Accomodation – 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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Balcony view by the river at Sorayama Guesthouse

Where to Stay in Kochi, Shikoku: Sorayama Guesthouse

September 13, 2024

Sorayama Guesthouse: A Retreat in the Mountains of Kochi Overlooking the pristine waters of the Kamiyakawa River is a beautiful guesthouse that allows visitors to relax and soak up the charm of slow mountain life and the encompassing beauty of nature. During my recent trip to Shikoku, the smallest of Japan’s four major islands, I

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Craft Inn 手 [té]: An Immersive Art Experience in Yame, Fukuoka

June 4, 2023

Yame: a City of Crafts and Tradition A lot of people come to Japan for the glitzy lights and bustling craze typically found in the streets of Osaka and Tokyo. But far away on the island of Kyushu, a small city called Yame offers visitors a very different scene. In Yame’s Fukushima District, traditional white-washed

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Koyasan Syukubo Ekoin Temple Meditation Room

Buddhist Temple Retreat at Koyasan: Guide to an Overnight Stay

February 11, 2023

What is Koyasan? Nestled high in the mountains of Wakayama is a sacred monastery complex called Koyasan. This area is the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism and was founded in 816 AD by a monk named Kukai (posthumously known as Kobo Daishi). Koyasan is one of Japan’s most holy sites and is visited by pilgrims and

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