taste of Extraordinary Kyushu

Adventure is calling your name, and it's called Kyushu. Japan's westernmost island is a natural paradise of geothermic hot springs,…

Todd FongJanuary 31, 2022

craftsman making knife blade at takefu knife village in fukui

Activities Chubu Culture Food Shopping Sponsored

Traveling the TAKUMI Road: A Journey through 4 Cities with the Master Artisans of Japan Part 2: Takaoka and Echizen

The TAKUMI Road runs along Japan's western coast, collectively known as Hokuriku, from Fukui to Niigata prefectures. It is centered…

Todd FongJanuary 15, 2022

silkworm cocoons and silk thread from tomioka silk mill, Japan

Activities Food Kanto Sightseeing Sponsored

How Tomioka City Brought European Fame to Japan in the 19th Century

To be a good traveler in Japan, it certainly helps to be a good historian of Japan. Too many times,…

Todd FongJanuary 12, 2022

trekking to dainoji above myogi shrine in gunma japan

Activities Featured Kanto Sightseeing Sponsored

Discovering Gunma’s Shugendo Stronghold on Mount Myogi

In Gunma (群馬県), beneath the forest canopy halfway up a great mountain, we ascended an ancient stone staircase, crumbling from…

Todd FongJanuary 12, 2022

Accommodation Activities Shikoku Sightseeing Sponsored

Art and Soul: Sustainable Tourism on Kagawa’s Ogijima and Teshima Islands

Over the immutably calm waters of the Seto Inland Sea, we approached the port of Ogijima on the Meon Ferry,…

Todd FongDecember 23, 2021

man and woman making soba noodles in Japan

Activities Culture Food Shikoku Sponsored

Hands-On With Shikoku’s Traditional Arts and Crafts

As a travel writer, I admit to often focusing too much on the incredible things to see in Japan. It…

Todd FongDecember 23, 2021

Accommodation Activities Featured Shikoku Sponsored

The Adventurer’s Paradise of Shikoku Island

The fact that I had made it this far down the canyon, wading and sometimes swimming in the river's cold…

Todd FongDecember 23, 2021

Accommodation Culture Featured Food Shikoku Sightseeing Sponsored

Could Kochi Be Japan’s Best Kept Secret?

I could try to convince you about the many virtues of Kochi Prefecture (高知県), but instead, I'll leave that to…

Todd FongDecember 23, 2021

Activities Culture Shopping Sponsored

Traveling the TAKUMI Road: A Journey through 4 Cities with the Master Artisans of Japan Part 1: Tsubame Sanjo

Hinoura Tsukasa turned the blade over in his hands, his keen eye taking in every detail of his handiwork. Each…

Todd FongDecember 20, 2021

eating natto from a container with chopsticks in Japan

Featured Food

How the “Natto Musume” Will Make a Natto Believer Out of You

While Japan is a food lover's paradise, there is no universal agreement on what foods people will eat. Some visitors…

Todd FongJuly 12, 2021

monk instruction on zazen meditation at hokoji temple

Accommodation Activities Chubu Culture Food Sightseeing Sponsored

Traditional Japanese Experiences in Hamamatsu, Close to Tokyo and Kyoto

In the culture of traditional Japan, the mountains have always held a deeply spiritual connection to the people. There is…

Todd FongApril 21, 2021

Luxury Japanese guest room with tatami and beds at hoshino resorts kai enshu in Japan

Accommodation Activities Chubu Sightseeing Sponsored

How to Spend a Family Holiday in Hamamatsu City

As the world begins its slow return to relative normalcy, you may be one of many ready to scratch that…

Todd FongApril 21, 2021

Activities Events Kanto

The Chichibu Spring Flower Festival Close to Tokyo

On the warm weekend nights of Japanese summers, the skies are lit up with awe-inspiring bursts of fireworks, some displays…

Todd FongApril 10, 2021

exterior of pension maroudo on Madarao mountain

Accommodation Chubu Food Sponsored

Homestyle Hospitality at Accommodations in Iiyama City

One of the reasons I enjoy escaping from the confines of the big city is to remind myself of the…

Todd FongMarch 20, 2021

family enjoys snowy holiday in iiyama nagano japan

Accommodation Activities Chubu Sponsored

Enjoy a Snowy Family Holiday in Iiyama City

Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, I didn't see my first snow until I was five-years-old. Early in…

Todd FongMarch 20, 2021

Okinawa Sightseeing Sponsored Things to Know

Accessible Tourism Thrives in Okinawa

In 2007, Okinawa drafted Japan's first Barrier-Free declaration with the aim to welcome all tourists, regardless of their physical limitations,…

Todd FongMarch 9, 2021

Okinawa Sponsored Things to Know

Traveling Safely in Okinawa in the Age of Coronavirus

This much is certain: the COVID-19 pandemic has forever changed the face of travel. But to keep things in perspective,…

Todd FongMarch 9, 2021

Accommodation Activities Culture Food Kansai Sponsored

Kayabuki: The Tradition of Thatched Roof Houses in Japan Near Kyoto

Just outside the crowds of Kyoto city is a world of serene nature, vibrant culture, and deep history that you…

Todd FongFebruary 3, 2021

Accommodation Activities Food Kyushu Sightseeing Sponsored

The Ancient Japanese Culture and Traditions of Oita Prefecture

Just outside the crowds of Kyoto city is a world of serene nature, vibrant culture, and deep history that you…

Todd FongFebruary 3, 2021

Todd Fong

The Innovative Spirit of Hamamatsu, from Japan’s First Shogun to Makers of Instruments & Motorcycles

The Best Examples of Sustainable Tourism in Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi, & Gunma

The Best Examples of Sustainable Tourism in Niigata, Yamanashi, & Nagano

Finding Hope: Fukushima’s Road to Recovery

The New Golden Route: Discover Hidden Kyoto and Osaka with the Hokuriku Arch Pass

The New Golden Route: Discover Gifu, Fukui, and Shiga with the Hokuriku Arch Pass

Why the Goto Islands Are Japan’s Irresistible Travel Destination

A Cycling Escape from the City without leaving Tokyo

Adventure and Luxury Await on Japan’s New Golden Route Between Tokyo and Kyoto

An Epic Four-Day Itinerary for a Taste of Extraordinary Kyushu

Traveling the TAKUMI Road: A Journey through 4 Cities with the Master Artisans of Japan Part 2: Takaoka and Echizen

How Tomioka City Brought European Fame to Japan in the 19th Century

Discovering Gunma’s Shugendo Stronghold on Mount Myogi

Art and Soul: Sustainable Tourism on Kagawa’s Ogijima and Teshima Islands

Hands-On With Shikoku’s Traditional Arts and Crafts

The Adventurer’s Paradise of Shikoku Island

Could Kochi Be Japan’s Best Kept Secret?

Traveling the TAKUMI Road: A Journey through 4 Cities with the Master Artisans of Japan Part 1: Tsubame Sanjo

How the “Natto Musume” Will Make a Natto Believer Out of You

Traditional Japanese Experiences in Hamamatsu, Close to Tokyo and Kyoto

How to Spend a Family Holiday in Hamamatsu City

The Chichibu Spring Flower Festival Close to Tokyo

Homestyle Hospitality at Accommodations in Iiyama City

Enjoy a Snowy Family Holiday in Iiyama City

Accessible Tourism Thrives in Okinawa

Traveling Safely in Okinawa in the Age of Coronavirus

Kayabuki: The Tradition of Thatched Roof Houses in Japan Near Kyoto

The Ancient Japanese Culture and Traditions of Oita Prefecture

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