With winter behind us, now is the time when a lot of us grow eager to go on a trip, whether a relaxing weekend away in nature or a busy adventure exploring a new area. One of the wonderful things about Japan is the vast richness of culture and nature, from snowy mountains to coral reefs, from multi-cultural cities to historical towns, there is something for everyone to enjoy, …

Shizuoka, nestled between Mt. Fuji and the Pacific Ocean, is not only renowned for its breathtaking landscapes but also for its cherry blossom season.   Every spring, thousands of visitors flock to Shizuoka to witness the beauty of cherry blossoms painting the prefecture in shades of pink and white. In this area guide, we’ll explore the best spots to experience the magic of the Sakura season!  For those planning to …

The second largest city in Hyogo Prefecture, Himeji, is a wonderful place to visit or live. It is located along the coast, so is very well linked up by the train system. It can take less than an hour to get there from Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe! The city is a popular spot to stopover on journeys between Hiroshima and Tokyo since it is on the Shinkansen lines. The …

Onsen are a beautiful and important element of Japanese culture. If you’ve not yet visited an onsen town, please do! If you are an onsen aficionado, you may want to look at our available rental apartments close to your favorite hot spring town.  Winter is the best time to visit hot spring towns since they provide great relief from the bitter cold and help to release tension, mule pain, …