Onsen

The Naked Stranger is an aficionado for all things Japanese. People in his country even consider him an expert on the subject. He...

How well do you know Hakuba? You probably know this Nagano town sits at the base of the majestic Northern Alps. You may even know...

Slip into the hot water. Rest your head on the edge of the tub and stare at the ceiling. “Ahhh…” all that tension is released. Ja...

Volcanic islands, mountainous terrain and earth-shifting quakes are all part of Japan’s volatile natural landscape. Short, swift,...

Most travelers visit Japan in spring and fall for the mild temperatures and vibrant colors, so the white season is often overlook...

Japan is located along what is known as the Pacific Rim of Fire, an area that stretches from New Zealand up towards Russia, d...

You’ve spent the last couple of months cursing the heat and humidity, yet you can’t help but lament the passing of summer. As the...

Gunma’s enchanting onsen getaway - long a fan favorite for hot spring lovers in Japan - gains popularity among the foreign commun...

The Izu Peninsula is renowned for bringing together a grand variety of hot springs, seafood, woodland delicacies, beaches and fore...

A brief cultural history of the sento from a hot water nut I guarantee I go to the sento (public bathhouse) more than you. I k...

With a bicycle loaded down with camping gear, I made my way down to Mt. Hakkoda (in Aomori) in search of the true colors of autum...

A methane-like pong wafts through the air. The pungent odor is in fact part of the attraction of Kyushu’s most elevated onse...