Get Your Motor Runnin’: The Hiroshima Toyopet Mobility Park
Jan 27, 2022 By William Farrow
As a leader in exporting cars and vehicles worldwide, Japan is obsessed with cars of all shapes and sizes down to the humble go-kart. Whether you are a small child or an Italian plumber with a glorious mustache, go-karts are a fun way to spend the day. Well, the Hiroshima...[ Click to read more ]
Climbing the Walls – Bouldering in Tokyo
Jan 24, 2022 By Michael Stigall
I doubt that there is a single kid in the western world and a few from other places in the world who doesn’t want to crawl the walls like a certain well-known web-slinging superhero. While most of those climbing feats aren’t possible, it is still possible to do some serious...[ Click to read more ]
Snow is Here, Get Your Gear: Ski and Snowboard Shops in Nagoya
Nov 30, 2021 By Bert Wishart
As an avid cyclist who rides daily for their commute, I tend to fear the winter months. Nothing does for the motivation like the icy wind biting at your fingers, nose, and toes. But there is one bright side because, as I ride deeper and deeper into Gifu each morning...[ Click to read more ]
Falling for Shukkeien Garden: Autumn in Hiroshima City
By Michael Stigall
If you haven’t been to Shukkeien Garden in central Hiroshima City, now is your best chance. Although beautiful in any season, the night autumn foliage illumination running from November 19th to the 28th is the perfect opportunity to explore the garden. The original garden was built in 1620 by Ueda...[ Click to read more ]
Rabbit Island: A Hop, Skip and a Jump from Hiroshima
Oct 28, 2021 By Michael Stigall
You probably are unfamiliar with the name Okunoshima, but if someone mentions its nickname, you’re almost certain to know where they’re talking about. After all, who hasn’t heard of Rabbit Island? Rabbit Island, so named for the hordes of rabbits that run wild, is the main attraction for this increasingly...[ Click to read more ]
Let’s Tour: Kamakura
Oct 19, 2021 By Jason Gatewood
Despite being one of the most densely populated parts of the world, containing the capital city and Japan's most significant urban area, Greater Tokyo is historically newer than many places in the country. It wasn't until the 1600s during the Edo Period that the area, then called Edo, became important;...[ Click to read more ]
Koyo, or Fall Colors in Hiroshima
Oct 15, 2021 By Bert Wishart
The Japanese are proud of the four distinct seasons that Japan offers and is very conscious of changing the seasons around them. They often celebrate little, or not so little, milestones between each to mark the occasion. Long sleeve or short sleeve shirts, for example, are there one day but...[ Click to read more ]
“Take a hike!” in Hiroshima
Sep 29, 2021 By Michael Stigall
If you arrive in or depart Hiroshima Station from the East on one of the local trains or Shinkansen, you can see a large silver pagoda on the top of the mountain overlooking the station. Since there are so many other things to do in Hiroshima, many people never bother...[ Click to read more ]
Hiking to Koyasan in Wakayama Prefecture
Sep 28, 2021 By Justin Hanus
Wakayama prefecture is home to Koyasan — one of the most popular places for pilgrimages for more than a thousand years. There are actually a few trails to Koyasan, but the original is the Koyasan Choishi Michi trail. The name comes from the fact that it has choishi along the...[ Click to read more ]
Fall for Nagoya; What to do in Autumn near Nagoya
By Bert Wishart
Can you feel that? That feeling that a weight has lifted from your shoulders? That's right, the oppressive Japanese summer has gone, and autumn is finally with us. The fall is widely said to be Japan's favorite season, as not only is it that brief respite between the crushing heat...[ Click to read more ]