Kanazawa produces 99 percent of Japan gold leaf and rewards two days more than one. A practical walking guide to Kenrokuen, Higashi Chaya, the 21st Century Museum, Omicho Market, and the city most travel guides do badly.
Hokuriku is one of the snowiest inhabited places on Earth, and most Japan trips never notice. The Hokuriku Shinkansen sails over the region in just under three hours from Tokyo to Tsuruga, the windows fog up over a tunnel, and by the time you blink you are out the other side. The mistake is treating … Read more
Tokyo to Sendai and back, with a Niigata side trip thrown in, costs about ¥33,540 in individual reserved-seat Shinkansen tickets at 2026 fares. The same itinerary on the new unified JR EAST PASS is ¥35,000 for five days, with another four days of free movement around Tokyo, Niigata and the whole Tohoku interior baked in. … Read more
