Author name: Japan Real Guide

Jack is the writer and editor behind Japan Real Guide. He has been travelling to Japan since 2012 and has made more than 15 trips across all 47 prefectures — from the drift-ice coasts of Hokkaido to the coral reefs of Okinawa. His articles cover practical travel planning, hidden destinations, food culture, transport, and everything in between. Japan Real Guide exists because most travel content about Japan is either too vague to be useful or too polished to be honest. Jack writes the guide he wishes he'd had.

Chugoku & Shikoku, Culture & Customs, Ehime (Matsuyama)

Dogo Onsen Guide: Japan’s Oldest Hot Spring and Matsuyama’s Crown Jewel in Ehime

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Dogo Onsen in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture is Japan’s oldest continuously operating hot spring resort — with over 3,000 years of history and the iconic Honkan main building (1894) that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away. This comprehensive guide covers the different bathing options and their prices, the history behind this extraordinary place, how to get there from Hiroshima and other cities, what to eat in Matsuyama, the best ryokan for an overnight stay, nearby attractions including Matsuyama Castle and Ishite-ji Temple, and all the practical tips first-time visitors need for an unforgettable onsen experience in Shikoku.

Chubu, Gifu, Hidden Gems

Shirakawa-go Guide: Japan’s Most Beautiful UNESCO Village of Thatched Farmhouses

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Shirakawa-go is one of Japan’s most extraordinary destinations — a UNESCO World Heritage village of centuries-old gassho-zukuri thatched farmhouses nestled in the mountains of Gifu Prefecture. This comprehensive guide covers how to get there, the best time to visit (including the famous winter light-up events), top attractions in Ogimachi village, the hidden Gokayama sister villages, where to stay in traditional farmhouse guesthouses, what to eat, and practical tips for first-time visitors making the most of this unforgettable destination.

Culture & Customs, Kumamoto, Kyushu & Okinawa

Kurokawa Onsen Guide: Japan’s Most Charming Riverside Hot Spring Village in Kumamoto

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Kurokawa Onsen in Kumamoto Prefecture is widely regarded as Japan’s most beautifully preserved hot spring village — 30 traditional ryokan lining a forested mountain valley, their lanterns reflected in the Tanoharu River, with steaming outdoor baths carved into rocky riverbanks and cedar forests. This complete guide covers how to get there, the famous nyuto tegata bath-hopping pass, where to stay, what to expect from kaiseki dining, the best seasons to visit, and everything first-time visitors need to know about this extraordinary Kyushu onsen destination.

Aomori, Hidden Gems, Hokkaido & Tohoku

Oirase Gorge Complete Guide: Aomori’s Stunning Autumn Forest Stream Walk

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Oirase Gorge in Aomori Prefecture is one of Japan’s most spectacular natural landscapes — a 14-kilometer forested ravine carved by the crystal-clear Oirase River flowing from Lake Towada. Famous for its 14+ named waterfalls, ancient beech forests, and world-class autumn foliage, Oirase is Tohoku’s most beautiful secret. This complete guide covers how to get there, what to see, where to stay, the best walking routes, seasonal highlights, food, photography tips, and practical advice for first-time visitors to this stunning corner of northern Japan.

Steam rising from Japanese hot springs at Kusatsu Onsen
Culture & Customs, Gunma, Kanto

Kusatsu Onsen Guide: Japan’s #1 Hot Spring Town in Gunma Prefecture

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The ultimate guide to Kusatsu Onsen, Japan’s #1-ranked hot spring town for over 20 consecutive years. Located in Gunma Prefecture’s alpine highlands, Kusatsu features the iconic Yubatake plaza, scalding sulphur baths, and the unique Yumomi water-cooling ceremony. This complete guide covers how to reach Kusatsu from Tokyo, where to stay, the three-bath strategy, what to eat, when to visit, and how to combine Kusatsu with Karuizawa, Nikko, or a wider Japan itinerary.

Culture & Customs, Hidden Gems, Hokkaido & Tohoku

Kakunodate Travel Guide: Japan’s Best-Preserved Samurai District in Akita, Tohoku

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Kakunodate is one of Japan’s most perfectly preserved samurai towns, tucked into the mountains of Akita Prefecture in the Tohoku region. This complete guide covers how to get there by Shinkansen from Tokyo, the six original Edo-period samurai residences of the bukeyashiki district, the famous spring cherry blossom season, the unique kabazaiku cherry bark craft tradition, Akita regional cuisine including kiritampo and Inaniwa udon, day trips to Lake Tazawa and Nyuto Onsen, where to stay, and practical tips for every season. An unforgettable destination for first-time visitors to Japan seeking authentic history and culture.

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Japan Real Guide

Your comprehensive English guide to traveling Japan, written by Japan travel specialists with years of on-the-ground experience exploring every corner of the country.

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