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Travel stories

First-person trip notes from Japan, in Nick’s voice.

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.

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.

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.

3 min read