Discover Roads Less Traveled in Japan
Discover ASMUI Spiritual Hikes, a Sacred Escape in Northern Okinawa
May 16, 2026
ASMUI Spiritual Hikes is a scenic, hiking-based attraction built around the rugged limestone mountains of northern Okinawa.
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May 14, 2026
I Enjoyed Squid and Sake While Riding on Aomori’s Retro Stove Train…Well, Sort of
The wooden interiors, retro decor, and glowing stoves create an atmosphere that feels worlds away from Japan’s sleek Shinkansen trains.
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May 13, 2026
Discover Ryusendo Cave and Its “Dragon Blue” Underground Lakes
Nestled deep within the mountains of Iwate Prefecture, Ryusendo Cave is one of Japan’s three great limestone caves.
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May 12, 2026
Aomori Has the Coolest Museums
Aomori isn’t the most exciting city, but one thing about it surprised me – it’s home to some of the most interesting museums I’ve visited so far in Japan.
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Stepping Into Stillness: Experiencing a Tea Ceremony in Japan
The Japanese tea ceremony (chanoyu) is a traditional practice centered around the preparation and serving of matcha.
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Sky-High Views, Zero Yen: Free Observatories in Tokyo
Shibuya Sky and Tokyo Skytree are two of the most popular observatories in Tokyo, but admission isn’t cheap.
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January 12, 2026
Discover Ogijima, an Understated Island off Takamatsu
The more deeply I explore Japan, the more I learn to appreciate and yearn for places like Ogijima.
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January 11, 2026
Is Ritsurin Koen the Most Beautiful Garden in Japan?
Why the achingly beautiful Ritsurin Koen isn’t one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens is beyond me.
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December 15, 2025
This Way to Ogimachi (Shirakawa-go)
Ogimachi Village in Shirakawa-go is often described as the most beautiful village in Japan, if not all of Asia.
KEEP READINGThis Way to Japan
Inspiring you to go beyond Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka and explore roads less traveled in Japan.
ARE rail PASSES WORTH IT?
May 31, 2025
Assessing the JR West Kansai Area Pass
The JR West Kansai Area Pass is a rail pass that allows foreign tourists unlimited travel on JR trains and local JR buses in designated areas within the Kansai region.
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May 14, 2025
Assessing the Kintetsu Rail Pass
The Kintetsu Rail Pass is a rail pass offering foreign tourists unlimited travel on trains (except limited express trains) by Kintetsu Railways.
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May 5, 2025
Assessing the JR West Kansai Wide Area Pass
The JR West Kansai Wide Area Pass is a rail pass that allows foreign tourists unlimited travel in the Kansai region for five (5) consecutive days.
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April 21, 2025
Assessing the Koyasan World Heritage Ticket
Just two hours south of Osaka, getting to Mount Koya is a breeze thanks to Japan’s efficient rail network.
KEEP READINGKyushu,Off the Beaten Path
Discover ASMUI Spiritual Hikes, a Sacred Escape in Northern Okinawa
KEEP READINGOff the Beaten Path,Tohoku
Discover Ryusendo Cave and Its “Dragon Blue” Underground Lakes
KEEP READINGNovember 21, 2024
Beyond Fukuoka
Fukuoka may not have as many attractions as some of the more popular destinations in Japan but it is home to one of the busiest international airports in the country.
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