Japan Travel Guide

Aomori City | Beautiful Nature and Rich Food Culture

Aomori CIty is mostly skipped by tourists since the ferry is no longer the only way to get to Hokkaido, but if you happen to be here in August, the famous Nebuta Festival is worth a visit!
Ouchijuku, Fukushima | Time travel to the Edo period!

If you are interested in Japan’s history and want to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the Edo Period, you should consider adding old post town Ouchijuku in Fukushima to your itinerary.
Aizuwakamatsu Castle (Tsuruga-jo Castle) | Beautiful scenery from season to season

Aizuwakamatsu Castle, also known as Tsuruga Castle, is a traditional fortress located in Fukushima Prefecture. It now houses a museum and, at the top, a lookout point with views of the entire city.
Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima | Kingdom of Agriculture

Aizu-Wakamatsu in Fukushima is especially known for its delicious sake and long history of samurai culture.
Hiraizumi | Origin of Zipang, the Land of Gold

Hiraizumi flourished for nearly one hundred years, during a peaceful era of prosperity. Today, you can still see remnants of this rich legacy.
Sendai City, Miyagi | Largest city in Tohoku region

While Sendai might not feature on most international tourists’ itinerary, if you have enough time in Japan or are not a first-timer, the city is nice stop for those who are interested in history and culture.
Matsushima and Naruko Onsen, Miyagi | Beautiful scenery created by Mother Nature

Matsushima near Sendai on the northern Pacific coast, is considered one of the three most scenic spots in Japan while still being off the beaten path. Just a one-hour train ride away is resort town Naruko Onsen.
Yamagata City, Yamagata | A city surrounded by beautiful and magnificent nature

Yamagata City is a centrally located town within a short distance of famous sightseeing areas like Mt. Zao with its onsen, hiking spots, winter sports areas, and Yamadera.
Yamadera : a Hidden Gem in the Mountains

Yamadera is a temple in a mountainous region of Yamagata. It was founded over a thousand years ago, and now it is one of the region’s best-kept secrets. Some of the most amazing views of nature can be seen from Yamadera.
Lake Tazawa, Kakunodate, Nyuto Onsen, Akita | Some of the best hot springs in Japan

Akita is not on the top of the list for destinations within Japan for the average foreign tourist, which is in part due to its remote location. However, for nature-lovers and those interested in history, it is certainly worth the trek up north!
Akita City | Good drinks and fun festivities

The city’s heyday was in the 17th century, which is when Akita was the capital of the region under the feudal system. Nowadays it is a green city with a lively summer festival.
Nemuro, Hokkaido | Beautiful nature and unique flora and fauna

Nemuro, a small provincial city of 31,000 people, is the easternmost city in Japan. But Nemuro’s main attraction is the nature around it: the lush forests, lakes, marshes and swamps, and the beautiful coastal scenery.
Akan Mashu National Park, Hokkaido | Beautiful wilderness formed by volcanic activity

The Akan Mashu area was formed by volcanic activity around 6000 years ago. Akan Mashu National Park is especially known for its 3 beautiful lakes; Lake Akan, Lake Mashu, and Lake Kussharo.
Kushiro, Tsurui, Tokachi | Hokkaido’s beautiful wilderness

Kushiro is the largest city on the sparsely-populated eastern side of Hokkaido. The area is a treasure trove for those who love nature and gourmet food.
Shiretoko and Abashiri, Hokkaido | Nature that can only be experienced in the farthest reaches of the earth

Shiretoko in Hokkaido is a real nature paradise. You can enjoy hiking, fishing, hunting, an ice breaker boat, and a drift ice walk. Birding in winter is also a special experience.
Historical Village of Hokkaido, Hokkaido | Travel back in time 100 years

The Historical Village of Hokkaido is an open-air museum in Sapporo with buildings from the Meiji and Taisho periods, during which Hokkaido developed rapidly.
Hakodate, Hokkaido | An important port town connecting Japan and other countries

Hakodate is well-loved by domestic tourists but often overlooked by foreign tourists which makes it a hidden gem. If you like green cities surrounded by beautiful nature, then Hakodate is a great place to visit.
Furano and Biei, Hokkaido | Beautiful rural scenery

Furano and Biei are located next to each other and are usually visited in one trip. Most people discover the area on a 4-5 day summer trip, and marvel at the colorful beauty of all the flowers.
Otaru, Hokkaido | Wall Street of the North

Otaru makes for a great day trip from Sapporo, or a nice stop along the way for those traveling to ski resort Niseko. The glassworks shops, coffee shops, restaurants, and shops are located in traditional buildings.
HanaNoka Sake Brewery, Kumamoto | Sake very popular among Japanese people

After taking a bite, the gentle flowery flavor of the sake Hananoka burst in my mouth, just as the name is translated as ‘the fragrance of flowers’ in English.