5 Incredible Day Trips from Okayama You Shouldn't Miss
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.
The Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage: A Different Way to Discover Shikoku
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.
A Hiking Guide to the Yamanobe no Michi Trail in Nara
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.
Vegan Cooking Class in Osaka: Making Gyoza & Ramen in a Japanese Home
During my last trip to Osaka, I had the opportunity to join a private vegan cooking lesson in a Japanese home through AirKitchen. Conveniently located near Osaka castle, it was the perfect way to end a day of exploring the city by spending a lovely evening being welcomed into the home of a Japanese professional cook. In this article, I’ll share about my experience, and why I can wholeheartedly recommend this cooking class to make delicious and super tasty vegan ramen and gyoza in Osaka.
Ohara Itinerary: an Ideal Countryside Retreat from Kyoto
Let me share with you one of my newest discoveries from my recent trip in Japan to the Kansai region: Ohara. I completely fell under the spell of this small rural town in the mountains of northern Kyoto. Especially after spending a few days in bustling Kyoto and its big crowds, visiting this peaceful town and staying overnight in a traditional hotel felt so nice and refreshing.
27 Essential Japan Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors: What You Need to Know
Planning your first trip to Japan? You're in for an unforgettable adventure! Japan often leaves a deep impression, that draw travelers to return! However, navigating this incredible country can feel overwhelming for first-time visitors. That’s why I’ve put together these 27 essential Japan travel tips, based on my experience of living in Japan for over 4 years and organizing trips for family and friends. I hope this guide can help you to make your trip smoother, so you can focus on just having the most enjoyable, unforgettable experience in Japan!
A Day in Kobe: an Exciting Day Trip Itinerary from Osaka or Kyoto
As Japan's sixth-largest city and capital of Hyogo Prefecture, Kobe offers plenty to do. If you're looking for a day trip that's easily accessible from Osaka (or Kyoto), Kobe may be just what you're looking for. In this article, you can read about the day trip itinerary I followed to discover this city.
21 Best Things to Do in Tokyo This Summer (2026)
Despite the heat and humidity, summer is an amazing time to be in Tokyo. There are plenty of seasonal activities, events and food to try, and many ways to beat the heat! Here is a list of 21 best things to do in Tokyo in summer, with plenty of suggestions for a fun and active time in Tokyo during this season.
15 Amazing Summer Festivals to Experience in Tokyo This Year (2026)
What I love most about summer in Tokyo are its summer festivals, also known as matsuri. With their street stalls, lanterns and colorful decorations, matsuri are the perfect way to enjoy delicious Japanese street food, as well as its fascinating traditional culture and entertainment! I find that every matsuri I attend has its own unique atmosphere and energy that leaves a lasting impression. Here's a list of 15 of Tokyo's best summer festivals, with practical information and tips that should be useful if you're planning to attend in summer 2025.
Tokyo to Enoshima: Your Guide to the Perfect Seaside Day Trip
An hour from Tokyo, Enoshima is a tiny, touristy island connected by a bridge to the mainland. Located in Kanagawa Prefecture in Fujisawa City and enclosed by Kamakura, it is full of places to see and makes a nice day trip from Tokyo regardless of the season. I've visited Enoshima many times and I’m happy to share in this Enoshima travel guide my recommendations for making the most of your time on this fantastic island.
Japan on a Budget: My Top Saving Tips For Your Japan Trip
After years of living and traveling around Japan, I’ve gathered plenty of practical ways to make your trip more affordable without missing out on amazing experiences. Whether you’re planning a trip to Japan on a budget or are just interested in some saving tips, I hope this article can be useful to you.
Enjoying a Modern Wagashi Making Experience in Tokyo
During my last trip to Tokyo, I had the opportunity to attend a private modern wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets)-making experience arranged by Wabunka. I’m a flower lover and have always had a sweet tooth, so I was very excited to take part in this introductory workshop led by a Japanese expert, where I learned how to make delicate "sweet bean paste flowers". I’m happy to share my experience in details in this article.
Best Things to Do in Shibamata: A Retro Tokyo Day Trip
If you’re looking for a lesser-known area in Tokyo, I would highly recommend a visit to Shibamata, a true hidden gem little-known by international travelers. This historic neighborhood in Eastern Tokyo will make you feel like stepping back in time, with its retro shopping street, traditional sweets shops, a beautiful Buddhist temple and more.
Okayama Guide: Why You Should Add This City To Your Japan Itinerary
Once a castle town, Okayama is known for its cultural heritage, from its ties to one of Japan’s most famous legends to one of the country’s most beautiful landscape gardens. Conveniently located between Hiroshima and the Kansai region, it makes a perfect stop to break up the journey and it’s also well-connected to nearby destinations, making it a practical hub for a few easy day trips.
I’ve stayed in Okayama twice, and in this guide, I’ll share what I discovered along the way, along with practical tips to help you plan your own visit.
Garden Necklace Yokohama: A Colourful Springtime Stroll Through Yokohama Harbour
Yokohama is one of my favourite day trips from Tokyo. Every year, the city organises the ‘Garden Necklace Yokohama’ Event, which celebrates flower blossoming and springtime in the city's various green spaces. From March to June, Yokohama's parks and gardens celebrate spring with impressive flower displays, from cherry blossom to tulips, roses, azaleas and much more.
Power Spots in Japan: 16 Mystical Shrines and Temples Off the Beaten Path
In this article, I’m sharing some of the most mystical power spots in Japan that I’ve visited and that left a lasting impression on me. These aren’t the most famous shrines or temples, but lesser-known places I remember for their serenity, setting, and distinct atmosphere. If you’re looking to go beyond the typical itinerary and explore spiritual places in Japan off the beaten path, I hope this list will give you some inspiration.
Day Trip Guide to Hitachi Seaside Park: 10 Suggestions for a Memorable Visit
Located in Ibaraki Prefecture, Hitachi Seaside Park is a large and breathtaking park known in Japan for its vibrant seasonal flowers. The park is particularly famous for its awe-inspiring field of nemophila in spring and its red kochias in autumn. In this article, I offer 10 suggestions based on my own experience that I hope can be useful and inspiring for people interested in visiting this astonishing park, whatever the season.
Nemophila Paradise at Hitachi Seaside Park: A Must-See Spring Outing from Tokyo
Hitachi Seaside Park, a large park located in Ibaraki Prefecture, is home to one of nature's most enchanting floral spectacles. In spring, you can walk through an ocean of blue flowers: a field of over 5 million nemophila. As a flower lover, I highly recommend this spellbinding seasonal event if you are in Japan during this time of the year.
Yufuin Itinerary: an Ideal Hot Spring Retreat in Kyushu
One of my favourite destinations in Japan is Yufuin in Oita Prefecture, Kyushu. This charming country town should be on any itinerary if you decide to explore Kyushu, Japan's third largest island. This onsen town has an enchanting landscape with Mount Yufu in the background, peaceful rice fields and a river, making you feel like you've stepped into a fairytale.
Five Flower-Viewing Day Trips from Tokyo You’ll Love in Spring
In this article, I want to share my top 5 flower-viewing day trips to do from Tokyo in spring. I am a big flower lover, and I am always enjoying sharing flower-related events, walks and day trips in Japan. I thought I’d share my top picks for flower-viewing spots, from February to May, that can all easily be enjoyed as day trips from central Tokyo.
Hi, I’m Sarah! I hope you enjoy reading my blog.