Visited by less than 1% of overseas tourists (0.8% to be exact), Mie Prefecture lies on the eastern side of the Kii Peninsula and is steeped deeply in Japan’s mythology and legends. Easily accessible from Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya and Wakayama, Mie is a great reason to extend one’s trip through the Kinki/Kansai region and learn more intimately of Japan’s people and folklore.

While we still might be enduring winter weather and cold temperatures, the signs of spring are slowly coming in! Cherry blossoms, or sakura, are one of the most popular sights to see in Japan during spring time. The cherry blossom forecasts have started to trickle in, so let's take a brief look at what the Japan Meteorological Agency has to say about sakura for 2025!

Just a stone’s throw from Tokyo and Chiba, and while technically not a neighbour of Tokyo, Ibaraki Prefecture is very accessible, and makes for a wonderful day trip or even multi-day trip to explore all the amazing things that the prefecture has in it. From waterfalls to famous gardens, mountains and shrines, make sure to keep Ibaraki in mind when visiting Japan!

Wakayama Prefecture is another of the 4 prefectures that make up the Kii Peninsula of central Japan. Home to one of the most famous pilgrimage trails of the country, Wakayama is not too far from Tokyo and other large cities. Exploring the prefecture will showcase some of Japan’s most beautiful scenery, offering a side of Japan that is off the beaten path, but not to be missed.

Japan is composed of 4 main islands, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, and Hokkaido. Visiting and exploring them is a wonderful feat, but have you ever thought of trying to start from one end of the country and finish at the other in one go? We sat down with Oscar Boyd, who did just that, and dove into the adventure that is cycling the length of Japan.