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As the capital city of Hokkaido and Japan’s fifth largest city, Sapporo is a city with plenty of things to see and do. Its annual Snow Festival, held every February, attracts tourists from all over Japan and the world. In this article, I will be sharing with you the 5-day itinerary I made for my own trip in February 2023 to enjoy both the festival and explore Sapporo and its surroundings, as well as some tips to help you prepare for your visit of this great city.

Located north-west of Sapporo in Hokkaido, Otaru is a charming port town that, in my opinion, should be on every Hokkaido/Sapporo itinerary. Known for its glassworks, music boxes and sake breweries, the town is particularly beautiful in winter when covered in snow. My two visits to Otaru gave me a glimpse of this very cute town which I would like to share with you in this short guide.

Hashima, also known as Gunkanjima, is an abandoned island located around 18km from the port of Nagasaki, one of Kyushu's main cities. Interested in abandoned places and having always been fascinated in the ways nature reclaims its rights once humans have disappeared, I was very curious to visit Gunkanjima during my next stay to Nagasaki. I share my experience of this unusual and off-the-beaten-track attraction in this article.

Nestled on the western coast of Japan's Kyushu island, Nagasaki is a city steeped in history and culture, which is reflected in the various things to see and do. Every time I've been to Nagasaki, I've been amazed by the city's captivating mix of old and new and its vibrant, multicultural atmosphere. In this article, I would like to share with you 10 of my favourite things to do in Nagasaki, having travelled to this amazing city twice, and a suggested 3-day itinerary.

A day trip from Tokyo that should be of particular interest to hiking enthusiasts is Nokogiriyama in Chiba Prefecture. It concentrates many things to see and do: a ferry crossing of Tokyo Bay, a nature hike, beautiful views, a dose of culture and history, the largest Buddha statue in Japan and a ropeway.

Kanaguya is a traditional ryokan that is said to be over 250 years old. It is located on a narrow main street of Shibu Onsen, Nagano. I have been three times to this ryokan and can only recommend it. You can read the reasons why in this article.