Yamadera Hike Guide: Visit Tohoku’s Sacred Mountain Temple
I’d love to introduce another favorite hike of mine in Japan: the climb to Yamadera, a mountainside temple in Yamagata Prefecture. This trail winds through a forested and steep slope and leads to a historic temple complex perched on the cliffs, offering panoramic views and a deeply serene, spiritual atmosphere. In this guide, I’ll take you through the hike and share tips from my experience, hoping they will help you plan your visit.
Discover Kotohira in Shikoku: Kompira-san, Local Charm and Hot Springs
Kotohira is a town I highly recommend including on your Shikoku itinerary. If you’re a slow traveler, shrine lover, or looking to explore a lesser-known gem, Kotohira is absolutely worth the visit if you’re in Kagawa prefecture. It ended up being one of my favorite stops during my one-week Shikoku road trip. In this Kotohira travel guide, I’ll walk you through the best things to do in Kotohira, where to stay and essential travel tips to make the most of your visit.
Takamatsu One Day Itinerary: Ritsurin Garden, Yashima, and More
As a gateway to Shikoku, Takamatsu offers a relaxed coastal atmosphere, stunning gardens and some of Japan’s best udon. Located in Kagawa Prefecture, this compact port city is known for its iconic Ritsurin Garden, flavorful Sanuki udon, and beautiful views over the Seto Inland Sea. In this Takamatsu travel guide, I’ll share how I spent one full day exploring Takamatsu, with a detailed itinerary and travel tips to help you make the most of your time in this peaceful and beautiful coastal city.
15 Amazing Summer Festivals to Experience in Tokyo This Year (2025)
What I love most about summer in Tokyo are its summer festivals, also known as matsuri. With their street stalls, lanterns and colorful decorations, matsuri are the perfect way to enjoy delicious Japanese street food, as well as its fascinating traditional culture and entertainment! I find that every matsuri I attend has its own unique atmosphere and energy that leaves a lasting impression. Here's a list of 15 of Tokyo's best summer festivals, with practical information and tips that should be useful if you're planning to attend in summer 2025.
21 Best Things to Do in Tokyo This Summer (2025)
Despite the heat and humidity, summer is an amazing time to be in Tokyo. There are plenty of seasonal activities, events and food to try, and many ways to beat the heat! Here is a list of 21 best things to do in Tokyo in summer, with plenty of suggestions for a fun and active time in Tokyo during this season.
A Nature Day Trip to Izu: Jogasaki Coast and Mount Omuro Itinerary
The Jogasaki Coast and Mount Omuro are two natural wonders of the Izu Peninsula located in Ito city that can easily be combined as a day trip from Tokyo, Atami or other nearby towns in the Izu Peninsula. If hiking along a scenic coastline and walking around the crater of an extinct volcano sounds intriguing to you, then this day trip itinerary should interest you!
Ito Guide: Best Things to Do, Where to Stay, Eat and More
Ito is a charming seaside hot springs town in Shizuoka Prefecture. It's a base to stay and explore the underrated but beautiful Izu Peninsula, which is packed with natural sites, onsen towns and other fun attractions to discover. In this article, I will share my favourite activities in Ito as well as some recommendations for accommodation and restaurants that I particularly enjoyed.
Suwa Itinerary: Complete Travel Guide to Nagano’s Best-Kept Secret
I’m excited to introduce a place in Nagano Prefecture that quickly became one of my favorite destinations in Japan: Suwa. This peaceful area which surrounds Lake Suwa is unknown to most international travelers, but it offers so much. In this guide, I’ll share everything I learned from spending about 10 days in Suwa, from what to do to where to stay, to local food spots and lesser-known experiences that I’d highly recommend.
Walking to Tateishi Park, a Real-Life ‘Your Name’ Anime Location in Suwa
If you’re a fan of Makoto Shinkai’s Your Name, you may already know that the lake in the movie was inspired by a real place: Lake Suwa in Nagano Prefecture. When I first learned this, I was immediately intrigued, and once I saw the view from Tateishi Park, I understood why it inspired such a magical setting. In this post, I’ll take you along the walk with me, share photos from the route, and give you all the practical tips you need if you want to do it yourself.
Discover Suwa Taisha: Walking Itineraries for Shrine Lovers and Goshuin Collectors
Suwa Taisha isn’t just one shrine: it’s a sacred complex made up of four distinct sites scattered across the Suwa region in Nagano Prefecture. During my stay in Suwa, I had one of the most memorable and rewarding experiences of my trip: walking between the shrines and collecting all four goshuin from Suwa Taisha. In this guide, I’ll share the walking routes I took to explore the four shrines at a relaxed pace.
Hi, I’m Sarah! I hope you enjoy reading my blog.