Culture A National Treasure: Matsumoto Castle Varsha Vaswati Also known as the 'Crow Castle' for its black stony exteriors, Matsumoto castle is iconic in being one of the only 4 castles..
Culture Gujo Odori Festival Yuka Takada Reminiscing about growing up alongside the Gujo Odori – Japan's largest dance festival lasting thirty-two nights, three of..
Culture Rokkakudo in Matsuyama Anonymous The Rokkakudo is one of Matsuyama’s oddest shrines. This shrine belongs to Inari, the fox god, and there are statues of foxes ..
Culture Kuma Museum of Art Anonymous Kuma Museum of Art sits on the shoulder of a wooded mountain in the area known as Kuma Highland. It has a fine collection of oils,..
Activities Yakusugi Land, Yakushima Peter Sidell Yakusugi Land is a 'Natural Recreation Forest' on Yakushima, an island south of Kagoshima on Japan's Kyushu, where..
Culture Garyu Sanso Anonymous Garyu Sanso is a ‘mountain hermitage’ was created by the wealthy trader, Torajiro Kochi in the Meiji Period when Ozu was a thr..
Accommodation Yon Maru Cafe and Kominka Inn Percival Constantine A nice, old-fashioned Japanese inn that gives you a great taste of rural life, attached to a modern coffee shop.
Food I Love Nature Cafe in Minakami Rufus Starbuck Friendly, funky cafe right by Minakami Station that serves a huge burger feast