Many people think of Matsumoto in Nagano prefecture as an overnight spot before heading to the Japan Alps or Utsukushigahara Heights. If not for my wife having a good friend who is a resident, the city probably would not have been on my list of places to visit. Before our trip I had not seen much ad..
Tokyo is a great city to enjoy, with its unfinishable array of sights, shops and restaurants, but sometimes it's nice to get away for a day or two to somewhere quieter, and enjoy a more tranquil pace. Very different in feel, slightly touristy but with interesting and varied sights, Karuizawa is ..
When we stay at Hotel Harvest Club Kyu-Karuizawa, we usually have breakfast at restaurant Avant. Although there are some options within 10 minutes walk, the hotel breakfast buffet is already included into the room rate so why not relax with a beautif..
Mikado is a famous coffee shop whose speciality is mocha soft serve ice cream. You can it eat it in a cone or in a cup, or in a coffee float (with iced coffee, of course). When served in a cup, mocha soft ice-cream is garnished with a dried Californi..
Oiishi (delicious) is definitely the perfect word to describe Japanese cuisine. Who does not want perfectly fried tempura, deliciously seasoned ramen, or freshly served sushi? Many people crave Japanese food for its extraordinarily good tas..
When most people think of Japan, they tend to imagine the futuristic bustle of Tokyo or the traditional gardens and temples of Kyoto, but the gateway to the Northern Japanese Alps reveals another side of the character of this beautiful and varied cou..
If you need a reason to visit Nagano prefecture, you must know that in this area you will find many points of interest to visit that will leave you speechless. From Zenko-ji Temple, to Jigokudani snow monkey park and Matsumoto Castle, Nagano attracts..
Koshinzuka is a traditional Japanese inn near Tsumago-juku, Nagano prefecture. Located on the Nakasendo, this charming little minshuku has served as a resting place for travelers in the idyllic Kiso Valley for many years. From the outside, the tiny ..
Tsumago is known today as one of the best-preserved post towns in Japan. The town and its residents do their best to recreate the ambience of the Edo Period. Cars are prohibited on the main street and the usual Japan phone lines and power cables..
Takashima Castle is located in the town Suwa, central Nagano Prefecture. At the end of the Edo period, Takashima Castle was the home to the Suwa Clan. The castle is also known as “The Floating Castle of Suwa” ..
When I plan a visit to Japan, I search for interesting places at several different sites off of the beaten track. Usually, other people take photos of castles, temples, or other famous buildings, but then I have no idea what is in the surrounding are..
