If Kagoshima is where Japan ends, then the Satsuma Peninsula is where Kagoshima ends.
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The Truth About Flying Delta to Japan
In a market served by some of the world’s best airlines, I’m not sure that “great” is good enough.
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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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Japan’s Fabulous Fireworks
You’re never far from a hanabi display—well, at least not if you visit Japan in summer.
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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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Summer at Point Nemo
So green were the aforementioned leaves, even more than halfway through summer, that it was credible to posit autumn might not ever come again.
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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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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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Japan’s Best Convenience Store
Lawson vs 7-Eleven vs FamilyMart—which of Japan’s “Big 3” convenience stores is the best?
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