Hiking up a Mountain is a great way to enjoy the changing seasons of Japan. You can go Hiking the remote mountains of UNESCO World Heritage listed Shirakami Sanchi in Aomori and Akita prefectures. If you prefer a religious pilgrimage, there are 88 Buddhist Temples that form part of a 40 day Hike around Shikoku Island.
Tag: Hiking
Amanohashidate: A Bridge to Heaven at One of the Three Views of Japan
Japan is a country of lists. Top five cities. Top ten shrines. Top 100 ramen joints… you get the picture. So it didn’t surprise me when I started researching the famous sight of Amanohashidate (天橋立) in northern Kyoto, that I learned about the Three Views…
Chasing Rainbows and Facing Fears at Takeda Castle Ruins and Ikuno Silver Mine
I have a confession to make: I hate haunted houses. As a kid, the looming fear that something would come to life and jump out at me from the dark terrified me to the core. So you can imagine my surprise, when I first entered…
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…
Ojika Island: Exploring Authentic Japan Off the Beaten Track
Japan is made up of 4 main islands, with a heritage, culture, and gastronomy that brings millions of visitors every year. Fascinating Japan is full of many hidden gems. The island of Ojika, in Nagasaki Prefecture not far off the coast of Kyushu, is one…
Exploring the Mt. Fuji of Western Japan – Mt. Daisen
Sponsored by Chugoku Region Tourism Promotion Association / Chugoku District Transport Bureau With steady rain already falling outside of our hotel in Yonago, we thought it best to try to alter our plans for the day. This morning, we were riding a chartered taxi van…
3 Ways To Spend A Perfect Day in Iiyama City
Sponsored by Shinshu-Iiyama Tourism Bureau By the time we boarded the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Nagano, my mother, who was visiting from America, had been touring Japan for three weeks. She had eaten the freshest seafood caught off the coast of Hokkaido. She had hiked among…
Murakami City – Best Ways to Enjoy Fall Colors
Sponsored by Murakami City Located along the Sea of Japan about 4 hours from Tokyo is the small coastal city of Murakami. Rich in cultural arts, cuisine, and history this city is a perfect place for those looking to get off the beaten path and…
The Voyapon Ultimate Travel Guide to Northern Kumamoto
sponsored by Northern Kumamoto Administrative Headquarters In the heart of Kyushu, Kumamoto Prefecture is a natural paradise best known as the home of the world-famous active volcano, Mt. Aso, and the enormous caldera created by its eruption thousands of years ago. But the area boasts…
Yuzawa’s Luxury Ryokan “Heaven” and Volcanic Landscape “Hell”
If you are looking for a deeper nature than big urban cities to admire the kouyou – the phenomenon of the leaves changing color in the autumn – Yuzawa city, in Akita Prefecture, will fulfill your desires for a fresh air weekend less than 4…
Autumn leaves and wild onsen in the Oyasukyo Gorge
Whether you already live in Japan or are just passing through, you will naturally want to go southwest of Tokyo and visit the most popular tourist destinations, such as Kyoto or Osaka. However, a trip north to the Tōhoku region which covers the northeast of…