Destinations
Guides to specific places: cities, day trips and spots worth visiting.
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28 June 2026
Climbing Mount Fuji: what you need to know before you attempt it
Practical guide to climbing Mount Fuji in 2026: season, trails, gear, altitude sickness and why you shouldn't do it in the middle of the night without preparation. With personal experience on the Fujinomiya trail.
By Yen & Zen
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24 June 2026
Nara in a day: the deer, the Great Buddha and what nobody tells you
Practical guide to visiting Nara from Osaka or Kyoto: how to get there, what to see, how long you need and why the deer will steal your onigiri.
By Yen & Zen
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9 June 2026
Onsen in Japan: the guide for first-timers (and people who got it wrong)
How a real onsen works: the etiquette nobody explains, the tattoo question, the difference between onsen and sentō, and the best options near Tokyo for a first Japanese hot spring without surprises.
By Yen & Zen
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1 June 2026
June 2 in Yokohama: 167 years since the port opened to the world
On June 2, 2026, Yokohama marks 167 years since its port opened in 1859. What happened then, why it's a school holiday in the city, and how locals celebrate the anniversary.
By Yen & Zen
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27 May 2026
Kamakura day trip from Tokyo and Yokohama: the guide your hotel won't give you
How to do Kamakura properly: the Kita-Kamakura walking route, Zeniarai Benten, Sasuke Inari, the Great Buddha, dressing as a samurai, and the tips that actually make a difference.
By Yen & Zen
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25 May 2026
Hydrangea season in Japan 2026: when they bloom and where to see them
Complete guide to ajisai season in Japan: bloom dates by region, the best spots in Kamakura, Hakone, Nara and Kyoto, and how not to miss the Hakone night hydrangea train.
By Yen & Zen
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18 May 2026
Yokohama day trip from Tokyo: how to actually do it right
A full-day guide to Yokohama written by someone who lives here. Chinatown, Yamate, the port, two stadiums, and the places most travel blogs miss entirely.
By Yen & Zen