On an early November morning – in anticipation of witnessing my first colors of the long-awaited koyo autumn leaves season…
Burcu BasarJanuary 11, 2022
From the picturesque canals of Kinosaki Onsen to Amanohashidate's pine-covered sandbar, the Kitakinki (北近畿) region has everything necessary to make…
Mika CunninghamJanuary 5, 2022
Whenever I think back on my first experiences of Japanese train travel, it’s never the 300 kph speeds or the…
Mika CunninghamJanuary 5, 2022
Shirakami-Sanchi tour guide, Yukio Koike, moved to Aomori Prefecture 33 years ago to study Environmental Science at Hirosaki University. The…
Don KennedyDecember 28, 2021
Tsuruoka City (鶴岡市) and its surrounding region are, without a doubt, one of Japan’s most unique, hidden gems for travelers.…
Richard MilnerDecember 27, 2021
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
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
If you have seen the Studio Ghibli anime Princess Mononoke and were wondering where the inspiration for the natural environment…
Don KennedyDecember 21, 2021
Aomori (青森) is well known for its gorgeous natural scenery. Being located at the northernmost tip of Japan’s main island…
Thomas SiebertDecember 21, 2021
The Aso-Kuju region of Kumamoto prefecture may be Japan’s poster child for what a volcanic landscape truly looks like. While…
Toshiko SakuraiDecember 10, 2021
What if I told you that here’s also a hidden place where the ultimate bushido (The Way of the Warrior)…
Toshiko SakuraiDecember 10, 2021
When I think of Japan, I often picture a country whose technological and avant-garde side contrasts with a more traditional…
Daniela TravagliniNovember 26, 2021
Kyoto is one of my favorite cities not only in Japan but in the entire world. I love it as…
Burcu BasarNovember 19, 2021
Tokyo is one of the most underrated fall color viewing destinations in Japan. The city is home to some marvelous…
Burcu BasarNovember 17, 2021
International travelers often overlook the Tohoku region tucked between the populated Kanto area and the unpopulated but equally popular Hokkaido…
Burcu BasarNovember 16, 2021
I finally made peace with the fact that I must endure a wait for the fall colors to arrive in…
Burcu BasarNovember 11, 2021
A few years ago, I caught a glimpse of an unforgettable scene while traveling through Semboku (仙北) in Akita Prefecture…
Clémentine CintréOctober 19, 2021
Having the world’s spotlight during the Olympics was the perfect opportunity for the Japan Cultural Expo to showcase the richness…
Toshiko SakuraiSeptember 27, 2021
Once upon a time, the Okayama (岡山) plain was an inland sea called Kibi no Anaumi, which was surrounded by…
Cherise FongSeptember 22, 2021
Mount Fuji (富士山, Fujisan), Japan’s largest mountain and arguably its most famous symbol stand at 3,776 metres. Being snow-capped for…
Jonathan ReeveJune 1, 2021
At the boundaries of the Japanese archipelago, Hokkaido (北海道), whose kanji means “Path to the Northern Sea” is the northernmost…
Marie BorgersMay 14, 2021
Despite numerous journeys across Japan and the constant quest to discover more off-the-beaten-track destinations, Tsuwano (津和野) in Shimane Prefecture, was…
Clémentine CintréApril 30, 2021
We came to Shimane Prefecture to explore the former Iwami Ginzan silver mine and the historic village of Tsuwano. However,…
Clémentine CintréApril 30, 2021
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
When I came to Japan with my Working Holiday visa in March 2019, sakura blossoms were about to bloom. The…
Maria PeñascalApril 2, 2021
Spring is a wonderful time for nature lovers. Trees blossom with flowers, landscapes turn green, and we switch our heavy…
Maria PeñascalMarch 25, 2021
Riding northwards into Shimane Prefecture, I was treated to a whistle-stop tour of what the region had in store for…
Callum HoweMarch 22, 2021
