Nestled in the lush mountains of Ishikawa Prefecture, Yamanaka Onsen is one of Japan’s most historical and scenic hot spring retreats. The onsen town has been quietly healing Japanese since the Nara period （710-704) but the extended shinkansen that open a year ago in 2024 is making it more accessible to visit 山中温泉 (Yamanaka Onsen). … Continue reading Yamanaka Onsen: A 1,300‑Year‑Old Mountain Hot Spring Town
Last weekend, we had family over from overseas. With a dog, a baby and a group of adults, we were searching for a handy getaway with things to do that'll interest many parties. We found an Airbnb with an ocean view, onsen and garden that's accessible from Tokyo in 伊東 （Ito) in Shizuoka prefecture. About … Continue reading Weekend away in Ito
Last weekend, we headed to a remote onsen area called 万座温泉 (Manza Onsen) in Gunma prefecture. Where is Manza Onsen? Manza Onsen is located in Gunma prefecture and is around 4 1/2hours drive from Tokyo. There is also a 4 1/2 hour bus ride from Shinjuku station or a Shinkansen to Karuizawa then a bus … Continue reading Manza Onsen: highest onsen in Japan
The thing I miss the most about living away from Australia and living in Japan (besides family and friends) is beaches. The abundant, clean, peaceful and beautiful Australian beaches like this Tamarama Beach in Sydney, Australia. In contrast, what's missing in the Australian life and one of the things I love about Japanese life is … Continue reading Onsen beach town, Shirahama in Wakayama
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
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
Back in October 2021, my husband and I visited Kinosaki Onsen (more about our road trip in the previous blog 👇🏻). https://nativeexpat.home.blog/2021/10/02/silver-week-2021-part-3-shimane-tottori-hyogo/ It was a small onsen town that offers 7 rotenburo (outdoor onsen) for free when you stay a night in the town or 1,500 yen for a day-visit to all 7 onsen. Many … Continue reading 4 reasons why a small onsen town Kinosaki Onsen is increasingly popular amongst foreign tourists
Last week, Tuesday March 21 was a public holiday (Spring Equinox) in Japan. I took Monday 20th off to enjoy a 4 day long weekend but my husband couldn't take time off so I searched for an easy access workation accommodation with onsen to relax. I found いこうの村ヘリテイジ（Ikoinomura Heritage) accommodation located 30 minutes away from … Continue reading Revisiting Chichibu, Saitama
2022's last post from Native Expat is about the ski trip to Niseko and an onsen trip to Lake Shikotsu in Hokkaido.
Native Expat 