MAGAZINE
Kawagoe’s Little Edo Streets and Gourmet Strolling｜A Retro Getaway Just 30 Minutes from Ikebukuro
Just a 30-minute train ride from Ikebukuro, Tokyo, lies Kawagoe City in Saitama Prefecture. Known as “Little Edo” for its well-preserved atmosphere of the Edo period, Kawagoe offers a charming escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life with its retro...
A Two-Day Journey into Tranquil Japan: Exploring Naritasan Shinshoji Temple and Temple-Town Flavors
Though Narita is best known for its international airport, just a short walk from the station reveals a world of quiet charm and deep cultural resonance. Centered around Naritasan Shinshoji Temple and its surrounding monzen-machi (temple town), this area offers a...
An Evening of Lights and Flavors in Yokohama: A Refined Stroll Through Minato Mirai, Chinatown, and Bashamichi
Yokohama, where the sea and city blend in perfect harmony, remains a beloved destination for those seeking a brief yet beautiful escape from the everyday. Among its most iconic districts—Minato Mirai, Chinatown, and Bashamichi—you’ll find an elegant fusion of...
Savoring the Subtle Luxury of Doing Nothing in Hakone: A Gentle Guide from Tokyo to Onsen Bliss
More and more travelers are turning to Hakone in search of a quiet pause from daily busyness—not for packed sightseeing itineraries, but for the refined simplicity of doing nothing. This mindful style of travel, rooted in stillness and self-care, is gaining popularity...
A Day of Tranquility from Tokyo: Exploring Kamakura’s Temples and Cafés on a Restful One-Day Trip
Just an hour by train from Tokyo, Kamakura is a timeless city steeped in history and surrounded by nature—an ideal destination for a day trip. Blending ancient temples with a modern café culture, it offers the perfect retreat for urban dwellers seeking calm and...
How Do Japanese People Spend Their Days Off?
In Japan, weekends and public holidays are often embraced as opportunities to quietly refresh both mind and body. In contrast to the fast pace of the weekday routine, leisure time is seen as a moment to reconnect with oneself. This approach is closely tied to the...
The Subtle Luxury of Not Sightseeing in Tokyo: Savoring the City’s Rhythm and Atmosphere
Coming to Tokyo and doing nothing may, at first, seem like an incomplete way to travel. But in this vast city, there are moments when not sightseeing becomes the most exquisite form of indulgence. Rather than rushing from landmark to landmark, allow yourself to simply...
Urban Escapes for the Weekend: Unique Getaways Near Tokyo in Kanagawa, Chiba, and Saitama
When life feels a bit too fast-paced, sometimes you don’t need to go far to reset. A short journey to find something out of the ordinary—just beyond your doorstep—can be exactly what body and mind need. The greater Tokyo area, including Kanagawa, Chiba, and Saitama,...
Autumn Foliage Roads: 5 Breathtaking Crimson-and-Gold Drives in Tohoku by Rental Car
As autumn settles across Tohoku, its mountains and valleys erupt in a blaze of crimson and gold. The falling leaves paint the roads in warm hues, creating a seasonal tapestry that stirs the senses. While some of these breathtaking spots are hard to access by train,...
Cool Escapes in Tohoku: A Summer Journey Through Waterfalls, Gorges, and Highlands
There is something profoundly special about escaping the peak of summer by heading north to the cool, untouched nature of Tohoku. The sound of rushing water, the refreshing forest air, and the gentle touch of breeze on the skin—this is the essence of hisho, Japan’s...
The Elegance of Snow-View Open-Air Baths: Top Tohoku Hot Spring Inns and How to Reach Them by Train
Winter transforms Tohoku into a serene world blanketed in snow—a landscape that invites reflection, stillness, and a deeper connection with nature. Among its most treasured experiences is soaking in an open-air hot spring while snow gently falls around you. This is no...
7 Must-See Cherry Blossom Spots in Tohoku: A 2-Day Spring Journey from Tokyo
In Tohoku, spring arrives a little later. This delay offers a rare delight—another chance to experience the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms, even after they have faded in Tokyo. A 2-day trip from Tokyo to Tohoku not only brings you to some of Japan’s most stunning...
Journey Through Fukushima’s Coastal Hamadōri | Witnessing Resilience and the Beauty of Nature After the Earthquake
The Hamadōri region, situated along the Pacific coast in eastern Fukushima Prefecture, is an area that bore the brunt of the 2011 earthquake and nuclear disaster. Despite the scars left by these tragic events, the region continues to move forward with quiet strength,...
Finding Inner Peace at Yamadera | A Spiritual Journey Through the Temple Visited by Bashō
Located in eastern Yamagata Prefecture, Risshaku-ji—more affectionately known as Yamadera—is a sacred temple complex nestled into a steep, rocky mountainside. Revered as a place of spiritual tranquility, it is also famed as the site where the haiku master Matsuo Bashō...
Thatched Roofs and Handmade Soba in Ōuchi-juku | Discovering the Hidden Charms of Southern Aizu
Nestled in the mountains of southern Fukushima Prefecture, Ōuchi-juku is one of the few remaining post towns in Japan that still preserves the look and spirit of the Edo period. Once a prosperous stop along the Aizu West Road, the village’s thatched-roof houses and...