A 3 Day Journey From Akita Prefecture to Hokkaido on the Hokkaido Shinkansen: Day 1 Part 2

A 3 Day Journey on The Hokkaido Shinkansen Have you ever taken a trip on the Shinkansen in Japan? It is said that the speed and stability of the Shinkansen, which Japanese people usually use for travel and business, make it one of the best…

March 19, 2020

Posted by Mark Webster

A 3 Day Journey From Akita Prefecture to Hokkaido on the Hokkaido Shinkansen: Day 2 Part 2

A 3 Day Journey Along The Hokkaido Shinkansen Have you ever taken a trip on the Shinkansen in Japan? It is said that the speed and stability of the Shinkansen, which Japanese people usually use for travel and business, make it one of the best…

March 19, 2020

Traditional Japanese House Umetan FUJI, Tamba-Sasayama

Posted by Mika Senda

Staying At a Traditional Japanese House in Tamba Sasayama’s Umetan FUJI

“Watch out for those deer!” I whispered, as a herd suddenly skipped across the road in the dark. It was a moonless night in Hyogo prefecture’s Tamba Sasayama (丹波篠山) as we headed to our accommodations at Umetan Fuji for the night. Our guide Michiko however,…

March 14, 2020

Mika at A Private Onsen Spa at Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei

Posted by Mika Senda

Indulge in the Regional Flavors and Private Spa at Kinosaki Onsen

I might not have been the image of grace stomping along in my inch-high geta sandals. But it completed my yukata and onsen hopping outfit, as I clip-clopped along the willow-lined canal of Kinosaki Onsen (城崎温泉). With the luminous lantern lights bouncing off the Ohtani…

March 13, 2020

Old traditional house in Izumi, Kagoshima, Japan

Posted by Maria Peñascal

Farmstay in Izumi in a Traditional Home

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 area. Do you want to…

March 9, 2020

Posted by Richard Milner

In the Foothills of Lovers: A Journey to Mt. Tsukuba

“Fuji in the West, Tsukuba in the East.” This is the phrase used to describe the importance of Mt. Tsukuba to Japan. Located in Ibaraki prefecture north of Tokyo, a beautiful, natural region, Mt. Tsukuba and its two peaks are said to be composed of…

February 22, 2020

Posted by rachida

Staying in a Kominka, a Traditional Japanese House on Ojika Island

After trekking on abandoned Nozaki Island, we return to Ojika island for a stay in a traditional Japanese house. This island in Nagasaki Prefecture which is 5 hours by boat from Fukuoka has an incredible charm. Special mention to the locals who are very welcoming.…

February 11, 2020

Posted by Todd Fong

Why My Heart Returns to Iiyama City

Why did I choose Iiyama city in Nagano as the place to take my mother visiting from America? The gorgeous landscapes, delicious foods and the warm hospitality of the people.

December 28, 2019

Posted by Derek Yamashita

The Hidden Luxury of Takanosu Onsen

Sponsored by Sekikawa Village Traditional Luxury Deep in the Countryside of Niigata Prefecture After finishing off a day of cycling through the small picturesque farming community of Sekikawa, I drove out of town to a small parking lot along the Arakawa River and crossed a…

December 27, 2019

Posted by Derek Yamashita

Higher Goals: A Guesthouse Sustaining Life in Murakami City

Sponsored by Murakami City Finishing off a day of exploring Murakami City, I checked into a guesthouse nestled in a quiet neighborhood on the edge of the city. This guesthouse was called Iromusubi and was opened by a man named Furubayashi Takuya who recently moved…

December 26, 2019