When we were planning our Northern Kyushu road trip, we weren’t totally sold on visiting all seven of Beppu’s famous “hells” (known locally as jigoku), but Umi Jigoku was never in question. It was the one hell we knew we had to see—and honestly, that …
Kyushu is Japan’s third-largest island, and yet hardly anyone I know has been. It’s a total shame, because the region is packed with endless greenery, steamy hot springs, terraced rice fields, and cultural gems that feel untouched by mainstream tourism. It’s nowhere near as popular …
Every year at the Fuji Shibazakura Festival, a beautiful carpet of bright pink flowers rolls out beneath Japan’s tallest and most majestic mountain, Mt. Fuji. The Fuji Shibazakura Festival (Fuji Shibazakura Matsuri or the Fuji Moss Phlox Festival in English) is one of the most …
Tokyo is a city that never stops surprising me. I’ve been here on all of my 7+ trips to Japan, and every single time, I discover something new—whether it’s a hidden ramen joint, a quirky museum, or a neighborhood I’ve somehow never explored. I It’s like the …
Planning your first trip to Tokyo? You’ve probably already seen the same recommendations over and over—Takeshita Dori, Tsukiji Fish Market, Golden Gai… but after 6–7 trips to Tokyo since my first visit in 2015, I can confidently say most of those spots are way too …
Who in their right mind doesn’t swoon at the pure thought of Mount Fuji? UNESCO didn’t name Mt. Fuji a World Heritage Site for being “meh.” It’s a soul-stirring, culture-defining icon, and it’s 100% worth seeing for yourself! I learned the hard way that skimping …
For many US travelers, Singapore is usually a slight afterthought. The country is a popular stopover destination for travelers headed to other parts of Asia like Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, or Hong Kong. Most people won’t bother to leave the airport before heading to their …
Most people visiting China for the first time start with Beijing and Shanghai. And look, that’s fine, but let’s be real—Beijing in the winter? Absolutely freezing. This itinerary is based on an actual family trip we took during the winter months (late November to December). …
When I was planning my trip to Chongqing, I ran into a problem that I was really not used to—I had no idea what to actually do there. Google searches kept leading me to the same generic TripAdvisor recommendations, and none of them made the …
I used to be all about unique stays in less touristy areas. But as I’ve gotten older, I just don’t have the patience to be based far away from a train station. In Chongqing, we based ourselves in one of the most convenient districts possible: Jiafangbei. …