Main hall and stage of Kiyomizu-dera surrounded by fresh green leaves

Travel Guide

Classic Japan

11 articles. Pass prices and entry rules keep moving, so every article carries a last-checked date.

The world heritage sites where you can see Mount Fuji: walking the 25 components from where the mountain is visible

Classic Japan

The world heritage sites where you can see Mount Fuji: walking the 25 components from where the mountain is visible

2026.08.27

Shrines vs. temples: the one article to read before you land in Japan

Classic Japan

Shrines vs. temples: the one article to read before you land in Japan

2026.08.23

Getting started with goshuin, the best souvenir you can bring home from Japan

Classic Japan

Getting started with goshuin, the best souvenir you can bring home from Japan

2026.08.22

Shrines and temples at dawn: put jet lag to work, and Fushimi Inari is empty

Classic Japan

Shrines and temples at dawn: put jet lag to work, and Fushimi Inari is empty

2026.08.21

Choosing shrines by blessing: love, studies, business, protection, and how to handle omamori and omikuji

Classic Japan

Choosing shrines by blessing: love, studies, business, protection, and how to handle omamori and omikuji

2026.08.19

World Heritage shrines and temples: picking your three out of 40-plus

Classic Japan

World Heritage shrines and temples: picking your three out of 40-plus

2026.08.18

How to look at shrine and temple architecture: why pagodas do not fall, and how to read roofs and torii

Classic Japan

How to look at shrine and temple architecture: why pagodas do not fall, and how to read roofs and torii

2026.08.17

Temple gardens and karesansui: how to read stone and sand, and the best garden for each season

Classic Japan

Temple gardens and karesansui: how to read stone and sand, and the best garden for each season

2026.08.16

Japan’s ~130 Important Preservation Districts: the list nobody in English has covered (image coming soon)

Classic Japan

Japan’s ~130 Important Preservation Districts: the list nobody in English has covered

2026.08.15

Animals and nature at shrines and temples: foxes, komainu, deer, the three monkeys and sacred trees

Classic Japan

Animals and nature at shrines and temples: foxes, komainu, deer, the three monkeys and sacred trees

2026.08.14

25 castles by prefecture: the 12 original keeps, and what a concrete castle really is

Classic Japan

25 castles by prefecture: the 12 original keeps, and what a concrete castle really is

2026.08.12