When people think of accommodations in Japan today, words like ryokan, minshuku, and even Airbnb come to mind. Many of these lodging traditions trace their roots back hundreds of years to the Edo period, when the Tokugawa shogunate codified a nationwide accommodation system.
For me, rainy days are a chance to slow down and connect with people. Locals often gather in cozy spots, happy to share stories and conversation.
But there’s another side to Japanese tea—one focused on taste, health, and pure drinking pleasure—thriving in places like Shizuoka Prefecture
Not far from the laid back cafes of Shimoda’s popular Shirahama Beach lies a hidden gem that whispers of Japan’s ancient legends. Shirahama Shrine isn’t your typical tourist stop — it’s a living connection to the Izu Peninsula’s deep cultural roots, where nature, mythology, and life in a small community seamlessly merge. A Shrine Steeped
The Izu Peninsula offers a truly unique experience with a sakura season that spans several months—from October to April.
That’s some pretty wild stuff when you think about it. In fact, the Philippine Sea Plate continues to subduct under the Eurasian Plates at a rate of at least 4 centimeters per year! All that tectonic activity explains why two of the three highest volume of onsen (hot spring) sources are here in Izu – the cities of Atami and Ito.
The Izu Peninsula . . . onsen (hot springs) resorts and amazing natural scenery. However, few people think of Izu as a place that shaped Japanese history.
But to find these smaller treasures in unexpected places way off the beaten path adds a great measure of wonder and awe.
The quaint little village of Matsuzaki, on Izu’s west coast, is a dream destination for folks seeking the charm of old Japan.
Matsuzaki: One of Japan’s 100 Most Beautiful Villages Read More »
People born after 1980 may not realize the impact that the book and the original TV drama had on the Western image of Japan. I can confidently say that only World War II had a bigger impact — at least on the American psyche.
