Sleeping in Nikko, it turns out, makes all the difference in the world.
Continue ReadingJapan Destinations
Is Beppu Worth Visiting?
Onsen hot springs—at least the kind you bathe in—aren’t all that Beppu has to offer.
Continue ReadingMiyazaki for Dummies
This remote corner of Japan is also one of the country’s least-visited, especially among foreigners.
Continue ReadingThe Truth About Kakunodate
Kakunodate is absolutely worth a trip, though there are some caveats.
Continue ReadingSakata Starts Here
I do know what it takes for destinations in Japan to break out from the rest of the pack—Sakata has all of them, and then some.
Continue ReadingThe Truth About Uji
A trip to Uji—a real trip to Uji—is not quite as simple and straightforward as you might think it is.
Continue ReadingHistorical Cities in Japan (Besides Kyoto)
There’s no shame in Googling alternatives to Kyoto.
Continue ReadingKyoto off the Tourist Trail
It wasn’t until Kyoto’s tourist traps became everyday sight for me that I really wanted to get off its beaten path.
Continue ReadingShould You Visit Fukuoka or Nagasaki?
Apart from their importance, these two cities couldn’t be more different.
Continue ReadingA Perfect Day at Mt. Fuji
It’s actually very easy to take a day excursion to the Fuji Five Lakes region.
Continue ReadingOsaka for Any Traveler
How many days should you spend in Osaka?
Continue ReadingThe Truth About Kyoto
First trips to Kyoto are almost never last trips to Kyoto.
Continue ReadingHow Many Days Should You Spend in Tokyo?
As a traveler (and a travel blogger), I’m always reevaluating and recalibrating my stances—the topic of how many days in Tokyo you should spend is no exception.
Continue ReadingThe Ultimate Kumamoto Castle Guide
Kumamoto Castle is one of my favorite castles—and my favorite places—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.
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