Blog

Blog

Every article on the site — hotel guides by station, day trips, and culture deep-dives. Filter by category, or just scroll with a drink in hand.

Hakodate: The Star Fort City — Morning Market, Ropeway & the Best Squid in Japan
Destinations

Hakodate: The Star Fort City — Morning Market, Ropeway & the Best Squid in Japan

On March 31, 1854, the Convention of Kanagawa — signed aboard Commodore Perry's flagship in Shimoda harbor —…

Read more →
Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen: How to Eat It Like a Fukuoka Local
Food & Drink

Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen: How to Eat It Like a Fukuoka Local

Hakata ramen (博多ラーメン) is Japan's fastest-consumed ramen. The statement is not speculative — the thin, straight noodles of…

Read more →
Gunkanjima (Battleship Island): The Abandoned Coal Island Off Nagasaki
Culture & History

Gunkanjima (Battleship Island): The Abandoned Coal Island Off Nagasaki

Hashima Island (端島) — universally known as Gunkanjima (軍艦島 / "Battleship Island") for its profile when approached by…

Read more →
Gujo Hachiman: The Crystal Clear River Town & Japan’s Summer Dance Festival
Culture & History

Gujo Hachiman: The Crystal Clear River Town & Japan’s Summer Dance Festival

Gujo Hachiman (郡上八幡) — a small castle town of approximately 15,000 people in the mountains of Gifu Prefecture…

Read more →
Ginzan Onsen: The Romantic Snow Village That Inspired Spirited Away
Destinations

Ginzan Onsen: The Romantic Snow Village That Inspired Spirited Away

There are onsen towns in Japan that are beautiful. There are onsen towns that are historical. There are…

Read more →
Getting a SIM Card in Japan in 2026: Tourist SIM vs Pocket Wi-Fi vs eSIM
Practical Tips

Getting a SIM Card in Japan in 2026: Tourist SIM vs Pocket Wi-Fi vs eSIM

Connectivity in Japan has become significantly simpler for international visitors over the last five years. The combination of…

Read more →
Furano & Biei: The Lavender Fields & Patchwork Roads of Central Hokkaido
Destinations

Furano & Biei: The Lavender Fields & Patchwork Roads of Central Hokkaido

There are two places in Japan that appear on more calendars, more tourism posters, and more desktop wallpapers…

Read more →
Forest Bathing (森林浴, Shinrin-yoku) in Japan: The Science & the Best Forests
Experiences

Forest Bathing (森林浴, Shinrin-yoku) in Japan: The Science & the Best Forests

Shinrin-yoku (森林浴) — literally "forest bathing" — was coined as a term by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture,…

Read more →
Firefly (Hotaru) Viewing in Japan: Where & When to See This Magical Experience
Nature & Outdoors

Firefly (Hotaru) Viewing in Japan: Where & When to See This Magical Experience

Hotaru (蛍 / firefly) viewing is one of Japan's most quietly beloved seasonal traditions — a brief window,…

Read more →
1 … 65 66 67 68 69 … 84

One email a month, before closing time

Honest hotel picks, seasonal travel tips, and quiet corners of Japan — no spam, ever.

Email me to subscribe