Once the capital of Japan, Kyoto is known for its preserved historic sites, its natural beauty, and its tranquil atmosphere. It is home to many UNESCO World Heritage Sites that are open to visitors in addition to many other scenic and interesting places to explore. Spending 4 days in Kyoto will allow you to experience […]
Japan
Tenryūji: Temple & Gardens in Kyoto, Japan
Located in the scenic Arashiyama area of Kyoto, Tenryūji is a Zen temple and World Heritage Site famous for its strolling gardens.
The Philosopher’s Path in Kyoto, Japan
The Philosopher’s Path, in Japanese called Tetsugaku-no-michi (哲学の道), is a lush, tree-lined pathway in the Sakyō Ward of Kyoto, Japan. It is called the Philosopher’s Path because a Kyoto University professor of philosophy, Nishida Kitaro, walked the path frequently as a meditation of sorts. Intro to the Philosopher’s Path The Philosopher’s Path is about 2 […]
Vegetarian Food in Japan
Eating vegetarian food in Japan is definitely possible – it just takes a bit of research to know where to go and what to eat. There are a lot of great guides out there with information on the Japanese and English names for specific foods safe for a vegetarian diet. With this post, I want […]
Sengan-en: Historic Site & Gardens in Kagoshima, Japan
There are so many amazing sights to see in Japan’s southern Kyūshū region. One among them is Sengan-en, an expansive piece of land in the Kagoshima Prefecture once owned by a powerful samurai clan. The historic site has a residence, Japanese gardens, shrines, hiking trails, restaurants, shops, and a former machine factory that contributed to […]
Guide to Fukuoka City, Japan: Laidback Vibes, Natural Beauty, Abundant Shopping, & Great Food
There is no atmosphere in Japan quite like Fukuoka City’s. Located in the Kyūshū Region, a southwestern island region in Japan, Fukuoka City has a fun, laidback vibe with great food, great sightseeing, great shopping, great public transportation, a nice subtropical climate, and many historical sites. Thanks to its well-planned infrastructure, safety, cleanliness, good dining […]
Guide to Shinjuku, Tokyo: Neon Lights, Karaoke, Quirky Shopping, & Unique Dining
There is a reason Shinjuku is such a well-traveled destination in Tokyo. I must confess that I avoided it on my first two trips to Japan, thinking it was too touristy or too expensive or too unsafe (the red light district is there, after all). I was wrong. Fortunately, I rectified this on my third […]
Visiting the Ghibli Museum in Tokyo
If you’ve ever wanted to learn about the genius of Studio Ghibli, the Japanese animation studio known for outstanding, heartfelt works like Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro, the Ghibli Museum is the perfect place to visit. Clara JulietteClara hopes to share her love of exploring cultures and inspire others through the power of storytelling. In […]
What It’s Like to Stay at a Ryokan in Japan
One of the best things about traveling abroad is getting to experience the culture, customs, and traditions of different places. This doesn’t have to be limited to just sightseeing; your lodging and accommodations can reflect cultural traditions as well. To get a real sense of Japanese culture, one of the best places to stay is […]
Down the Rabbit Hole and Into the Alice in a Labyrinth Restaurant in Ginza
Japan loves Alice in Wonderland. So much so that there are a bunch of Alice in Wonderland-themed restaurants throughout the country. Six restaurants in particular are owned by Diamond Dining, a company that manages a slew of themed restaurants across Japan: Alice in a Labyrinth in Ginza Alice in a Picture Book in Shinjuku Alice […]