Since its listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, Shirakawa-gō (白川郷), also known as Shirakawagō in Gifu Prefecture, has been considered one of the most popular getaway spots in Japan. Located in a remote mountainous region in central Japan, Shirakawago village and their people were known to be isolated and hidden from the […]
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Kamikōchi (上高地) in Japanese literally means “the ground that God descends upon”. It is the perfect name to describe how beautiful this area is. Surrounded by the magnificent Northern Japanese Alps, it is the ultimate tourist destination for nature lovers. There is not a single day that Kamikochi looks the same, because nature changes with
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Kamikochi, the crown jewel of the Japan Alps in Nagano Prefecture, offers some of Japan’s most spectacular mountain scenery. If you’re planning your trip to this famous alpine resort, figuring out the best way to get to Kamikochi is the first step. Since private cars are restricted year-round, you must rely on public transport. This
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If this is your first time landing at or departing from Kansai International Airport, then it might be confusing trying to navigate your way from Kansai Airport to Osaka, Kyoto, or Kobe. There are many options you can choose from! Read on for a better understanding of the various travel options between Kansai International Airport
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Given that the city is home to the magnificent Matsumoto Castle and is located close to Takayama, Matsumoto receives more international tourists than the rest of Nagano Prefecture. To accommodate different dietary requirements, vegan/vegetarian-friendly restaurants are not uncommon in the city. We have compiled a list for you to review and pick for your visit!
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Togakushi is a quaint village an hour from Nagano City Centre. Togakushi Shrine, also known as Togakushi Jinja (戸隠神社) in Japanese, is one of the main attractions in Nagano that no visitor should miss. The shrine, with its vast precinct, is surrounded by lush natural surroundings. It is the best place to visit to know
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Among the five shrines of Togakushi, the area around Togakushi Shrine Chusha (戸隠 中社) is the most lively. Along the Togakushi hiking trail, numerous restaurants and ryokans are situated near Togakushi Shrine Chusha. Togakushi Tourist Information Center (戸隠観光情報センター) is also situated near the Chusha shrine. If you plan to hike in Togakushi, we highly recommend
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Coming from the center of Nagano City, the first sub-shrine of the Togakushi Shrine you will encounter is the Hōkō-sha (戸隠神社 宝光社). Although the precinct of Hokosha is smaller than Togakushi Chusha Shrine, there are plenty of things to see at Togakushi Hokosha. Moreover, it might be the venue of the yearly Togakushi Soba Festival
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For a healthy meal on the Nanukamachi-dōri Street, head to Mitsutaya (満田屋). Opened in 1834 as a miso maker, miso dengaku (みそ田楽) has been served in the space at the back of the store since 1972. The space was renovated from a miso storehouse and has the perfect setting to enjoy the traditional dish. While
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Your visit to Kamikōchi shouldn’t stop at Kappa Bridge. Trekking further for another hour upstream of the Azusa River from Kappa Bridge, you will reach the Myōjin Area. Here is the ground of God. Not sure if it is because this is where God lives, as the atmosphere around the area is distinctly different from
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