Tag: onsen
Why you should visit Jigokudani (Hell Valley) in Noboribetsu Onsen
Twenty thousand years ago, the eruption of Hokkaido’s Mt. Hiyoriyama changed the surrounding landscape forever. The force of it rippled for kilometres to form an eerie, steaming volcanic zone with hissing geysers and a thick sulphurous odour....
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 is a true gem. With its bevvy of cosy hot-spring inns, art museums, and cultural activities, it’s the perfect overnight trip from Tokyo. Most importantly, it’s the best place...
The Jogasaki Coast: Hiking through Volcanic Cliffs and Quiet Capes
After a morning spent witnessing volcanic archery and visiting a capybara onsen, my fiancé and I were off to the Jogasaki Coast, our next destination in the Ito Peninsula. A stretch of jagged 10-meter high cliffs threaded with hiking trails, it offers...
Bathing in the Buff At Kurama Onsen’s Open-Air Bath
Tired body? Looking for a break from the tourist crowds of Kyoto? A day trip to Kurama Onsen might be just what the doctor ordered. Located less than an hour from the city, Kurama is a rural, mountainous retreat, lush with cedar...
The Many Eruptions of Sakurajima: Tokyo to Okinawa Day 13
At the southern tip of the Japanese mainland and the island of Kyushu, the port of Kagoshima is home to one of the most startling sights in the country: a towering volcano that erupts daily. Sakurajima dominates the city skyline, and chances...
Things to do in Yunomine Onsen
Yunomine Onsen in Wakayama Prefecture
Japan, like other countries located in the ‘Pacific Ring of Fire’, is volcanically active and prone to numerous earthquakes. The four tectonic plates underneath this island nation cause daily tremors and are responsible...
The Healing Waters of Hitoyoshi: Tokyo to Okinawa Day 11
On day 11 of our trip, we left Fukuoka and after a brief and unexpected ramen lunch, found ourselves in the small town of Hitoyoshi. Owing to its rich history and culture, Hitoyoshi touts itself as the “Little Kyoto” of Kyushu. The...
Overheating at Dogo Onsen: Tokyo to Okinawa Day 5
The celebrated novel Botchan by Natsume Soseki tells the story of a grumpy young man and his teaching experiences in the town of Matsuyama in Shikoku. Convinced he is better than just about everyone, he finds his only calm in the warm...
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 heard the legend and toured the shrines, it’s time to dig into the rest of the island’s activities. Our previous guide brought you to the far side of the...
Capybara Onsen: The Izu Shaboten Zoo
Nestled along the scenic coastline of the Izu peninsula lies the Izu Shaboten Zoo. This Shizuoka zoo is famous for its capybara onsen. Visitors can watch the capybaras happily splash around and doze in the hot spring waters.
