Naoshima Travel Guide: Complete One-Day Itinerary for Art and Nature Lovers
Naoshima is a fantastic island for art and nature lovers in Japan, easily accessible as a day trip from Okayama. Famous for its contemporary art museums, outdoor installations, and its iconic pumpkin sculptures by Yayoi Kusama, Naoshima is a fantastic destination in Japan for those looking to immerse themselves in world-class art while enjoying the island’s tranquil coastal scenery. Discover the itinerary I followed to spend a day exploring Naoshima, along with my recommendations and travel tips to help you make the most of your visit to Japan's famous ‘art island’.
Autumn in Tokyo: 17 Top Fall Foliage Spots and Best Day Trips
Autumn in Tokyo is a magical time, and I’m very excited to share this fall foliage guide with you. During this season, the city’s parks and gardens burst into vibrant shades of red, gold, and orange. After living in Tokyo for over four years, I’ve explored not only the famous spots but also some hidden gems that offer equally stunning autumn foliage views without the crowds. In this guide, I’ll introduce both popular and lesser-known places to enjoy fall foliage in Tokyo, not just in the heart of the city but also through day trips to scenic spots nearby.
Discover Matsushima: Complete Travel Guide to Japan’s Scenic Bay
Located in the Tohoku region, Matsushima is renowned for its stunning bay, dotted with over 260 small islands covered by pine trees. This scenic wonder is a must-visit destination in Miyagi Prefecture for nature lovers and travelers looking for a relaxing getaway. In this article, I’ll share my favorite spots in Matsushima, travel tips and recommendations for accommodation and restaurants.
Day Trip to Uji from Kyoto: Perfect Itinerary for Temple and Matcha Lovers
Just a short 30-minute train ride from Kyoto, Uji offers a perfect escape for those looking to immerse themselves in Japan’s cultural heritage and indulge in its most iconic tea—matcha! Famous for its ancient temples, serene river views, and rich tea culture, Uji is an underrated day out for Japanese history and culture enthusiasts, and should definitely be on the travel bucket list of matcha lovers.
Tsurugi, Hakusan – A Secret Gem and Fun Day Trip From Kanazawa
This Tsurugi area walking itinerary in Hakusan is the ideal day trip from Kanazawa if you are looking for a lesser-known destination during your stay in Ishikawa prefecture. The area around Tsurugi station has a lot to offer: beautiful shrines, sake breweries, an insect museum, mountain gondolas where you can admire the Sea of Japan on sunny days...
Discover Kanazawa: 2-Day Itinerary and Travel Tips
Kanazawa is a beautiful, historic coastal city in Japan that’s packed with things to see and do! Known as “little Kyoto” for its cultural and traditional charm, Kanazawa is home to one of Japan’s most beautiful gardens, well-preserved traditional geisha and samurai districts, a castle, a fascinating ninja temple, and more! In this article, I will be sharing with you the 2-day itinerary that I used to explore Kanazawa and some tips to make the best of your time in this fantastic city.
Sapporo Guide and Five-Day Itinerary During the Snow Festival
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.
Otaru in Winter: an Unforgettable Day Trip from Sapporo
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.
Gunkanjima, a Captivating Cruise to an Abandoned Island in Japan
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.
Nagasaki Travel Guide: Top Things to Do and 3-Day Itinerary
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.
Ito Guide: Best Things to Do, Where to Stay, Eat and More
Ito is a charming seaside hot springs town in Shizuoka Prefecture. It's a base to stay and explore the underrated but beautiful Izu Peninsula, which is packed with natural sites, onsen towns and other fun attractions to discover. In this article, I will share my favourite activities in Ito as well as some recommendations for accommodation and restaurants that I particularly enjoyed.
A Nature Day Trip to Izu: Jogasaki Coast and Mount Omuro Itinerary
The Jogasaki Coast and Mount Omuro are two natural wonders of the Izu Peninsula located in Ito city that can easily be combined as a day trip from Tokyo, Atami or other nearby towns in the Izu Peninsula. If hiking along a scenic coastline and walking around the crater of an extinct volcano sounds intriguing to you, then this day trip itinerary should interest you!
Nokogiriyama Hiking Guide: A Unique Day Trip from Tokyo
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.
A Night at Kanaguya: A Review of a Traditional Ryokan in Shibu Onsen
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.
Things to Know Before Visiting the Snow Monkey Park
Jigokudani Monkey Park is home to the only troop of monkeys in the world known to bathe naturally in hot springs. In this article you will find some tips to prepare your visit, such as information about the park, transport, what to wear, suitcase storage, etc.
A Winter Experience in Japan: a Guide to Shibu Onsen and the Snow Monkey Park
A place I would highly recommend visiting in the wintertime in Japan is Shibu Onsen in Yamanouchi, Nagano prefecture. Famous for its hot springs and historic buildings, Shibu Onsen is still steeped in the traditional atmosphere of its 1,300-year history.
11 Underrated Places in Japan I’ve Visited and Warmly Recommend
As overtourism is affecting many of the country’s best-known places, I want to highlight lesser-known corners of Japan to inspire travelers to expand their exploration of this fascinating country beyond the popular “must-visit” spots. In this article, I wanted to bring together some of the places that have stayed with me the most, that I’ve found underrated, each with its own special charm and that has exceeded my expectations. They are also places I would happily recommend to friends and family looking to add something different and off the beaten path to their Japan itinerary.
Best Hikes in Japan: My 15 Favorite Trails
Japan is an incredible destination for hikers. After hiking in different parts of the country for four years, I’ve put together a list of my 15 favorite hikes in Japan with the trails I’ve enjoyed most and would warmly recommend to other fellow hikers looking for inspiration for their next adventure in Japan.
Nikko Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Itinerary, and Must-See Spots
Nikko is an easily accessible destination from Tokyo, ideal for a weekend or three-day getaway. As well as being home to a major temple complex, Nikko offers many natural wonders. Having visited Nikko four times, I have prepared the following guide to share with you detailed information that I hope will help you make the most of your trip to Nikko!
Where to Eat in Tokyo? A Selection of My Favorite Restaurants
When it comes to eating out, Tokyo has SO MUCH to offer. If you are looking for affordable and delicious meals in Tokyo, here is a list of my favorite restaurants. I have visited these restaurants many times and have always been very pleased with the experience and prices.
Hi, I’m Sarah! I hope you enjoy reading my blog.