Nagano by Car (2 Days, 2 Nights)
February 5 – 7, 2021 Nagano, host of the 1998 Winter Olympics, is best known for their world-class outdoor sports – particularly skiing and snowboarding. I guess being home to the highest mountain ranges in the country could have something to do with that. But, uh, I don’t ski or snowboard. Just Google “pictures of […]
Kyushu: 8 Day Road Trip
December 29, 2020 – January 5, 2021 New Year’s Holiday is an objectively bad time to travel in Japan. Outside of major cities like Tokyo or Osaka, the main New Year’s celebration for most people involves resting with family in your hometown, eating soba at home with your family, and making your first shrine or […]
Shizuoka by Car (3 days, 2 nights)
December 11 – 13, 2020 Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka prefecture is one of the most popular vacation destinations for Tokyo residents. About 100 kilometers south of the metropolis, Izu Peninsula is easily reached from Tokyo by train or bus. Izu is loaded with beaches for swimming, fishing, and diving, as well as hot spring resorts […]
Toyama and Ishikawa by Car (2 nights, 3 days)
November 27 – 29, 2020 When we moved to Japan, Andrew and I set a goal of visiting as many of the 47 prefectures as possible. We know our time here is finite, so we try to pack in as many weekend trips as our (aging) bodies and (moderate) budget can handle. As small as […]
Okinawa: 8 Day RV Road Trip (pt. 2)
November 1 – 8, 2020 This post is a continuation of my Okinawa RV road trip recap. If you haven’t read part one, click here to get caught up! Day 4: Yagachi Beach –> Cape Hedo –> Daisekirinzan –> Nago Pineapple Park –> Ada Another sleepless night in the books, we woke up bright and […]
Okinawa: 8 Day RV Road Trip (pt. 1)
November 1 – 8, 2020 As we neared the end of the year, Andrew had some unused PTO burning a hole in his pocket. When we moved to Japan, we had really big plans to take trips to tropical locations. Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia topped our bucket list. As we all know, those plans […]
Akita to Aomori by Train (3 nights, 2 days)
October 16 – 18, 2020 On several occasions, I have found myself trying to quickly explain various elements of Japanese culture (I am NOT qualified to do this) to my friends and family. One spot we keep coming back to is Japanese hobby culture. The best way I’ve been able to explain it is, think […]
Sado Island Road Trip (2 days, 2 nights)
October 2-4, 2020 5 Fun Facts about Sado Island: It is the largest island in the Sea of Japan (330 mi2) It is shaped like the letter ‘S’ Unearthed ruins indicate it has been inhabited by humans for ~10,000 years Historically, it was a penal colony where aristocrats, religious figures, and other “cultured people” were […]
Fukushima Road Trip (2 days, 1 night)
September 19-20, 2020 Fukushima is Japan’s third largest prefecture, after Hokkaido and Iwate. Before moving to Japan, my only mental association with Fukushima Prefecture was the nuclear disaster that occurred at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant as a result of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. Since my mom is probably the most loyal reader […]
Gunma Road Trip (2 days, 1 night)
About 100km from Tokyo, nearby Gunma Prefecture is most famous for its hot springs. Between my big, scary tattoos (mostly banned in Japanese hot springs) and my definitively American relationship to public nudity (not personally in favor of it, you do you though) – Japanese hot spring culture has not taken root in my heart. […]