JAPAN JOURNEYS STYLE
Photo by Ben Weller
JAPAN JOURNEYS STYLE
Visiting Japan and not sure where to begin your research? Look no further. The following articles are our ‘Japan Journeys style’; itineraries, tips, compilations and first-hand accounts. All designed to give you an honest, in-depth view of some of Japan’s best experiences. Follow us as we backpack from Tokyo to Okinawa. Experience what a Michelin meal should look and taste like. Strap your boots on and join us on the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail. After that, relax with us in a steaming, restorative onsen. And, if you have time, join us on a neighbourhood stroll or two.
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The Kyoto Scramble: Tokyo to Okinawa Day 3
With approximately 1600 temples (Silver Pavilion etc), 400 shrines (Yasaka Shrine), 5 castles...
Dizzying Heights at Takeda Castle: Tokyo to Okinawa Day 4
Often billed as The Machu Picchu of Japan, the ruins of Takeda Castle...
Ise to Kyoto in the Cheap Seats: Tokyo to Okinawa Day 2
After a night in the tea fields, our party rose at dawn and...
Caves, Hot Springs, and Sunsets: Why You Need to Visit Enoshima Island: Part 2
Welcome to the final instalment of our Enoshima Island guide. Now that you’ve...
Starting Up and Breaking Down: Tokyo to Okinawa Day 1
Follow our road trip from Tokyo to Okinawa; fourteen days, multiple forms of...
Overheating at Dogo Onsen: Tokyo to Okinawa Day 5
The celebrated novel Botchan by Natsume Soseki tells the story of a grumpy...
Tokyo Day Trip: Koedo, Kawagoe’s Breath of Edo
We hear music in the distance. Drums beat and flutes whistle a traditional...
A Dragon, a Goddess, and a Shrine: Why You Need to Visit Enoshima Island: Part 1
Sun, sky, an epic romance between a goddess and a vicious five-headed dragon,...
Visiting Nachisan and Kumano Nachi Taisha
While there are many religions in Japan, the...
Things to do in Yunomine Onsen
Yunomine Onsen in Wakayama Prefecture
Japan, like other countries...
Shimanami Kaido – Island Wave Sea Highway: Tokyo to Okinawa Day 6
I’ve never been much of a bicycle rider, but the course along the...
Three Instagrammable Tokyo Photo Spots You Can’t Miss
Photography is a hobby of mine, a long running interest that I’ve had...
Enter the Belly of the Kawaii (Cute) Beast: Harajuku’s Kawaii Monster Café
Lights, camera, monsters? Delve into the belly of the beast (a cute beast...
Hiroshima’s Many-Layered History: Tokyo to Okinawa Day 7
Amongst the different regional varieties of the savory pancake-like concoction known as okonomiyaki,...
The 10 Best Foods to Eat at Nishiki Market, Kyoto
Food lovers rejoice, the Nishiki Market in downtown Kyoto is a mecca for...
Hiking the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage
The Kii Mountains of Wakayama prefecture, blanketed in dense, silent forests, tell a...
Monkeys and Ancient Cedar Trees on the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Route: Day 2
Takahara to Tsugizakura-oji
The Takahara...
Healthy Vegan Dining at Restaurant 8ablish, Omotesando
Omotesando on the weekend is a bustling place. The wide streets and footpaths...
First Steps of the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Route: Day 1
Of the many routes of the Kumano Kodo trail, the Nakahechi Route is...
The Pacific Ocean, a Pagoda and a Waterfall: Day 5 of Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Route
The final day of the Kumano Kodo on...
Serenity and Samurai at the Bamboo Temple: Hokokuji
A tranquil haven linked to an ancient, ruling samurai clan, Hokokuji Temple is...
A Towering Torii Gate and The Grand Shrine: Day 3 of the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Route
Tsugizakura oji to Kumano Hongu Taisha
Teahouse Remains and Sweeping Views: Day 4 of the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Route
Although the pilgrimage was technically complete at Hongu, we wanted the sense of...
Why you should visit Jigokudani (Hell Valley) in Noboribetsu Onsen
Twenty thousand years ago, the eruption of Hokkaido’s...
Bib Gourmand Zen Buddhist Vegetarian Cuisine: Shigetsu in Arashiyama
As I swept aside Shigetsu’s entrance curtain an hour ahead of my reservation,...
Nature’s Air-Con: Nagashi Sōmen Flowing Noodles Kawadoko Style at Hirobun, Kibune
Wondering how to cool off in Japan’s humid summer? Perhaps you’re munching your...
An Unforgettable White Christmas In Japan: Destination Sapporo
Thinking about mixing things up and travelling this yuletide? Here’s an idea: why...
Renewal on Miyajima: Tokyo to Okinawa Day 8
The island of Miyajima, also known as Itsukushima, is a short trip away...
All Aboard the Sanyo Main Line: Tokyo to Okinawa Day 9
After a two-day stay, we left the city of Hiroshima behind us and...
Beat The Heat With These Three Kawadoko River Dining Spots in Kyoto
Summers in Kyoto can be surprisingly hot and humid. Luckily, the pragmatic ancient...
Frittering About in Fukuoka: Tokyo to Okinawa Day 10
Sometimes, the best days of a vacation are the ones where things fail...
Forest Bathing in Japan’s First National Forest: Akasawa Natural Recreational Forest
There’s nothing more soothing than spending a day in nature; I’ve always thought...
Japanese Country Town Profile: One Day In Kiso Fukushima
If you’re planning a trip to the Kiso Valley, perhaps to walk the...
The Nakasendo Trail: 1 day hike from Magome to Tsumago
Picture this: you're a feudal lord (daimyo) with land, money and power within...
Retro cocktails, hip coffee, and Michelin Italian food: An evening in Yoyogi Uehara
On the outskirts of Shibuya-ku, Yoyogi Uehara has a reputation for being a...
Forests, Lakes and Ancient Trails: Day trips in the Kiso-Valley
Deep in the mountains of Nagano prefecture, sidling the Japanese Central Alps, lies...
Backpacking Through Japan – An Overview
In the spring of 2019, my fiancée and I spent three weeks backpacking...
Sightseeing in Shibuya – Walking the Big Two Part 1
Shibuya and Shinjuku are the two biggest urban centers in Tokyo and two...
Studio Ghibli, Live Music, and Cursed Swan Boats: A Day at Inokashira Park
Looking for some family-friendly activities in Tokyo? Add Inokashira Park (Inokashira-koen) to your...
Touring Harajuku – Walking the Big Two Part 2
Between Shibuya and Shinjuku is the sprawling greenery of Yoyogi Park that dominates...
Exploring Shinjuku – Walking the Big Two Part 3
If Shibuya is the current center of development, commerce, and shopping, Shinjuku is...
A Circuit Through Shimokitazawa
Shimokitazawa, known as Shimokita by locals, is one of the primary centers of...
Crossing the Rainbow Bridge and Diving Into an Odaiba Tour
The artificial island of Odaiba is one of the primary leisure centers in...
Where to get an afternoon drink in Harajuku, Tokyo
OK, so you’re on vacation and you’ve been sightseeing or shopping all day....
Exploring The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Arashiyama is a lush, scenic district west of Kyoto which translates directly to...
Gallivanting around Ginza – A Tour Through Old Tokyo Part 1
Many people come to Tokyo for the bright lights of Shibuya and Shinjuku....
Tsukiji Market Trek – A Tour Through Old Tokyo Part 2
After leaving Ginza on your way south, the luxury of early 20th century...
Bathing in the Buff At Kurama Onsen’s Open-Air Bath
Tired body? Looking for a break from the tourist crowds of Kyoto? A...
Ambling Asakusa Tour: A Tour of Old Tokyo Part 3
After a leisurely boat ride along the Sumida River, you will arrive in...
A Leisurely Yokohama Seashore Tour
After Japan opened to foreign trade in the middle of the 19th century,...
A Great Half-Day Hike Near Kyoto: the Kibune – Kurama Hike
Looking for a way to enjoy nature, soak up culture and get some...
Kichijoji Tour: Hammocks, Shopping and Parks
Kichijoji is a favorite destination for both tourists and Tokyo residents. With a...
Looking for an Overnight Trip from Tokyo? Our Guide to Lake Kawaguchiko
While many of Tokyo’s visitors flock to Hakone, Lake Kawaguchiko to its North...
Akihabara to Ueno Part 1 – An Akihabara Trek
The districts of Akihabara and Ueno sit next to one another and offer...
Akihabara to Ueno Part 2: An Ueno Tour
Unlike Akihabara, which comprises the first part of this tour, Ueno offers a...
Aoyama Trek: A Nature and Architecture Walk
Tokyo is a sprawling metropolis with countless landscapes to explore. Besides the main...
Nakameguro Tour – A Taste of Trendiness
If you’re looking to get a taste of cozy bistros and trendy cafés,...
Tokyo Tower and a Tour through Surrounding Areas
Jutting out of the city center, you’d be mistaken for thinking that the...
Roppongi Tour: Soaring Heights and Night Life
Full of bustling shoppers and businesspeople by day and partygoers by night, Roppongi...
Ikebukuro Tour: Sunshine City and Beyond
Of all the major transit and shopping hubs in Tokyo, Ikebukuro seems to...
Get Your Seafood and Shopping Fix in Hakodate: The Morning Market and Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse
Planning to ski or snowboard in Japan? You’ll want to head to Hokkaido,...
Dive into This Sea-side Artists’ Haven: The Onomichi Temple Walk and Literature Path
You know how some places just feel magical? Onomichi is exactly one of...
Onomichi Cat Alley is a Cat Lover’s Paradise: Prepare to Lose your Mind
If Studio Ghibli were inspired by a real town, Onomichi would be it....
Sangenjaya Tour – Burgers, Cafes and a Stop in the Park
Tokyo is filled with trendy neighborhoods. Some of them, like Ginza, are more...
Taking in the Sights on a Kamakura Tour
Kamakura is the ultimate Tokyo day trip. From the Great Buddha of Kotoku-in...
Island Hopping in Okinawa: Where to Go and How to Do It
There are a thousand reasons to love Okinawa. However, there’s no need to...
Shibuya’s Underbelly: A Walk Through Love Hotel Hill and Dogenzaka
Shibuya may have the reputation of being a teen shopping mecca with a...
Finding Good Fortune on an Ebisu Tour
The area of Ebisu, close to the din of Shibuya, is the perfect...
Kyoto After Dark: An Evening Stroll through Pontocho and Gion
Kyoto is the gently lit canal to Tokyo’s fit-inducing neon—part of its charm...
Half-day Kyoto Walking Tour Part 1: Gion to Kodaiji Temple
Looking for a short walking route in Kyoto that will give you real...
Half-day Kyoto Walking Tour Part 2: Kodaiji Temple to Kiyomizudera
This Kyoto walking tour brings you from the Kodaiji complex to Kiyomizudera. An...
A Taste of Home: Tokyo’s International Grocery Stores
It happens to the best of us. You’ve planned your trip, you’re all...
Tokyo’s Fabled 100 Yen Stores: Our Top Picks
For cash-strapped travellers, Tokyo’s 100 yen stores are a godsend. One hundred yen...
The Top Things To Do On Miyajima Island
Miyajima, or Itsukushima, is a lush, forested island in Hiroshima Bay and undoubtedly...
From Oysters to Ice Cream: What To Eat and Drink on Miyajima
Miyajima is only a short ferry ride away from mainland Hiroshima, but this...
Tokyo, Books, and You: Curl up in these Three Green Study Spaces
There’s something about plants that makes studying so much easier to bear. It...
All The Highlights On This 2 Night Naoshima Itinerary
Naoshima Art Island is a must-see for art lovers travelling to Japan. Due...
Road Trippin’ through Kumamoto Prefecture
With summer creeping in and three friends staying with us, the call of...
Nagatoro: An Outdoorsy Day Trip From Tokyo
When the neon of Tokyo no longer energises you, it’s a sure sign...
An Intimate Guide to Kabukicho
Get ready to explore Shinjuku's neon heart with our ultimate guide to Kabukicho....
Dining in Dotonbori: Osaka’s Lively Entertainment District
Osaka is Japan’s second largest city, which may leave you wondering exactly where...
Noto Peninsula Drive, A Day Trip From Kanazawa
After spending a few days sightseeing in Kanazawa, get out of the city...
Kanazawa Itinerary: A One-Day Tour in this Historic City
For lovers of Japanese culture and history, a visit to Kanazawa is a...
Kyoto City Walking Tour: Zen, Books, and Coffee.
View This Walking Tour on Google Maps
The historical...
Kyoto City Walking Tour: Concrete, Jungles and Kyoto’s Oldest Shrine.
View This Tour on Google Maps
If you're looking...
Forest Bathing With Elephants At Lake Nojiri’s ‘Zo No Komichi’
One of the best nature escapes on Japan’s...
Nozawa Onsen Stamp Trail: A Great Summertime Activity
If there’s one thing that comes to mind...
A Complete Osaka Weekend Itinerary
Osaka is a vast, vivid, and vibrant city. Home to Japan’s comedy scene,...
Getting Lucky in Nagano: Visiting The Seven Gods of Good Fortune
In Japanese mythology, there are Seven Gods of Luck (Shichi-fuku-jin) who are believed...
Things To Do (And Eat) in Nagano City
The main hall of Zenkoji Temple
As a mountainous...
Things To See And Do In Nozawa Onsen (That Don’t Involve Snow!)
Nestled deep in the beech covered folds of...
Mt. Mitake: A One-Day Itinerary for Nature and Serenity
When the excitement of Tokyo has gotten to be too much, head to...
All The Matsumoto Highlights In This One Day Itinerary
Matsumoto is a castle city, surrounded by the...
Matsumoto Musts: Folk Crafts and Unique Foods To Seek Out
Like many of Japan’s prefectures, Matsumoto has some fantastic local specialties. From unique...
Togakushi Kodo: A Spiritual Off-The-Beaten-Path Journey
For those looking to get off the beaten...
Nojiri Loop Course: 15km Loop Around A Glacial Lake
The summer haven of Lake Nojiri resides in...
Hakuba’s Happo One Hike: Autumn Edition
Looking to stretch our legs on a recent...
Aizuwakamatsu: An Overnight Stay in the Samurai City
The name Fukushima still carries negative associations after the tragic nuclear disaster in...
Kyoto City Walking Tour – Gardens, Gates and Geiko.
View Full Tour on Google Maps
As tourism in...
Exploring Fukue Island: A Goto Island Adventure in Nagasaki
The Goto Islands are an archipelago of 140 islands located off the west...
A Day Trip to Ainoshima: Fukuoka’s Cat Island
Peaceful scenes on the cat island
If you’re even...
Three Days in Fukuoka: Food Stalls, Islands and Hakata Ramen
One of Japan’s 10 most populated cities, Fukuoka is a bustling, vibrant place....
Your Complete Nagasaki Itinerary: Hills, History and Happy Days
Located on the southern Kyushu Island, Nagasaki is a different kind of Japanese...
Trams Through the Blossoms: Discovering Tokyo on the Arakawa Line
Roses line this Tokyo tram line
At its peak,...
The Idyllic Hills of Biei: Exploring A Hidden Gem by Bike, Day 1
Biei lies in the foothills of Mt. Tokachi,...
The Idyllic Hills of Biei: Exploring A Hidden Gem by Bike, Day 2
Good morning, Biei! At the end of our Day 1 article, we suggested...