Hanami in Kyoto can be a perfect experience—if you follow my advice.
Continue ReadingJapan Destinations
Should You Visit Takaoka?
Takaoka punches pretty far above its weight.
Continue ReadingSometimes, the Snow Comes Down in June
By the time I finally got to the Japan snow tunnel, I’d been waiting literally for years.
Continue ReadingFukui Starts Here
The fact remains: Fukui doesn’t get much love.
Continue ReadingMy New Favorite Japan Road Trip
I felt anxious as I drove onto the Noto Peninsula, but not necessarily in a bad way.
Continue ReadingKanazawa for Any Traveler
I hope the insights I’ve gained over the course of my many trips help you as you plan yours.
Continue ReadingWisteria, Without the Worry
Ashikaga Flower Park is beautiful year-round, but is probably only worth visiting when the wisteria are in bloom.
Continue ReadingTokyo’s Most Underrated Day Trip
It was only because of a wild hair that I even bothered to stop at Omiya Bonsai Village on my way back to Tokyo.
Continue ReadingToyama, at Long Last
Is Toyama worth visiting?
Continue ReadingWhy Takayama Takes Time
It isn’t quick to get from Tokyo to Takayama, though it is relatively easy.
Continue ReadingThe Magic of Visiting Fushimi Inari Shrine at Night
Everything changes after nightfall—even Japanese shrines.
Continue ReadingIs Atami Worth Visiting?
It’s not hard to see why Atami was once the place to be.
Continue ReadingIs This Japan’s Most Dangerous Hike?
The hike to Nageiredo isn’t dangerous, or even especially harrowing.
Continue ReadingThe Truth About Asahikawa
Is Asahikawa worth visiting?
Continue ReadingSapporo’s Greatest Escapes
Sapporo is literally the hub of Hokkaido.
Continue ReadingHokkaido’s Wild East
Hokkaido is an absolutely massive island, but most travelers never make it far from Sapporo.
Continue ReadingThe Truth About Otaru
Is Otaru worth visiting?
Continue ReadingYour Hokkaido Winter Adventure Starts Here
Plan your own trip to Japan’s great, white north.
Continue ReadingThe Snow Country Singularity
Once you start enjoying yourself, details become less important than direction, execution less essential than emotion.
Continue ReadingThe Truth About Japan’s Castle in the Clouds
I do love a good Japanese castle, even if Takeda-jo is little more than ruins.
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