Every time I think I’ve crossed Kanagawa Prefecture off my bucket list once and for all, something always comes along to capture my attention. Recently, while contemplating possible day trips from Tokyo, I realized that I had yet to cover Misaki Port. Lovingly referred to as “Tuna Town” by the locals, this cozy, seaside hamlet prides itself on its high quality catches. What’s more, much like the better known fish markets up in the capital, Misaki Port allows visitors to experience the daily tuna auctions.

Of course, tuna isn’t the only reason one ought to visit Misaki Port. The area…

Over the years, I’ve been quite weary of visiting Japan’s former capital. Simply put, the place has been overrun with tourists for the past few years to the point where it had become akin to Disneyland. In fact, it was so bad that the very charm that makes Kyoto appealing in the first place had largely vanished. Alas, one silver lining of the coronavirus pandemic for residents of Japan has been that Kyoto has briefly returned to the bygone days prior to the inbound tourism boom. …

Dear reader, allow me to begin this one with an intriguing folktale. According to this legend, back in the early mists of time, a deity descended from the heavens. Seeking a place to spend the night, this divine being beseeched two mountains. The first of these peaks was none other than Mt. Fuji. Unfortunately for our celestial friend, the iconic mountain haughtily refused, thinking that it didn’t need the deity’s blessing. Still needing a place to stay the god instead turned to Mt. Tsukuba over in Ibaraki Prefecture. In stark contrast to Mt. …

“I am going to burn them with the flames of war and let the true Buddha be called forth from these ashes!”

— Oda Nobunaga

Imagine this. You’ve just consolidated control over most of Japan but there’s still a constant thorn in your side. Much to your chagrin, the warrior monks of Mt. Hiei continue to meddle in your affairs. Based in the mountaintop bastion of Enryaku-ji, this Buddhist collective has long held sway over the politics of Kyoto. In fact, many years ago, Emperor Shirakawa even went as far as lamenting that the only three phenomenon that he couldn’t…

It’s really no secret that I’ve not been a fan of Kyoto over the years. Though I am sympathetic towards the plight of the city now that the pandemic has ground all inbound travel to a halt, Japan’s former capital used to suffer greatly from overtourism. Even during the days where Kiyomizu-dera and other popular sights were swarmed with hordes of tourists though, there were always a handful of yet-to-be-discovered allures such as the venerable Iwashimizu Hachimangu. While the more mainstream spots were honestly nigh unbearable at times, these attractions were rarely, if ever, crowded.

On that note, I’d like…

It should really come as no surprise to those who already follow me on the Gram that Asakura has a special place in my heart. Not only is this provincial section of Fukuoka Prefecture a treasure trove of bucolic delights, it’s also under the jurisdiction of a close friend and his company, Discover Deep Japan. …

Ladies and gentlemen, this is a daikon (lit. “big root”). Known internationally among culinary circles in English as the “daikon radish,” this mild-flavored winter radish originally hails from China’s northern reaches. Though common to many Asian countries, the vegetable is regularly referred to around the world by its Japanese moniker. As you can likely surmise from the subtitle of this article, I have a bit of an odd connection to this Asian tuber.

How daikon ultimately saved my life is a bit of a long story. To follow the tale, you’ll need to first understand that I unequivocally love Japan…

Welcome back to another installment of Backyard Tourism. As always, we’ll be taking a look at an often overlooked part of Japan in an attempt to prove that just about anywhere in this amazing country has potential. This time, I’ll be introducing Sakura City’s Hiyodori-zaka. Located but a mere stone’s throw away from Narita International Airport, this hidden gem makes for a great final addition to your time in Japan. Simply budget for a few extra hours before your flight to allow for transportation time and you’ll be all set to enjoy Sakura City and the Hiyodori-zaka.

What makes the…