Kumamoto Castle is one of my favorite castles—and my favorite places—in Japan.
Continue ReadingJapan Destinations
Japan’s Other Concrete Jungles
Tokyo is definitely not the only concrete jungle in Japan.
Continue ReadingAll Japan is a Stage
It’s not surprising that you’d be eager to see performing arts in Japan once the country reopens.
Continue ReadingNagasaki for Novices
Now is the perfect time to start planning your trip to Nagasaki
Continue ReadingJapan’s Greatest Gardens
You don’t need to be a horticulturist to appreciate the best gardens in Japan.
Continue ReadingMaking Sense of Tokyo
My mental map of Tokyo is spot-on.
Continue ReadingIs Wakayama Worth Visiting?
If you know what or where “Wakayama” is, you’ve taken a step most tourists have not.
Continue ReadingJapan Off the Beaten Path
There’s value in seeing Japan off its tourist trail.
Continue ReadingKyoto in Perfect Proportion
There isn’t any such thing as a “one-size-fits-all” trip to Japan’s erstwhile capital.
Continue ReadingKyoto for Four Days
Kyoto is more than worth 96 hours of your time.
Continue ReadingKyoto’s Treasure Trail
I can say without a doubt that five days is not too long to spend in Kyoto.
Continue ReadingIs Nara Worth Visiting?
Nara isn’t for everyone, but it might just be for you.
Continue ReadingJapan’s Famous Fields of Baby Blue
Hitachi Seaside Park is beautiful, and mostly lives up to the hype built up around it—but it’s not for everyone.
Continue ReadingHimeji Starts Here
You might say I’m an expert in crafting the perfect Himeji Castle day trip
Continue ReadingWhere to Hit the Beach Near Tokyo
When it comes to beaches near Tokyo, there’s good news and there’s bad news.
Continue ReadingCan You See Hiroshima on a Day Trip?
Hiroshima is one of Japan’s best-known destinations, yet it often seems to be an afterthought.
Continue ReadingWhich Japanese Castle Will You Like Best?
Castles (and castle towns) make great touchstones for any trip to Japan, no matter where in the country you are or how many times you’ve been.
Continue ReadingHow to See Hokkaido Lavender
Hokkaido’s flower fields are more than opportunities to harvest Instagram likes.
Continue ReadingWhich Popular Tokyo Day Trip is Right For You?
Did I mention that I love both of these places?
Continue ReadingThe Wildest Way Through Shikoku
The first time I visited the Iya Valley, Japan took on a new dimension to me.
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