Big Three plum blossoms in eastern Tokyo
In eastern Tokyo (the area near Tokyo Skytree), there is a trio of major plum blossom spots: Kameido Tenjin Shrine (亀戸天神社), Omurai Katori Shrine Kobaien Plum Garden (小村井香取神社 香梅園), and…
Japanese family names illustrated
by Philbert Ono, updated: Dec. 19, 2023 Most of us don’t usually think about it, but many Japanese family names contain beautiful imagery reflecting Japan’s natural beauty, rural scenery, agrarian…
Takao Baigo plum blossoms
Takao Baigo (高尾梅郷) is a rural area with several plum blossom groves near the famous Mt. Takao in Hachioji, Tokyo. The plum blossoms bloom in March, so if you were…
Gujo-Hachiman in autumn
Gujo-Hachiman (郡上八幡) in Gujo, Gifu Prefecture is a very nice, tourist-friendly provincial city with lots to see in a compact area. The city is north of Gifu city, but not…
Jigokudani Wild Monkey Park, Nagano
Among wildlife photographers outside Japan, the two most sought-after wildlife subjects in Japan are the tancho red-crowned cranes (in Hokkaido) and the so-called “snow monkeys” in Nagano. Those of us…
Remote Rebun and Rishiri, Hokkaido
Way up near the northern tip of Hokkaido is a pair of small islands called Rebun and Rishiri. It’s one of the most remote places I’ve ever been to in…
Red Mt. Fuji, Shizuoka
Mt. Fuji is basically synonymous with Shizuoka Prefecture and vice versa, although it also belongs to Yamanashi Prefecture. Since the “front” side of Fuji is in Shizuoka (as seen from…
Nyuto Onsen, Akita
Nyuto Onsen is a remote, hot spring enclave in the mountains along a river. There’s a variety of hot spring baths, both indoors and outdoors. Very rustic and charming in…
Touring Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa
Noto Peninsula (Noto Hanto) is a large, scenic peninsula jutting into the Sea of Japan like a dorsal fin. Lots of tourist sights, but the train line goes only halfway…
Mt. Sakurajima, Kagoshima
Japan being such a mountainous country, there are bound to be prefectures with a famous mountain as its main symbol. Mt. Fuji for Shizuoka, Mt. Aso for Kumamoto, and for…