ブロ猫の旅ぶろねこのたび
Japan · travel storiesWeatherNews spot pages, checked Oct 12: Tenryu-ji Nov 19, Tofukuji Nov 23, Arashiyama Nov 24, Kiyomizu Nov 25, Kennin-ji Dec 4, plus 12 night illuminations.
Japan · travel storiesCherry blossoms with Mt. Fuji and a five-story pagoda (or a lake reflection) is the most iconic Japan shot. Kawaguchiko blooms in early to mid-April, later than Tokyo. Here are the spots, the best hours, access, and day-trip vs overnight.
Japan · travel storiesYugama crater is closed: alert Level 1 since May 2026 and Route 292 open 24h, but Kusatsu bans entry within 500 m. Road, bus, winter status and Kusatsu Onsen.
Japan · travel storiesShirakawa-go 2027 light-up: Jan 11, 17, 24 & 31, 17:30–19:30. Ten lottery inns are published, from ¥19,500 per adult; entries close 23:59 on 31 October. The viewpoint is never sold.
Aizu-Wakamatsu is Fukushima's most storied castle town: Tsuruga Castle's red-tiled keep (¥410), the Edo-era thatched post town of Ouchijuku, the negi-soba you eat with a whole leek, and Mt. Iimoriyama. Here's how to do both in two days, and why Ouchijuku has no direct train.
Nyuto Onsen is Tohoku's most famous secret hot spring: Tsuru-no-yu's milky open-air mixed bath, the ¥2,500 yumeguri-cho onsen-hopping pass, Japan's deepest lake (Tazawa, 423m) with its golden Tatsuko statue, and the Oga namahage demons, part of a UNESCO-listed Raiho-shin group element. Fares, access, lodging.
Akizuki's castle ruins, black gate and 500m cherry avenue are free — only the museum costs money. Verified 2026 fares, seals, seasons and the honest verdict.
Amakusa, the islands off Kumamoto, has roughly 200 resident wild bottlenose dolphins with a 90%+ sighting rate year-round, the UNESCO Sakitsu Church and hidden-Christian village, the Five Bridges Pearl Line drive, and East China Sea sunsets. Dolphin-boat prices, why Sakitsu needs a reservation, the Christian history, and why you really need a car.
Ine's boathouses are private homes and entering is banned — but four open to paying visitors from ¥200. Fares, viewpoints and crab dates, officially checked.
Officially certified Hida anime pilgrimage sites from the 88-Selected list: Your Name (Hida Furukawa Station + Kida Wakamiya Shrine), Hyouka (Takayama Jinya). Complete day trip from Nagoya with JR Hida Express timings and specific filming spots.
Honshu's northern tip: the World Heritage Sannai-Maruyama Jomon site, year-round nebuta floats at Wa Rasse, Hakkoda, Oirase, nokke-don and Oma tuna.
Fixed August 2-7 yearly, so 2027 runs Mon 2 to Sat 7 August. Haneto needs no registration — just the costume. Seat prices, sales timing, Wa Rasse closure trap.
Asahiyama Zoo 2026–27: winter open Nov 11 to Apr 7, 10:30–15:30, closed Apr 8–28. Penguin walk dates not yet out (last season from Dec 18). ¥1,000 entry, ¥670 bus.
A little Japan know-how, tucked into your travel bag.
Torii, purification and the basic prayer steps.
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Playful word meanings and the thought behind an offering.
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A simple start with coins and banknotes.
Turn to this pageThis edition: shrine visits and the Japanese yenFind more illustrated notes on Instagram. ↗
Little discoveries, shared along the way.
