WELCOME

One of my favorite things to do during the four years I lived in Tokyo was to take day trips to discover lesser-known areas beyond the city’s bustle. Just an hour by train from Tokyo, the Sayama Hills offer an easy escape into a peaceful landscape of lush forests, expansive lakes, farmland, and quiet towns. Located on the western edge of the Tokyo metropolitan area, the area is also said to have inspired the natural setting of My Neighbor Totoro, making it a fun day trip for both nature lovers and Ghibli fans.

Located in the quiet suburb of Chofu, the area around Jindai-ji is one of my favorite places to visit in autumn in Tokyo. With its ancient temple, small-town charm and beautiful nature, this underrated but wonderful district in western Tokyo is a must-see destination for nature and temple lovers looking for a quiet stroll, especially in autumn. I spent half a day exploring this area and am happy to share with you this guide to Jindai-ji, as well as the route I took to do some momijigari (or leaf hunting).

One of my favorite parts of traveling around Japan is discovering memorable places to stay. After more than four years living in Japan and many trips across the country, I wanted to share this collection of hotels and ryokans across Japan that I've personally stayed at and enjoyed so much that I would happily book them again.

Looking for travel recommendations around Okayama? This city is often overlooked by visitors traveling between the Kansai region and Hiroshima, but its convenient location makes it an excellent base for several memorable day trips. Here are five of my favorite day trips from Okayama, each offering something completely different and all accessible by public transportation.

As a shrine and temple lover, one of the goals on my Japan bucket list is to complete one day the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage. While I haven't completed the pilgrimage on foot, I have visited more than 15 of these temples during a one-week road trip across Shikoku. Whether you are considering undertaking the full pilgrimage or simply want to incorporate a few temples into your Shikoku itinerary, I thought it would be helpful to share what I've learned about the pilgrimage, the temples I visited, and why it offers such a different way to experience Shikoku.

If you're looking for an off-the-beaten-path hike near Kyoto, Osaka, or Nara, I can't recommend the Yamanobe no Michi Hiking Trail enough. I discovered this trail by chance while searching for lesser-known places to explore in Nara Prefecture, and it turned out to be one of my favorite memories from my last Japan trip. In this guide, I'll share everything you need to know before setting out, including how to get there, what to expect, and my favorite highlights along the way.