Destinations

No trip to Japan is complete without a relaxing dip in an onsen. What is an onsen? Onsen are natural hot springs, fueled by volcanic activity, as well as the resort atmosphere that has emerged around many such springs.

Japan offers around 2,300 onsen to choose from, many of them included in ryokan (traditional inns). We’ve compiled a list of ten of the best onsen in Japan. No matter what region you’re traveling to, you’ll be able to unwind. Reaching the onsen is simple and affordable when you use Japan Railways and the Japan Rail Pass.

Continue reading “%s”

What do you picture when you think of Japan? The bustling neon city of Tokyo? Or the historic shrines, picturesque views, and quaint towns? If you’re looking to go beyond the city to meet the charming, slower-paced side of this interesting nation, Shikoku may be for you.

Shikoku is the smallest of Japan’s four main islands. While small in size, this destination offers big rewards to the well-informed traveler. From white-clad pilgrims walking the circuit of the Eighty-eight Shines, to installations of modern art, Shikoku has something for everyone!

Continue reading “%s”

Nagasaki, capital of the prefecture of the same name, is a port city on the island of Kyushu. It has been a prominent Japanese city for centuries due to its proximity to mainland Asia. Nagasaki also holds an unenviable role in world history, that of being the second city to endure an atomic weapon.

In the years since that tragic event, Nagasaki has recovered and flourished. Today, tourists flock to Nagasaki to see breathtaking scenery, historic reminders, and religious relics. Start planning your next trip to Nagasaki with the help of this handy travel guide.

Continue reading “%s”

For decades, nature lovers have reveled in documentaries featuring snow monkeys that warm themselves in natural hot springs. Did you know that you can view these unique creatures in person? You can at the Jigokudani Monkey Park.

The park’s monkeys are Japanese macaques, which live in large social groups. They have become accustomed to human visitors, and so their playful antics can be observed as they interact with one another. The phenomenon of the bathing monkeys occurs nowhere else in the world.

Continue reading “%s”

Your mental images of Japan likely include such scenes as cherry blossoms swaying in the breeze, steam rising from relaxing onsens, and the majestic Mount Fuji. A trip to Tottori, however, will introduce you to a very different and unexpected side of Japan.

Continue reading “%s”