Complete first-timer’s guide to walking the Kumano Kodo, Japan’s UNESCO World Heritage pilgrimage routes through the sacred mountains of Wakayama. Covers the Nakahechi and Kohechi routes, three Grand Shrines, accommodation, transport, costs, packing, seasons and detailed itineraries. Written for English-speaking visitors planning their first Kumano walk.
Aizu-Wakamatsu in Fukushima Prefecture is one of Japan’s most historically compelling cities — home to the stunning red-roofed Tsurugajo Castle, the moving Byakkotai memorial on Mount Iimoriyama, and a celebrated sake-brewing tradition. This complete guide covers the city’s samurai history, the best attractions, where to eat Aizu cuisine like wappameshi and Kitakata ramen, sake breweries to visit, accommodation in Higashiyama Onsen, how to get there from Tokyo, and day trips to Ouchi-juku and Kitakata.
Kamikochi in Nagano Prefecture is Japan’s most breathtaking alpine valley — a car-free wilderness of crystal rivers, snow-capped peaks, and ancient forest. This complete guide covers how to get there, the best trails for all levels, top attractions including Kappabashi Bridge and Taisho Pond, where to stay from the Imperial Hotel to mountain huts, what to eat, and practical tips for every season. Whether you’re a day-tripper or a serious alpinist, Kamikochi is one of Japan’s unmissable natural wonders.
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.
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.
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.
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.
