Life In Japan

Posts about the wonders (and weirdness) about living in Japan!

4 Days in Yakushima! Full Itinerary and Travel Overview for Hikers and Nature Lovers

Yakushima Island is a beautiful, remote island off the southern tip of Kyushu. With its subtropical climate, maze of mountain trails, mossy forests, and historic cedar trees – some thousands of years old – it’s truly a hiker and nature lover’s paradise.  Fans of Ghibli Studio may also want to visit the island as one […]

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Tobata Gion Oyamagasa Festival

Even though the recent weeks have been scorching hot and what I look forward to most on weekends is relaxing in an air-conditioned room, I made it out of the house and into the summer heat to attend the 73rd Tobata Gion Oyamagasa Festival. Here’s a recap of my experience at the festival! This post

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How to Plan a Japan Campervan Trip

Hi Travelers! This article is all about planning a Japan road trip. I recently went on a 2-week journey around the Tohoku area of Japan. The fantastic fall colors, new car camping experience – it was an incredible time! Since a lot of planning and learning went into making the trip happen, I’ll share everything

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Tohoku Campervan Adventures – 2 Weeks Chasing Fall Colors – Road Trip Guide

For two weeks, I lived in a tiny car – one that had been retrofitted with lights, an external battery, and a flat sleeping space, turning it into an agile, incognito campervan.  Each day of my travels, I discovered new areas in Tohoku, off-the-grid places seemingly untouched by other travelers. Outside the window, breathtaking views

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Ainokura Gassho-zukuri Village: Japan’s Hidden Winter Wonderland

Ainokura Gassho-zukuri Village is a small, remote village located in the mountains of Toyama, Japan. I call it Shirakawago’s “little cousin” since, while it too features beautiful wooden houses with pitched thatched roofs, it is much smaller and less crowded.  Winter is a perfect time to visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site, since the pathways

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