Hanamiyama was absolutely worth the years I waited to check it off my bucket list.
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Wakayama’s Best Spiritual Sojourn
Although these pilgrimage routes have some things in common, they cater to completely different types of travelers.
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The Amazing Japanese Town You’ve Never Heard Of
This small town in Iwate has been one of my most pleasant Japan travel surprises ever.
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Why You Shouldn’t Skip Enoshima
Is Enoshima island worth visiting?
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Historical Cities in Japan (Besides Kyoto)
There’s no shame in Googling alternatives to Kyoto.
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The Truth About Hakone
Is Hakone worth visiting?
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My Favorite Fill-ins for Hakone
I hope you find my suggestions for alternatives to Hakone useful (and not offensive).
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The Most “Alpine” Place in the Japanese Alps
If you head to the Senjojiki Cirque in the Chuo Alps, you may indeed feel like you’re in Europe.
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Edo for the Afternoon
I’m confident I’ve crafted the perfect Kawagoe day trip.
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Saitama’s September Surprise
If you happen to be in the Tokyo area around October 1, I highly recommend making a pilgrimage to see the red spider lilies.
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Japan’s Underrated Indigo Town
Udatsu, while easy to miss, is impossible to forget.
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Cherry Blossoms and the Seto Inland Sea
It’s easy—well, easy enough—for you to see this amazing sakura view yourself.
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Another Japanese Alpine Dilemma
Is Takayama or Matsumoto a better base for exploring the Japanese Alps?
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Japan’s Oldest Castle
Inuyama Castle is the oldest of Japan’s 12 original castles, and is impressive in its own right apart from that fact.
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Perfect Tokyo Panorama Spots
Where can you get the best view of Tokyo?
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The Best Base for the Japanese Alps
Should you stay in Matsumoto or Nagano during your trip to the Japanese Alps?
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Osaka for the Short-on-Time
It’s much more common to take an Osaka day trip from Kyoto than it is to stay overnight in Osaka.
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1,000 Years in a Day
I wouldn’t ordinarily recommend a Kyoto day trip from Osaka, but if it’s your only option, I’ll help you do it well.
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Matsumoto Starts Here
I hope you’ll find my Matsumoto itinerary helpful.
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Japan’s Most Mystical Shrine
A Kotohira Shrine day trip is an easy way to visit one of Japan’s most incredible sacred sites.
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