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Kanazawa Castle: A significant historical landmark since the 16th century
Japanese castles are an essential part of Japan’s cultural heritage. Although many people associate them with imposing structures and tall towers, that isn’t the case for some. An example of such a castle is Kanazawa Castle, which is unique in its features. Located in Kanazawa City in Ishikawa Prefecture, the castle was built in… Read
Kyusho Park: Admire cherry blossoms at a park featuring castle ruins, a history museum and a mansion from the 1900s
Tottori—the least populated prefecture in Japan, invites visitors to experience sand dunes, delectable food and classic anime and manga. Best of all, Tottori is off the beaten path and a great place to avoid large crowds. The prefectural capital, Tottori City, is a particularly popular destination because it offers convenient access to the sand… Read
'Go home': Overtourism sparks backlash in Spain
Anti-tourism movements are multiplying in Spain, the world's second most visited country, prompting authorities to try and reconcile the interests of locals and the lucrative sector. Rallying under the slogan "The Canaries have a limit", a collective of groups on the archipelago off northwest Africa are planning a slew of… Read
JR, Tokyo Metro, other rails lines adding discounts for mentally impaired riders, caregivers
In many parts of Japan, the most populous cities in particular, taking the train is an essential part of maintaining a reasonable standard of living. Stores selling daily necessities, such as supermarkets, pharmacies, and clothing stores, as well as hospitals and government offices, tend to be clustered around rail stations,… Read
Shirahone Onsen: Located in Chubusangaku National Park, its unique milky waters are worth the trip
Shirahone Onsen is located in the quiet and peaceful Chubusangaku National Park in Nagano Prefecture. This hot spring resort in the northern Japanese Alps may be small, but its unique milky waters rich in calcium and magnesium and beautiful scenery are worth a special trip. While the village of Shirahone has a four… Read
Nemophila season off to an early, and beautiful, start as baby blue flowers bloom in Maishima
Right now, the cherry blossoms are in full bloom in Japan’s most populous cities. As beautiful as the sakura are, though, there’s often a certain sense of anxiety that comes from going out to see them, since the petals don’t last for very long before falling off the trees and… Read
Kumobaike Pond is a must for tourists all year round
Only 20 minutes by foot from JR Hokuriku Shinkansen’s Karuizawa station, Kumobaike Pond is a must for tourists all year round. Sometimes called Swan Lake by locals for the swans that visit the area in winter, this pond is a lovely spot for birdwatching due to the many wild birds that call the… Read
Explore Aomori Prefecture in spring
To ease over-tourism at some of Japan’s most famous sites, especially in Tokyo and Kyoto, and explore parts of the country less traveled by tourists, why not head north to Aomori prefecture this spring? Here are some quick facts about the northern prefecture: Average spring temperature: 8-18℃, depending on time… Read
Bihoku Hillside Park offers best views of seasonal flowers and winter illuminations in Hiroshima
Located in Hiroshima Prefecture, Bihoku Hillside Park was the 11th national park designated in Japan and the first in the Chugoku region. Head to the vast area for greenery, seasonal flowers, illuminations and more. The Park An extensive green space that makes for a great day trip option. Image: PIXTA/ TOMI Covering… Read
Accor expands portfolio with 22 hotels in Japan
Accor has doubled the group’s footprint in Japan with the opening of 22 hotels and over 6,000 rooms in the country. Prior to the addition of the 22 new hotels, Accor was operating 24 hotels in Japan, under eight brands: MGallery, Pullman, Swissôtel, Mercure, Novotel, ibis, ibis Styles and ibis… Read
