Kyoto, the former capital of Japan, is undoubtedly the top tourist destination in the country. But because of its popularity, the city center is packed with hundreds of thousands of tourists. So, if you want to enjoy the traditional side of Japan without being surrounded by strangers, visit Mt. Hiei, located on the border between Kyoto and Shiga […]
The Best Guide to How to Get to Mt. Hiei and Enryaku-ji Read More »
One of the most common bullet train-related questions we saw in Japan travel forums is: which side of the train offers the best view? While you won’t be able to see the majestic Mt. Fuji when you travel north from Tokyo, the scenery along the train line does not disappoint! In fact, we decided to summarize
The Best Seats on the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Hokkaidō Read More »
As much as we love the trains in Japan, sometimes the attraction you want to visit is closer to a bus stop. Moreover, when traveling in Japan’s rural areas, taking a bus is usually the only option if you don’t want to drive. Although taking a bus in a foreign country might be daunting, taking
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If Kawaguchiko (河口湖) or Lake Kawaguchi is on your Japan itinerary, the limited express, Fuji Excursion, might be the train you want to take from Tokyo! To accommodate the mass amount of passengers traveling from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko, JR East Japan introduced the limited express service, Fuji Excursion (富士回遊), in March 2019.
Fuji Excursion: The Fastest Option from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji Read More »
Mt. Kōya, or Kōyasan, is becoming increasingly popular among international tourists who want to escape from the hustle and bustle of Kyoto and Osaka’s city center. The sacred mountain in Wakayama Prefecture is culturally and historically rich. In addition, it is one of the best spots in Japan to experience temple lodging, Shokubō. If the
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In the rural part of Kyoto Prefecture in Miyazu City, there is a bridge that excites many Ghibli fans. Whether you are the cameraman trying to snap a photo of Yuragawa Bridge (由良川橋梁) or a passenger in the train carriage, if the weather is good enough, you are guaranteed to get a couple of astounding
Yuragawa Bridge: An Spot That Came Out of Spirited Away Read More »
If you are a nature lover, visit Mt. Rokkō (六甲山) and Mt. Maya (摩耶山) when you come to Kobe. There are a couple of ways to get to the top of the two mountains. The attractions in Mt. Rokkō and Mt. Maya can be accessed easily through the bus services running on the mountain. How you
How to Get to and Travel Between Mt. Rokkō and Mt. Maya Read More »
The World Heritage Shirakawa-gō is now a really popular tourist destination in Japan. Often, people visit this fairytale-like village by catching a bus or driving from Kanazawa. Many tourists take the normal highway. But unbeknownst to them (and us when we first visited Shirakawa-gō), there is also a really scenic toll road that goes through
Hakusan Shirakawa-gō White Road Complete Guide Read More »
Amanohashidate (天橋立), one of the Three Views of Japan (日本三景, Nihon Sankei), is a sandbar at Miyazu Bay (宮津湾) in northern Kyoto. The 3.6 km long sandbar, with a width ranging from 20 to 170 meters, was created by crustal movements, connecting Miyazu Bay’s north and south end. To get a clear view of such
How to Travel Between the Attractions in Amanohashidate Read More »
If you ever plan to visit Kanazawa, we would recommend you to also consider exploring the Noto Peninsula (能登半島) nearby for its rich nature. The entire peninsula is designated as a national park. The diverse landscape created a unique rural culture that differs from the close-by popular destination, Kanazawa. To get there, you can choose
A Guide to the Noto Peninsula’s Sightseeing Trains and Buses Read More »