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Featured region Cherry blossoms across a Kansai landscape
Kansai
The heart of old Japan — temples, tea ceremonies, and the soul of Kyoto.
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Hidden gems Traditional village shrouded in mountain mist
Beyond the Golden Route
Six lesser-known corners of Japan that reward the detour.
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Featured interest Remote mountain onsen in a valley
Onsen
The ritual of the bath — ancient, communal, and deeply Japanese.
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Editor's pick Cherry blossoms in a Kansai landscape
A Year in Japan
A seasonal reading list — from plum blossoms to snow festivals.
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Featured guide Regional train through rice fields
JR Pass
Is it still worth it in 2026? A numbers-first look at Japan's most iconic pass.
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Featured itinerary Takayama old town at dusk
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Kyoto · Takayama · Tokyo — a hand-built itinerary beyond the usual.
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Editor's note Inside a traditional sake brewery
Where to Go in 2026
Our picks for a quieter, slower Japan trip — away from the well-trodden path.
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Reader favourites Autumn maple reflection in a Kansai temple garden
Autumn Colours in Kansai
Most-read this month. A season-by-season tour of Japan's hidden maple corners.
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Browse by region
  • Kansai Kyoto · Osaka · Nara
  • Chubu Takayama · Kanazawa
  • Kanto Tokyo · Kamakura
  • Hokkaido Sapporo · Niseko
  • Kyushu Fukuoka · Nagasaki
  • Tohoku Sendai · Aomori
See all regions → Popular cities
  • Kyoto
  • Tokyo
  • Osaka
  • Nara
  • Kanazawa
  • Takayama
See all cities → Cherry blossoms across a Kansai landscape
Featured region
Kansai
The heart of old Japan — temples, tea ceremonies, and the soul of Kyoto.
Explore Kansai →
Traditional village shrouded in mountain mist
Hidden gems
Beyond the Golden Route
Six lesser-known corners of Japan that reward the detour.
Discover →
Browse all destinations →
By theme
  • Temples & Shrines
  • Food & Drink
  • Nature
  • Onsen
  • Festivals
  • Culture
See all themes → By season
  • Cherry Blossoms Mar — Apr
  • Summer Festivals Jun — Aug
  • Autumn Leaves Oct — Nov
  • Winter Snow Dec — Feb
  • Golden Week Early May
  • Year-round
See all seasons → Remote mountain onsen in a valley
Featured interest
Onsen
The ritual of the bath — ancient, communal, and deeply Japanese.
Explore onsen →
Cherry blossoms in a Kansai landscape
Editor's pick
A Year in Japan
A seasonal reading list — from plum blossoms to snow festivals.
Read →
Browse all interests →
Practical guides
  • JR Pass
  • Visa & Entry
  • Budgeting
  • SIM & Connectivity
  • Money
  • Getting Around
See all guides → Itineraries
  • 1 Week · Classic
  • 2 Weeks · In-depth
  • 3 Weeks · Hidden Japan
  • First-timer
  • Solo traveller
  • Family
See all itineraries → Regional train through rice fields
Featured guide
JR Pass
Is it still worth it in 2026? A numbers-first look at Japan's most iconic pass.
Read guide →
Takayama old town at dusk
Featured itinerary
2 Weeks in Japan
Kyoto · Takayama · Tokyo — a hand-built itinerary beyond the usual.
See itinerary →
All guides & itineraries →
Categories
  • Travel Stories
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Lists
  • Seasonal
  • Behind the Scenes
See all categories → Recent articles
View archive → Inside a traditional sake brewery
Editor's note
Where to Go in 2026
Our picks for a quieter, slower Japan trip — away from the well-trodden path.
Read →
Autumn maple reflection in a Kansai temple garden
Reader favourites
Autumn Colours in Kansai
Most-read this month. A season-by-season tour of Japan's hidden maple corners.
Read →
All blog articles →

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Stories & lists

Blog

Travel stories, curated lists, and honest takes on Japan — from someone who keeps going back.

Mountain mist over a traditional Japanese village
List

10 Hidden-Gem Destinations in Japan Worth the Detour

Past Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hiroshima — the cities and towns most travellers miss, ranked by how often I'd actually return.

May 3, 2026·2 min read
Forest temple steps surrounded by autumn maple foliage in red and gold
Experience

Autumn in Kansai: Three Days, One Sunrise, Forty-Two Maple Trees

Three days chasing the maple peak through Kyoto and Nara — and the lesson that the official forecast is two days late, every year.

May 3, 2026·3 min read
Cherry blossoms over a traditional Japanese garden
List

Where to Go in Japan in 2026: An Opinionated List

Five places that are noticeably better in 2026 than they were three years ago — and three that are now worth deliberately skipping.

May 3, 2026·3 min read
Illuminated Tokyo Skytree above Asakusa rooftops
Experience

A Year of Japan: What I Learned in 12 Months of Trips

Three trips, fourteen prefectures, two reservations I wish I'd cancelled, and the one thing I'll book differently next year.

May 3, 2026·3 min read
Shinkansen pulling into Kyoto Station
Itinerary

One Week in Japan: The Classic First-Timer Loop

Tokyo + Kyoto + a Hakone day trip — seven nights, hits the famous things, leaves you wanting two weeks next time.

May 3, 2026·2 min read
Shinkansen pulling into Kyoto Station
Itinerary

Three Weeks in Japan: The Hidden-Gem Deep Dive

21 days, deep into Tohoku, Shikoku, and Kyushu — the Japan that the two-week loop never reaches.

May 3, 2026·2 min read
Shinkansen pulling into Kyoto Station
Itinerary

Japan with Kids: A Family-Friendly Itinerary

Tokyo + Hakone + Kyoto over ten days — designed for kids 6–12, with deer, monkeys, ramen-train rides, and a ryokan night.

May 3, 2026·2 min read
Shinkansen pulling into Kyoto Station
Itinerary

First-Time Japan: The Definitive Starter Trip

Ten nights, the gentle on-ramp — Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Hiroshima, designed for someone who's never been east of Bangkok.

May 3, 2026·2 min read
Shinkansen pulling into Kyoto Station
Itinerary

Solo Travel in Japan: A 12-Night Itinerary

Japan is the best country in the world for solo travel — safe, friendly, and counter-seating culture means you're never the only one alone.

May 3, 2026·2 min read
Shinkansen pulling into Kyoto Station
Itinerary

Two Weeks in Japan: A Realistic Itinerary

Day-by-day 14-day Japan itinerary with Tokyo, Kanazawa, Takayama, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Osaka. Hidden-gem detours, JR Pass strategy, and a real budget breakdown.

May 3, 2026·5 min read
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