Autumn Foliage

Zuihoden-Sendai-Miyagi-Japan

Zuihōden – Date Masamune’s Splendid Mausoleum

May 25, 2024 / Autumn Foliage, Miyagi Prefecture, Temples & Shrines, Tōhoku Region

One of the best attractions in Sendai that is scenic all year round is Zuihōden (瑞鳳殿), the mausoleum complex of Sendai Domain’s first lord, Date Masamune and his heirs. The temple’s precinct is filled with stunning nature, and the buildings are intricately decorated with vivid colors and various auspicious images. In fact, when Hanyu Yuzuru was asked for recommended places to visit in Sendai in […]

Zuihōden – Date Masamune’s Splendid Mausoleum Read More »

Sukawa-Kogen-Onsen-Ichinoseki-Iwate-Japan

Sukawa Kōgen: Ichinoseki’s Best Spot for Onsen and Hiking

October 7, 2025 / Autumn Foliage, Iwate Prefecture, Tōhoku Region, Trekking/Hiking in Japan

Sukawa Kōgen (須川高原) in Ichinoseki is the plateau halfway up Mt. Kurikoma (栗駒山). You can find the unique volcanic landscape at Sukawa Kōgen, including lakes, marshes, wetlands, and alpine plants. The hot spring gushing out here has a strong acidity but is said to be effective for gastrointestinal issues and skin diseases. In autumn, the

Sukawa Kōgen: Ichinoseki’s Best Spot for Onsen and Hiking Read More »

Dakigaeri-Gorge-Akita-Japan

Dakigaeri Valley And Its Mystical Turquoise Mountain Stream

October 7, 2024 / Akita Prefecture, Autumn Foliage, Hidden Gems, Tōhoku Region, Trekking/Hiking in Japan

When people visit Semboku City in Akita Prefecture for leisure, their preferred natural destinations will most likely either be Nyūtō Onsen (乳頭温泉郷), Lake Tazawa (田沢湖), or Tamagawa Onsen (玉川温泉). While those spots are definitely worthwhile places to visit, we would recommend that you also drop by the Dakigaeri Valley (抱返り渓谷) close to Kakunodate (角館) as

Dakigaeri Valley And Its Mystical Turquoise Mountain Stream Read More »

Ishiguro-Samurai-House-Bukeyashiki-Street-Kakunodate-Akita-Japan

Bukeyashiki Street – Kakunodate’s Perfect Spot for History Buffs

May 24, 2024 / Akita Prefecture, Autumn Foliage, Cherry Blossom, Tōhoku Region

Just like its name, the houses where samurai used to reside are lining up on Bukeyashiki Street (武家屋敷通り) in Kakunodate! A couple of these 200-year-old traditional houses are open to the public. Finding the differences in the construction of the houses between the home of top-ranked samurai, middle-ranked samurai, and lower-ranked samurai can be really fun!

Bukeyashiki Street – Kakunodate’s Perfect Spot for History Buffs Read More »

Kourakuen-Okayama-Japan-1

The Complete Guide to Okayama Castle and Kōrakuen Garden

August 10, 2025 / Autumn Foliage, Cherry Blossom, Chūgoku Region, National Places of Scenery Beauty, Okayama Prefecture, Top 100 Japanese Castles

If you like Japanese traditional gardens and the country’s magnificent castles, Okayama City, a 45-minute train ride away from Osaka, is an ideal destination for you to visit. Not only is Okayama Castle one of Japan’s Top 100 Castles, but its garden was chosen to be one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan!

The Complete Guide to Okayama Castle and Kōrakuen Garden Read More »

Autumn-at-Unazuki-Onsen-Kurobe-Toyama-Japan

Unazuki Onsen: The Best Hot Spring Town at Kurobe Gorge

April 7, 2024 / Autumn Foliage, Hokuriku Region, Onsen/Hot Spring, Snow Scenery, Toyama Prefecture

Unazuki Onsen (宇奈月温泉) in Kurobe City is a popular hot spring resort where you can enjoy the natural scenery of Kurobe Gorge. The hot spring town is the best place to base yourself in to take in what the picturesque gorge has to offer. Once you get there, it won’t be hard to understand why Kurobe

Unazuki Onsen: The Best Hot Spring Town at Kurobe Gorge Read More »

Tsuga-no-Mokudai-Hakusan-Shirakawago-White-Road-Ishikawa-Japan

Hakusan Shirakawa-go White Road: Stunning Stops & Tips

May 21, 2026 / Autumn Foliage, Chūbu Region, Gifu Prefecture, Hidden Gems, Hokuriku Region, Ishikawa Prefecture, Top 100 Waterfalls in Japan, Transportation in Japan, Trekking/Hiking in Japan

The Hakusan Shirakawa-go White Road (白山白川郷ホワイトロード) is the ultimate scenic drive between Kanazawa and the historic village of Shirakawa-gō, but it is far from a standard highway. It is a specialized, automobile-only tourist route packed with sheer cliff drop-offs, free open-air footbaths, and iconic spots like the 86-meter Fukube Falls. Because the 33.3 km toll road

Hakusan Shirakawa-go White Road: Stunning Stops & Tips Read More »

Norikura-Kogen-Ichinose-Danchi-Dojo-Pond-Matsumoto-Nagano-Japan

Norikura Kōgen Travel Guide: How to Visit, Best Hikes & Tips

June 2, 2026 / Autumn Foliage, Chūbu Region, Hidden Gems, Nagano Prefecture, Skiing/Snowboarding, Top 100 Waterfalls in Japan, Trekking/Hiking in Japan

Nestled in the Japanese Alps, Norikura Kōgen (乗鞍高原) is a stunning, hidden destination known for its dramatic waterfalls, alpine meadows, and the soaring peaks of Mt. Norikura. It is the best off-the-beaten-path destination in Central Japan that isn’t as crowded as Kamikōchi, and you can drive there without relying on public transport! Whether you are

Norikura Kōgen Travel Guide: How to Visit, Best Hikes & Tips Read More »

Sagano-Scenic-Railway-Cherry-Blossom-Kyoto-Japan

The Best Guide to Sagano Scenic Railway

May 8, 2026 / Autumn Foliage, Cherry Blossom, Kansai Region, Kyoto Prefecture, Transportation in Japan

The mountains from Arashiyama to Kameoka have some of the most spectacular scenery in Kyoto. To adore the scenery that changes each season, the best seats are provided by Sagano Scenic Railway (嵯峨野観光鉄道). The company’s Sagano Romantic Train runs along the Hozu River (保津川), which flows through the scenic Hozu Gorge (保津峡). Especially during the

The Best Guide to Sagano Scenic Railway Read More »

Hosen-in-Shuikinkutsu-Ohara-Kyoto-Japan

Japan 2 Week Itinerary: Explore Kansai’s Less-Visited Spots

May 7, 2026 / Autumn Foliage, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan Itinerary, Kansai Region, Kyoto Prefecture, Osaka Prefecture

Japan’s Kansai region is best known for attractions such as the USJ, Osaka Castle, Kiyomizu-dera, and Kinkaku-ji. While these spots are surely stunning in the fall, the areas are now considered overcrowded and touristy. So if you are planning your second or even third visit to Osaka and Kyoto, how about venturing out of the

Japan 2 Week Itinerary: Explore Kansai’s Less-Visited Spots Read More »