Goshikinuma is a hidden corner at the foot of the mountain in Fukushima prefecture, with five differently coloured volcanic lakes.
Yamanouchi: Chihiro, Monkeys & Onsen
My favourite film from the Ghibli studios is Spirited Away. A number of ryokan inspired this anime fantasy, particularly Kanaguya, near the famous Jigokudani monkeys in the town of Yamanouchi.
Best Abandoned Places in Japan (2015–2016)
Japan has many ruins, abandoned places, and ghost spots. Here are my favorite urbex locations in Japan for the past two years.
Senmaida Rice Paddies in Shiroyone
Shiroyone Senmaida (白米の千枚田) has 1000 rice paddies in Shiroyone. Located on the Noto Peninsula, it's beautiful at night, with the lights on.
The Giant Maple Tree of Oihara
It’s still early and I leave Tokyo before sunrise. I take the long tunnel and the Aqua-Line bridge to the other side of Tokyo Bay, then follow a small mountain road that loses me somewhere in the heart of Chiba...
Kawasaki Warehouse: Kowloon Walled City
Wandering along a Kawasaki avenue, ready for anything, I come across a mournful-looking building that’s impossible to ignore.
Hannya-ji: The Cosmos Temple
Nara is very pretty with plenty of hidden corners to visit that I’ll try to help you discover. One of my autumn favourites is Hannya-ji Temple.
Nara Dreamland: The End of a Dream
Nara Dreamland was an abandoned amusement park. I've just spent a year in Nara (2015-2016), a kilometre from the park, so it's time for me to write a little epilogue.
Yoshinoyama, The Cherry-blossom Mountain
Mount Yoshino is the most famous sakura site in Japan. With more than 30,000 cherry trees covering the whole mountain, the very idea seems fantastic. But is this really the best site? To get off to a good start, here’s...
Meoto Iwa: The Wedded Rocks
These two rocks connected by a thick rope and the little torii on top is one of these mysterious images that inevitably draw visitors to Japan. But if you actually go to see them won’t that strip them of their mystique...
Nakagin Capsule Tower
So everyday, I was walking from Ginza and Shiodome and on the way, here it was: the Nakagin Capsule Tower.
Amanohashidate
According to a Japanese philosopher, Amanohashidate is one of the three most famous views of Japan along with Matsushima and Miyajima.
Aoike: The Blue Pond
In Japan there are mysterious places often shown in photos but where nobody really seems to go. Aoike – literally the Blue Pond is one of these.
Osore-san: Highway to Hell
We march towards the entrance of Mount Osore under the crazy heat.
Hitachi Seaside Park in Autumn
I am not always fair with Ibaraki Prefecture. I always say that there is not much to it besides the occasional haikyo, but it actually does have its charms.