Japan | Offbeat Japan

Ine traditional boathouses at night, Japan coast town

Kyoto

The Funaya of Ine

Nestled on a strip between land and sea, this picturesque village with its houses on stilts offers a landscape of rare beauty.

October 2, 2023

Kyoto

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Sagano, better known as Arashiyama, is a vast area in Ukyo-ku district, northwest of Kyoto city, encircled by Mounts Ogura and Atago and the Katsura river.

April 18, 2022

Ishikawa

Natadera Temple

Natadera Temple, in the suburb of Komatsu (Ishikawa prefecture) a few kilometres from Kanazawa city, belongs to the Shingon Buddhist sect.

April 11, 2022

Imposing war memorial tower against sunset skyline.

Japan Kansai Osaka

Osaka Great Peace Tower

This oddly designed tower is a cenotaph, in other words a funerary monument that doesn’t contain human remains but was erected in memory of a person, or group of people.

April 4, 2022

Inamura Rock: Majestic autumn landscape with vibrant foliage and peaceful village in Japan.

Autumn Tokyo

Nippara: Where The Samurai Came To Find Peace

Chance discoveries are often the most amazing. It was on the road to Nippara limestone caves that I found this village of little interest yet total surprise.

December 15, 2021

Ancient sacred tree amidst forest shrines

Kagawa Shikoku

Shishijima: Island of the Goat (or of the 19 Residents)

It’s early. I call on my host: couldn’t you recommend an island around here for my morning constitutional? Of course, he told me. So join my mate on his boat down there. He’ll take you to his place! On Goat Island...

November 5, 2021

Abandoned Hachijo Royal: Japans Haunting Luxury Hotel Relic

Izu Islands Tokyo Tokyo Urbex Urbex

Hachijo Royal Hotel: The Largest Abandoned Resort in Japan

It’s 300 kilometres from Tokyo, but that's where I meet up with my pal Martin for new adventures ... on a deserted island, in a forgotten hotel ...

October 28, 2021

Hokkaido Hokkaido Winter

The Jewelry Ice Beach at Otsu

"Jewelry Ice" is a completely unique phenomenon that can be observed at Otsu Beach in the city of Toyokoro, Hokkaido. During winter, the Tokachi River, which flows near this fishing town, freezes under the very cold...

October 19, 2021

Aerial Mandala-like Vegetation Formation in Japan

Japan Kyushu Miyazaki

The mysterious forest circles of Miyazaki

I didn’t happen across these strange circles of trees while soaring over the Japanese landscape but, like many curious folk, I found them on social networks. As these always show the same photos, I decided to check them...

August 10, 2021

Quaint Japanese mountain village alleyway, traditional architecture

Chubu Japan Niigata

Tsutsuishi: Where fine days dissolve in smiles

One beautiful summer morning, I head for Tsutsuishi on the local train.

June 5, 2021

Historic Japanese town Takeharas traditional architecture.

Chugoku Hiroshima Japan

Takehara : Staggering between the whisky and the sake

When I arrived in Takehara one evening, I was expecting a little village wedged between a calm, silky sea on one side and mountains verdant with bamboo on the other.

May 31, 2021

Japan Shikoku Tokushima

Nagoro : The Village of Dolls

For those who enjoy driving and don’t find cliffs and mountain switchbacks too scary, the Iya Valley offers magnificent landscapes and dozens of remote little villages, each one more piquant than the last.

April 4, 2021

Cozy Japanese neighborhood street cat nap

Toyama

Inami: Yokamachi-dori (Cat Street)

Still dusty from exploring an abandoned clinic, on the way back to the car I chance upon a very pretty little street.

February 10, 2021

Abandoned overgrown village path through lush foliage.

Chugoku Japan Tottori

Itaibara : Tottori’s Forgotten Hamlet

Quitting the autoroute that leads to the town of Chizu, I take a mountain road. It’s typical of this terrain where you often come across deer, foxes, monkeys, sometimes even bears, especially early morning just before...

February 1, 2021

Tomonoura: Picturesque Japanese Coastal Town Harbor

Chugoku Hiroshima Japan

Tomonoura : The Village of Ponyo

I’m going round in circles. Where on earth is it? After searching far and wide for the way up, a steep flight of steps appears in front of me.

January 25, 2021

Lush Rebun Island, Hokkaidos serene meadows, azure sea.

Autumn Hokkaido

Rebun: The Flowered Floating Island

Frantically I put my foot down, driving along the incredible Route 106 (the last stretch of road to the north of Hokkaido) through a storm where the sky and the ocean are as one.

July 9, 2020

Aogashima: Japans Majestic Volcanic Island Haven

Best Of Izu Islands Tokyo

Aogashima: Double Volcano Island

Aogashima is a very mysterious island. Online, always the same photos taken from a helicopter, sometimes photoshopped. But what’s really hidden behind these lava walls?

July 2, 2020

Enchanting Zao Snow Monsters, Twisted Winter Wonderland

Best Of Winter Yamagata

The Snow Monsters of Mount Zao

It’s not an easy encounter. I’d already visited a few years ago, but a gathering storm made it impossible for me to approach these monsters and stroke their silken fur.

February 5, 2020

Marvelous Naruto Strait: Akashi Bridge Whirlpools - A stunning natural wonder in Japan.

Tokushima Winter

Naruto Whirlpools

Find yourself in the middle of the Naruto Strait where the tidal currents slosh against each other.

October 22, 2019

Unexpected Encounter: Moai statues from Easter Island in Hokkaido, Japan, creating a captivating contrast.

Autumn Hokkaido

Makomanai Takino Cemetery

One day, or maybe one night, near a cemetery, I fell asleep ...

October 8, 2019

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