Kawasaki, everyone’s heard the name. Right up there with Honda and Yamaha. That’s right, Kawasaki is a popular brand of motorcycle. But did you know there is a town in Japan with the same name? In fact, Kawasaki is Japan’s eighth most populous city. Being so close to Tokyo and just south of Haneda Airport, there are many tourist attractions in Kawasaki that are worth checking out. So whether you have a long layover or looking for a quick get away, Kawasaki is a great place to visit!  Getting to Kawasaki from Haneda Airport I highly recommend downloading the Japan Travel App, you can read about it more in my…

On a previous trip to Nagoya, we were headed back to Central Japan International Airport. At the last stop before the airport at Tokoname, we noticed a giant Maneki Neko (Beckoning Cat) head off in the distance. Quickly, we marked the spot and knew we had to visit in the near future. We didn’t know this was part of the famous pottery footpath in Tokoname.  **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks…

Sometimes, the small and lesser known towns found throughout Japan are the most beautiful and surprising destinations. We got the chance to stop and do some sightseeing around Gujo while driving back to Nagoya from the city of Takayama. While touring Gifu Prefecture, Gujo might have been the most surprising destination. Gujo had everything a large city has packed into a small town. In Gujo you can hike to Gujo Castle, explore the cute alley ways, walk through historic districts, visit temples, and dine in the many restaurants that line the historic streets.  Gujo on a map and how to get here Gujo is located in Gifu Prefecture. If looking…

Like Takayama, Kanazawa is a city that is a little bit off the beaten path. Kanazawa is said to have the best preserved Edo-style districts in the country. If you love food, especially seafood, then Kanazawa is the right place for you. Besides exploring the Edo-style districts, Kanazawa is most famous for it’s beautiful white castle and Kenroku-en Garden which is considered one of the top 3 gardens in Japan. Visiting Kanazawa should be included on any itinerary when visiting Japan.  Kanazawa on a Map and How to Get Here Kanazawa is a large city located in Ishikawa Prefecture. With access to the Sea of Japan to the West, Kanazawa has…

Shirakawa-go and surrounding villages are one of Japan’s UNESCO sites. These sites span across the borders of Toyama and Gifu Prefectures in Central Japan 🇯🇵. These villages are unique as the Gassho-style houses are well preserved and have been untouched for hundreds of years. Gassho-style refers to the roof and that they resemble praying hands. The three villages that make up UNESCO’s Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama include Ogimachi in the region of Shirakawa-go Ainokura, and Suganuma in the region of Gokayama. The houses most noticeable features are the thatched roofs. These houses were built so uniquely to withstand heavy amounts of snowfall during the winter months in the…

Located near the Japanese Alps in Gifu Prefecture is the city of Takayama. Takayama is known for its preserved historical districts consisting of Edo-style streets. Takayama is also famous for its food, most notably the “Hida-gyu” or Hida beef. Outside of walking the historical Edo-style streets and eating Hida Beef, visitors can pay a visit to the Takayama Yatai Kaikan, browse the morning markets, or walk the Temple Trail. We spent two solid days exploring the city of Takayama. Outlined in this post is our Takayama Travel Guide.  Takayama on a Map and Getting Here Takayama is in the Japanese Prefecture of Gifu in central Japan. Takayama is considered the…