Category: Japan
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Tottori Sand Dunes
Tottori Prefecture is located in the Chūgoku region, in the west of Honshū Island. It borders Hyogo to the east, Shimane to the west, Okayama to the south, and the Sea of Japan to the north. It is on this border that one of the country’s most spectacular geographical features can be found. The famous…
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The force of the wind and sea in Aoshima
On the eastern coast of Kyūshū lies Miyazaki Prefecture, a region with tourist attractions such as Takachiho Gorge, Udo Shrine, and the Nishitachi restaurant and entertainment district. But one of the most impressive places in Miyazaki is the small island of Aoshima, just over half an hour by train from the prefectural capital. Aoshima is…
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Nihon Sankei, Japan’s 3 best scenic views
The Japanese love to make lists of three to highlight places in their geography, elements of their culture, or products of their cuisine, among other things. In previous posts, we have already talked about food lists, such as the Nihon Sandai Rāmen (日本三大ラーメン), with the three best ramen in Japan (Sapporo Ramen from Hokkaido, Hakata…
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Nakasendo Trail through the Japanese Alps
The Nakasendō Route (中山道), which literally means “road through the mountains,” was one of the five major highways of the Edo period (1603–1868), connecting Edo (modern-day Tokyo) with Kyoto. Unlike other routes that followed the coastline, such as the Tōkaidō, the Nakasendō cut through the mountainous interior of the country, stretching over 500 kilometers and…
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What to see and do in Osaka when you don’t have much time
Osaka is a city that deserves several days to get to know it beyond the surface. Its blend of history, lively urban life and one of Japan’s best food scenes make it a very complete destination. However, many travellers can only visit it in passing, taking advantage of its excellent location and train and plane…
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What it’s like to travel with Asiahop
Asiahop is a different kind of travel agency. We were officially founded in 2025, but we have been travelling and taking people to China and Japan for over 10 years. We have lived and worked in these two countries. We love their culture, their places, their people, their cuisine and their way of life. That’s…
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Castle routes in Japan
There are around 100 castles in Japan, most of which were built between the 15th and 17th centuries. Centres of political, military and administrative power, they have withstood civil wars, clan attacks, internal rebellions and devastating fires. During the turbulent Sengoku period, they offered defence and strategic control, and in the Edo period, they symbolised…
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Let’s go to Okinawa! Not just beaches
The Okinawa archipelago is a region of Japan where you will discover a culture very different from the rest of the country. The Ryūkyū Islands, the name given to the group of islands stretching from the south of Kyūshū to the vicinity of Taiwan, has an enviable subtropical climate all year round and a very…
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What to see in Nikkō and how to get there from Tokyo
One of the most popular natural destinations accessible from Tokyo is Nikkō, a small town in Tochigi Prefecture that is home to one of Japan’s most unique and best-preserved religious sites in the midst of stunning nature. Nikkō National Park (日光国立公園) covers a large area and there are several hiking trails to enjoy its lakes,…
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Winter in Yamagata, a dream prefecture
Visiting Yamagata in winter is like being immersed in a fairytale. Easily accessible from Tokyo thanks to the Shinkansen, its main tourist attractions are Ginzan Onsen, Dewa Sanzan and Yamadera, as well as the so-called snow monsters of Zao Onsen, a place famous for its hot springs and ski resort. If you love the snow…