Beyond the obvious spots like Tokyo and Kyoto, there are so many great places to visit in Japan.
See no evil – just the beauty of Nikko
Although Nikko is a World Heritage quality collection of temples and shrines, it’s three particular monkeys who steal the show.
How to spend a day in Matsuyama
Matsuyama is the largest city on Shikoku and has a long and fascinating history. Here are my tips on the best way to spend a day exploring.
Waking up under a thatched roof
Cut off from the rest of Japan by large mountains, the residents of Shirakawa-go developed a unique way to build their village and survive the winters.
A bit of Australia in Japan’s snowfields
For Australians looking for a ski holiday in the Northern Hemisphere, this valley in Japan offers the perfect mix of quality, price and distance.
The grumpy dolls of Takasaki
I always thought Daruma dolls looked grumpy and unhappy. But at the temple where they were created, I learn there’s much more to them than that.
It’s the small things that matter
The art of bonsai is an ancient and very special tradition in Japan. At this museum, you can learn more about the beauty of the art.
The penis worshippers
This has got to be one of the strangest festivals out there. In the usually demure country of Japan, a Shinto shrine dedicates the day to penises!
The pilgrims’ pain
Koyasan is one of the World Heritage Sites on the Kii Mountain Range of Japan. For the pilgrims a thousand years ago, it was a welcome sanctuary.