To celebrate our 7th wedding anniversary, we finally visited the last prefecture we haven't set foot on, 岩手 Iwate prefecture in Tohoku located in the northern part of Japan's main island. We caught the shinkansen from Tokyo to Shinhanamaki station in Iwate to start our weekend. First stop: Bite into Iwate We started our trip … Continue reading A weekend away in Iwate
The warm Japanese winter have suddenly changed to frigid temperature which means one thing - JAPOW ski season! ⛷️ Last weekend, we headed to Hakuba for skiing. Compared to our visit during the pandemic in 2020 or in 2021, we saw a tremendous increase and in people and not just people - lots of Aussies … Continue reading Foreign invasion – change in Niseko, Japan
Months ago, my husband booked the season's first ski weekend in one of our favourite onsen town, Nozawa Onsen. As the international tourists are now back like pre-pandemic era and Japanese are 'revenge' traveling to catch up on the missed travels during the pandemic, everywhere is booked well in advance. As I unpacked my ski … Continue reading Ski weekend turned onsen weekend in Nozawa Onsen
This is the continuation of 4 day road trip in Shikoku (read the part 1 in Kochi). After enjoying the nature walk in Nakatsu Gorge in Kochi on the first day, we drove east towards Tokushima prefecture. Our destination was hidden in the valley of Tokushima prefecture; one of the 3 most hidden areas; Iya … Continue reading Part 2 Shikoku Road Trip – Tokushima and Kagawa
November 23rd is 文化の日 (Culture Day) which is a public holiday in Japan and we had 4 days off.As my husband's birthday was during those 4 days, we traveled to Shikoku region for a road trip. We started the trip in Kochi prefecture where we briefly visited in July 2021 where we swam in the … Continue reading Part 1 Shikoku Road trip – Kochi
Last weekend, we visited a yet another onsen town in Nagano, Japan called 湯田中温泉 (Yudanaka onsen) through autumnal mountainside in Nagano region. About Yudanaka Onsen Yudanaka onsen source was discovered 1,350 years ago and in a walkable region, there are 5 different onsen towns:1. 湯田中 (Yudanaka)2. 新湯田中温泉（Shinyudanaka）3. 星川(Hoshikawa)4. 穂波(Honami)5. 安代 (Andai) Each region have plenty … Continue reading 1,350 year old onsen town, Yudanaka Onsen
Last weekend, my husband and I visited one of the popular onsen (hotspring) destinations from Tokyo called 箱根 (Hakone) in Kanagawa prefecture because we were invited to stay at a company holiday home of one of my husband's friend. About company holiday home I have never heard of a company holiday home, officially called 保養所（Hoyosho, … Continue reading Nature weekend in Autumnal Hakone
It's been over 6 months since I moved to 広尾 (Hiroo) located in Minato ward in Tokyo. Hiroo, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan It's around 20 minutes walk from my previous place in Azabujyuban so Hiroo isn't a new location for me. Although saying that, visiting and living in this relatively small pocket of Tokyo with population … Continue reading Tokyo suburb highlight: Hiroo
Last weekend was a long weekend that started on Friday. Usually, we would be traveling around but since the pandemic has ended, Japanese and overseas travelers are revenge traveling with vengeance! During the pandemic, we were totally spoilt driving through relatively empty roads, booking great accommodations last minute, enjoying nearly empty world-famous Japanese travel destinations. … Continue reading Weekend away at Shima Onsen, Gunma
Last weekend, we visited Fuchu located in the western Tokyo for すもも祭り(sumomo matsuri or plum festival) held at a shrine with over 1,900 years of history called 大國魂神社 (Okunitama Shrine). Origin of the Plum Festival Back in Heian Period (between 794 and 1185), military commanders of Imperial Court, Minamoto no Yoriyoshi and his son Yoshiie … Continue reading Plum Festival in Fuchu
Native Expat 