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Visit Matsumoto Castle, A National Treasure
Matsumoto Castle, originally known as Fukashi Castle is one of Japan’s greatest castles and is listed as a National Treasure. The distinct black and white colors of the castle along with the red bridge, large moat, and stunning backdrop of the Japanese Alps, makes Matsumoto one of the most beautiful castles in Japan. A visit to Matsumoto Castle is a…
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What’s the Deal with Japan’s Tanuki Statues?
If you’ve traveled anywhere around mainland Japan, you have probably noticed these statues that resemble a raccoon with huge balls. Besides the very noticeable balls, the tanuki statue appears to have a round belly with a straw hat on and sometimes they will have a sake bottle, and promissory note, among other items. So what’s the deal with Japan’s Tanuki…
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Japan’s Vending Machines
Any other destination, a vending machine is just that, a vending machine. If you travel to a place like North America, a vending machine is just a large bulky box that sells a few name brand items. You’ll see the same drinks and snacks in every other vending machine no matter where you are. But Japan’s Vending Machines are a…
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Beer Guide to Japan
I moved to Japan from the United States. The United States was never really known for their beers until recently. Still, many people not from there associate the US with bad and cheap beer like Budweiser. Over time beer started to evolve and microbreweries popped up everywhere. Now, in the US, you can find great beer in almost any town. …
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Tunnel Rats, Exploring Okinawa’s WWII Caves
This is post 11 of 18 in the series “Discover Okinawa” Discover Okinawa is a series of posts that has everything to do with all things Okinawa. Join us on our journey as we bike around islands, explore Okinawa’s wildlife, eat amazing food, and everything in between! Visiting Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium: From Coral Reefs to Whale Sharks Okinawa Battle Sites…
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Japan’s Budget Airlines
We all want to save money while traveling 💴, especially when it comes to booking flights. Without getting into flight miles and other savvy ways to save on travel, looking into budget airlines is always a great place to start! Usually, you have to sacrifice something when it comes to budget airlines, whether it be less leg room or no…
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Exploring Ie Shima, Okinawa
This is post 10 of 18 in the series “Discover Okinawa” Discover Okinawa is a series of posts that has everything to do with all things Okinawa. Join us on our journey as we bike around islands, explore Okinawa’s wildlife, eat amazing food, and everything in between! Visiting Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium: From Coral Reefs to Whale Sharks Okinawa Battle Sites…
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Indiana Jones Trail, Okinawa
This is post 9 of 18 in the series “Discover Okinawa” Discover Okinawa is a series of posts that has everything to do with all things Okinawa. Join us on our journey as we bike around islands, explore Okinawa’s wildlife, eat amazing food, and everything in between! Visiting Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium: From Coral Reefs to Whale Sharks Okinawa Battle Sites…
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Bakeries in Japan
When picturing a bakery, most people would probably think of a bakery in France. Fresh croissants, perfectly baked baguettes, and beautifully baked flaky pastries with fruit on top sprinkled with powdered sugar. Unless you’ve been to Japan and love pastries (like us), you probably would never have guessed that there are amazing Bakeries in Japan. Growing up in Europe, I…
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Japan Travel Recommendations
After living in Japan going on three years now, I have traveled to more then half of the 47 prefectures here. I’ve spent many hours riding trains, sleeping in hotels, ordering food at restaurants, and simply just living like a local. I do most my grocery shopping at local grocery stores and markets, live in a Japanese apartment, and have…
