My friend and I spent a near-perfect day in Shimabara City that included many of our favourite Japan-destination activities:  history, samurai, castles, mountain vistas, onsen, sake, food, and conversations with locals.

From the moment we arrived at the Karatsu train station, bedecked with posters celebrating the recent Karatsu Kunchi (festival), until our last walk past the purple night-glow surrounding Karatsu Castle magnificently perched on Mt. Mitsushima, Karatsu grabbed our attention, feted our taste buds, and created many warm memories along the way.

It was our third day in the Kansai Region and a day trip to Uji seemed like the perfect interlude before we arrived in the busy city of Osaka.

I fondly refer to Osaka as my third home, after Hong Kong where I was born, and Vancouver, where I’ve lived for the past three decades.

Within the mountainous region of Shikoku, we discover the unvarnished gems that make up a culturally immersive adventure into rural Japanese life.