Articles on the Country’s Hidden Gems — To be completely honest with you, I absolutely adore the ability to syndicate content here on Medium. From the already-present community of people who enjoy reading in-depth articles to the amazing publishing interface, there’s a lot to love about this amazing platform. That said, one of the biggest downsides to…

One of the Top Three Bridges in Japan — Well folks, it’s that time of year again! As the sultry summer finally comes to a close and the temperatures gradually start to drop, the autumn leaves are again about to grace us with their magnificent presence. Beginning in October, the entirety of the Japanese countryside slowly starts to come…

The “Little Kyoto” of Hiroshima Prefecture — Today, I’d like to introduce you to a part of Hiroshima Prefecture that not many tourists know about. Known as Takehara (lit. “Bamboo Field”), this locale was an important port town on the Seto Inland Sea during the Edo period (1603–1868). The homely hamlet specialized in the production of both…

The “Unofficial” First Izu Island — Ever since I first visited the timeworn hot spring town of Atami, I’ve wanted to head on out to Hatsushima. Located just off of the coast, this small island is the first of a long chain that collectively is known as the Izu Islands. Though officially not apart of…

Why You Need to Return to Places in Japan — As I write this, I am on a limited express train heading down from Nagoya to Toba for my 4th meal with the ama divers of Mie Prefecture. Due to escorting some family around (who were unable to visit for several years as a result of Japan’s stringent border…

How to Take Advantage of Your Freedom — This really shouldn’t come as a surprise given how much I travel but I take a lot of bullet trains. In fact, when people ask me where I live, I often say that my official address is in Tokyo but I actually live on the Shinkansen. Over the course of…

A Rant on My Insane Investing Strategy — Disclaimer: This is not financial advice… — Donny Kimball It was the summer of 2021 and somehow Cheesie and I found ourselves down in Kamakura for the hydrangeas. At the time, I was just transitioning out of my role as Head of Digital Marketing at AdVertize, the agency startup I…

An Unsung Side of the Prefecture — As many readers will already know, I’ve long been fascinated by Fukushima. Normally neglected by international visitors due to the stigma surrounding the March 11 triple disaster, the prefecture just can’t seem to shake its lingering bad rap. Alas, much of what you have heard in the international news…

A Seaside Hot Spring Resort in Kansai — Welcome back to yet another one of my Japan area guides. Like with all other installments, we’ll be taking a look at an oft-neglected part of the country. This time, the topic at hand will be Wakayama’s hot spring town of Shirahama. Literally meaning “White Sandy Beach,” this onsen resort…