Where to Go in Japan in Winter

Things to do in Japan in winter

This post was written by Robert Schrader of Japan Starts Here. Most travelers dream of visiting Japan amid the sakura of spring or the blazing colors of autumn, yet where to go in Japan in winter is not a topic that comes up often. In addition to being one of Japan’s most beautiful seasons, however, …

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7 Geeky Things to Do in Akihabara, the Tech Capital of Japan

Things to do in Akihabara, Tokyo

Anyone with a passion for technology should be aware of Akihabara. The buzzing central-Tokyo district is sometimes even called the “tech capital of the world.” Unsurprisingly the best things to do in Akihabara revolve around tech and otaku (“geek”, or manga and anime lovers) culture. As one of Tokyo’s most famous and distinct neighborhoods, experiencing …

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Our Incredible Osaka Cherry Blossoms Experience

The best places to see cherry blossoms in Osaka

For as long as I can remember, I wanted to go to Japan to see the sakura (cherry blossoms). This fleeting phenomenon comes only once a year, transforming temples, parks, and even ordinary streets across Japan into masterpieces of art. This dreamy display welcomes the spring season and reminds of the transient nature of beauty …

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An Easy Kyoto 4 Day Itinerary for Autumn (or any season!)

Kyoto 4 day itinerary in autumn

Kyoto blew me away. Japan’s ancient capital is a mecca for temple lovers, with so many magnificent historical structures that the city was sparred during WWII campaigns. The city without any doubt deserves a top spot on your Japan travel itinerary. There are so many things to do in Kyoto that you really need four …

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Japan’s Sacred Kumano Kodo Walk in Winter

Kumano Kodo in winter

The Kumano Kodo is a network of pilgrimage trails that connect various Shinto-Buddhist sites in the mountainous Kii Peninsula south of Osaka and Nagoya, and is considered one of the world’s great pilgrimages that travelers can easily join. These expansive tracts of wilderness are replete with spiritual sights that have attracted pilgrims for 1000+ years, …

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Kumano Sanzan and Ise Grand Shrine: 4 Gorgeous Temples on the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage

Kumano Sanzan and the Ise Grand Shrine

In 2018 I visited Wakayama, a remote and wild region of Japan south of Osaka and Nagoya, to walk parts of the Kumano Kodo, a network of ancient pilgrimage trails. These trails are easily accessible, making them one of the best pilgrimages in the world for travelers. Besides these amazing hot springs at the eastern …

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Yunomine Onsen and Four Other Awesome Wakayama Onsens

Yunomine, one of the best Wakayama onsens

Hikers doing Japan’s Kumano Kodo walk, a network of trails that follow a pilgrimage route going back over 1000 years in Wakayama prefecture south of Osaka and Nagoya, are rewarded with a plethora of hot spring baths along the trail. After tramping up and down forested trails all day long, one of the best things …

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