Our Tokyo, Japan travel guide offers info & tips, things to do, transportation info, where to eat, best hotels, avoiding crowds, itineraries for the city, and more. Whether you’re visiting this year or planning for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, we’ve got you covered! (Last updated January 2, 2019.) Tokyo can be an intimidating place […]
Taizoin Temple is home to some of Kyoto, Japan’s best gardens, and is the oldest and most famous subtemple of the even more famous Myoshinji. In this post, we’ll take a stroll through this stunning garden, past the iconic weeping cherry tree, karesansui, and Yoko-en Pond, sharing photos of all these beautiful features of Taizoin […]
Enkoji Temple (圓光寺, Enkōji) is located in northern Kyoto, Japan near Shugakuin Imperial Villa and the Silver Pavilion. Most beautiful during fall colors season in November and December, Enkoji is stunning year-round thanks to its diverse features, art, and architecture. In this post, we’ll share photos from our various experiences at Enkoji Temple. We’ll also […]
Our 1-day Kyoto, Japan itinerary is an efficient step-by-step plan of attack for visiting the best of the city’s temples and shrines, including several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It’s a jam-packed day that crisscrosses Kyoto, and will take you to some of the city’s top temples and, by extension, the best of Japan. Before we […]
In some regards, Rurikoin Temple is about the furthest thing from a hidden gem in Kyoto. It’s famous for foliage–and not just fall colors–within Japan, and despite a pricey entrance fee, this renowned spot commands lengthy lines that can result in waits of 2-3 hours just to enter. Despite that, there’s a reasonably good chance […]
The Voigtländer 10mm f/5.6 Hyper Wide Heliar E is a revolutionary lens, and as a member of the ultra wide angle “cult,” it was one of my motivations for jumping back into mirrorless photography with the Sony a7 III. This photography review weighs the strengths and weaknesses of the lens, with sample photos I’ve shot while […]
It’s almost the heart of fall colors season in Japan, which follows our recent two-week stay in Kyoto. In this trip report, we’ll share thoughts on our experiences, the crush of crowds, and various other perspectives on Kyoto. I’ll also scatter random (and not-so-random) photos throughout, as I took thousands of them and know I won’t […]
“Wonder Christmas” is a holiday event at Universal Studios Japan celebrating the holiday season, running from November 9, 2018 until January 6, 2019. The festivities at Universal’s Osaka park include a nighttime show, one of the most spectacular Christmas trees in the world, and plenty of holiday treats. In this post, we’ll share tips for Universal’s […]
Toji Temple (東寺, Tōji) is one of Japan’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and is located within walking distance of Kyoto Station. It’s famous for having the tallest pagoda in Japan, and that’s why most visitors are drawn to Toji. In this review, we’ll share info and our thoughts on visiting, including whether it’s worth the […]
There’s no shortage of ‘Best Ramen in Tokyo, Japan’ lists on the internet. We thought we’d take a different approach in sharing our favorites. Instead of focusing solely on highly-acclaimed, Michelin-starred places far from tourist areas or easy to find chains, we thought we’d do both. Our rationale for this is pretty simple: meal time […]