Nikko is just a short trip away from Tokyo, geographically, but it feels like going back in time several centuries.
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Me, the Mountains and a Dozen Nude Japanese Men
My past three weeks in Japan have been extraordinary, no doubt, but they’ve also been extraordinarily exhausting. So naturally, I had to cap them off in a place known for extraordinary relaxation!
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Monkeying Around in the Japanese Alps
Seeing Japan’s snow monkeys reminded me of the time another traveler (the one who first informed me of their existence, no less) made a monkey out of me.
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Are Japan’s “Animal Islands” All They’re Cracked Up to Be?
I found both of Japan’s animal islands more disappointing than the majority of other bloggers.
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Exploring the Land of Princess Mononoke
Yakushima differs profoundly from everywhere else I’ve seen in Japan, yet I can’t help but wonder if the spirits of its ancient forests transformed me in a deeper way.
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The Saddest Thing About Hiroshima
Terrible events happened in Hiroshima, but the saddest thing about the city is how disappointing it is as a destination.
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Yes, Japan Has a Desert—and Yes, It’s Amazing
Japan is the ultimate land of contrasts, so it should come as no surprise when an arid desert randomly appears out of nowhere along its heavily-wooded northern coast.
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Memoirs of a Gaysha
Kyoto is about carving your own path through the history, heritage and chaos, not following the established tourist trail.
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How Many Days Should You Spend in Tokyo?
As a traveler (and a travel blogger), I’m always reevaluating and recalibrating my stances—the topic of how many days in Tokyo you should spend is no exception.
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Life and Death in Sulawesi’s Heavenly Kingdom
From baby graves, to elaborate funeral celebrations, to coffins than hang from steep cliff faces, Tana Toraja boasts some of the most bizarre, fascinating end-of-life rituals in the world.
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