Early taste of winter in Asahikawa region in Hokkaido

Last weekend was a long weekend in Japan (November 3rd being Culture Day) so we headed to the center of the northern most island of Japan, Hokkaido prefecture called 旭川 (Asahikawa). What is Culture Day? https://nativeexpat.home.blog/2019/11/02/japan-autumn-wrap-up-rugby-world-cup-ancient-dress-up-festival-and-yet-another-public-holiday/ Fun facts about Asahikawa - 2nd most populated area in Hokkaido- famous for the northern most zoo, Asahikawa zoo- … Continue reading Early taste of winter in Asahikawa region in Hokkaido →

Onsen beach town, Shirahama in Wakayama

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 →

1,350 year old onsen town, Yudanaka Onsen

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 →

Sleep above tankful of beer? Gourmet weekend away in Yamanashi

The birthplace of Japanese wine, Yamanashi Prefecture is the largest producer of Japanese wine, producing approximately one-third of the national Japanese wine production. Not surprisingly, Yamanashi produces the most amount of grapes (and peaches) in Japan and Yamanashi is famous for the bountiful produce. I read about an interesting gourmet travel experience in Yamanashi so … Continue reading Sleep above tankful of beer? Gourmet weekend away in Yamanashi →

Cherry blossom season in Kyoto, Nara and Shiga

Last weekend, we visited the Kinki region to view the cherry blossoms. To start, we caught the shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto and caught 2 Kintetsu railway trains to 吉野山 (Yoshino mountain). Note: For Kintetsu railway, additional charge applies to reserve seats. About Yoshino Mountain in Nara Yoshino Mountain's cherry trees have been protected for … Continue reading Cherry blossom season in Kyoto, Nara and Shiga →

Anniversary trip to Nagano and Gunma

We took last Friday off to celebrate our wedding anniversary💒 and decided to visit Nagano/Gunma prefectures for what we love: good food🍴, nature🌳 and onsen♨️. Start with good food at a rare cured ham maker in Japan On Friday, we visited 高山村 (Takayama Village) 45 minutes drive east from Nagano train station. A population of … Continue reading Anniversary trip to Nagano and Gunma →

Lakeside barbecue and first shot of vaccine

Last weekend, we revisited 'our lake side cabin' in Yamanashi prefecture that we visited in September 2020 (if you missed it, here's the link to the post from our first trip) hoping for a lake swim but more excitedly to barbecue🍖. There are many fun and exciting things about living in the middle of Tokyo but … Continue reading Lakeside barbecue and first shot of vaccine →

🍁Let’s go, koyo! Enjoying autumn leaves in Nikko🍁

My husband, our friend and I decided to visit one of top Japanese tourist destinations in autumn, 日光 (Nikko) in Tochigi prefecture to enjoy 紅葉 (Koyo or autumn leaves). Koyo is basically the autumn version of 花見 🌸 (hanami or cherry blossom viewing) in spring and is one of the seasonal nature activities that Japanese … Continue reading 🍁Let’s go, koyo! Enjoying autumn leaves in Nikko🍁 →

A quick weekend getaway from Tokyo to the city of cycle: Tsuchiura, Ibaraki

At the start of the year, my husband's brother who loves to travel discovered a new hotel from the Hoshino Resort chain was opening in mid March 2020 called BEB5 in Tsuchiura, Ibaraki prefecture. It's a casual cycling hotel located very close to the train station; so close it's actually inside it. They had an … Continue reading A quick weekend getaway from Tokyo to the city of cycle: Tsuchiura, Ibaraki →

A weekend of lounging by the lakes and appreciating art 🎨

We entered autumn since September 🍁 but the heat is very much present🥵. While the summer air remains, we headed out of Tokyo for some barbecuing, lake swimming and exploring art in the open. Friday: head to Yamanashi Saiko 🏕 We snuck out of work early and escaped Tokyo before 6pm as the storm started … Continue reading A weekend of lounging by the lakes and appreciating art 🎨 →