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 ReadingHow to See Cherry Blossoms in Japan
If you want to experience the magic of cherry blossom season in Japan, 2025 will be your next chance. In the coming weeks, the first trees will be budding and blooming! Of course, no matter when you end up making it to Japan, the so-called “cherry blossom front” begins in the south and west—Kyushu and […]
Continue ReadingMt. Fuji’s Not-So-Famous Tea Fields
On one hand, the tea fields near Mt. Fuji definitely live up to the hype.
Continue ReadingJapan by Train: Everything You Need to Know
You don’t have to be a train nerd to appreciate how amazing Japan’s railway system is. From local trains that seemingly float above the futuristic Tokyo cityscape, to Shinkansen bullet trains that fly through the countryside, Japan has the most impressive rail network in the world. Period, end of story. That’s not the end of […]
Continue ReadingWant to Visit an Onsen in Japan? Start Here
These incredible Japanese hot springs will make you want to take your clothes off in front of strangers.
Continue ReadingJapan’s Other Orange (and Red) Gates
There are plenty of alternatives to Fushimi Inari for travelers who want the Instagram money shot, but not the stress.
Continue ReadingAll the Ways to Haneda and Back
Traveling from Haneda Airport to Tokyo is a quick journey, but like most things in Japan isn’t necessarily simple.
Continue ReadingJapan in Autumn: Everything You Need to Know
Whether you’ve arrived via Google or clicked here from my collection of photos of Japan in fall, you’re obviously curious about autumn in Japan 2025. When the leaves will change; where the best places to see them are; and how long you need to stay in Japan to have the full kōyō experience. I’ll cover […]
Continue ReadingA Tedious Takachiho Day Trip
Is the pay-off of visiting the gorge greater than or equal to the trouble of getting there?
Continue ReadingRobert Schrader’s Japan Travel Writing
The experience of traveling in Japan is never really just about visiting temples or eating sushi, even if that’s all you set out to do. And especially not if you let your guard down just a little bit. I’ve always felt a sort of current flowing through me as I explored Japan, which makes sense […]
Continue ReadingKagoshima’s Best-Kept Secret
If Kagoshima is where Japan ends, then the Satsuma Peninsula is where Kagoshima ends.
Continue ReadingKagoshima Starts Here
I’ll admit: A Kagoshima travel guide isn’t something you see every day. It took me over half a decade traveling in Japan to truly explore the city, the southernmost and westernmost on Japan’s four main islands. (The flip-side of this is that if you’ve got Kagoshima in your sights, you’re evidently a pretty experienced Japan […]
Continue ReadingJapan’s Best Islands (Besides the Big 4)
When the topic of Japan’s best islands comes up, it requires a bit of parsing.
Continue ReadingThe Truth About Japan in Summer
Over the years, I’ve really come around to the idea of visiting Japan in summer. Like you probably are if your internet search has taken you to this page, I dismissed a trip to Japan during this time—the thought of the heat, humidity and rain just wasn’t appealing. I can’t lie: Japan can be all […]
Continue ReadingWhy I Go So Hard for Japan’s Hydrangeas
Ajisai are every bit as Japanese as sakura.
Continue ReadingThe Best Japan Road Trips
There are a million reasons to hit Japan’s open road. Thankfully, I’m only going to name five.
Continue ReadingHonshu’s Last Stand
Is Shimonoseki worth visiting?
Continue ReadingJapan’s Greatest Gardens
You don’t need to be a horticulturist to appreciate the best gardens in Japan.
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