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Guide to Japan Blog
Everything you read here comes from my real life in Tokyo. These posts are about the things I enjoy, the places I visit, and the cafés, bars, and restaurants I discover. I write naturally and honestly, and I hope you can feel what I feel and experience a bit of what I experience.
If something resonates with you, feel free to leave a comment. If you visit any of the places I mention, I would love to hear how your experience was too. I write these posts for fun, and I hope they’re interesting, helpful, and add something to your time in Japan :)
PLACES TO GO
Hiking Mt. Fuji for Sunrise: A Two-Day Adventure With My Sister
An overly ambitious, slightly chaotic, completely unforgettable weekend. Yoshida Trail - 5th Station Getting to Fujiyoshida To set the scene: this is the story of how my sister and I climbed Mount Fuji over two days, stayed overnight on the mountain, slept basically zero hours, and somehow made it to the summit just in time for sunrise. But first, let’s talk transportation. To this day, I still have no idea how to book highway buses online. JR Pass? No idea. Bullet trains? No
Alex
Nov 196 min read
Best Running Routes in Tokyo — My Favourite Places to Train and Explore
Tokyo’s best spots for a run — from quiet riverside trails to night runs through the city.
Alex
Nov 141 min read
Cool Neighbourhood: Daikanyama — Tokyo’s Quiet Style
Daikanyama blends modern design, calm streets, and effortless style. With concept stores, leafy cafes, and hidden bookshops, it’s Tokyo’s version of slow living — elegant, local, and undeniably cool.
Alex
Nov 71 min read
Cool Neighbourhood: Nakano — Retro, Ramen, and Hidden Alleys
From Nakano Broadway’s anime nostalgia to ramen joints tucked in backstreets, Nakano captures Tokyo’s offbeat charm. Come for the pop culture, stay for the food, and get lost in its maze-like laneways.
Alex
Nov 71 min read
Cool Neighbourhood: Shimokitazawa — Tokyo’s Bohemian Heart
Vintage stores, tiny bars, and live music fill the narrow streets of Shimokitazawa. A laid-back pocket of Tokyo where creativity, coffee, and community come together — best explored with no plan at all.
Alex
Nov 71 min read
7 Days in Taipei — Street Food, Night Markets, and a Spartan Race
A week in Taipei filled with food, culture, and a Spartan Race adventure — here’s how it all went down.
Alex
Nov 71 min read
Cool Tokyo Neighbourhoods: A Day Around Nakameguro’s Cafes and Canals
Chic cafes, independent stores, and cherry blossom canals — exploring Tokyo’s trendiest neighbourhood.
Alex
Nov 71 min read
Cool Tokyo Neighbourhoods: Exploring Kōenji’s Vintage Streets and Hidden Bars
A local’s guide to Kōenji — vintage shops, underground music, and Tokyo’s laid-back creative side.
Alex
Nov 71 min read
Mt. Oyama — Spiritual Trails and Scenic Cable Cars
Mt. Oyama in Kanagawa combines hiking with history — stone steps, mountain shrines, and views that stretch from Tokyo to Sagami Bay. Great for those who love culture with their climb. Mt. Ōyama (1,252m) in Kanagawa Prefecture is a beautiful blend of nature, history, and spirituality — a mountain once worshipped by pilgrims for bringing rain and good harvests. Just 90 minutes from Tokyo, it’s an ideal day trip for those who want a hike with meaning, scenery, and great food alo
Alex
Nov 62 min read
Mt. Fuji Trail Run — From Base to Summit in a Single Day
A full-day endurance challenge up Mt. Fuji from the first torii gate in Yoshida Town. Tough climbs, changing terrain, and the reward of standing at the top of Japan — all in one epic run. For endurance athletes and mountain runners, there’s one challenge that sits above them all: running Mt. Fuji from the first torii gate in Yoshida Town to the summit and back — in a single day . It’s a test of endurance, altitude, and mental grit. The trail begins gently through forests and
Alex
Nov 61 min read
Mt. Jinba — Quiet Trails and Big Views Next to Mt. Takao
If Mt. Takao feels crowded, Mt. Jinba is the calm alternative. A peaceful ridge hike with sweeping Fuji views, teahouses along the trail, and space to truly breathe. If Mt. Takao feels busy, Mt. Jinba (857m) is where you go to find space. Just one ridge over from Takao, it’s part of the same mountain range — but with far fewer people and a lot more silence. The hike takes you through cedar forests and rolling ridgelines, with a few small teahouses dotted along the way where
Alex
Nov 61 min read
Nikko — Temples, Shrines, and Mountain Trails
Nikko’s sacred forests and ornate temples make for one of Japan’s most beautiful escapes. Explore Toshogu Shrine, hike quiet mountain paths, and unwind in an onsen surrounded by nature. If you only take one day trip north of Tokyo, make it Nikkō . A UNESCO World Heritage site, it’s where nature, history, and spirituality meet — and it’s absolutely stunning year-round. Start at Tōshō-gū Shrine , a masterpiece of Japanese craftsmanship dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder
Alex
Nov 61 min read
Mt. Asakusa (Niigata) — Rural Japan, Ryokan Stays, and Mountain Air
Stay overnight at Asakusa Sanso, a traditional ryokan with tatami rooms and kaiseki meals, before hiking through Niigata’s tranquil countryside. The perfect mix of mountain adventure and Japanese hospitality. The Niigata region doesn’t rush you. It’s one of those places where the mountains feel ancient, the air smells like rice fields and cedar wood, and life moves at a softer pace. Staying at Asakusa Sanso , a traditional ryokan-style lodge , you’ll experience that side of J
Alex
Nov 61 min read
Okutama — Tokyo’s Wild Backyard
With crystal-clear rivers, forest trails, and rugged mountains, Okutama feels a world away from the city. Perfect for hiking, trail running, or just a quiet escape into Tokyo’s wild side. For those craving something wilder and less touristy, Okutama is Tokyo’s true mountain frontier. It’s a region, not just one mountain, filled with crystal-clear rivers, suspension bridges, and endless trails that weave through forested valleys. A favourite route is the Mt. Kumotori trail (
Alex
Nov 61 min read
Mt. Mitake — Forest Shrines, Waterfalls, and Mountain Magic
A lush escape into nature, Mt. Mitake is home to mossy cedar forests, sacred shrines, and hidden waterfalls. Ideal for hikers who want peace, culture, and nature all in one trip from Tokyo. If Takao feels like a Sunday stroll, Mt. Mitake (929m) feels like a journey into old Japan. Located in Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park , it’s a place where nature and spirituality still blend beautifully. You’ll take a short cable car ride up the mountain before walking through cedar-line
Alex
Nov 61 min read
Mt. Takao — Tokyo’s Most Popular Mountain Escape
Just an hour from central Tokyo, Mt. Takao blends forest trails, mountain views, street food stalls, and temple culture. A perfect day hike for anyone looking to breathe fresh air without leaving the city. Just an hour from Shinjuku, Mt. Takao (599m) is the perfect city escape — close enough for a half-day trip, but far enough to feel like real nature. It’s where locals go to recharge. The trails wind through cedar forests, with small shrines, statues, and vending machines t
Alex
Nov 61 min read
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