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!
Continue ReadingDestination Guides
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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Around the World in 80 Days – For Real!
What if, rather than using the six months (or more) most people devote to a round-the-world trip, I planned out a trip for a relatively short time? Say, 80 days, like the classic Jules Verne novel?
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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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