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Nikko Travel Guide: Top Things to Do, Best Itinerary, and Must-See Attractions
Guide & Itinerary Travely Notes Guide & Itinerary Travely Notes

Nikko Travel Guide: Top Things to Do, Best Itinerary, and Must-See Attractions

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!

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15 Amazing Summer Festivals to Experience in Tokyo This Year
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15 Amazing Summer Festivals to Experience in Tokyo This Year

What I love most about summer in Tokyo are its summer festivals, also known as matsuri. With their street stalls, lanterns and colorful decorations, matsuri are the perfect way to enjoy delicious Japanese street food, as well as its fascinating traditional culture and entertainment! I find that every matsuri I attend has its own unique atmosphere and energy that leaves a lasting impression. Here's a list of 15 of Tokyo's best summer festivals, with practical information and tips that should be useful if you're planning to attend in summer 2024.

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21 Best Things to Do in Tokyo This Summer
Guide & Itinerary Travely Notes Guide & Itinerary Travely Notes

21 Best Things to Do in Tokyo This Summer

Despite the heat and humidity, summer is an amazing time to be in Tokyo. There are plenty of seasonal activities, events and food to try, and many ways to beat the heat! Here is a list of 21 best things to do in Tokyo in summer, with plenty of suggestions for a fun and active time in Tokyo during this season.

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Explore Sarushima: A Unique Day Trip Destination in Tokyo Bay
Guide & Itinerary Travely Notes Guide & Itinerary Travely Notes

Explore Sarushima: A Unique Day Trip Destination in Tokyo Bay

Located not far from the port of Yokosuka, in Kanagawa Prefecture, Sarushima is the only uninhabited island of Tokyo Bay. With its fort ruins, luxuriant forest, clear sea and barbecue and leisure facilities, it is great destination for a half-day or a full day trip from Tokyo. In this article, you can learn more about this hidden gem near Tokyo and get useful information to prepare for your own visit of Sarushima.

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Guide to Kyotoā€™s Gion Matsuri, One of Japanā€™s Biggest Summer Festivals
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Guide to Kyotoā€™s Gion Matsuri, One of Japanā€™s Biggest Summer Festivals

Gion Matsuri (ē„‡åœ’ē„­) is one of Japan's biggest summer festivals, taking place in Kyoto every year for a month from 1 July. I attended the main event of the Gion festival, the Yamaboko Junko, in 2022. It was a very memorable experience for me, that Iā€™d like to share with you, along with a few tips on how to prepare for this great event.

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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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Where to Admire Hydrangeas in Tokyo: Three Spots Not to Miss
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Where to Admire Hydrangeas in Tokyo: Three Spots Not to Miss

For me, June in Tokyo is a source of excitement because it's synonymous with hydrangeas! Called ajisai (ē“«é™½) in Japanese, these charming flowers colour Tokyo's temples, parks and gardens in large bushes. In this article, I will share with you three amazing places to admire hydrangeas in Tokyo, which are quite different from one another, but all very charming in their own way.

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