Destinations
Guides to specific places: cities, day trips and spots worth visiting.
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19 August 2026
Nagasaki: practical city guide
What to see and do in Nagasaki: the Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum, Mt. Inasa with Japan's best night view, the Meganebashi bridge, Chinatown and champon noodles.
By Yen & Zen
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7 August 2026
Asakusa: Tokyo's most traditional neighbourhood, unfiltered
A practical guide to Asakusa: Sensoji temple, Nakamise street, Kappabashi, Hanayashiki, and how to time your visit to avoid getting stuck in the crowds.
By Yen & Zen
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3 August 2026
Hakone: the perfect escape from Tokyo (and even easier from Yokohama)
How to plan a trip to Hakone: the Free Pass, the Romancecar, Lake Ashi, Owakudani, the Open Air Museum, and when to go to actually see Mount Fuji.
By Yen & Zen
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29 July 2026
Shinjuku Gyoen: the garden that changes with every season
A practical guide to Shinjuku Gyoen: the three garden sections, the greenhouse, the rules, the best times to visit and how to fit it into a day in Tokyo.
By Yen & Zen
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27 July 2026
Shibuya: beyond the world's most famous crossing
A practical guide to Shibuya with what's worth your time and what you can skip: the crossing, Hachiko, Shibuya Sky, where to eat, and the quieter neighbourhoods most people miss.
By Yen & Zen
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14 July 2026
Kanazawa: a practical guide to one of Japan's best-preserved historic cities
What to see in Kanazawa: the Tsuzumi-mon station gate, the castle, the Nagamachi samurai district and the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art. The alternative to Kyoto with fewer crowds.
By Yen & Zen
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9 July 2026
Kyoto: a practical guide to the city that needs more time than you think
What to see and how to plan a trip to Kyoto: temples, geisha districts, itineraries and the most common tourist mistake.
By Yen & Zen
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5 July 2026
Osaka: a practical guide to Japan's city of food and contrasts
What to see and do in Osaka: Dotonbori, the castle, Shinsekai, Namba and how to plan the trip. With personal experience from a 3-day, 2-night trip.
By Yen & Zen
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1 July 2026
Nikko from Tokyo: temples, waterfalls and Japan's classic school trip
Practical guide to visiting Nikko from Tokyo: Tōshōgū shrine, Kegon Falls, Lake Chūzenji and how to organise the trip. With personal experience on the Hato Bus tour.
By Yen & Zen
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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