Kurashiki is a city facing the Inland Sea in western Japan and it’s between Okayama and Hiroshima. It’s famous for its beauty of 300-year-old white warehouses lined along a canal. The walls are plastered with white clay. Green willow trees are planted along with the canal which runs through the sightseeing spots. It’s relaxing to walk along the...Read More
Food Specialties in Northern Japan We are going to list a few of our favorite food specialties in northern Japan. This is by no means a complete list. Because there are so many, there is no way to list all of the food specialties in northern Japan. We are going to break down the list...Read More
You may be familiar with Hachiko as his story was made into a Hollywood movie in 2009 called ‘Hachi: A Dog’s Tale’ which starred Richard Gere. Hachi was a stray dog. A professor of Tokyo University found this abandoned dog and took him home. Over a period of time, he formed an unbreakable bond with Hachi....Read More
Arima Onsen Arima Onsen is one of the most well known and popular onsen in Japan. It is one of Japan’s oldest onsen. In the ancient era, the mythology is said that ancient gods found Arima Onsen. According to mythology, three injured crows bathed in the spring water in Arima, and were completely cured. Japan’s...Read More
Kinosaki Onsen Kinosaki Onsen is located in northern Hyogo Prefecture on the coast of the Sea of Japan. This pleasant town, built along a willow-lined canal, is one of the top onsen destinations of the Kansai Region and is popular with people from all over Japan. Overall Onsen Rating Atmosphere Hot springs were...Read More
Written by: Ota-san, Samurai Tours Japan Staff Takayama is the largest city in Japan in terms of size, bigger than Tokyo, but this city is surrounded by mountains and its population is only 90,000. This area was once abundant in timber and produced minerals such as iron, gold, and lead so the Tokugawa military government...Read More
Nikko is situated at the entrance to the Nikko National Park. This small town is a couple hours north of Tokyo and known for natural beauty. Once you arrive in Nikko you can have access to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, exquisite shrines, temples, and outdoor attractions. As you enter Nikko to visit the...Read More
Written by: Ota-san, Samurai Tours Japan staff The first thing you will see from the plane to Japan is Mt. Fuji. It rises above the clouds. It’s Japan’s highest mountain with a height of 3776 meters. Because of its graceful corn-shape, Mt. Fuji has been worshiped as a sacred mountain since ancient times. ‘Fuji’...Read More
Atami Onsen Overall Onsen Rating Atmosphere Atami Onsen (the literal translation of Atami is “warm ocean”) is located on the Pacific Ocean at the north-eastern edge of the Izu Peninsula about 100 km (70 miles) southwest of Tokyo. There is a Shinkansen station for the Tokaido Shinkansen that runs between Tokyo and western Japan...Read More
Miso Ramen – A Taste of Sapporo Miso Ramen is Sapporo’s most popular soul food. Other food specialties of Sapporo include soup curry, Genghis Kkan (grilled lamb) and crab. During the cold winter months, nothing is better than a hot bowl of miso ramen. And during the world-famous winter festival held every year in early...Read More
