Journal

  1. The Most Underrated Shrines in Kamakura You Should KnowKamakura is famous for the grand scale of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, the Buddhist temples of Kita-Kamakura, and the coastal atmosphere around Yuigahama. Yet some…
  2. How to navigate Tokyo’s metro system with confidenceTokyo’s rail network can seem overwhelming at first, with multiple operators, color-coded lines, large stations, and signs in Japanese and English. In…
  3. Why Naoshima Belongs on Every Art Lover’s Japan ItineraryNaoshima is a small island in Japan’s Seto Inland Sea where contemporary art, architecture, and coastal scenery exist in close conversation. Once known mainly…
  4. A Beginner’s Guide to Using Japan’s Coin Lockers for LuggageJapan’s coin lockers are one of the easiest ways to travel with less baggage. You can find them at major train stations, airports, shopping centers,…
  5. The Best Places to See Autumn Leaves in Kyoto Without the CrowdsKyoto’s autumn colors are famous for good reason, yet the most popular temples can become extremely busy from late November through early December. A quieter…
  6. How to experience a Japanese hot spring resort on a budgetA stay at a Japanese hot spring resort, or onsen ryokan, can seem expensive when you look at luxury inns with private baths, elaborate dinners, and rooms…
  7. Walking Through Himeji Castle’s White Keep and Hidden DefensesHimeji Castle rises above the city in Hyogo Prefecture like a layered painting of white plaster, dark roof tiles, and curved stone walls. Often called White…
  8. What to eat at a Japanese festival: favorite street food picksA Japanese festival, or matsuri, is as much a food experience as it is a cultural event. Rows of colorful yatai food stalls appear beside shrines, parks,…
  9. Japan’s Seven Major Airports and the Best Ways into the CityJapan’s airport network makes it possible to arrive close to almost any major destination, but the fastest route into town depends on the airport, terminal,…
  10. Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Ginza: Finding Your TokyoTokyo’s major neighborhoods can feel like separate cities within the same enormous metropolis. Shibuya is youthful and energetic, Shinjuku is vast and varied,…