Activities Makuyama Park's Plum Blossoms 2026 Feb 7th - Mar 8th Makuyama Park features a mountainside covered by thousands of plum trees (and a festival) that when in full bloom in February and..
10 Culture Kamakura's Joei-ji Temple Larry Knipfing Joei-ji is one of those small, beautiful backstreet temples that Kamakura is so famous for. Built in 1606, the temple was a training..
12 Culture Kamakura's Myohon-ji Temple Larry Knipfing One reason Myohon-ji Temple is so lovely is its isolation. Way up a slope, surrounded by forest. Which is amazing considering it..
9 Culture Yokohama's Beautiful Lotus Pond Larry Knipfing Visit the beautiful lotus ponds at Yokohama's Sankei-en Garden in mid-summer. Early mornings are best when all is serene and..
12 Culture Shutter Art at Senso-ji Temple Larry Knipfing If you come early, before any of the shops open along the long street that leads to the temple from Kaminarimon Gate, you’re i..
12 Activities Manazuru and its Lovely Cape Larry Knipfing Manazuru, between Odawara and Atami, sits on a small peninsula that juts out into Sagami Bay. It is a peaceful little village, mainly..
9 Culture A Rinno-ji Temple Cemetery in Nikko Larry Knipfing Just next to the Narabi Jizo Statues area, there are steps that lead up to a cemetery exclusively for the monks that have died while..
12 Culture Hakone's Wonderful Open-Air Museum Larry Knipfing If you've got half a day free and will be in the Hakone area, this open-air museum is a must-see. I recommend going early in..