Perched on the edge of Omishima Island in the Setouchi region of Japan, the striking design of the Toyo Ito Museum is…
Lily Crossley-BaxterJanuary 19, 2021
With chickens clucking around my feet, I spot a perfect lemon up in the branches. Stretching, I snip with shears…
Lily Crossley-BaxterJanuary 19, 2021
Between beautiful views and fresh island produce, the Shimanami Kaido is an excellent cycling trip full of Japanese history. From Samurai…
Lily Crossley-BaxterJanuary 19, 2021
If 2020 has left you feeling like you've had an eight-month hangover, do your head, heart, and soul a favor…
Todd FongDecember 25, 2020
I’ve lived in Japan so long now and travelled so much around the country that I thought I might have…
Mark Brazil Ph.DDecember 18, 2020
“It takes two entire years to pass a taiko apprenticeship. That means no drinking, no smoking, no social media. Do…
Lucy DaymanDecember 3, 2020
There’s something surreal about driving through the countryside of southern Niigata Prefecture and suddenly seeing a giant window — complete with…
Patrick St. MichelDecember 3, 2020
The mist was the defining factor of my experience on Rishiri Island (利尻島, Rishiri-tō). It became a welcome companion to my explorations,…
Lily Crossley-BaxterDecember 3, 2020
“Canceled?” I asked, looking out to the blue skies across our coast-side hotel breakfast. It seemed unlikely, but our boat…
Lily Crossley-BaxterDecember 3, 2020
Learning the art of curling from a 79-year-old Japanese man had never really been on my bucket list, but it…
Lily Crossley-BaxterDecember 3, 2020
I’m sure you are missing Japan. You would like to be closer to this wonderful culture and experience its essence.…
Maria PeñascalNovember 19, 2020
The fabled Momotaro Peach Boy may have killed a few ogres, but Okayama (岡山) is steeped in many timeless ingredients…
Cherise FongNovember 12, 2020
As I approached the tiny port of Inujima (犬島) from the mainland, the first thing I saw was the two…
Cherise FongNovember 12, 2020
For those of us who grew up outside of Japan, the Goto Islands are a place shrouded in an air…
Todd FongNovember 9, 2020
Even as Japan and other parts of the world slowly begin to plan to reopen to tourism, there will continue…
Todd FongNovember 9, 2020
If we are being completely honest, nobody in the world would consider 2020 to be a "pretty good year." On…
Todd FongNovember 6, 2020
On a quiet road of Ojika Island, in the shadows of a Buddhist temple between the ancient pine forest on…
Todd FongNovember 6, 2020
Heatstroke, which is a medical emergency condition caused by failure of the body to regulate its temperature, is common in…
Nina CataldoSeptember 4, 2020
If you've heard about Okunoshima, more widely known by its popular name of Rabbit Island (official website), you can thank…
Todd FongAugust 15, 2020
As a kawaii Japanese culture lover, finding HobbyLink Japan website was a great discovery for me! It is possible to…
Anshin DoyleJune 26, 2020
As closed borders and shelter-in-place restrictions continue to be in effect around the world, travelers and travel-related service providers alike…
Todd FongJune 23, 2020
Kyushu (九州) is a largely unexplored island for Western tourists. Unsurprisingly, most of them won't know about a true hidden…
Maria PeñascalJune 11, 2020
Have you ever experienced staying in a ryokan with a private onsen? In my point of view, this is one…
Maria PeñascalJune 11, 2020
After my relaxing stay in a ryokan in Hita, I continued my hot springs tour of southern Japan. I was…
Maria PeñascalJune 11, 2020
Oita city (大分市) is the main city of Oita Prefecture (大分県), located on Kyushu Island (九州) in southern Japan. It…
Maria PeñascalJune 11, 2020
After visiting Hita, Tensui ryokan, and Oita city, I said goodbye to Oita Prefecture with my last visit to its…
Maria PeñascalJune 11, 2020
Matsuyama in Shikoku, Japan is known for the Dogo Onsen, but also as a stop on the Shikoku Pilgrimage Trail.…
Yvonne TanakaApril 6, 2020
