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Kurama to Kibune Hike: A Guide to Kyotoā€™s Mystical Mountain Trail
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Kurama to Kibune Hike: A Guide to Kyotoā€™s Mystical Mountain Trail

If youā€™re visiting Kyoto and looking for nearby hiking options, the Kurama-Kibune hike should be at the top of your list! This beautiful mountain trail connects two historic shrine and temple, offering the perfect nature escape from the city. In this article, I'll share the itinerary I followed so you can get an overview of this wonderful hike, as well as practical information for planning your getaway from Kyoto.

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Yakushima Travel Guide: Top Things to Do and Essential Tips in Japanā€™s Nature Gem
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Yakushima Travel Guide: Top Things to Do and Essential Tips in Japanā€™s Nature Gem

Yakushima is one of my favourite destinations in Japan! This wild and mysterious island is a must-visit for nature lovers and is famous for its lush forests that inspired Studio Ghibli's Princess Mononoke. As a Ghibli fan, this was my main motivation for visiting this island, but I discovered that it had much more to offer than I had expected, with its ancient cedar trees, stunning hiking trails and more hidden gems. Whether youā€™re a Ghibli enthusiast or an outdoor adventurer, Yakushima offers unforgettable experiences!

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One Day in Mitake: A Perfect Autumn Escape from Tokyo
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One Day in Mitake: A Perfect Autumn Escape from Tokyo

Autumn is a wonderful time to explore Japan, and Mitake is the perfect destination for a nature getaway from Tokyo, especially when the vibrant fall foliage transforms this countryside and mountain scenery. In this article, Iā€™m excited to share the itinerary I followed to explore this stunning area, including hidden gems and personal tips for making the most of your time in Mitake.

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Discover Kamakuraā€™s Hydrangeas: Perfect One-Day Itinerary
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Discover Kamakuraā€™s Hydrangeas: Perfect One-Day Itinerary

Kamakura is a fantastic and popular excursion from Tokyo all year round, but particularly in June, when the rainy season transforms this ancient city into a hydrangea fairytale. In this article, you can read about the walking itinerary I followed on a day trip from Tokyo to admire the hydrangeas in Kamakura, but also to see many of the main sights of Kamakura while introducing some lesser-known spots that I particularly enjoyed.

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Kawazu Seven Falls: A Nature Lover's Hidden Gem on the Izu Peninsula
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Kawazu Seven Falls: A Nature Lover's Hidden Gem on the Izu Peninsula

After Ito, let me introduce you to Kawazu, another hidden gem on the Izu Peninsula, in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. As a nature lover who spent a week discovering the hidden beauty of the Izu Peninsula, I was intrigued to see the Kawazu Seven Falls, located in the mountains above the coastal town of Kawazu. You can read about my experience in this article, as well as some recommendations if you are interested in visiting this wonderful natural site.

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A Nature Day Trip to Izu: Jogasaki Coast and Mount Omuro Itinerary
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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!

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A Hiking Guide to the Magome-Tsumago Nakasendo Trail
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A Hiking Guide to the Magome-Tsumago Nakasendo Trail

A new article in which I share my experience of walking one of Japan's most popular hiking trails: the path between the two historic post towns of Magome and Tsumago on the Nakasendo in the Kiso Valley. What I particularly enjoyed about this hike in the Japanese countryside was the variety of landscapes, from rice paddies and bamboo groves to cedar forests and small rural villages.

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Nakasendo Torii Pass - A Rewarding Hike From Yabuhara to Narai
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Nakasendo Torii Pass - A Rewarding Hike From Yabuhara to Narai

Japan is full of magnificent hiking trails, such as the Torii Pass, which connects Yabuhara and Narai and is one of the most challenging sections of the ancient Nakasendo trail. Less well known than the Magome-Tsumago section of the Nakasendo, it nonetheless makes a lovely half-day hike, perfect for appreciating off-the-beaten-path Japan while getting some exercise on a quiet hiking trail.

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Shiratani Unsuikyo Hiking Guide: Discover Yakushimaā€™s Mononoke Forest
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Shiratani Unsuikyo Hiking Guide: Discover Yakushimaā€™s Mononoke Forest

The Shiratani Unsuikyo ravine was my favourite place in Yakushima and one of most beautiful hikes I have ever done. With its ancient trees and moss-covered stones, the Shiratani Unsuikyo ravine exudes a unique and mystical atmosphere. No wonder it was the inspiration for the famous animated film Princess Mononoke, and you can easily see the resemblance once you enter this beautiful, lush forest.

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Nokogiriyama: a Unique Hike Near Tokyo
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Nokogiriyama: a Unique Hike Near Tokyo

Another 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.

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Hi, Iā€™m Sarah! I hope you enjoy reading my blog.