This seaport city is known for many things including its wonderful views of Mount Fuji when skies are clear. It was one of our last days of our remarkable journey and the weather gods smiled on us. We had stunningly clear views of this magnificent mountain.… Read More Shimizu, Japan
Osaka is Japan’s third largest city and, our guide told us, it has a much more relaxed and less conservative vibe than nearby Kyoto.… Read More Osaka and Kobe, Japan
Naha is the largest city of Okinawa, a prefecture of Japan that for hundreds of years was its own proud country. During the Ryukyuan era it developed its own rich culture and even its own language. During our visit we explored some of the history, enjoyed a serene garden and walked its busy shopping streets.… Read More Naha, Okinawa, Japan
Amami is part of a small archipelago that has been isolated for much of its history. With only 40,000 people, beautiful beaches, mountains, abundant plant and wildlife, some of which is unique to the island, Amami has created a laid-back and friendly culture all its own.… Read More Amami, Japan
The rural Prefecture, or district, of Kumamoto made a push to increase tourism when the country’s high speed train line was extended to them more than a decade ago. The result was the creation of this mascot, Kumamon. It’s a charming story of the little engine that could. The cute apple -cheeked bear vaulted over hundreds of other mascots from Japanese towns and cities to become an international sensation.… Read More Kumamon (Hitoyoshi), Japan
Nagasaki will forever be known as the place where the U.S. dropped the second atomic bomb. Its people will always be scarred by the bomb’s destruction. Today the city has been rebuilt, but it continues to remember its past and remind us of why we need to strive for peace.… Read More Nagasaki, Japan
This popular seaside city on Japan’s southern island of Kyushu is especially known for the highly active Sakurajima volcano. About 3,000 people live there although they are constantly affected by volcanic ash. School children are required to wear helmets all the time when they’re outside.… Read More Kagoshima, Japan
This small island in the district of Okinawa has a very natural, unpretentious feel to it. No masses of tourist shops and tee shirts, just beautiful beaches, lush forests and lots of rice fields and farmlands.… Read More Ishigaki, Okinawa, Japan
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