Located a stone’s throw from central Tokyo (about 45 minutes on the train), the coastal town of Kamakura served for a period in the 12th, 13th and 14th centuries as the de facto capital of Japan. This was the centre of power of the Kamakura Shogunate, established in 1192 when the military warlord Minamoto no Read more

Unlike its esteemed Kansai neighbours of Osaka, Nara and Kyoto, Kobe is a relatively modern city which developed during the late 19th and early 20th century – Japan’s Meiji era. This was one of the Five Ports of Japan – the designated ports which were opened to foreign ships following the Meiji Restoration in 1868, Read more

Said to be one of the 3 most scenic places in Japan, Matsushima (meaning Pine Islands) has captivated visitors for centuries. Filled with around 260 pine tree-covered islets, Matsushima Bay and the surrounding areas are almost a mirage of natural beauty. It has long been said that Matsushima’s picture-perfect landscapes embody the Buddhist concept of Read more

You wouldn’t realise at first glance but the small, quiet town of Hiraizumi in northern Honshu was once the political and cultural focal point of northern Japan, rivalling Kyoto in size and importance. This was the home of the Northern Fujiwara dynasty, which ruled most of northern Japan at odds with the Kyoto court during Read more

At the foot of Mount Iwate, Morioka is the largest city in Iwate Prefecture and a provincial city within the Tohoku region which makes an ideal stopping point for those heading north to Aomori and Hokkaido, or for visitors traveling to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hiraizumi. Although it lacks the obvious major attractions Read more

Long before the age of shoguns and samurai, Japan’s first capital was Asuka. Today this sleepy village barely registers among the nation’s more spectacular and high-profile attractions, but look just below the surface and you can find a treasure trove of interesting history mixed in with delightful rural scenery that seems a world away from Read more