Takaragawa Onsen: Japan’s Great Riverside Hot Spring
Fly Fishing in Japan: A Guide to Tenkara’s Homeland
Shimanami Kaido: Japan’s Great Bike Route, Island by Island
Best Time to Visit Japan: A Season-by-Season Guide
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Kochi - Japan's Best Kept Secret
Onsen
Takaragawa Onsen: Japan’s Great Riverside ...
Giant stone baths beside a mountain river in Gunma — everything to know before visiting Takaragawa Onsen, Japan's iconic rotenburo.
Scuba Diving
Diving in Japan: The Complete Guide to the Best ...
From Okinawa's coral reefs to the wrecks of the Bonin Islands — where to dive and snorkel in Japan, when to go, and what's down there.
Features
Tokyo Bay Fishing Frenzy
Massive cargo ships ferry in and out of the many ports lining the shores from Tokyo to Kawasaki to Yokohama. Surprisingly, these ...
Columns
Genkai Sea Topwater Game
“Who needs a career when all you wanna do is go fishing?” That’s what I ask myself whenever I think about how disinterested I am ...
Autumn
Northern Islands to the Tip of Japan
This route hops two islands off the coast of northern Hokkaido - Rishiri Island with Mount Rishiri towering right above the sea, ...
Autumn
The Samurai Trails of Mt. Madarao
Delve into the history of Mt. Madarao in Nagano and why the ancient mountain paths make for great mountain biking today.
Camping
Tokyo Escapes: Summer Camping
Tokyo summers can be stifling—luckily it’s easy to escape the city for a cool break from the heat.
Camping
Haga Farm Spring Glamping in Tochigi
Haga Farm and Glamping in Tochigi opened in August 2020, and it has quickly become a popular escape for Tokyoites.
Autumn
Reclaiming the Seas of Sanriku
On March 11, 2011, the most powerful earthquake in Japan's history triggered a massive tsunami that devastated the Tohoku region....
Autumn
Wonders of Wakayama
The town of Kushimoto is located on the southern curve of Wakayama Prefecture. It is surrounded by the ocean while nestled betwee...
Aomori
Get Your Fix on Route 338
Route 338 weaves along the northeast tip of Aomori in northern Honshu where sandy beaches stretch all the way from Misawa north t...
Art and Film
Niijima Shorebreak
My first trip to Japan hadn’t produced any pictures worth talking about. The weather didn’t cooperate, and the water clarity at th...
Discover Kansai
Enjoy the outdoors, rich history and delicious food of the Kansai region this spring!
Hiking
Kumano’s Path Less Traveled
A forgotten pilgrimage trail, ancient power spots and authentic rural communities are waiting to be explored this hiking season on the Iseji Trail. Stretch your legs and tickle your spirit to welcome the green season on one of the Kumano Kodo’s finest routes, minus the crowds.
Cultural Travel
Protecting the Sacred Trees of Koya-san
Within the misty mountains of Japan's Kii Peninsula, Koya-san (Mt. Koya), stands as a sacred realm of tranquility, history, and spiritual significance. This awe-inspiring mountain has been revered for centuries and is home to a unique collection of trees known as the rokuboku, or The Six Trees of Koya-san.
Autumn
The Mermaids of Mie
Overfishing, ocean pollution and sea bed crawling, which destroys ocean floors, are just a few of the threats the ocean is facing...
Craft Beer
From experimental breweries to hole-in-the-wall craft beer pubs, discover the best of Japan's craft beer scene.
Craft Beer
Beer Buzz
The 2022 American Craft Beer Experience (ACBE) Japan is back Nov. 12-13 at the Waters Takeshiba Outdoor Event Space. Organize...
Beer Buzz
Making Cidre from Japanese Apples
Nearly four years ago, I wrote about how craft cider (called シードル from the French cidre) was relatively hard to find in Japan, an...
Craft Beer
Kampai! in Kansai
Kansai has been long known for its excellent cuisine, from Kyoto’s refined kyō-ryori dishes to the famous wagyū beef of Kobe, Shi...
Mountain & Land
Go beyond the surface and find your perfect autumn getaway—whether that's alpine hiking, viewing the changing fall leaves or finding the perfect onsen.
Fishing
Fly Fishing in Japan: A Guide to Tenkara’s...
The birthplace of tenkara, and one of the best-kept secrets in fly fishing — where to cast for yamame and iwana trout across Japan.
Cycling
Shimanami Kaido: Japan’s Great Bike Route,...
A 70km ride across six islands and seven bridges between Honshu and Shikoku — everything you need to plan your Shimanami Kaido trip.
Cycling
Cycling in Japan: The Complete Guide to the Best...
From the Shimanami Kaido to Hokkaido's northern coast — where to cycle in Japan, the country's best routes, and how to plan a bike trip.
