Things to do in Japan, including onsen, food, nature, and traditional towns.
Kamikochi has no train station. No road open to private cars. Every single visitor arrives by bus — there’s no other way in. The 2026 season runs April 17 through November 15, and outside those dates, everything shuts down. I’ve…
Nagano · Kamikochi · 2026 Kamikochi Walking Guide 2026 Taisho Pond to Myojin Bridge in one day — flat trail, 7 km, no boots required. The Azusa River and Hotaka mountains — the view that defines Kamikochi. Kamikochi opened for…
Kyoto’s Higashiyama district is the most photographed square kilometer in Japan. Everyone has seen it. The question isn’t whether to go — it’s how to walk it so you don’t come home with the same tired shots as everyone else.…
Onigiri Bongo 2026: Menu, Wait Times & 5 Must-Try Fillings There’s a small, unassuming shop near Otsuka Station where people stand in line for two to five hours — for a rice ball. Onigiri Bongo has been making onigiri since…
Mt. Fuji Night Climb 2026: 12-Hour Visual Guide [With Photos] 2026 Update: The Yoshida Trail gate system strictly enforces a 2:00 PM closure for climbers without mountain hut reservations. We have updated our timeline and gear list based on the…
2026 UPDATE (April 13, 2026) Cedar avenue: OPEN. Okusha main shrine: Opens late April. Winter closure officially lifted. Express bus now requires online reservation. Good news for travelers heading to Nagano: Togakushi Shrine’s famous cedar avenue is reopening for spring…
![Mt. Fuji Huts 2026: Rooms, Meals & Booking Rules [7 Photos]](https://hiddenjapan-gems.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/top2-768x308.webp)
2026 Update: Yoshida Trail gate closes at 4:00 PM. No mountain hut reservation = no entry. Booking opens in early May. Read the full booking timeline below. Every Mt. Fuji climbing guide tells you to book a mountain hut. None…
2026 Update: The Manda Coal Mine guided tours have been updated with new pricing structures. Ensure you check the latest guided tour fees if you prefer an in-depth historical explanation. You just stepped off the Ariake Ferry at Nagasu Port…
2026 Update: The Ariake Ferry schedule has been adjusted for the spring season. We’ve updated all drive times from Tara Port and added new parking details for Unzen Jigoku based on our latest visit. Forty-five minutes on the Ariake Ferry…
Mt. Fuji Sunrise 2026: Hour-by-Hour Goraiko Guide [9 Photos] 2026 Update: In 2026, the mandatory ¥4,000 entry fee applies to all trails, and strict gate closures (2:00 PM on the Yoshida Trail) mean you cannot climb overnight without a confirmed…