Aokigahara: Hiking “The Suicide Forest” Trail
Japan’s infamous Aokigahara “suicide forest” is a great place for a tranquil hike through nature, as well as for those interested in the forest’s dark side.
Vicky Taylor
22 articles
Articles by Vicky Taylor
Bizen Osafune Japanese Sword Museum: See How Japanese Samurai Swords Are Made
Sponsored by Setouchi City Japanese Samurai Swords with 1,000-Years of History 1,000 years ago, Bizen Osafune was the top sword making school in Japan. Cities tended to form and grow near a water source, since ships were a common method...
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Visiting Uncho Ishikawa’s Art in Uonuma’s Snowy Temples
Uonuma (魚沼市) is a small city in Niigata prefecture famous for the artwork by Uncho Ishikawa, who was said to be the ‘Michelangelo of Echigo.’ His wood carvings and paintings can be seen in Eirinji and Saifukuji Temple. Uonuma is...
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Uonuma, Niigata: Snowshoe-Trekking in a Winter Wonderland
Uonuma is a small town in Niigata prefecture, approximately two hours by train from Niigata city. The city is surrounded by beautiful nature, and there is a fantastic view of the Echigo Sanzan mountains. Uonuma is famous among the Japanese...
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Staying with Locals at Minshuku, Surrounded by Snow in the Uonuma Countryside
Uonuma is a small city in Niigata prefecture. The area is known for the heavy snowfall during winter. This area is excellent for skiing and snowboarding. The ski resort Suhara is a five-minute walk from Urashin Minshuku, and several courses...
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Discover the Meguro Residence, a Farmer’s House in Snowy Uonuma
The Meguro Residence is in Uonuma, a charming small town in Niigata prefecture. It is surrounded by beautiful mountains, and in winter, the city encounters heavy snowfall. Uonuma is famous for the artwork by Uncho Ishikawa, the ‘Michelangelo of Echigo,’...
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How to get to Sado Island, “Island of Exile,” in Niigata
Sponsored by Sado City Sado Island is a beautiful paradise island located approximately 2.5 hours away from Niigata Port by ferry. Sado Island’s landscape has incredible diversity with stunning cliffs along the shoreline, beautiful forests, and mountains throughout. The four...
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Sado Island: Local Cuisine and Modern Cafés
Sponsored by Sado City Sado Island is an island located off the coast of Niigata. It is one of the two biggest islands in Japan, if you do not count the four main islands that make up the country Japan....
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The Culture of Sado Island, “Island of Exile,” in Niigata
Sponsored by Sado city Sado Island is a beautiful island off the coast of Niigata, in Japan. The island has a very interesting history and is known as the Island of Exile. This is because many nobles and intellectual people...
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Experiencing the Local Culture of Sado Island
Sponsored by Sado City Sado Island is a paradise island located off the coast of Niigata on the west side of mainland Japan. Sado Island has a very interesting history as an island of exile. Many famous politicians and intellectuals...
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Sado Kinzan Gold Mine and Panning for Gold on Sado Island
Sponsored by Sado City Sado Island was famous for the Sado Kinzan Gold Mine during the Edo period,when it was one of the most productive gold mines in Japan. Between 1601 and 1989 (when people stopped mining on Sado Island),...
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Nanatsugama Caves – Explore Magnificent Caves in Karatsu
Sponsored by Saga Prefectural Tourism Federation Nanatsugama Caves The Nanatsugama (“Seven pots”) Caves are located in Karatsu, in the Saga-prefecture of Kyushu. Rough waves have been eroding a huge lava plateau made from basalt for many years, consequently creating these incredible...
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Cat Island in Saga: Explore the “Nekojima” Cat Island in Karatsu!
Takashima Island is a small, meat loaf shaped island situated 10 minutes by boat from Karatsu City in Saga prefecture, Kyushu. Even though the island is only a 10 minute boat ride away from Karatsu City centre, it has remained...
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Eating Squid , A signatory dish of Yobuko town – Raw, dried or fried?
Sponsored by Saga Prefectural Tourism Federation Eating squid - which kind of squid would you try? Squid comes in many shapes and forms, and can be prepared and eaten in many different ways. Yobuko, a town in Saga (Kyushu region), is...
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Terraced Rice Fields in Saga, Stunningly Beautiful Views of Japanese Nature
Sponsored by Saga Prefectural Tourism Federation Hamanoura no Tanada - 0ne of Japan's top 100 terraced rice fields Hamanoura no Tanada is one of the top 100 most beautiful terraced rice fields in Japan. It’s located in Saga-prefecture in Kyushu. Sometimes...
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Staying in Ryokan by the Sea – Hot Spring and Fresh Seafood!
Sponsored by Saga Prefectural Tourism Federation What is a Ryokan? A Ryokan is a Japanese style hotel or inn that originally comes from Edo-period. Ryokans would basically provide travellers with a room, food and hot baths. Ryokans are also mostly found...
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Top 3 things you must not miss in Karatsu City
Sponsored by Saga Prefectural Tourism Federation The history of Karatsu City Karatsu City is located in Saga prefecture in Kyushu. Karatsu City is actually the product of several smaller towns merging into one city in 2005. [caption id="attachment_23878" align="aligncenter" width="500"]...
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Yobuko Morning Market, One of the Japan’s Three Morning Markets
Sponsored by Saga Prefectural Tourism Federation Yobuko Morning Market: A Lively Place to Find Fresh Fish Yobuko fish market is one of the three biggest morning markets in Japan. It is located in Karatsu, in the Saga-prefecture of Kyushu. The market...
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Fujinomiya day trip, for those who want to see it all
Fujinomiya has many beautiful sights to see, so if you only have one day to see them, follow this itinerary to get them all in.
Fujinomiya’s three most interesting shops
Fujinomiya is not known for its shopping, but hikers and visitors can find some hidden gems with only a little bit of effort.
Five Lakes of Yamanashi: A sightseeing tour
Exploring the Five Lakes of Yamanashi is a chance to see some of the best sights Japan has to offer. Just make sure to visit on a clear day.
Top 3 Cherry blossom viewing spots in Fujinomiya
Cherry blossoms have become a symbol of Japan and combined that other iconic image, Mount Fuji, you can capture the essense of Japan in a single view!
