One of Hokkaido’s Best Locations — Hakodate… Hakodate… That’s right! I did actually go there last year for 2022’s cherry blossom season! Somehow, I totally forgot to write about my adventures up in Hokkaido’s third biggest city. How the hell did that happen? Anywho, while I am a bit baffled how I managed to screw…

Chiba Prefecture & the Boso Peninsula — For some reason, whenever I get overwhelmed by the challenges of life, I always find myself heading down to Chiba Prefecture’s bucolic Boso Peninsula. Last time this happened, I made a much-needed escape to Katsuura. Recently though, life dealt me another critical blow and I knew I needed to withdraw…

A Town on the Shores of Lake Biwa — Today, I’d like to introduce you to the former merchant town of Omihachiman. Found on the shores of Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture, this picturesque hamlet looks just as it would have 400 years ago. Back during the Warring States period (1467–1603), Omihachiman first developed as a township centered around…

Kyoto’s Early Cherry Blossom Spot — In comparison to some of my more in-depth area guides on the blog, today’s article is going to be quite condensed. This week, we’ll be taking a look at Kyoto’s lovely Yodo Suiro Waterway. Lacking the normal historical pedigree that is common to the types of locations I favor, there…

Matsuda’s Cherry Blossom Festival — These days, everyone under the sun knows that the cherry blossoms are at their best in mid to late March. Alas, this timing doesn’t always work out for some travelers. Moreover, spring is extremely popular both with international tourists as well as domestic travelers. Thus, it can be crowded, prohibitively…

Hot & Cold Cycles in Japan’s Onsen — Contrary to what most of you think, producing content about off the beaten path travel in Japan is actually more of a side hobby for me. Sure, it does take an enormous amount of my time and yes I do make money from being a creator but my role as…

A Port Town on the Seto Inland Sea — Allow me today to take you to the seaside town of Tomonoura. Located down on the southeastern edge of Hiroshima Prefecture, this homely hamlet is a picturesque port on the Seto Inland Sea. In the days of yesteryear, Tomonoura was a welcomed haven for those waiting for the tides of…

The Mummies of Northern Japan — Now that I have your collective attention with a sucker punch title like that, allow me to now state that we will no longer be using the term “mummy” for the rest of the article. While I mean no offense to the desiccated pharos of Egypt, many Buddhists and other…