Yes, you can walk real former samurai districts across Japan, from Kanazawa’s Nagamachi and Akita’s Kakunodate to Chiran, Hagi, Kitsuki, Matsue, Matsushiro and Obi. The streets are usually free to wander, and a selection of samurai houses are open to…
Step through the doors of the Teradaya Inn and you step back in time to one of the most dramatic periods in Japanese history. Located in the heart of Kyoto’s Fushimi district, this historic inn is more than just a…
Step back in time in Kawagoe, a city affectionately known as “Little Edo,” and discover one of its most precious historical treasures: the Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Goten. As the only surviving palace building of its kind in eastern Japan, this…
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Nearly every image on Hidden Japan Gems was photographed by me on a Sony α7 across five years of walking Japan; a few licensed photos fill the gaps. Please don't re-use my photos without permission — reach out if you'd like to.
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