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Tips for Island Hopping in Honda Bay, Palawan

Tips for Island Hopping in Honda Bay, Palawan

Island hopping in the Philippines was one of my favorite experiences thus far while traveling! Although I was traveling solo in the Philippines, the experience was not had alone as I booked a tour. Usually, I’m not a tour-person because I enjoy figuring things independently and going at my own pace. It also tends to be a bit cheaper to coordinate travel stuff without a company. However, island hopping in Honda Bay is most easily experienced by utilizing a day-tour….

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Places for Autumn Leaves in Japan

Places for Autumn Leaves in Japan

Looking for some amazing fall colors while visiting Japan? Depending on what part of the country you’re in, the leaves will change color during different times of the season. This can make it tricky to plan some foliage spotting, but it is definitely worth the time and planning. Northern Japan is probably the best part of the country to witness the autumn leaves’ vibrant colors due to its numerous locations. Yet, there are other well-known places scattered throughout Japan to…

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Things to Experience in Gifu City, Japan

Things to Experience in Gifu City, Japan

What is there to do in Gifu City? Although not a major tourist destination, Gifu City is a nice place to relax and take a break from Japan’s bustling city centers. Located only twenty minutes by train from Nagoya, it’s an easily accessible destination. Here are three things you should experience while in Gifu City: 1. Kawaramachi Street This quaint street embodies Japan’s traditional charm through wooden shophouses, stores, and restaurants. Learn about Gifu’s art of paper making, as well…

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Mount Fuji from Nihondaira in Shizuoka

Mount Fuji from Nihondaira in Shizuoka

Nihondaira is a gorgeous location in Shizuoka Prefecture and has some laidback activities to appreciate the region’s natural scenery and mild year-around climate. It is known as being one of the best places to get a panoramic view of majestic Mount Fuji, complete with the Pacific Ocean for a backdrop. I had been patiently waiting for a clear, cloud-free day to journey up the hilltop to Nihondaira. The day finally came at the end of October! Travel tip: Late spring…

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Owakudani: Exploring Japan’s Active Volcanic Valley

Owakudani: Exploring Japan’s Active Volcanic Valley

Japan is full of geothermal activity; the country’s numerous onsen (hot springs) perfectly exemplify this. Specifically, Hakone is a hotbed for geothermal activity due to its proximity to Mount Fuji. For this reason, it’s aptly known as an onsen-town where local and international visitors frequent to soak in the piping hot water. However, Hakone is also famous for Owakudani, called “the valley of hell” by some. Owakudani is an open crater which formed 3,000 years ago from a volcanic eruption. To this…

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Visiting Shirakawa-go in Japan

Visiting Shirakawa-go in Japan

One of the best places to experience a piece of Japan’s unique cultural history is in northern Gifu Prefecture. Tucked away in the mountainous area of northern Gifu is a small village called Shirakawa-go, lined with special gassho-zukuri houses. Shirakawa-go was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, preserving the village’s integrity and value as a cultural asset. If you’re into history and are interested in seeing a lesser known part of Japan, Shirakawa-go should definitely be on your…

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A 10-Hour Train Ride Across Japan

A 10-Hour Train Ride Across Japan

In early September, I traveled across Japan for a weekend in Niigata to experience the Echigo Tsumari Art Festival. For this long journey, I decided to use one of the final days of my summer Seishun 18 Kippu to take local trains from Niigata to Shizuoka. The route took me through the mountainous regions of Japan, passing through Gunma, Saitama, Tokyo, and Kanagawa Prefectures before reaching my home in Shizuoka. In total, the train ride was approximately 10 hours. This…

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Packing for a Weekend Trip

Packing for a Weekend Trip

While some weekends are dedicated to errands, chores, and relaxing, many of my weekends are solely carved out for short excursions to remind me why life is worth living. Back in 2017, I made a personal goal to take at least one trip every month. This slowly turned into taking trips every other weekend. Then, I moved to Japan and the urge to explore plagued me even further. Now, I go places as often as I can based on my…

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