Is the pay-off of visiting the gorge greater than or equal to the trouble of getting there?
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Is Nara Better Than Kyoto?
For certain sorts of travelers, Nara might be a preferable overnight base to Kyoto.
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San’yo Starts Here
When most non-Japanese people hear the word san’yō, they think of a slightly questionable electronics brand.
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Japan’s Most Important Shrine
Can you visit Ise Shrine?
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A Jaunt to Japan’s Daruma Temple
Don’t for a single second fool yourself into thinking that this place is off Osaka’s beaten path.
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Obama is Actually Outstanding
Whether you’re a Republican or a Democrat—or even an American at all—Obama-cho is a standout destination.
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Sometimes, the Snow Comes Down in June
By the time I finally got to the Japan snow tunnel, I’d been waiting literally for years.
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Kagoshima’s Best-Kept Secret
If Kagoshima is where Japan ends, then the Satsuma Peninsula is where Kagoshima ends.
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Shikoku’s Best-Kept Secret
Tokushima’s Awa Odori Festival is right up there with the best of them.
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How to Choose Between Tokushima and Takamatsu
If you absolutely must decide, I can help you make the right pick.
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Why to See Japan’s Snowiest City in Summer
The Aomori Nebuta Matsuri is a pain to attend, but I promise you: It’s worth it!
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The #1 Reason to Visit Akita
The Akita Kanto Matsuri is one of the most spectacular celebrations not only in Akita prefecture, but in the whole of Japan.
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Why You Should Stay the Night in Nara
Everything changed when I decided to stay overnight in Nara.
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Off Okinawa’s Beaten Path
Miyako presents a conundrum.
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Tohoku’s Tamest Summer Festival
The Sendai Tanabata Matsuri is probably not what you’re expecting.
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Kanagawa’s Top Tokyo Day Trip
Is Yokohama or Kamakura a better excursion from Tokyo?
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How Japan’s Hawaii Compares to the Original
The topic of Okinawa vs Hawaii is somewhat loaded—and not just for reasons of national pride.
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Which 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.
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Maruoka Castle is Worth the Hassle
Maruoka Castle can be a pain to reach, but trust me: It’s worth it.
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Japan’s Best Islands (Besides the Big 4)
When the topic of Japan’s best islands comes up, it requires a bit of parsing.
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