mtashi – Page 2 – Maris Around the World

Hikone Travel Guide – Shiga’s Castle City! A Great Kyoto Day Trip or Overnight Outing

March 4, 2025

Home to a castle designated as a National Treasure, Hikone is a city that has preserved much of Japan’s rich samurai and castle history from the Edo period. Located in Shiga prefecture which neighbors Kyoto, Hikone is a great place to visit for those looking to explore outside of crowded tourist spots and engage with […]

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Hiking Mt. Aso in Kumamoto – Mt. Nakadake Trail

February 1, 2025

I recently visited Mt. Aso in Kumamoto to see and hike around one of the largest calderas in the world! Formed about 70,000 years ago, this massive caldera spans 17 kilometers east to west and 25 kilometers north to south. Even though it is quite large, most visitors convene near the center where the active

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Hiking Mt. Karakuni: Winter Adventures in Southern Kyushu

December 26, 2024

Mt. Karakuni (韓国岳) is part of the Kirishima-Kinkowan National Park land and is located on the border of Miyazaki and Kagoshima Prefectures. In the winter, the naked branches of trees along the route are covered with thick ice and resemble pieces of ocean coral (albeit white). From the Ebinokogen Daiichi Parking Lot, it took about

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Girl walking in forest of maples leaves at Niiyama Shrine.

Kunenan and Niiyama Shrine: Fall Colors in Saga

November 24, 2024

Earlier this week, I visited Kunenan Garden (九年庵) and Niiyama Shrine (仁比山神社) in Kanzaki, Saga to check out the fall colors. While this year’s color change has been super delayed, I could still enjoy a nice time taking in the atmosphere of beautiful trees and Japanese architecture. Are you exploring Saga in the Fall? You

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THE RAIL KITCHEN CHIKUGO: Gourment Sightseeing Train in Fukuoka

October 22, 2024

Hop aboard The Rail Kitchen Chikugo, Fukuoka’s specialty sightseeing and gourmet food train! Operated by the Nishitetsu Rail Company, this luxury experience was created to bring people together through the food, scenery, and crafts of the Chikugo Region. For a unique way to enjoy the charms of a Japanese train while filling your stomach with

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Arita Ceramics Fair: Exploring Kyushu’s Porcelain Town

October 9, 2024

Welcome to Arita, Saga, a small town in Kyushu known as the birthplace of Japanese porcelain. Twice a year, the quiet streets bloom to life with visitors and activity during the Arita Ceramics Fair. Throughout this special event, the area is filled with hundreds of shops and pottery of all types – much of it

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How Much Does Japanese Language School Cost?

September 29, 2024

When I first came to Japan I studied at a Japanese language school for a year and a half. I made a video about what that experience was like which you can see here. One of the most asked topics for that video was about money. I received a lot of questions such as: “What

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Walking across the Iya Valley Vine Bridge

Iya Valley Vine Bridge: Sway Across a Traditional Bridge

September 20, 2024

In a remote village in the mountains of Shikoku is an impressive suspension bridge that attracts visitors with its delicacy and natural allure. This is Iya Kazura-Bashi, a vine bridge that spans 14 meters across the clear waters of the Iya River, an almost hidden walkway in a forest of trees. This post contains affiliate

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Koboke and Oboke Gorge: Remarkable Views From High and Low

September 18, 2024

Drive into the mountains of Tokushima Prefecture to view the grand gorges and bright green waters of the Yoshino River. Take in the sights from above at the Koboke Observation Deck or down below while riding in the Pleasure Sightseeing Boat. Located in the western part of Tokushima Prefecture, this area is known for nature

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