Tokyo, Japan’s capital city is known as the largest city by metropolitan area. Tokyo is also known for iconic landmarks and its impressive skyline. Dominating Tokyo’s skyline are two iconic structures, Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree. As these two towers compete for attention many visitors are torn between deciding whether to visit Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Skytree, or both. I recently visited the observation decks for both the Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree and had a completely different experience at each attraction. In this post, I’ll dive into my experience and thoughts of visiting each tower and compare and contrast Tokyo Tower vs Tokyo Skytree, so you can decide which attraction…

Taito City or Taitō is a district in northeastern Tokyo. Taito City is known for Ueno Park which is home to many world class museums, Tokyo’s largest Buddhist Temple, Senso-ji, and Ameyoko, a shopping street full of shops and restaurants. If you are traveling to Tokyo and looking for an authentic Japanese experience, this must visit district in Tokyo is full of historical landmarks, traditional shrines and temples, genuine Japanese food, with a  lively atmosphere and bustling nightlife. Looking for fun things to do in Taito City? I spent three full days exploring Taito City and this post is a list of my recommendations and must visit places. **This post…

Japan’s Beckoning Cat, also known as the Maneki-neko, is considered a cultural symbol in Japan. Believed to bring fortune and good luck to its owners, the Beckoning Cat has long been celebrated in Japan and can be found in shops and households throughout the country. With its raised paw gesture and cat like appearance, no wonder why the Maneki-neko is adored throughout Japan. In this post, we’ll explore what the Beckoning Cat even means in Japan, the origins of the Beckoning Cat, and must see Maneki-neko attractions.  **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com.…

Located in Japan’s Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture is the charming onsen town of Shuzenji Onsen. Shuzenji Onsen is rich in culture and history dating back to more then 1,200 years. Shuzenji Onsen is full of natural beauty with mountain rivers cutting through town, bamboo forests, and beautiful mountains surrounding the town on all sides. For a small onsen resort town, there is plenty to do and see here at Shuzenji Onsen. Walk the designated path that leads to all major attractions in town, explore the historical streets, sample local cuisine, and relax at an onsen at one of the famous ryokans. Visitors can also venture from town and sample…

Hakone, Japan is known for Owakundai, The Hakone Open-Air Museum, and Heiwa no Torii, a famous Torii Gate built on the shores of Lake Ashi. A short drive from the Mt. Fuji area and an easy trip from Tokyo, Hakone is a popular tourist destination where visitors come for its beautiful resorts, many attractions, and scenic areas. Hakone has been on my list of places to visit in Japan for a while now, mainly because of the Heiwa no Torii. I am glad I visited Hakone, but after leaving the area, I felt both satisfied and disappointed. So is Hakone worth visiting? **This post contains affiliate links. If you click…

The Chugoku region is the western most region on Japan’s Honshu island. Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi, make up the 5 prefectures of the Chugoku region. A few major cities like Hiroshima and Okayama call this region home. A major draw to this part of Japan is the vast wooded areas, mountains, and cozy small towns. I loved exploring everything this region of Japan has to offer, especially the off the beaten villages tucked away in the mountains or along the coastline. This post is about my favorite small towns in the Chugoku region of Japan. 🇯🇵  **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the…