Japan Off The Beaten Path Travel Articles | Page 2 Of 5

Kakunodate: Japan’s Famous Castle Town

Founded exactly 400 years ago, Kakunodate has one of the most attractive and best-preserved samurai districts in Japan.

Mount Fuji, another popular UNESCO World Heritage Site in Japan

Japan’s Stunning World Heritage Sites

This beautifully photographed guidebook offers history, access information, maps, and top quality photography of Japan’s UNESCO world heritage sights.

Enchanting Cooking in A Japanese Home

AirKitchen brings travelers into Japanese homes to learn how they cook their Japanese cuisine, learning to cook with families in Japan.

Kitayamazaki Cliffs. Courtesy of Iwate Prefecture

Japan’s North After the Tsunami

Japan’s north has come back after the terrible Tsunami, some of the fascinating places you can find in Iwate province, which is not tourist-crowded.

Japanese Fun: Robots, Pizza, Onsen, and Flowers

Japanese fun: Sampling Italian food in Tokyo, meeting a robot, visiting Shinjuku Gyoen, and soaking up the good life in two onsen.

Flooding With Fun: Japan’s Kinu River

You won’t regret trying out one of the wondrous water activities offered by Japan’s Kinu River no matter if you’re a local or just passing through!

Underground Worlds: Tokyo’s G-Can Tunnels

A new travel book, Underground Worlds by David Farley, is about unique places beneath the earth. Excerpt from the book about Tokyo’s G-Can tunnels.

Fukushima, Where Japanese Traditions Continue

Returning to Fukushima Province after the disastrous nuclear power plant meltdown, you wouldn’t even know it had happened. None of the people there want to talk about it,

Takasaki to Niigata City, Japan

Visiting Japan’s second cities, Takasaki, Niigata City, Sado Island and enjoying fall colors, kayaking, and putting on kimonos to stroll the city.

Central Japan: Rich Culture and Breathtaking Beauty

At Okazaki Castle, I found the central Japan I’d been waiting to see – breathtaking color; intrepid terrain; culture so rich it pervaded every personal interaction.

An Ama with the day's catch in Toba. Ellen Kaplowitz photo.

Japan: Meeting the Famous Divers of Toba

In Toba Japan, the famous Ama divers are women who have practiced the art of diving for abalone, sea urchin, turban shells, sea cucumber, once for pearls.

Japan by JR Lines Rail Pass: Best Way To Travel

A trip to northern Japan, Nagoya, Kanazawa, Shirakawa-go World Heritage sites and enjoying great cuisine using JR Lines Rail Pass on Japan railways.

GoNOMAD Travel Podcast

Take a few minutes to travel the world with The GoNOMAD Travel Podcast. Brought to you by the long-running GoNOMAD travel website, The GoNOMAD Travel Podcast brings you audio stories from destinations around the globe. It’s short-form… 3-7 minute long episodes. No jarring AM radio-style theme songs, no ads, just an interesting short travel story and some food for thought, from editor Max Hartshorne. Fun!
While you’re planning your next trip or travel adventure, download and listen to The GoNOMAD Travel Podcast.

GoNomad is part of the Voyascape Travel Network & you can find more of our travel podcasts from around the world at https://voyascape.com/
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The New Year celebration in Chiang Mai, Thailand, is a rich tapestry of sights, sounds, and traditions that provides a unique experience for all who partake. The city is alive with energy as it transforms into a vibrant hub for festivities.

January 1 is not just a day but the beginning of a week-long holiday where locals and visitors alike engage in a variety of celebratory activities. The streets are bustling with life, illuminated by lanterns that glow softly against the backdrop of the night sky, while the scent of street food tantalizes the senses. This journey through Chiang Mai reveals the many layers of its New Year festivities, from its breathtaking natural beauty to the deep-rooted cultural practices that make this time of year so special. Among the most striking sights during this season is the blooming of the Himalayan cherry blossoms.

A short trip to Kun Chang Hian allows visitors to witness these stunning flowers in full bloom, creating a magical setting for exploration. Here, one can engage with local traditions, such as listening to the kyan, the traditional bamboo mouth organ played by village children, or trying one’s hand at archery using bamboo bows.

The culinary scene is equally delightful, featuring local delicacies, including the famous grilled pork sausage, which embodies the rich flavors of Thai cuisine. As the celebrations culminate on New Year’s Eve, a profound sense of spirituality envelops the city. Temples become sanctuaries for nighttime prayer, and the flickering lights of candles enhance the tranquil atmosphere. Participants gather to release floating lanterns, a symbolic gesture of releasing past burdens and inviting new fortunes into their lives.

This ritual not only enhances the visual splendor of the night sky but also fosters a deep connection among participants, creating a moment of shared hope and renewal. The New Year in Chiang Mai is more than just a celebration; it is a heartfelt embrace of tradition, community, and the promise of new beginnings.