Area Matsushima The name Matsushima conjures ancient images – clusters of rugged, pine-clad islets in a snowy winter mist or framed in a glittering bay and magnificent summer sunset. Though the islands are..
Culture Hirosaki: Fujita Memorial Garden Andrew Checkley Whether you favour the Eastern or Western way of tea, these charming gardens make for a pleasant rest from Hirosaki's main tourist..
Culture Hiraizumi: Chuson-ji Andrew Checkley On a wooded hill in Iwate, you can find the unfaded remnants of an ancient golden age.
Accommodation Osorezan Andrew Checkley The Shimokita Peninsula's Osorezan is an ancient holy site, an unusual landscape and a remarkable experience.
Beauty & Spa Naruko Gorge Andrew Checkley This small town and popular onsen resort bustles with seasonal tourists chasing the changing Autumn leaves.
Culture The History of Hirosaki Castle Andrew Checkley As a castle town, Hirosaki was built around this defensive structure and status symbol - today a tower sat in an extensive compound..
Culture Hirosaki: Sakura Season Andrew Checkley Tall somei-yoshino trees form tunnels of pink flowers above your head and fill the moats at your feet with petals, while breezes..
Beauty & Spa Scenic Kawaguchiko Andrew Checkley Of the five lakes cooling Mt. Fuji’s toes, Kawaguchiko is the most popular and most developed.