Travel Tips

While many Hakone hotels have a large public bath, if you're squeamish about being naked with strangers, be sure to book one with a private onsen bath!
Hakone, not far from Tokyo, is loaded with attractions such as onsen hot springs, natural scenery, art, and traditional crafts, and how these can best be enjoyed depends on the area. This is an easily accessible tourist area only an hour and a half outside Tokyo when taking the express train from Shinjuku.
That makes Hakone perfect for a day trip, but if you wish to explore the area more leisurely, we recommend you spend a night there! Here we will introduce recommended Hakone hotels and ryokan with private onsen.
1. Hakone Yutowa: Hakone hotel offering a new type of room and fun experiences
Hakone Yutowa, which opened in August 2019, is a 5-minute walk from Gora Station, the starting point of the Hakone Tozan Railway.
This is a new style of lodging facility where great attention has been paid to the guest rooms, a hot spring hav..

A Rich Legacy of Myth and Legend
One of the many enduring and endearing aspects of Japan’s culture and history is its extraordinary trove of myth and legend. Handed down by word of mouth from generation to generation and through scholarly writings carried out from ancient times in temples, shrines, and academic institutions, this rich legacy helps keep the country's social fabric alive and well. Some of the legends may be embellished here and there, but nonetheless they make up a rich mosaic that grounds daily life in fabled folklore.
One such example is Menkake Gyoretsu, the matsuri (festival) held every September at Goryo (aka Gongoro) Jinja, a small yet highly evocative shrine nestled in a wooded hillside about 100 meters from Hasedera, one of the must-see temples of Kamakura.
An Ancient Shrine Dedicated to a Brave Warrior
Built in the 12th century, before the establishment of the Kamakura shogunate, Goryo Jinja is dedicated to Gongoro Kagemasa, a brave and noble warrior b..

Japan is home to some pretty impressive architectural displays – both traditional and modern – and that extends to many of the country's train stations as well. One example of this in Niigata Prefecture is Yahiko Station, which was inspired by the design of Yahiko Shrine's main building. The station was built in 1916, and is served by the JR Yahiko Line.
Although this is a smaller station, it still has a number of amenities that are helpful for travelers. There is a staffed ticket office (available from 7 am until 5 pm), lockers for anyone who needs to store their belongings, restrooms, and an indoor waiting area.
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Some other facilities here are more unique than other stations, but still extremely useful for visitors to the area. One example of this is the dedicated shoe washing station, which was implemented to help hikers avoid trampling mud and debris on board with them.
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As this is considered a rural station, ..

Hidden in a grove of tree in Fukuoka Prefecture's second largest city, Kitakyushu, is the Shohachiman Shrine (荘八幡神社) of Kokuraminami-ku. Given its location in a rather rural area the shrine is mostly known by locals, however its most notable feature is a sight that is familiar amongst fans of the hit anime and manga series, Demon Slayer. The Suzuishi (鈴石) meaning “bell stone”, is a split boulder that is almost exactly identical to the one seen in Demon Slayer. Thanks to the popularity of the anime, the shrine has become a popular hotspot attracting people of all ages from all over Kyushu to come visit.
According to the managers of the shrine, the Suzuishi flew from Mount Aso (in Kumamoto) over 90,000 years ago during a volcanic eruption that sent massive boulders flying all over Kyushu and Western Japan. Tests were even conducted on the boulder and found that the boulder was indeed from Kumamoto. The shrine however, was built in the 9th century to worship the Shinto god of war, H..

Kyushu is Japan’s southernmost main island and the third largest after Hokkaido. There are seven prefectures that make up the island: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Oita, Kumamoto, Miyazaki and Kagoshima. These prefectures are home to a handful of active volcanoes (26 to be exact), world-class hot spring towns and great local cuisine.

While not as popular as Okinawa or Kyoto there’s an undeniable charm to each prefecture that make up this island. From Kokura Castle in Kita-Kyushu down to Sakurajima in Kagoshima, many other destinations await the eager explorer.

Here are our top five spots to get you started on planning your Kyushu adventure.

1. Nagasaki City
Photo: iStock/ coward_lionA beautiful public park with a strong message of peace.
Nagasaki City is mainly known for its tragic atomic bomb history. Limiting Nagasaki to the 20th century would be unfair, though, because the history of this city goes back a long time. Nagasaki was not only the backbone of Meiji restoration and moderniza..

Kaiseki Ryori is a traditional Japanese multi-course meal that is often served at Japanese restaurants. Kyoto is home to a great number of top-rated Japanese restaurants that offer the best Kaiseki meal experiences that you won’t be able to find anywhere else! Ordering Kaiseki Ryori typically can be kind of expensive, but definitely worth the price and will be one of the most memorable dining experiences of your stay in Japan. Here is a list of 10 of the best Kaiseki restaurants that you should visit in Kyoto! 1. Wagokoro Izumi Located within a short walk from Shijo Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line, Wagokoro Izumi is a […]

Hokkaido is the northernmost region of Japan. Hokkaido in autumn gets very cold with temperatures lower than Tokyo and Osaka.
Here we’ll share all about the climate in Hokkaido in fall and the clothes you should wear at this time of year. In Hokkaido winter especially, you need to make sure you’ve got cold weather accessories such as gloves, scarves, and hats!
Hokkaido in Autumn (September to November): Overview
Fall landscape in Hokkaido
1. The temperature drops sharply from autumn through winter, and you’ll notice big temperature differences in the mornings and evenings.
In Hokkaido in autumn, the temperature falls quickly day by day from fall onwards. You’ll feel it getting colder at the start and end of the day as the temperature changes.
The morning and evening temperatures start to fall away in October, and in November it will sometimes be below freezing. Don’t get caught out by the change in season and the temperature differences over the day.
2. You need a coat and fleece from..

There are a thousand reasons to love Hokkaido, from some of Japan’s best skiing to mouthwatering ramen! And if that wasn’t enough, Hokkaido also boasts some of the highest numbers of hot springs in the whole of Japan!
Surrounded by snow during winter and lush greenery over summer, many of these natural geothermal ‘onsen’ overlook breathtaking scenery, allowing travelers to relax, unwind, and re-energize surrounded by Japan’s natural beauty! Here is our definitive guide to Hokkaido’s hot spring scene!
Niseko Onsen Guide: The Best 6 Hot Springs in Niseko With Jaw-Dropping Views
For many, Niseko is synonymous with premium power snow and skiing, making it one of Hokkaido’s most popular destinations! As skiers know, a day on the fields is a lot of work, and sore muscles are a given.
Luckily, Niseko is dotted by onsen, offering skiers a quick way to heal their bodies and rest up for the next action-packed day! Surrounded by some of Hokkaido’s best views, it’s not uncommon for travelers to sp..

Akiu Onsen, located in Sendai City, is a popular sightseeing and hot springs resort area found in the northeastern part of Japan.
The quality of the spring waters is of course superb in Akiu Onsen, and with well-acclaimed cuisine and rooms with private open-air baths, any ryokan you choose in this area will be bursting with personality.
It’s conveniently located for a day trip from JR Sendai Station, which is a real draw too. Out of the numerous onsen hotels sequestered away, our local writer from Miyagi will be introducing their top five picks.
*All ryokan introduced have measures in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19
Main image provided by Kagaribi-no-Yu Ryokusuitei
1. Sendai Akiu Hot Spring HOTEL SAKAN
Photo provided by Sendai Akiu Hot Spring HOTEL SAKAN
Sendai Akiu Hot Spring HOTEL SAKAN’s claim to fame is as the bath palace of Date Masamune, the Sendai feudal lord. With the concept of “service from the heart that touches the core of yours”, it’s a hotel with unparalleled serv..

Are there really free things to do in Osaka that are fun? Absolutely! We've picked up these 10 spots with free things to do that you're sure to love.
If you're eager to travel but want to keep your costs to a minimum, check out these great outing spots recommended by locals! Get ready to add great value to your trip, all for zero yen.
TOP: Shawn.ccf / Shutterstock.com
1. Tennoji: Enjoy the Celebration at Shitennoji, the Oldest Temple in Japan!
Shitennoji is Japan's oldest government temple, with a history of over 1,400 years. A government temple is a temple that has been sponsored by the country. Shitennoji was built by Prince Shotoku, and is even found in the records of the history book, The Nihonshoki, written during the Nara Period.
There is a fair held on the 21st and 22nd of every month, which is the monthly anniversary of the monk Kukai and Prince Shotoku, with many stalls to visit. There is also the paid-entry Gokuraku Jodo Garden, where you can see the gor..