Japan off the beaten path

Visiting Wakinosawa Wild Monkey Park – A Quiet Shimokita Escape to See the Northernmost Japanese Macaques Wakinosawa Wild Monkey Park Today, I planned to take a ferry from the Shimokita Peninsula to the Tsugaru Peninsula. With some time to spare before departure, I stopped by to visit the Japanese macaques of Shimokita. Wakinosawa, located in the Shimokita Peninsula, is known for its population of wild animals like monkeys and serows. The Japanese macaques that live here are the northernmost wild monkeys in the world and have been designated a National Natural Monument of Japan. Around 50 monkeys live in the ...

Looking for Love? Visit Tono’s Hidden Matchmaking Shrine: Unedori Jinja Unedori Jinja If you're searching for true love—or just hoping to boost your romantic luck—Unedori Jinja in the hills of Tono might just be your magical stop Pass through the vivid red torii gate and step into a tiny, secluded shrine. You'll be greeted by hundreds of fluttering red cloths. It might feel a little eerie at first, but each cloth carries someone's heartfelt wish. Here’s the ritual: Buy a piece of red cloth at the unmanned stall, write your wish on it, and then—this is key—tie it to ...

One of Japan’s Top 3 Gorges Turned Into an Art Tunnel?! My Mind-Blowing Trip to Kiyotsu Gorge Travel Date: June 2022 (Cloudy skies, but the vibes? 100 out of 10!) My destination this time was Kiyotsu Gorge, located in Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture. It’s one of Japan’s “Three Great Gorges” along with Kurobe and Osugidani, and it’s known for its towering rock walls with stunning columnar joints that’ll leave you breathless. But wait—this isn’t just a beautiful nature spot. That’s where the real twist begins. Back in 2018, during the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale, the entire tunnel running through Kiyotsu Gorge ...