Guides
Locally written, no fluff — practical guides to every region of Japan, made to plan a real trip around.
Hatcho Miso & Okazaki (2026): Ieyasu's Birthplace and 380-Year-Old Cedar Vats
Okazaki, birthplace of Tokugawa Ieyasu: the castle, a samurai museum, and free tours of the 380-year-old Kakukyu and Maruya Hatcho miso breweries.
Inuyama Day Trip from Nagoya (2026): Japan's Oldest Castle Keep & a Teahouse Treasure
Inuyama as a day trip from Nagoya: Japan's oldest castle keep, the Jo-an teahouse, Meiji Mura and cormorant fishing in season — with hours and tips.
Nagoya Itinerary: 2 Perfect Days in Japan's Underrated Fourth City (2026)
A timed 2-day Nagoya itinerary: Nagoya Castle's Hommaru Palace, Atsuta Shrine, hitsumabushi, the SCMAGLEV museum and Sakae — with hours, prices and routes.
Things to Do in Nagoya (2026): 14 That Are Actually Worth It
An opinionated guide to the best things to do in Nagoya and Aichi: castle, shrines, museums, food and easy day trips — with hours and prices.
Tokoname Pottery Town (2026): The Footpath, the Lucky Cats & How to Visit
A guide to Tokoname, one of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns: the pottery footpath, the giant lucky cat, the climbing kiln and the INAX tile museum.
Akita Itinerary 2026: 2 Perfect Days in Japan's Rice & Sake North
A timed 2-day Akita itinerary for 2026: Foujita's festival mural, Kubota Castle, kiritanpo, and the samurai town of Kakunodate, with hours and what to eat.
Lake Tazawa & Nyuto Onsen Guide 2026: Japan's Bluest Lake & Milky Baths
A 2026 guide to Lake Tazawa and Nyuto Onsen: the Tatsuko statue, Goza-no-ishi torii, Dakigaeri gorge, the milky baths of Tsurunoyu, and the Tamagawa cure.
Masuda & Southern Akita Guide 2026: Hidden Storehouses, Sake & Snow Huts
A 2026 guide to southern Akita: Masuda's hidden 'uchigura' storehouses, Inaniwa udon, Yokote's year-round snow hut, Akita sake and the Oyasukyo gorge.
Mount Chokai & Kisakata Guide 2026: Basho's Sea of Islands in the Rice
A 2026 guide to Mount Chokai and Kisakata: the 99 islands in the rice paddies, Basho's Kanmanji, the Chokai Blue Line and the volcano's spring waterfalls.
Oga Peninsula & Namahage Guide 2026: Demons, Sea Cliffs & Godzilla Rock
A 2026 guide to Akita's Oga Peninsula: the Namahage demon ritual, a live demo, Godzilla Rock, Cape Nyudozaki, the cliff aquarium and where to stay.
Aomori Itinerary 2026: 2 Perfect Days in Japan's Far North
A timed 2-day Aomori itinerary for 2026: Nebuta floats, Sannai-Maruyama, the Aomori Dog and the castle town of Hirosaki, with hours and what to eat.
Oirase Gorge & Lake Towada Guide 2026: Walk, Onsen & Caldera
How to walk the Oirase Gorge and see Lake Towada in 2026: the trail, Choshi Otaki, the Hakkoda baths of Sukayu and Tsuta, seasons and access.
Shimokita Peninsula & Osorezan Guide 2026: The End of Honshu
A 2026 guide to the Shimokita Peninsula: the sacred volcano Osorezan, the white cliffs of Hotokegaura, Cape Oma bluefin tuna, plus seasons and access.