Travel for Life

The earliest evidence of Japanese armor dates back to the 4th century The Ninja Weapon Museum in Kanazawa, Japan offers a fascinating look into the world of the ninja . Explore real ninja artifacts like shuriken and armor, and even try throwing stars! (Museum focuses on exhibits, not training or weaponry origin). Myouryuji Temple 忍者寺 in Kanazawa's Temple District (YouTube  link ) Ninja Aspirations Thwarted (But the Museum Was Awesome!) Unfortunately, I wasn't able to snag a reservation for Myoryuji Temple (aka Ninjadera Temple 忍者寺) - they require them in advance. Since sneaking in wasn't an option (probably for the best!), I decided to head to the  Ninja Weapon Museum  instead. Here's a glimpse of the cool stuff they had on display! Minamoto no Yoshitsune :  a brilliant military strategist and commander during the Genpei War (1180-1185), leading the Minamoto clan to many victories against the Taira clan. The Tachi (太刀), translating to "long sword," is a pre...

Hirayu Otaki in April's Embrace: A Waterfall Framed by Snow Hirayu Otaki ((Hirayu Waterfall平湯大滝), a 64-meter waterfall with a width of 6 meters, is one of the three most famous waterfalls in Hida (飛騨). It has also been selected as one of the 100 best waterfalls in Japan. The waterfall's beauty transforms throughout the seasons, but it is especially impressive in the fall when the leaves change color. The  Frozen Hirayu Grand Waterfall Festival is held from February 15-25 every year, illuminating the frozen waterfall. Overall,  Hirayu Otaki   is a great destination for those seeking a beautiful and scenic hike. It's also a perfect place to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the Japanese Alps. Discovering Hirayu Otaki's Majesty: A Snowy Spring Adventure  (YouTube  link ) 奥飛騨温泉郷 No trip to Japan is complete without soaking in a natural hot spring, or onsen. Gifu Prefecture boasts some of the country's finest, and while exploring the famed onsen town of Hi...

As dusk settled, streetlamps flickered to life The Chureito Pagoda (忠霊塔, Chūreitō⭐) stands as a five-storied pagoda on the mountainside overlooking Fujiyoshida City and Mount Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. Built in 1963 as a peace memorial, it is part of the Arakura Sengen Shrine complex.  To reach the pagoda, visitors ascend nearly 400 steps from the shrine’s main buildings. The location offers spectacular views of Mount Fuji, especially during the cherry blossom season in mid-April and the autumn color season in the first half of November. Photographers particularly appreciate this spot for its quintessentially Japanese vistas.  Unveiling the Vista: From Hillside Trail to  Chureito Pagoda  (YouTube  link ) Sunset Magic at Chureito Pagoda On a crisp April day, I embarked on a journey to witness its magic at sunset. A brief ten-minute walk from Shimo-Yoshida Station on the Fujikyu Line led me to the base of the hill. As I ascended for five minutes, th...

Crystal-clear Alpine water, cascading down from the Japanese Alps, nourishes the wasabi plants. Wasabi , also known as Japanese horseradish, is a pungent green paste commonly used in Japanese cuisine. Daio Wasabi Farm (大王わさび農場⭐), founded in 1915, cultivates high-quality  wasabi . Visitors can sample it at the farm’s restaurant or cafe. The picturesque farm boasts clear water channels, traditional watermills, and lush green fields. Its location at the foot of the Japanese Alps ensures ideal conditions for  wasabi  growth. Unveiling Natural Beauty at Daio Wasabi Farm On a beautiful April day, I explored  Daio Wasabi Farm , starting from Hokata Station and discovering the intriguing Hotaka Shrine along the way. 湧水飯釜大王庵 (Japanese Restaurant) Open daily from 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM Don't miss their recommended dish, "Hon Wasabi Rice 『本わさび飯』 ," made with fresh, locally grown wasabi.  Grate! Hold the wasabi root like a pencil and grate it in a circular motion against t...