Activities Kumano Kodo-The “Way of St. James” of Japan Alena Eckelmann The Way of St. James and the Hongu Taisha in Japan are both over 1,000 years old. The paths lead to a shrine in Wakayama Prefecture's..
Culture Yamabushi Walking on Dewa Sanzan Alena Eckelmann Shugendo (literally the “way of testing and training”) is a mountain religion unique to Japan. Its practitioners are referred ..
Accommodation Shukubo Temple Lodging at Mount Haguro Alena Eckelmann Stay at a temple overnight and try Shojin Ryori, a vegetarian cuisine eaten by Buddhist monks, at Dewa Sanzan in Yamagata Prefecture..
Activities Trekking on Mount Zao Alena Eckelmann Zao Mountain - Trekking across a volcanic landscape in summer and skiing in winter, plus winding down in hotspring waters.
Area Zao Onsen Zao Onsen (Zao hotspring) is one of the oldest hot springs in the northeastern part of the Tohoku region, in Yamagata Prefecture. It is claimed that this onsen was discovered some 1,900 years..
Culture Kumano Kodo’s Nakahechi Trail Alena Eckelmann Follow into the footsteps and discover the tales of pilgrims along the ancient Nakahechi pilgrimage trail in Kumano
Beauty & Spa Tsubo-yu Onsen Alena Eckelmann There are thousands of onsen in Japan but Tsubo-yu beats them all. Not only is it one of the oldest hot spring baths in the country..
Beauty & Spa The Healing Powers of Yunomine Onsen Alena Eckelmann Yunomine is a small hot spring village in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. Legend has it that water from a statue of Yakushi Nyorai was..