I only managed to visit Hiroshima after my third visit to Japan, and that was only after living in Tokyo for 3 months! Honestly, I wish I had visited sooner and if you have the time in your itinerary, I would highly recommend including Hiroshima (with a side trip to Miyajima Island!) To help others …
Other Japan
The Ultimate Miyajima Itinerary
I still remember the first time I visited Miyajima. After spending a night in Hiroshima, and learning about the impact of the bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima towards the end of WWII (psst: check out my 1 day in Hiroshima itinerary) we boarded a ferry to Miyajima Island. I still remember the moment like …
7 places you need to visit that are off the beaten path in Japan
Most visitors to Japan tend to stick to the traditional tourist trail of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. I did this on my first trip to Japan too! After living in Japan and since visiting again, I wish I had ventured off the beaten path in Japan sooner! Exploring smaller cities or towns in Japan can …
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9 things to do in Hokkaido, Japan
Sashimi that’s so fresh it melts in your mouth. Fields of flowers that go on forever you need to check your hayfever meds. A sea of clouds, you think you’ve stepped into a magical alternative universe. No, my friends… You haven’t accidentally started reading a book filled with make-believe or fairies. This is Hokkaido. The …
Kamikochi: hiking in the Japanese Alps
If you’re looking for weekend trips from either Tokyo or Kyoto, then look no further than Kamikochi. This beautiful area in central Japan is part of what is considered the Japanese Alps. I spent 3 nights here, though you could visit just for the weekend and still not feel rushed. It was a great way to …
6 things to do in naoshima, Japan’s art island
Naoshima Island, also known as Japan’s Art Island is famed for its art museums and outdoor sculptures. Most famous is the “giant pumpkin” by artist Yayoi Kusama which is the unofficial icon for Naoshima. For me, visiting Naoshima started off as a crazy pumpkin hunting mission, but turned into a full-blown love affair. To help …
Shirakawa-go: Central Japan’s forgotten magical village
Japan has no shortage of things to do, things to see. As any visitor to this country can attest to, even just visiting the major cities (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka) can leave you with aching feet and a to-do list longer than Santa’s. While it can be incredibly hard to avoid trying to do ALL THE …
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