If you’re looking for something completely different — something remote, wild, and unspoiled — look to the cluster of islands on Honshu’s west coast, the Oki Islands, and let Japan surprise you. There are four main islands — the biggest, called Dōgo (Okinoshima), and three Dōzen islands (Nishinoshima, Chiburijima, and Ama).
NatureChugoku
Sherilyn Siy
November 9, 2018
Have you decided to take your first ski trip in Japan this season but don’t know where to start? Then you’ve come to the right place. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about skiing Hakuba.
NatureChubu
John Blagys
November 9, 2018
Thanks to the registration of UNESCO World Heritage sites along with other historic sites in Kyusyu, the uninhabited island is drawing more attention and becoming one of the most popular destinations for tourists. Let me share the amazing experience with you.
NatureKyushu
Yoko
November 6, 2018
Many tourists travel around Japan hoping to encounter some of its beautiful wildlife. They might want to see macaques relaxing in an onsen, a Tanuki streaking across the road or even a majestic Japanese deer.
NatureChugokuKansaiKanto
Alfie Blincowe
November 5, 2018
In addition to Chichijima, Hahajima is the only other Ogasawara island that is inhabited. Mount Kofuji is one of the hikes that can be done without a guide and at any time of the year. I would recommend you reserve 4-5 hour for this, as there are some beaches on the way that you can also visit.
NatureKanto
Ana Verissimo
November 5, 2018
Yamanashi, about 2 hours by bus from Tokyo, certainly changed a few perceptions I had of Japan: where Mt. Fuji was, where Japanese wine was made, what the technology to make the world's fastest train looks like. I had wondered about these before moving to Japan, but was completely unaware that one prefecture in the entire country could answer all of them at once.
Food & DrinkNatureChubu
Victor Ifeajika
October 30, 2018
Whilst the Alps do, as one would expect, give rise to a huge amount of winter sports tourism, they also have the added benefit of limiting the number of inhabitable areas within the prefecture. However, the cities of Matsumoto, and the prefectural capital, also called Nagano, offer plenty of sites for an avid tourist to see.
NatureTravel TipsChubu
Liam Carrigan
October 26, 2018
Although it can be difficult to have a pet of your own in Japan as an expat, especially if you live in a city, there are plenty of places to go where you can spend time with cute animals and get your fluff fix. One of these is “Sekai no Meiken Bokujo” a communication park for dogs and people, in Gunma Prefecture.
NatureTravel TipsKanto
Luna
October 23, 2018
Goshiki-numa is a cluster of 5 small volcanic lakes that emerged after the eruption of Mount Bandai in 1888 and attracts tourists for its incredible beauty nowadays. Goshiki-numa is located In Fukushima prefecture, and it is a very good reason why you should consider visiting this prefecture someday.
NatureTohoku
Yana
October 16, 2018
Viewing the reds and oranges of Japanese autumnal foliage on a crisp and clear day is unbeatable. Only one thing makes it better - when it's at night. First things first: where is Shinrin Koen? It lies almost exactly in the center of Saitama Prefecture, just north of Tokyo. The nearest train station is “Shinrin Koen” (森林公園), about 1 hour from Ikebukuro on the Tobu Tojo Line.
NatureKanto
Peter Leonard
October 15, 2018
So you landed in Japan on an ESL grant or some other job, hoping that you might be able to live in Tokyo or Yokohama, but instead you were posted in some one-horse town in the boonies. Japan is known for its powder snow in the north, scuba diving points in the south, and lots of hiking trails in between. There are millions of enthusiasts of both river fishing and sea fishing. Depending on where you live, there are places to go canoeing, or rafting, or cave exploring.
NatureAll Japan
Akira Fuyuno
October 12, 2018
The Okama crater of the Zao volcano is accessible by bus, by car, and on foot. Okama wows from any angle, but approaching it on foot is a rare opportunity to experience the radical transformations caused by a volcanic eruption.
NatureTohoku
Jackie Imamura
October 9, 2018
Because they are so far from any other land mass, local species have evolved separately from their mainland cousins and developed unique adaptations to their environment. I had two nights at Chichijima, so I booked two night tours: one for stargazing and one to see the island’s nocturnal wildlife.
NatureSightseeingKanto
Ana Verissimo
October 2, 2018
After living in Ishinomaki for 5 months, I finally got up early enough to catch the 9:00am ferry to Tashirojima, aka Cat Island. This is not to be confused with the Aoshima Cat Island.
NatureTohoku
Calw Walker
October 2, 2018
Akita Prefecture hides on the east coast of the Tohoku area of Japan. Even though it is still not as popular as many other prefectures in terms of tourism, it is rich in nature and unique traditions. And here are 15 reasons for you to come to Akita and enjoy its atmosphere!
CultureEventsNatureSightseeingTravel Tips
Yana
September 11, 2018
Tucked away below Japan’s main island of Honshu, Shikoku Island is home to four prefectures, all known for being more rural and traditional. Being disconnected from the main island of Japan has its advantages though, the island is packed full of authentically Japanese spots to visit. Ehime is the most recognizable of Shikoku, with sights linking it to the famous studio Ghibli, and the Japanese royal family.
Food & DrinkNatureSightseeingTravel TipsShikoku
Alfie Blincowe
August 28, 2018
Cycle the island of Hachijojima south of Tokyo for an amazing experience off the beaten path.
NatureTravel TipsKanto
Dkun
August 28, 2018
If you travel to countries hoping to experience another culture, Japan is still rich with it and Nara is the perfect place surrounded by culture and history. It is many things at once: traditional, natural, delightful, heartfelt, and all around wonderful. Come to Nara and be amazed. I honestly could name 100 things in Nara that would make for an amazing trip, but I have narrowed it down to the top 15 spots that you will not find even in most guidebooks.
NatureShoppingSightseeingTravel TipsKansai
Kade Delis
August 27, 2018
15 Things to Do in Kobe
20 Things to Do in Kyushu
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The Top 5 Places to Visit in Nagano in Winter
5 Heartwarming and Tear-jerking Japanese Dramas and Movies
10 Famous Buddha Statues in Japan
15 Things to Do in Okinawa
The Ultimate Guide to Experiencing Hakone
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Top 5 Tips to Maximize Fastpasses at Tokyo Disney Resort
10 Best Japanese Sauces
Japanese Flowers and Their Meaning
Halloween in Shibuya: A Night Like No Other
Traditional Japanese Musical Instruments
Japan’s Three Great Cherry Blossom Trees
Kyoto's Famous Omurice: Kichi Kichi
10 Snacks to Try in Japan
Things to Do on Takeshita Street, Harajuku
Shop ‘Til You Drop: Bargain Hunting in Osaka
The 5 Best Used Electronic Stores in Akihabara
Kumagaya – Humbly Splendid, Saitama’s Hub Comes to Life with Festivals
5 Reasons Why the Oki Islands Should Be in Your Japan Bucket List
A Beginner’s Guide to Skiing Hakuba
The Symbol of Rapid Industrialization – Gunkanjima Island in Nagasaki
Satou Making in Your Home – Creating a Carving Knife From Samurai Sword Parts
Konnyaku Park, Gunma – Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Devil's Tongue
Tsubame Onsen: Tiny, Milky, Secluded, and Free-of-charge
Where are the Friendliest Deer in Japan?
Going up Mt. Kofuji on Hahajima (Ogasawara)
5 Things to Eat in Sapporo
