Mari | Japan Travel 🎌

I’ve waited years to see this festival, and it was so beautiful! Definitely worth the trip 😍 This is the “Tenku no Fuyajo”, literally translated as the "Castle that Never Sleeps in the Sky," and it’s such an impressive lantern festival 🏮 It is held annually in early August in Noshiro City, Akita Prefecture, and this year it is on August 2nd and 3rd! So if you’re in the area definitely check it out tomorrow 🤩 It’s beautiful both during the daylight and of course at nighttime! 🙌 I wanted to show both in the video, which one do you like the most? 🥰 #castleinthesky #akita #noshiro #tenkunofuyajo

When I visited Shima Onsen, a lovely hot spring town in Gunma prefecture, three hours from Tokyo, I was looking for some relax, quiet and also to escape the city heat 🥵 I booked my stay and my JR Pass on Klook, easy and fast. Use my code if you purchase something on the platform, it’s MARIJAPANKLOOK 🎟️ You might think that onsen is not the best choice in summer to get “refreshed” and I think it’s partly true, it really depends where you go! Compared to Tokyo, I could feel the difference here, the temperatures are not the same 😆 I initially wanted to book the more famous Sekizenkan because it resembles the Spirited Away bathhouse, but it was fully booked for my dates and I found this instead. The reviews were pretty great so I thought it would be a good alternative and in fact it did not disappoint 😍 Not only the rooms are spacious with beautiful views, there is a publica bath and three beautiful private baths ♨️ they don’t require reservations, you’ll just see in the corridors or in front of the entrance a light: if it’s on someone is using it, if it’s off then you can go ahead and have such a great time. My favorite one is the one I’m showing at the right beginning! But I did go to all three of them 😆 I’ve also had dinner and breakfast, Japanese style, but they also give you the choice whether you want western-style breakfast. I chose Japanese-style because I wanted to try all the local dishes and ingredients, especially konnyaku (konjac) which Gunma prefecture is famous for (and produces over 90% of Japan’s konnyaku 😆). At night I went to check out the center of Shima Onsen where you can also see Sekizenkan, and it’s a lovely town. Of course more lively during the day when the shops open and everyone is strolling around! I had the relaxing time I was looking for and I felt refreshed and rested 🥰 #shimaonsen #gunma #ryokan

I recently visited Shima Onsen in Gunma prefecture, and it was around 3 hours from Shinjuku. It could take more if you don’t catch the Limited Express, but still not far away. The main reason why I wanted to check out this lovely hot spring town was the Sekizenkan because it really does look like the bathhouse from Spirited Away 😍 I tried booking it for my stay but I couldn’t so instead I stayed at Kashiwaya Ryokan which was absolutely amazing and it exceeded my expectations. Not only I got to stay in a beautiful ryokan with amazing private hot spring baths and delicious meals, but I also got to see Sekizenkan at night. Shima Onsen also has some nice spots worth visiting, the town itself is very pretty and it’s got lots of shops to check out! You don’t need a car, you can just walk all the way to Oizumu Falls and Lake Okushima. Amazing waters 🥰 I’d definitely recommend spending here at least one night, there are many ryokans to choose from and judging from the outside, they all seem like a great choice 🙌 I was quite surprised of the amount of people in front of Sekizenkan to take pictures, it’s in that moment I realised people really live Spirited Away and that ryokan got quite popular in recent years. 😳 Shima onsen is also close to Nagano, Niigata, Nozawaonsen and I wish I had more time (like a week more lol) to visit all the places around. 😆 Overall a great stay and I got to relax and try all their private onsen ♨️ no need to book! There is a light at the entrance that tells you whether it’s available or not 💡 I will share the ryokan I stayed at anyways and I’ll write more info on that there! 🙌 #shimaonsen #spiritedaway #gunma

A shrine in a cave along the coast in Miyazaki 🌊 Such beautiful views over the coast, one of the highlights of my trip (I mean everything to me here was a highlight lol). I didn’t take pictures of the cave because that day lots of people were visiting and I didn’t wanna to bother anybody. Also sometimes I just enjoy a place so much I forget to take pictures 😆 Recently I’ve been traveling around different places in Japan by car, I conquered the fear of driving by myself 😆 and I’m so happy I did because driving makes it so much better. You get to see so many spots that sometimes are difficult to get to and you also are able to see way more! 🙌 I usually rent a car on Klook since it’s fast and easy to understand and of course I always get insurance cause you never know 😌 if you decide to book in Klook, you can use my discount code MARIJAPANKLOOK! 📍Udo Shrine, Miyazaki #miyazaki #udoshrine

This is another spot I saved in my map and really wanted to visit in Miyazaki 🪨 Tsumakirishima Shrine features two distinct natural and historical landmarks: the Shinseki, a massive natural boulder split cleanly in half, and the Oniiwa Kaidan, a steep flight of 999 unworked stone steps that local folklore attributes to a legend of demon construction. 👹 The stone also reminded me of Demon Slayer and I was really curious to see it… it is huge! 🙌 I went by car but it is actually just 10 minutes on foot from Higashi-Takasaki station. It’s deep in the forests so I would still suggest renting a car if possible so you get to see more of the area as well! #miyazaki #demonslayer #tanjiro

I’m on a mission to see all Suzume’s doors but also Ghibli stops around Japan 😌 And Miyazaki prefecture has so many! 📍 Totoro of Futo 富土のトトロ 📍 安久町後久の田んぼにあるトトロたち 📍 Tonari no Totoro Bus Stop 高原町のトトロ 📍 The Laputan Robot ジブリ·ロボット兵のオブジェ I’m excited to plan other trips around the different prefectures to see more!🚏 Which is your favorite? #ghiblibusstop #ghibli #totoro #miyazaki

Michi-no-Eki in Japan are far more than standard highway rest stops 😆 They are regional hubs that showcase local culture, fresh food, and scenic landscapes. Instead of just a quick fuel stop, travelers intentionally route their trips around them 🙌 A perfect example is Roadside Station Kirishima (Shinwa no Sato Park) in Kagoshima. Located high in the mountains, it features sweeping views of Mount Sakurajima, local specialties like Kurobuta pork, and even a chairlift leading to a 390-meter luge slide down the hills. 😍 Beautiful views! 📍 Roadside station Kirishima, 2583-22 Kirishimataguchi, Kirishima, Kagoshima 899-4201 #kagoshima #kirishima #michinoeki

The 49th Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival took place on Saturday, July 25, 2026, lighting up the sky over Tokyo’s Sumida River with over 20,000 fireworks framed by the iconic Tokyo Skytree. 🎆 The display was beautiful and I’m glad I got to see it from close up! Going back home sure was difficult though, so many people 😆 #fireworks #asakusa

There are many doors round Japan that follow Suzume’s story and movements in the movie! So far I’ve been to three and this is in Miyazaki! (Where she is living with her aunt) 🚪 It is located at Cape Hyuga in Miyazaki Prefecture, at a Roadside rest area (Michi no Eki). To reach the site by car, drive approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes south from Miyazaki City (or 30 to 40 minutes from Nobeoka) or take the JR Nippo Main Line to JR Hyugashi Station and take a 15- to 20-minute taxi directly to the cape. 📍 Roadside rest area Nangō #suzume #miyazaki #door

Kusatsu Onsen, in Gunma prefecture, has been celebrated for centuries as one of Japan’s premier hot spring towns. ♨️ Because the spring water emerges at temperatures as high as 95°C (203°F), raw geothermal water cannot be used directly for bathing. Rather than diluting the water with cold tap water, the town developed “Yumomi” during the Edo Period. By stirring the steaming water with wooden paddles while singing traditional folk songs (Yumomi-uta), the water cools naturally while maintaining its therapeutic quality. 😌 This performance takes place at Netsunoyu, right next to the central Yubatake (hot spring field). 📍Netsunoyu, Kusatsu, Agatsuma District, Gunma Prefecture 🚊 2.5 hours from Tokyo via JR Limited Express (Takasaki Line/Agatsuma Line to Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station) + a short local bus to Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal. #KusatsuOnsen #GunmaPrefecture #Yumomi

Did you know Japan is home to the world’s only officially sanctioned Easter Island Moai replicas? 🗿 In the 1990s, a Japanese team of stonemasons and engineers traveled to Rapa Nui (Easter Island) to help restore the earthquake-damaged Ahu Tongariki site. Out of gratitude for their restoration work, the Rapa Nui Council of Elders gave official authorization, and exact 3D structural blueprints, to recreate these seven full-scale Moai here on the coastal cliffs of Sun Messe Nichinan in Miyazaki. 🤓 Each of the seven statues represents a different blessing, including health, love, and fortune. 📍 Sun Messe Nichinan (サンメッセ日南), Miyazaki Prefecture 📆 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed Wednesdays, except national holidays) 🎟️ Around ¥1,000 (Adults) 🚗 ~40 mins by car from Miyazaki Airport, or via the Nichinan Line bus from Miyazaki Station / Aoshima. #moai #easterisland #miyazaki

What started as a local mother’s passion project, with handcrafted Totoro statues created by her daughter, has turned into this cute little spot! 🥰 It’s called “Futo no Mori” bus stop and it’s on private property! Which means it’s not a tourist attraction. It’s important to keep the noise down, avoid visiting early in the morning or late at night, and park only in designated spaces to respect the owners who generously share this space! 📍 Totoro of Futo 富土のトトロ 3561 Futo, Nichinan, Miyazaki 887-0102 #totoro #busstop #miyazaki

…the real life Howl’s Moving Castle?! I love driving around in Japan because you can find the coolest places and hidden spots (sometimes quite strange!) 😍 Is it just me or it kinda looks like it?! If you’d like to know its location comment HOWL in the comment section and I’ll send you all the info! #howlsmovingcastle #ghibli

Located in Yuttari Park overlooking the serene Nanao Bay, the newly opened Wakura Pokémon Footbath is more than just a charming stop: it’s a story of resilience. 🙌 Following the devastating 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake, Wakura Onsen's original public footbath was heavily damaged. Instead of simply repairing it, the town partnered with the Pokémon With You Foundation to completely reimagine the space. Opened in May 2026, this project was designed to bring moments of joy back to local children and help revitalize tourism in one of Japan's most historic hot spring communities. Today, the free 15-meter ashiyu (footbath) has volcanic onsen water flowing directly from a Gyarados spout. 💦 As you soak your feet and take in the coastal views, you are kept company by seven Pokémon sculptures, including Pikachu and Psyduck, alongside custom-decorated shoji windows. 😍 Visiting here is a peaceful, grounded way to rest during your regional travels while directly supporting the Noto Peninsula’s ongoing recovery. ❤️‍🩹 Don't forget to look for the local Gyarados, Poliwag, and Politoed Poké Lid right outside the facility before you leave! 📍 Wakura Onsen Yuttari Park, Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture ⏰ Open Daily: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM 🎫 Admission: Free #wakuraonsen #pokemononsen #noto #ishikawa

Many consider this ryokan one of the most authentic experiences you can have in Japan because it isn’t just a place to stay: it is a living piece of cultural history. 🙌 Located in Ishikawa Prefecture’s historic Yamashiro Onsen, Araya Totoan has been managed by the exact same family for 18 successive generations. Originally serving as the private bathhouse for the ruling feudal Maeda clan, this extraordinary 17-room ryokan seamlessly preserves the slow, quiet mastery of Japanese hospitality. ♨️ What truly sets it apart is its deep connection to the legendary 20th-century artist, calligrapher, and epicure, Kitaoji Rosanjin. Rosanjin lived and worked here for a time, leaving behind a wealth of original masterpieces, wood carvings, and pottery that still adorn the ryokan today. You can even stay in the original Maeda-han stateroom, complete with its vivid regional vermillion walls, where the artist himself once resided. 😮 Every detail here honors local heritage, from the hyper-local kaiseki dinners served on Kutani-ware porcelain to the daily flow of 100,000 liters of pure, source-fed thermal water. 📍 Araya Totoan, Yamashiro Onsen, Ishikawa Prefecture #yamashiroonsen #ishikawa #ryokan #PR

Right on the shores of Lake Kussharo, Japan’s largest caldera lake, Kussharo Prince Hotel feels like a hidden retreat completely cut off from the noise of the modern world. 😍 Within the pristine borders of Akan-Mashu National Park, this is where ancient wilderness meets serene comfort! 🙌 The hotel is the perfect base camp for exploring the raw, dramatic landscapes of Eastern Hokkaido. Here is what awaits just beyond your doorstep: - Tsubetsu Pass Sea of Clouds: Wake up before dawn and join a guided tour from the hotel to Tsubetsu Pass. If weather conditions line up, you will stand high above a rolling, mystical sea of clouds completely filling the volcanic caldera as the sun rises. ☁️ - Lake Mashu: Known as one of the clearest lakes in the world. On a clear day, its deep, intense “Mashu Blue” water is absolutely mesmerizing, often framed by a dramatic sea of fog. - Wakoto Peninsula Nature Trail: A peaceful forest walk along the edge of Lake Kussharo. Because of the area’s geothermal activity, you’ll feel warm steam rising from the ground as you hike under the canopy. - Mt. Io / Atosa-nupuri: An active volcano where you can walk right up to steaming, yellow sulfur vents. The contrast between the rugged, smoking earth and the surrounding lush forest is unforgettable. 🌋 After a day of exploring, you can return to the sanctuary of the hotel to watch the sunset over the lake and soak in an open-air hot spring bath sourced from 1,000 meters underground.  If you are looking to experience a quieter, deeply grounding side of Japan, this lakeside corner of Hokkaido is waiting. 📍 Kussharo Prince Hotel, Hokkaido #hokkaido #japantravel #kussharo

Can you believe this is a completely free exhibition, located just on the outskirts of Tokyo and only 10 minutes from Tokyo Disneyland?? 😳 The Urayasu City Folk Museum is a fascinating, open-air cultural park that transports you straight back to the mid-20th century. 🙌 Long before the theme parks and high-rise hotels were built on reclaimed land, Urayasu was a thriving, tight-knit coastal fishing village famous for its seaweed and shellfish. 🎣 The centerpiece of the museum is “Urayasu Village,” a meticulously reconstructed townscape showcasing what local life looked like around 1952. Unlike static museums where you just look at displays behind glass, here you can physically wander inside wooden fisherman homes, step into a vintage tofu shop, sit down in a traditional public bathhouse, and inspect old canal boats resting in a real water canal. 😆 You can also try many different toys and games they used to do back then! I like Kendama even if I’m not good at it (at all lol) 🎟️ Admission: Free 🚗 Only a 10-minute drive from the Tokyo Disney Resort area. 🚊 Take the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line to Urayasu Station, then a short 10-minute bus ride to the museum. #tokyo #museum

If you love Sanrio and are looking for a unique, peaceful spot to visit just outside of Tokyo, you’ll want to save this one. 🎀 Located in Kawasaki, Hie Daijinja is actually the historic birthplace of official Sanrio character amulets, omamori 😍 Walking up to the reception, you’ll find an incredible display of over 100 different kinds of Sanrio amulets: from classics like Hello Kitty, My Melody, and Little Twin Stars to favorites like Cinnamoroll, Pompompurin, Kuromi, and even rare retro characters. 😆 Because it’s a sacred and active local shrine rather than a tourist shop, they kindly ask visitors to follow a few gentle rules when receiving their blessings: The Limit: To ensure there are enough for everyone, purchases are limited to a maximum of 5 amulets per person (and a limit of 3 of the same character). 🙌 The Cost: Amulets are 700 yen each. Hours: The shrine’s amulet reception is open from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Etiquette: Please remember to bow and pay your respects at the main hall before purchasing your amulets. 📍 Hie Daijinja, Kawasaki, in between Tokyo and Yokohama! #sanrio #omamori #hellokitty

On July 17th and 24th, the streets of Kyoto transform into a breathtaking, moving museum. 🙌 This is the Yamahoko Junko, the grand float parades of the legendary Gion Matsuri! Some of these massive wooden floats weigh up to 12 tons, tower as high as a 9-story building, and are assembled completely by hand! 🤯 This is the peak of the festival so that also means there are going to be lots of people there and with the heat you’ll have to be very careful if you decide you wanna witness this (worth it). When I went a couple of years ago I stayed on the intersection in Kawaramachi in front of Takashimaya 🛍️ It was such an unforgettable experience 🙌 #kyoto #gion #july

Shirokane Hikawa-jinja Shrine, in Minato Ward, is a small and the oldest shrine in the Shirokane area, founded during the Hakuhō period (late 7th century) It’s also famously known as a sanctuary for the local stray cats, affectionately called "Platinum Cats" 🐱 The shrine community takes care of them, though they can be quite elusive! I visited on a bright, sunny noon, which meant they were not anywhere to be seen. If you visit, you can still bring home beautiful cat omamori (amulets) in a variety of vibrant colors, and their goshuin (shrine stamps)! Right now, they are offering a limited-edition birthday goshuin available until July 31st! Even if your birthday isn't in July, don't worry, my birthday is in a different month, but when I provided the date, they hand-wrote it directly into my goshuincho (stamp book). You can also opt for the paper version if you don't have your book with you. 📍 Shirokane Hikawa-jinja Shrine 🐾 5-minute walk from Shirokane-Takanawa Station #cat #tokyo #catshrine