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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Kyoto’s Low-Stress Sacred Spaces
Fabulous spots like Kifune and Kurama, a shrine-and-temple pair in far northwestern Kyoto, are just waiting for you to discover them.
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Edo for the Afternoon
Taking a Kawagoe day trip from Tokyo is usually a second (or even third) choice.
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These Are Japan’s Best Beaches
Japan, in spite of being a country of islands, is not known for its beaches.
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The Cat Island Conundrum
If you’re a big feline fan, you might find cat island in Japan disappointing.
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Japan’s Paradise Beach
This Jodogahama Beach itinerary will set you on course.
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A Perfectly Nice Town
Is Ishinomaki worth visiting?
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Japan’s Treasure Trail
Sanriku might just be the most authentic, enticing region in Japan.
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Run With All You Have
A viper seems to be little more than a leathery bamboo shoot until the moment it sinks its fangs into you.
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Is Nikko Tokyo’s Best Day Trip?
Nikko is one of the easiest and most fulfilling day trips from Tokyo.
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Kamakura Starts Here
It’s easy to rationalize Japan’s former capital as a one-and-done day trip from its current one.
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A Tale of Two Tourist Traps
Comparing Takayama vs Kyoto isn’t as futile as you might think.
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Where to Find China in Japan
China has always been a part of Japan.
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Japan’s Greatest Gardens
You don’t need to be a horticulturist to appreciate the best gardens in Japan.
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Hokkaido’s Best City
Comparing Sapporo vs Hakodate might seem like a fool’s errand, but I think it can be a productive exercise.
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The Truth About Lake Biwa
Lake Biwa used to be a place I mostly forgot—now, it’s one of my favorite destinations in Japan.
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Ishigaki Starts Here
I’ve been wanting to put together an Ishigaki itinerary for a long time.
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A Sakura Tunnel in Tohoku
The Kitakami cherry blossoms are a delight, no matter when in the season you happen to arrive
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