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6718 Yahiko Shrine Night 弥彦神社

Rural Japan: Yahiko Village in 40 Photos

August 20, 2016February 14, 2019 Categories: Rural JapanTags: countryside japan · japan travel · japanese village · niigata · photo essay · Rural Japan · yahiko19 Comments

A photo essay of Yahiko in Niigata Prefecture, rural Japan. Includes Shinto shrines, Japanese sweets, temples, forests, and sunsets.

Shikoku Pilgrimage Henro Ishiteji Matsuyama

Shikoku Pilgrimage: A Henro’s Photo Essay

July 16, 2016March 3, 2019 Categories: Shikoku Pilgrimage / OhenroTags: hiking shikoku · japan budget travel · japan pilgrimage walk · photo essay · Shikoku pilgrimage · solo female travel11 Comments

A photo essay of a 1000+ kilometre pilgrimage through Shikoku, Japan, to the 88 Buddhist temples. Personal backpacking perspectives.

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Whether it’s taking a day out of the cities and visiting the Japanese countryside, planning some natural sightseeing when staying in mountain towns, or making a whole trip out of the trekking rural Japan, there’s something for everyone. Hiking in Japan is quite accessible thanks to public transit, sightseeing buses, and rides to mountain tops.⠀ ⠀ This first photo is us watching sunset over Mount Fuji. This mountain is a day hike for people in Tokyo!⠀ ⠀ I compiled a list of cultural tips. Head over to my blog and look for the post: "Hiking Japan — An Overview" https://buff.ly/2DuOg2o⠀ ⠀ #hiking #explorecreate #mountfuji #japantravel #japantrip #sunset #mountains #greatoutdoors #blue

Rural Japan is nothing like Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, or any other city in Japan. The countryside of any place always has customs distinct from any urban centre. The sense of time, frequency of trains and buses, and the tell-tale signs of restaurants amid venerable tiled roof homes are a few of the frequent things to familiarise yourself before heading over. ⠀ ⠀ I'm not suggesting you shouldn't have an adventure. If you have time, by all means! But if you want to avoid a bit of stress about catching trains or awkward moments with the ryokan owner, click on the link in my profile and search for my post "16 tips for travelling rural Japan". ⠀ #japanlife #ruraljapan #japantravel #discoverjapan #visitjapan #explorejapan #japanrevealed #japantrip #japaneseculture #jinja

Despite being a provincial city compared to the urban sprawls out of Osaka and Tokyo, Takamatsu has lively downtown core with covered shopping streets (shotengai), a garden with national recognition, its fair share of decisive battles and contributions to Japan’s history and culture. All 3 times I went to Shikoku over the course of 3 years, I visited Takamatsu and I will go again in a heartbeat because of the udon.⠀ ⠀ Sanuki udon refers to the noodles from Sanuki region, which is the old name for Kagawa Prefecture. Most of Japan’s regional foods retain the historical names from before the Meiji Restoration where sweeping administrative changes were made. Sanuki udon differentiates itself from Osaka’s udon by being much chewier and just as often served without soup. It is hands down, in my opinion, the superior form. ⠀ ⠀ Takamatsu has so many options that the train station distributes a 24-hour udon map for you to dine at an hour. The competition is fierce and you will need to cough up a mere ¥300-500 (US$3-5) for a humble bowl of delicious noodles. Click on the link to my blog in my profile and search for the blog post: "Takamatsu Sanuki Udon Walk."⠀ ⠀ It comes with a map!⠀ ⠀ https://buff.ly/2Dv5pJ3 ⠀ ⠀ #japanesefood #noodles #discoverjapan #japantravel #takamatsu #kagawa #udon #うどん #高松 #讃岐うどん

Over two years ago, as my coffee posts in Japan took off and friends started asking me for coffee recommendations, I stopped posting on IG to focus on making maps for them. I'm making up now with one of my favourite Japan remote work trips to Naha, Okinawa.⠀ ⠀ Okinawa always seemed to me like the Hawaii of Japan, so I didn't even visit my sister when she was there. But I was charmed the moment I landed and it is a place I would move to in a heartbeat, not least because of the cafes and restaurants. ⠀ Pictured: T&M Coffee, 35 Coffee Stand at Shuri Station, and Mahou Coffee Many of the independent coffee roasters and coffee shops in central Naha can be accessed by Yu-Rail or are within walking distance. A few notes about Naha coffee culture that I observed: Many places in Nahado not open before 11. Cafes serving Western food or in the business district are more likely to open in the morning. Odd closure dates (every cafe is different). Some places have no-computer requests. Okinawa has more American/Western-inspired food (such as brunches) than most other places in Japan, including Tokyo. Naha has great vegetarian / vegan local dishes. Most places are coffee stands or dining-style cafes rather than Third-Wave cafes. Most places are better for pour-over than espressos (IMHO). EAT OKINAWA SOBA (OK, not coffee, but between your coffees!)⠀ ⠀ Read the rest on my blog (in my IG profile). The post is titled: "Naha (Okinawa) Coffee Walk"⠀ ⠀ https://buff.ly/2SCUIOt⠀ #specialtycoffee #remotework #worklifebalance #culturetrip #coffeeculture #coffeegeek #japancoffee #coffeeshop #coffeeography #coffeeshopsoftheworld #baristadaily #japantravel #japantrips #discoverjapan #okinawa

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