Tag: nature
Beef, Jazz and History: Things to do in Kobe
Kobe is the capital of Hyogo Prefecture and Japan’s third-largest port city after Tokyo and Yokohama. Sitting on Osaka Bay, backed by the Rokko mountain range, it’s known as a cosmopolitan city with ancient history and an interesting blend of cultures. From...
Yakusugi Land: Hiking for All on Yakushima Island
Yakusugi Land offers a breathtaking Yakushima hiking experience for almost any level of fitness.
Shiratani Unsuikyo and Kokemusu Mori: Yakushima’s Magical Moss Valley
Lose yourself in Shiratani Ravine and Kokemusu Moss Forest on Yakushima, the island that inspired Studio Ghibli's Princess Mononoke.
In Search of Treasure on the Jade Coast
If you’ve ever experienced the small thrill of finding a town or restaurant featuring your name, you will understand why this writer set out to visit her namesake Jade Coast on the Sea of Japan. While there’s no shortage of Chinese restaurants...
Hozugawa River Cruise: History, Nature, Rapids and Snacks
For a fun outdoorsy adventure in Kyoto, check out the Hozugawa River Cruise. Departing from Kameoka, this two hour, 16km journey follows the Hozu River over gentle rapids and past beautiful flora and fauna, finally arriving in the popular town of Arashiyama....
Watch the Forest Fireflies of Ishigaki Declare Their Summer Love
Every year in Japan, as the spring season fades and the temperature starts to rise, something magical happens. The conditions have to be almost perfect, the stage set and the mood just right. Then, the fireflies light up the night to find...
Road Trippin’ through Kumamoto Prefecture
With summer creeping in and three friends staying with us, the call of the wild echoed through our stuffy, overcrowded Tokyo apartment. Lucky for us, Japan is full of great nature escapes, so we decided to plan a road trip. In our...
Takachiho Gorge: Rowing through Southern Japan
An hour and a half from Kumamoto, the Takachiho Gorge cuts deep through Southern Kyushuu. Shifting volcanic basalt formed the striated gorge aeons ago, causing early visitors to drawn comparisons with the scales of a dragon. A trip to the gorge allows...
Forests, Lakes and Ancient Trails: Day trips in the Kiso-Valley
Deep in the mountains of Nagano prefecture, sidling the Japanese Central Alps, lies the pristine Kiso Valley. The clear and cool Kiso River snakes its way through the landscape, flanked by wooded peaks that house rushing waterfalls and ancient trees. Each season...
Springtime in Hokkaido’s Biei–Furano
Hokkaido is Japan’s northernmost island and sidles the frosty southeastern part of Russia. It is widely known for the amazing powder snow at Niseko, the Sapporo Ice Sculpture Festival and the seafood fished from the ice-cold winter waters. While Hokkaido’s winter is long and...
