A day trip to the Snow Monkey Park in Jigokudani is a magical experience but the journey doesn’t have to end there. The lovely little town of Obuse is well worth a short detour on the way back to Nagano. I arrived in the early afternoon, grabbed a quick lunch and then did my sightseeing. […]
If you were to ask me to rank my favourite Japan experiences, visiting Jigokudani Yaen Koen would be near the top of that list. Also known as Hell’s Valley or Jigokudani Monkey Park, it is world famous for its population of wild Japanese macaques or Snow Monkeys. Each morning, they descend from their mountain home […]
Otaru is a small port city on Hokkaido’s western coast, a short train ride from Sapporo. Once a major hub for trade between Japan and Russia, it is celebrated today for its historic canal area, fresh seafood and arts and crafts scene. It is picturesque any time of year but a snow-covered Otaru in winter […]
Every February, Hokkaido’s capital city transforms into a winter wonderland as it hosts the world-famous Sapporo Snow Festival. Drawing more than two million visitors from Japan and across the globe, this week-long celebration brings together art, culture and Sapporo’s natural beauty. With astonishing snow and ice sculptures, food galore and fun activities, it encapsulates the […]