Just how many hours had it been since I started making my arduous ascent toward the summit of Mt. Kumotori (lit. “Cloud Catcher Mountain”)? Somewhere along the way, I had switched off the active part of my mind for the first time in a while. Step after step, I was slowly starting to lose track of both time and reality. Of course, the constant ringing of the bear bell at my side wasn’t helping either and I was quickly slipping into what could only be described as a walking meditation. …

For someone like myself claiming a serious addiction to Japan, there are countless areas in this amazing country that I treasure. For example, the northern Tohoku region will always hold a special place in my heart. Home to sacred sites like the Dewa Sanzan and Mt. Osore, this area of Japan is definitely worth exploring if you enjoy stepping off of the beaten path. Still, as amazing as northern Honshu (Japan’s main island) is, most of its main allures are spread out across huge swaths of the region. …

Ever since I started producing travel content in 2016 (and indeed even before that), I have wanted to check out Wakayama Prefecture’s three ancient Kumano shrines. Allegedly dating back to before the founding of the Yamato polity and the imperial line, this trifecta is collectively known as the Kumano Sanzan in Japanese. While they are some of the most impressive spots that I’ve had the pleasure of exploring in Japan, the Kumano Sanzan are not easy to reach despite being listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. …

A few weeks ago, I was reading this report by the marketing automation service Kylavio on how the recent iOS 14 update has adversely affected the efficacy of Facebook ads. Until spring 2021 when the changes went live, the platform was by far the best option out there in terms of attributable marketing effectiveness. Even at Kyodo PR, a PR agency in Japan, we had to bow our heads out of respect to Zuckerberg. …

“This is really taking a long time…” I thought to myself while sitting on the Hashidate №1 limited express train bound for Kyoto’s Amanohashidate. Due to the heavy rains, my departure had been delayed by over an hour now. Little did I know just how bad it was though. You see, ALL of the JR trains leaving Kyoto Station (sans the unstoppable Shinkansen) had been ground to a halt due to the incessant deluge. Quite literally, every single departure listing on the LED display read “unknown.” …

“Time is like a river that will take you forward into encounters with reality that will require you to make decisions. You can’t stop the movement down this river, you can’t avoid the encounters. You can only approach these encounters in the best way possible.”

—Ray Dalio

In the spring of 2021, something completely random occurred that would ultimately change the course of my life. There I was, happily enjoying the cherry blossoms over a beer when I just happened to run into an old friend of mine. Now, this was the very same chap that got me into tourism…

In 1853, on the 8th of July, the American navy steamed four of its mighty warships into the bay of the shogun’s capital city. The crew carried an ultimatum for Japan to open up for trade. Though not the first foreign ships to appear off of the coast of Japan, the country had then been largely closed to outside influences for over two centuries. Commanded by Commodore Matthew C. Perry, the arrival of these so-called “black ships” marked a huge turning point in the course of Japanese history. …

Let’s face it. When it comes to tourism and Japanese history, the period of World War II often gets skipped over completely. While visitors to Japan do indeed flock to Hiroshima’s Atomic Bomb Dome, rarely do you see anyone seeking out any other attraction related to Japan’s wartime past. For reasons that are far too complicated for the scope of a travel guide, it just seems like this part of history is off limits. …