Fukusaki: Japan’s Yokai Town Full of Folklore
Fukusaki, Hyogo Prefecture, is one of Japan's most unusual hidden gems. Known for being the hometown of folklorist Kunio Yanagita, the town brings Japanese folklore to life with animatronic kappa, yokai benches, museums, and unique attractions scattered throughout the countryside. Here's everything you need to know before visiting Japan's famous yokai town.
Takayama or Gujo-Hachiman: Which Mountain Town is Right for You?
Takayama and Gujo-Hachiman may both sit in the mountains of Gifu Prefecture, but they offer different experiences for visitors. One is well-known for its preserved streets and traditional atmosphere, but the other feels like a town shaped by water and local life. After spending a great deal of time in both, this guide breaks down the differences in the atmosphere, food, and experiences to help you decide which mountain town is the better fit for your trip through central Japan.
Golden Week in Japan: Nightmare or Worth It?
Golden Week in Japan has a reputation for being crowded and chaotic. While it can definitely be both, I think that reputation is only half the story. I have traveled in Japan during Golden Week many times over the last decade. Here’s how to actually enjoy it.
9 Foods You Should Not Miss in Central Japan (According to Someone Who Actually Lives Here)
Most people planning a trip to Japan arrive with the same food checklist. It usually includes ramen, sushi, egg sandos, and onigiri. All are worthy additions, but social media trends have a way of narrowing the lens and ignoring some regional cuisines. Central Japan has some of the country's most distinctive and overlooked foods.
After more than a decade of living here, I can tell you the dishes worth going out of your way for are rarely the ones filling up your feed. These are the nine dishes I actually return to without hesitation and recommend to every single person who asks me what to eat in Central Japan.
Your First Time Guide for Takayama
Takayama is not a hidden gem. It is one of Japan's most visited destinations, and it’s definitely worth the traffic. What sets it apart from other heavily touristed cities is how well the culture has held its shape despite the traffic. The Sanmachi Suji District looks like a reconstruction, but much of it is original. I live less than two hours away and have been more times than I can count. This is what I would tell you if we were planning your trip together.
Craft Beer Guide: Fukuoka Edition
Fukuoka gets plenty of attention for its food scene, but the craft beer culture here deserves its own spotlight. This list covers a range of craft beer bars and shops across the city. It’s a mix of taprooms, standing bars, and hidden local spots that are worth seeking out.
Lost in Transition: Life in Japan
Entering the final year of my thirties has forced me to reflect on a decade shaped by contradiction, uncertainty, and growth. Living in Japan has challenged my ideas of comfort, success, belonging, and failure in ways I never anticipated. What once felt uncertain now feels expansive.
These are the lessons I learned while building a life abroad. They did not always occur in profound moments, but they were found through patience, listening, and change over time.
Off the Golden Route: 10 Destinations to Visit in Japan
As I enter the final year of this decade of my life, I’m looking back at the years I’ve spent living in and traveling through Japan. Rather than the usual tourist hotspots, I’m sharing the ten places that truly left an impact on me. These range from the scarecrow village of Nagoro to the koi-filled canals in Hida-Furukawa. If you're looking for places in Japan that are off the Golden Route, these are the spots that often fly under the radar.
Craft Beer Guide: Osaka Edition
Osaka’s craft beer scene is bigger and more interesting than many visitors expect. It stretches well beyond neighborhoods that are popular with tourists. From tiny neighborhood bars to brewery taprooms, this list covers a variety of craft beer spots in Osaka. There is something on this list for every beer lover. If you enjoy good beer and food, wander off the usual routes to see all that Osaka has to offer.
Practical Travel Tips for Visiting Japan (From Someone Who Lives Here)
Traveling in Japan doesn’t have to look like a highlight reel from Instagram. Some of the best moments happen in the most unplanned scenarios. It could be in a tiny izakaya you almost walked past, a neighborhood you didn’t pin on Google Maps, or a day that didn’t go as planned but somehow became the one you remember most.
After over 10 years of living in and exploring Japan, I’ve learned that thoughtful planning matters. However, leaving room for curiously wandering is important too.
This guide shares my most practical travel tips for visiting Japan. It covers things from building a realistic itinerary and choosing the right hotel location, to navigating etiquette, budgeting, and slowing down enough to actually enjoy where you are. It’s not about visiting all the popular locations to say you’ve been. It’s about traveling with intention and experiencing Japan beyond what you might expect.
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