Most people who visit Mie come to see Ise Jingu, tick it off, and leave. They spend a morning at the shrines, eat a bowl of udon on the way out, and catch the train back to Osaka or Nagoya before...
JAPAN AREA GUIDE
Get to know Japan one corner at a time! Our Japan Area Guide dives deep into different prefectures, towns, and neighbourhoods, giving you the full lowdown on what to see, do, eat, and experience.
Best Things to Do in Karuizawa, Japan’s Upscale Mountain Town
Karuizawa is essentially the Hamptons of Japan. If you are expecting a rugged, untouched mountain village where you might stumble upon a lonely monk, you are in the wrong place. Instead, it is more...
Best Onsen in Beppu: A Curated Guide to Japan’s Hot Spring Capital
The first thing you will notice when you arrive in Beppu is the steam. It drifts out of the drains, rises from behind houses, and hangs over the city like a low cloud. This is because the city sits...
Kumamoto Guide & Itinerary for the Best Things to Do in the Prefecture
Most people heading to Kyushu tend to stick to the bright lights of Fukuoka or the hot springs of Beppu. However, you should head further south to Kumamoto if you want to see a mix of massive-scale...
The Ultimate Fukuoka Guide & 2-Day Itinerary
Fukuoka is easily one of the most underrated stops on a Japan trip. While everyone else is fighting the crowds in Kyoto or Tokyo, you should be heading south to the sunnier, friendlier capital of...
Complete Okinawa Guide: Planning a Trip to the Ryukyu Archipelago
There’s a reason so many Japanese people dream of visiting Okinawa one day. The island prefecture is a paradise of tropical beaches, untouched nature, historic sites, and incredible food. It has...
The Ultimate Osaka Area Guide: Sights, Food & Itinerary
Osaka is the rebellious younger sibling to Kyoto's traditional elder. If Kyoto is where you go to reflect and breathe, Osaka is where you go to let loose and eat. It is loud, friendly, and...
The Ultimate Nagasaki Area Guide and 1-Day Itinerary
If you’re looking for a destination in Southern Japan that has a little bit of everything, then you really need to consider Nagasaki. There, you’ll find a beautiful port city on the coast of Kyushu,...
Ultimate Iwate Prefecture Guide and Perfect 2-Day Itinerary
Iwate is the second-largest prefecture in Japan, but in our experience, it is still one of the quietest. It covers a massive area, stretching from the Sanriku Coast in the east to the mountains in...
Guide to Miyama Kayabuki no Sato: Kyoto’s Best Kept Secret
When people are looking for that classic storybook image of Japan, they are probably picturing a thatched-roof village. Shirakawa-go in the Japanese Alps is usually the first name that comes up, and...
Nikko Area Guide: Things to Do in Nikko Japan and 1 Day Itinerary
Oh, Nikko. The area is one of our absolute favourite places to visit in Japan. Firstly, it’s the perfect distance from Tokyo, making a Nikko day trip super convenient. Next, it has a little bit of...
JR EAST PASS (Tohoku): Is It Actually Worth ¥30,000 in 2026?
So, you're planning a trip to Japan and Tokyo is the main event. But have you thought about exploring the areas north of it? For example, have you heard of Nikko, with its incredible temples...
The Ultimate Nagoya Travel Guide: Is It Worth Visiting?
When you’re planning a trip to Japan, your list probably fills up fast with the bright lights of Tokyo and the historic streets of Kyoto. Then you look at a map and see Nagoya, a huge city right in...
Kansai Area Pass: Worth It for Your Japan Trip?
So, you’ve set your sights on Japan’s incredible Kansai region? Excellent choice. You're picturing the iconic red gates in Kyoto, grabbing street food under the neon glow of Osaka, and maybe even...
The Ultimate Kyoto Area Guide: Sights, Stays & Itineraries
Kyoto is a must-see for nearly everyone visiting Japan, from first-timers to those who have been several times, and for good reason. It’s the city people imagine when they think of classic Japan—a...