Trekking/Hiking in Japan

Ghibli Fan’s Must-Visit Spot: Totoro Forest and Kurosuke’s House

If you are a fan of Ghibli’s movie My Neighbor Totoro and the beauty of Japanese nature, the Totoro Forest (トトロの森) in Tokorozawa City in Saitama Prefecture is a destination that you don’t want to miss! Just one hour from Shinjuku by train, you will be immersed in Mother Nature’s generosity. A deep forest with beautiful lakes, a vast […]

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Genbikei Gorge and the Fascinating Flying Dango Rice Cake

Genbikei Gorge (厳美渓) is one of the two most stunning nature spots in Iwate Prefecture. Like most nature spots in Japan, it offers picturesque autumn foliage views. In winter, it is a snowy wonderland! But the most eye-catching thing about Genbikei Gorge has to be the Dango rice cake that flies between the gorge’s steep cliffs!

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

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

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A Guide to Exploring and Climbing the Stunning Mt. Murone

Mt. Murone (室根山) is Ichinoseki‘s perfect spot to enjoy nature and a range of outdoor activities. Besides hiking trails, lookouts, and camping sites, it has an astronomical observatory. The mountain has a height of 895 meters. On a clear day, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic mountainous and ocean view from the summit.

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Dakigaeri Valley And Its Mystical Turquoise Mountain Stream

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

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Kojima Jeans Street and Other Awesome Attractions in Kojima

Kojima District (児島郡) in Kurashiki City in Okayama Prefecture is Japan’s denim mecca. As soon as you step out of the JR train, you will be surprised by the amount of jeans-related decoration throughout the district. But Kojima is more than just Kojima Jeans Street. The sunset from Mt. Washu (鷲羽山) was chosen to be

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Mt. Shosha – The Beautiful Mountain Overlooking Himeji

When people talk about Himeji, they talk about the beautiful all-white Himeji Castle and the castle’s garden – Kōkōen. Both attractions can be easily accessed from the Himeji Station and are highly recommended. But if you have a day to spend in Himeji, extend your visit to one of Japan’s hidden gems – Engyōji Temple

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The Best Guide to Kurobe Gorge’s Sightseeing Train

When you visit Kurobe Gorge (Kurobe Kyōkoku – 黒部峡谷), one of Japan’s top 100 Hidden Scenic Spots located in the mountains of the Northern Japan Alps, the Kurobe Kyōkoku Sightseeing Train (黒部峡谷鉄道トロッコ電車) is the experience that you don’t want to miss out on. The 20 km railway brings you a breathtaking scenic view of the gorge,

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Trek the Spectacular V-Shaped Kurobe Gorge

Kurobe Gorge (Kurobe Kyōkoku, 黒部峡谷) in Toyama Prefecture is one of Japan’s Top 100 Hidden Scenic Spots and the No.1 V-shaped Gorge in Japan! The gorge located from the middle to the upper stream of the Kurobe River divides the northern part of the Northern Japan Alps into the Ushiro-Tateyama Mountain Range (後立山連峰) and the Tateyama

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