After three trips and countless memorable experiences in Japan, it’s no secret that Japan is my favourite country to visit. On each of my trips I’ve appreciated how Japan’s traditions…
Pretty places abound in Japan. From the man-made beauty of Japanese temples and Shinto shrines to the natural landscapes that have become icons of the country, there are countless beautiful…
Kodai-ji Temple is an outstanding Zen temple in Kyoto offering one of the best sightseeing experiences in the southern Higashiyama area. At Kodai-ji, you can admire a traditional Japanese garden,…
I always look forward to connecting with Japanese traditions and one of the best ways to do this is by visiting shrines in Japan. Shinto shrines in Japan are respected…
I’ve visited several castles in Japan but one that stands out in terms of beauty, historical interest, and visitor experience is Matsumoto Castle. As a National Treasure of Japan, Matsumoto…
Away from the busy crowds and ultra-modernity of central Tokyo sits Nezu-jinja, one of Tokyo’s oldest shrines. Hidden among tall trees and lush azalea bushes, Nezu Shrine is a place…
Walking up the main approach to Horyu-ji Temple, it was obvious that we were going to have a peaceful visit. While crowds were flocking to nearby Nara Park, we had…
On my first trip to Japan, I wanted to experience the country’s traditional side, so I made a point to visit as many temples in Japan as we had time…
It wouldn’t be a trip to Tokyo without visiting Senso-ji, one of the city’s most significant and famous temples. As the oldest temple in Tokyo, Senso-ji attracts thousands of visitors…
What I love so much about Japan is the rapport between nature, history, and spirituality. The strong connection between the three can be felt throughout the Kansai region, especially on…
There are plenty of winter illumination events in Japan, as decorating cities and gardens in extravagant light displays has become somewhat of a modern Japanese tradition. One of Japan’s largest…
Nagano was familiar to me as the host of the 1998 Winter Olympics, but beyond that I didn’t know what there was to see and do besides winter sports. What…
My main reason for visiting Nagano was to do a day trip to Jigokudani Monkey Park, home to Japan’s famous hot spring loving, wild snow monkeys. I was inspired to…
As with most places I travel to, I was inspired to visit Gokayama by a photograph I had seen. It was a scene I couldn’t resist- a tiny village of…
Each country has its own unique culture, but there’s something really compelling about Japan, a place that widely respects and complies with tradition. Japanese traditions, whether it be those associated…
On the last of our 3 days in Kyoto, we decided to explore the Arashiyama district, a mountainous, forested region in the western outskirts of the city. We were initially…
In the midst of a dense, old growth forest at the foot of Mt. Fuji, sits a small shrine complex with a special connection to the sacred volcano. Kitaguchi Hongu…
On the northwest side of Lake Saiko, one of the Fuji Five Lakes, is a charming village called Saiko Iyashi no sato Nenba. This traditional Japanese village was once a…
Oshino Hakkai was a place I missed out on during my first visit to the Fuji Five Lakes region, so on my second trip I made it a priority to…
Perhaps no other place in Japan is iconic as Mt. Fuji. The allure of this sacred volcano attracts many tourists to the Fuji Five Lakes, an ideal area for viewing…