william - Travel Journal

4 Stunning Highlights at Art Aquarium Museum Tokyo You Can’t Miss

Travel, Japan, Kanto Region, tokyo / william

Art Aquarium Museum Tokyo The Art Aquarium Museum in Ginza offers a mesmerizing blend of live goldfish, creative aquarium design, and immersive lighting. Each tank is presented like a living artwork, combining traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern art for a photogenic and unique experience. The museum is compact, making it easy to explore, but every […]

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Izu Granpal Park Guide – Top Rides, Fees & Fun in Japan 2025

Park, Chubu Region, fall itinerary, Japan, shizouka, spring itinerary, summer itinerary, Travel, winter itinerary / william

Izu Granpal Park is an outdoor amusement park located in Ito City on the Izu Peninsula. Known for its wide-open spaces, interactive attractions, and seasonal nighttime illuminations, the park offers a full day of entertainment for families, couples, and groups of friends. We visited the park as the final stop on our two-day road trip

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Gyoda Rice Paddy Art 2025: Must-Sees for Demon Slayer Fans

Kanto Region, Japan, Park, Saitama, season itinerary, summer itinerary, Travel / william

Gyoda rice paddy art is a must-see if you’re near Tokyo and love anime. What appears to be a massive mural from a distance is actually a stunning, ever-changing masterpiece—created by planting different varieties of rice with precision and care. Every year, the city of Gyoda in Saitama Prefecture turns its ordinary rice fields into

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Ushiku Daibutsu Ibaraki: 5 Amazing Reasons to Visit

Ibaraki, Park / william

Located in Ushiku City, Ibaraki Prefecture, the Ushiku Daibutsu (牛久大仏) is one of the tallest statues in the world. Standing at 120 meters including its base and platform, the statue represents Amitabha Buddha and was completed in 1993. It offers visitors a peaceful, scenic spot that combines cultural significance with family-friendly activities — all within

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Alps in Japan: 5 Amazing Reasons to Visit Matsumoto City Alps Park

Park, fall itinerary, Japan, Nagano, spring itinerary, summer itinerary, Travel / william

Looking for a scenic and budget-friendly way to enjoy the Alps in Japan? Let me share our 1-day trip to Matsumoto City Alps Park—a hidden gem where you can admire snow-capped peaks, ride a 630-meter-long roller slide, and relax under cherry blossoms—all without spending a yen on admission. We discovered this park while traveling in Nagano

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2 Must-Try Kimono Rental Spots in Japan: Asakusa & Kawagoe Memorable Cultural Strolls

Japan, fall itinerary, Saitama, spring itinerary, summer itinerary, tokyo, Travel / william

Wearing a kimono is one of the most memorable cultural experiences visitors can have in Japan. These traditional garments are deeply tied to Japanese heritage and are now accessible to travelers through convenient kimono rental services across popular tourist spots. On a recent trip, we helped our friends fulfill their dream of walking through historic

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Discover Hakuba: The Ultimate 2-Day Itinerary Adventure from Tokyo

Japan, food, Nagano, spring itinerary, summer itinerary, Travel, Travel Itinerary / william

Located in Nagano Prefecture, Hakuba is a scenic alpine village known for its ski resorts, hiking trails, and panoramic views of the Northern Japan Alps. While most visitors access the area via train or bus, a self-drive road trip allows more flexibility, off-the-beaten-path stops, and a deeper connection with the countryside. We took a 2-day,

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Unforgettable Adventure: 7 Highlights of Toyama Alpine Route Round

Travel, Nagano, spring itinerary / william

The Toyama Alpine Route is one of Japan’s most spectacular mountain sightseeing experiences, and in spring, its iconic snow corridor draws visitors from around the world. We originally planned to cross the entire route, but since we were traveling by car, we opted for a round-trip journey from Ogizawa Station to Murodo and back—a flexible

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A Scenic Road Trip to Atami: Ocean Views, Onsen Spas, and Mt. Fuji Vistas

shizouka, Chubu Region, fall itinerary, Japan, Park, spring itinerary, Travel, Travel Itinerary, winter itinerary / william

Atami is a coastal city in Shizuoka Prefecture, famous for its seaside hot springs, fresh seafood, and as a popular getaway from Tokyo. Day 1: From Izu’s Hidden Gems to Oceanfront Relaxation Lunch at Gagamaru (Tonkatsu Koshiage) Location: 126 Kona, Izunokuni, Shizuoka Time 12:10 PM Food: ¥6000 for 4 people Gagamaru Tonkatsu Before arriving in

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A Day in Nagoya: Nagoya Castle and the SCMAGLEV and Railway Park

Japan, aichi, Chubu Region, Travel, Travel Itinerary / william

This blog is all about our visit in Nagoya—with a special highlight on the SCMAGLEV and Railway Park, how to get there, and whether it’s worth your time. If you think Nagoya is just a quick stop between Tokyo and Osaka, think again. In just one day, we explored a historical castle, indulged in a

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