I’ve had a Kyushu travel guide on this site for a long time—but I haven’t really been satisfied with it, if I’m perfectly honest. Some parts of it were downright superficial, and reflected the fact that I’ve been discovering the island piecemeal over the past several years, rather than having done a deep dive. This […]
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30 Pictures That Will Make You Want to Visit Kyushu
As I look through all the amazing Kyushu pictures I took during the two-week exploration of the island I just completed, I came to a strange conclusion.
Continue ReadingKyushu vs. Shikoku: Which is Right for You?
If you didn’t know whether you should visit Kyushu or Shikoku before you navigated here, you should have a better idea now.
Continue ReadingFushimi Inari, But Make It Seaside
Objectively speaking, Motonosumi Shrine is one of the most beautiful places in Japan.
Continue ReadingWhere the Shinkansen Does (And Doesn’t) Go
Contrary to popular belief, you can’t ride the Shinkansen “everywhere” in Japan.
Continue ReadingPeninsulas Are A Big Deal in Japan
Many of the best peninsulas in Japan are just as exciting as the country’s actual islands.
Continue ReadingAn Extremely Well-Rounded Trip to Japan
There’s no perfect amount of time to spend in Japan. Some people come for a month and mostly squander it, while others can fit the journey of a lifetime into just a few days. With this being said, some trip lengths serves as better container than others, particularly if you’re realistic about the number of […]
Continue ReadingHow to Visit All of Japan’s Original Castles
Spoiler alert: It will take you many years to visit all of the 12 original castles left in Japan.
Continue ReadingJapan in Just Two Weeks
Japan is bigger than it looks on the map, especially if you’re from a massive country like Canada, Australia or the US. It’s tempting to think that you can go “everywhere in Japan” in just a short amount of time. At the same time, having the right travel plan will allow you to cover the […]
Continue ReadingThe Best of Japan in One Month
When readers and private clients ask me how long they should spend in Japan, I answer simply. “As long you can,” I say, matter-of-factly. “Japan is much bigger than it looks on the map.” For most travelers, this isn’t very long—understandably so. From limits on annual level to children’s school schedules, the majority of prospective […]
Continue ReadingUnderstanding Traditional Japanese Accommodation
What is the difference between a ryokan and an onsen?
Continue ReadingSetouchi Starts Here
If you’re planning on exploring the cities and towns around Japan’s Seto Inland Sea, I assure you: You’re in the right place!
Continue ReadingBattle of Japan’s Second Fiddles
Is Kyushu or Shikoku the better Japanese island?
Continue ReadingHonshu’s Last Stand
Is Shimonoseki worth visiting?
Continue ReadingThe Easiest Way to Explore Shikoku
A Shikoku road trip can serve both practical and esoteric purposes.
Continue ReadingJapan’s Most Underrated Original Castle
Uwajima Castle is much more impressive than it seems from ground level (and certainly, from reading about it on the internet).
Continue ReadingHow to See Cherry Blossoms in Japan
As I set out on my latest cherry blossom trip through Japan–I’ve taken eight, and counting, since I first visited the country in 2014, I made a tongue-in-cheek remark to a friend of mine. “Sakura season,” I quipped, “is like my Super Bowl.” I was being half-sarcastic, but the reality is that I do take […]
Continue ReadingHiroshima’s Most Delicious Day Trip
It’s easy to take a Fukuoka day trip from Hiroshima.
Continue ReadingJapan Off the Beaten Path
There’s value in seeing Japan off its tourist trail.
Continue ReadingMt. Fuji’s Not-So-Famous Tea Fields
On one hand, the tea fields near Mt. Fuji definitely live up to the hype.
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