“You don’t need to stay the night in Nara. You can just visit on a day trip from Osaka or Kyoto.” I don’t know how or when it got started, but that’s been the narrative on Nara for as long as I’ve been traveling to Japan. Many people seem to think that one of the … Read more
When it comes to the Kansai region, Osaka and Kyoto get most of the attention. This is unsurprising since they’re two of the most promoted destinations in the region. While all that attention is well-deserved, it does come with a caveat – both cities have become painfully touristy and crowded. As much as I love … Read more
Ten years ago, I was taken on a press trip to Amanohashidate and Kinosaki Onsen. It was a fam trip so we spent no more than a couple of hours at either place, but it was enough to pique my curiosity and make me want to go back. Travel west along the San’in coastal region … Read more
I didn’t know this before visiting Fukusaki, but apparently, I have a mythical ball-shaped organ inside my anus called a shirikodama. According to Japanese folklore, you should be careful when swimming in lakes because a mischievous yokai called a kappa may drag you underwater and pull out your shirikodama[1]. If it does, it’ll cost you … Read more
When we share our favorite travel memories with others, we often describe how beautiful a place is. But I think our fondest memories of places are shaped less by what we see, and more by how they make us feel. That often indescribable feeling is what I remember when I think of Kinosaki Onsen. My … Read more
I could hear the chanting from outside. I wanted to join in on as many meditation sessions as I could so I slipped off my snow-covered Campers and quietly entered Kondo Hall. To the right of the sliding door was a group of caucasian tourists seated on the tatami floor. To the left, a pair … Read more
Staying at a Buddhist temple in Koyasan isn’t just one of the best things you can do in Wakayama Prefecture, it’s one of the best things you can do in Japan. It leaves a lasting memory that will stay you with long after you’ve left the shores of this country. Just two hours south of … Read more
What would you do if you accidentally broke a piece of pottery or ceramic? Many people would probably just throw it away. If it were an antique or a particularly beloved piece, then you might try to glue it back together. But even if you succeeded, it will always appear broken and less than what … Read more
Hakone is one of the most popular day trips you can make from Tokyo. Located two hours southwest of the capital, it’s a beautiful onsen town that offers spectacular views of Mt Fuji. I had seen the Lake Ashi pictures and read about its hot springs and many art museums, but until my visit, I … Read more
I couldn’t wrap my head around Hakone. From the pictures, it was obviously one of the most popular places to take photos of Mount Fuji. I knew it was an onsen town famous for its hot springs, but that was pretty much all that made sense to me. What I found baffling was the “Hakone … Read more