Yufuin (由布院 or 湯布院) is an onsen resort town in Ōita Prefecture in northern Kyūshū. Unlike most onsen towns in Japan, this resort, backed by the scenic twin-peaked Mt. Yufu, has a wealth of boutiques, trendy cafes, and small museums. The small town, therefore, cleverly appeals to all types of travelers. Whether you are a …
Yufuin – Experience the Most Unique Onsen Resort in Japan Read More »
Visit Japan’s biggest wasabi farm – Daiō Wasabi Farm (大王わさび農場) to taste truly authentic wasabi in Azumino City in Nagano Prefecture! You are probably thinking, well, we have got that spicy green stuff in the Japanese restaurant in my neighborhood. But, do you know over 95% of wasabi served in Japanese restaurants doesn’t contain any …
Obuse (小布施) is a lovely town in Nagano Prefecture, famous for its delicious chestnuts and ukiyo-e artist, Katsushika Hokusai from the 16th century. Apart from the super sweet chestnuts, the best thing about this town is that it isn’t filled with tourists (*’▽’). You are guaranteed that you won’t be pushed around while exploring the …
Obuse – The Chestnut Town that All Sweet Tooths Must Visit Read More »
Are you a sweet tooth? If yes, then you can’t miss out on the famous sweets maker in Japan, Toraya! Toraya’s history goes way back to the early 16th century’s Kyoto. It was chosen as a purveyor to the imperial court from the late 1500s. When Japan’s capital transferred to Tokyo, it also successfully established …
Toraya Kōbō: Where You Source the Best Japanese Sweets Read More »
When the Japanese think about Aomori, the apple is probably one of the first things that will pop up in their mind. Hirosaki, home to most apple productions in the country, naturally has several orchards that are great for sightseeing.
Whether you are a regular visitor or are discovering Minoh Park (箕面公園) for the first time, the Takimichi Hiking Course (滝道ハイキングコース) should be on your itinerary. Built in 1886, this well-maintained 2.7 km course (which takes around 40 – 50 minutes) starts at Hankyū Minoh Station (阪急箕面駅) and ends at the spectacular Minoo Falls (箕面大滝). …
Minoh Park – The Most Beautiful Nature Park in Osaka Read More »
If you are heading to Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada, instead of taking a bus to the starting point of the gorge, we recommend you stop by a couple of the attractions in the Hakkōda Mountains (八甲田山). You will find some of the most breathtaking scenery as you trek through the mountain trails that connect …
The Complete Guide to the Stunning Hakkōda Mountains Read More »
While you might know of or have been to the beautiful Oirase Gorge, did you know that there are other scenic spots in the area, such as Hakkōda Ropeway (八甲田ロープウェー) or Tsuta-Numa Pond (蔦沼)? Read on to find out more!
Have you heard of the Seto Ōhashi Bridge (瀬戸大橋)? It is currently the world’s longest 2-tiered bridge system! With a total length of 13.1 km, it takes approximately 20 minutes to cross that bridge by car or train. If you want to see this world record-breaking bridge that crosses five small islands in the Seto …
Shōshūhō and The Magnificent View of Seto Inland Sea Read More »