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Donny Kimball

Donny Kimball

Japan Area Guides

319 stories

Located along the Daiya River, the the Kanmangafuchi Abyss is a hidden allure in Nikko that is well off the beaten path. It is home to a countless number of statues in the shape of the bodhisattva Jizo.

As evidenced by the Japanese flag showing the rising sun, Amaterasu Ōmikami is one of the Japanese gods and an important deity. She was born from the left eye of the progenitor god Izanagi, is the mythological ancestor of the Imperial family, and her mirror is one of the Imperial Regalia.

Donny Kimball

Japan Travel Tips

109 stories

A kimono-clad visitor stands on a wooden veranda at Tofuku-ji Temple in Kyoto during the autumn foliage season, looking out over brilliant red and orange maple leaves. The covered temple walkway frames the scene with dark wooden pillars and railings, while tiled roofs and trees in late-afternoon light stretch across the background. The image captures the quiet beauty of fall in Japan, with the traditional architecture and vivid koyo colors creating one of Kyoto’s most iconic seasonal views.

A desolate landscape of twisted metal and crumbling debris stretches toward a glowing sunset, evoking a sense of standing at the end of the world. The scene reflects a moment of uneasy calm after collapse, mirroring the emotional weight of writing in a time defined by rapid technological change, AI disruption, and shifting global uncertainty that feels both overwhelming and inescapable.

May is one of the best times of the year to hike and get outdoors before the summer heat and humidity make being out in nature a hellish endeavor. As such, locations like Kamikochi are worth considering during this time of the year when fewer Japanese are traveling.

Donny Kimball

Donny Kimball

Donny is a travel writer & freelance digital marketer who blogs about the sides of Japan that you can't find in the mainstream media. https://donnykimball.com/

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