Exploring everything Japan has to offer
Japan is so much more than the “normal” circuit of Kyoto-Nara-Osaka-Tokyo.
Having been to all 47 prefectures (都道府県 Todōfuken), there is a LOT to see, and my main goal is to share with you as many destinations in Japan as possible.
Japan is fast becoming one of the “it” places to travel in the world. With the country being about the size of California, and one of the best transportation systems, you can cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time.
Featured here are travel guides to destinations in Japan at all corners of the land of the rising sun. Tourist locations both on and off the beaten path as well as festivals and other cultural intrigues.
Whether a day trip, long weekend or a few weeks. Let Kristen Abroad help guide you to some awesome times.
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Where will your next trip lead you?
There is an idiom in Japanese that has supposedly been around since Edo period:「富士山に一度も登らぬ馬鹿、二度登る馬鹿」which is normally translated as “A wise man climbs Mount Fuji once, a fool climbs it twice”. …
Japan is not known for liking spicy things. Sure, there are Thai and Indian restaurants all around but unless you’re amping it up at Coco’s, you’re not going to find …
The official name of Kappabashi is “かっぱ橋道具街” or “kappabashi dougu gai”. English? “Kappa bridge tool district”. Why’s everyone call it Tokyo’s Kitchen district then?! Well, those tools over the years …
Kakegawa Castle in Kakegawa, Shizuoka prefecture, was my first castle after completing the mission to see the original 12 castles in Japan. I was expecting a castle facade with museum …
Matsumoto Castle (松本城) in Nagano Prefecture was my first of the original Japanese castles to visit. An easy stopover for the snow monkeys or any ski trip up to the …
This is it! Inuyama castle (犬山城) was the last of the 12 original castles for me to visit. Located in Aichi Prefecture, it claims to be the oldest castle. Claims …
Maruoka Castle claims to the oldest of the 12 original castles still in existence in Japan. I say “claims” because their signage all says so but they are not the …
We have a new second place castle! Hikone Castle (彦根城) in Shiga Prefecture! The main keep was finished in 1607. Sitting atop Hikoneyama, 彦根山, Hikone Mountain….it’s really just a hill. …
Matsue castle is one of the 12 remaining original castles in Japan. Being the farthest west from Tokyo, it was the first on the list for the remaining 4 I …
Known as the city of water due to it’s being surrounded by two brackish water lakes, Matsue is the capital city of Shimane Prefecture. Possibly the most important for tea …