Touring the Iya Valley
The Iya Valley region of Tokushima, located on the island of Shikoku, is one of the remotest areas of Japan. So remote, in fact, that it was once a refuge…
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Inside Japan’s Scarecrow Village
Deep in the mountains of Shikoku, where no trains and few buses go, lies a tiny village populated almost entirely by scarecrows. Outnumbering the residents by 10 to 1, the…
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The Yokai Benches of Fukusaki
Just 25 minutes north of Himeji City by train lies the town of Fukusaki. Surrounded by mountains with the Ichikawa flowing through it, it’s just far enough off the beaten…
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Hinamatsuri in Shimonoseki’s Samurai Town
Hinamatsuri, also called Girls’ Day, is a doll festival held every year in Japan on March 3. Traditionally known as Momo-no-sekku, or the Peach Festival, it began as a cleansing…
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Inside The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (USJ)
I still remember the first time I read Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (as it was titled in SA). The book was a gift for my 11th birthday, and…
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Katsuoji: The Temple of Winning Luck
In the mountains of Minoh, Osaka, is a centuries-old Buddhist temple decorated with thousands of red daruma dolls. Known as “the temple of winning luck,” visitors from around the world…
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A Walking Tour of Kagawa’s Port City
This article is featured on GPSmyCity. To download it for offline reading, or create a self-guided walking tour to visit the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Walking Tours…
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A Quick Guide to Okayama’s Art Island
This article is featured on GPSmyCity. To download it for offline reading, or create a self-guided walking tour to visit the attractions highlighted, go to Walking Tours and Articles in…
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Kyoto’s Iconic Bamboo Forest
Is Arashiyama worth it? It’s a question I, and many other travellers, too, I’m sure, have pondered. Kyoto’s iconic bamboo forest gets mixed reviews. You’ve probably already seen pictures of…
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Mimurotoji: The Hydrangea Temple
Japan’s rainy season, known as tsuyu, isn’t my favorite time of year. Starting in mid-June, it’s a long period of rainfall and humidity that lasts until mid-July (followed by the…
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Inside Kobe’s Art Aquarium
Atoa Aquarium (stylized as átoa) is one of Kobe’s newest attractions, having opened just a few years ago in 2021. Located in Kobe Port, just across the water from Kobe…
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