Japan Travel Guides7 min read
What to Know Before Visiting an Onsen in Japan
By Kai Howe
A practical guide to onsen and sentō etiquette, bathing customs, saunas, and what to expect on your first visit.
Read storySep 9, 2026
Stories
Personal stories and local guides to exploring Japan
Personal stories, local guides, and practical ideas drawn from the parts of Japan we live in, travel through, and return to often.
6 stories
Cycling5 min read
Feeling the Heartbeat of Rural Japan on Two Wheels
By Dale Howe
On quiet roads through rice fields, mountain villages, and coastal towns, cycling reveals a slower and more intimate side of rural Japan.
Read storySep 8, 2026
Shiga Stories4 min read
A Must Detour on the Biwaichi
By Dale Howe
A quiet alternative to the Lake Road, winding through forest above Lake Biwa with open water views and rolling tarmac.
Read storyAug 17, 2026
Places to Stay8 min read
What It’s Like to Stay in a Countryside Ryokan
By Kai Howe
Tatami rooms, homemade meals, shared baths, and the personal atmosphere of a small family-run Japanese inn.
Read storyAug 2, 2026
Shiga Stories6 min read
Lake Biwa's Place in Japanese History
By Kai Howe
An ancient lake, historic transport routes, rural communities, and layers of history hidden across the Shiga countryside.
Read storyAug 1, 2026
Chiba Stories3 min read
Sunrise Along the Kujūkuri Coast
By Kai Howe
Early light, long sandy beaches, fishing communities, surf towns, and quiet roads beside the Pacific.
Read storyJul 30, 2026