Tom J
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Tom J

Feb. 16, 2026
[Image1]Fukuoka is one of the more younger and vibrant cities in Japan, and for many visitors needs no intro

Fukuoka is one of the more younger and vibrant cities in Japan, and for many visitors needs no introduction. The downtown Hakata area with its exciting nightlife and ancient temples is justly famous, and many people enjoy the large urban area of Tenjin, which is always bustling , with a great deal of shops, museums and entertainment.

Heading into the slightly more residential area of Nishijin, though, in the more relaxed west of the city, Fukuoka really finds its balance as a place that is modern without losing its touch with tradition, and full of compact convenience without the overwhelming activity of the city center. In particular, the Nishijin Shopping Street is a traditional arcade that you really owe it to yourself to experience. It has a strong Showa vibe, with many small businesses making a living based on their connections to the community. Despite the somewhat antiquated atmosphere, it is near a university and high school, keeping the shopping arcade energetic and full of life, where trendy new things can be found in hole-in-the-wall shops next to more traditional crafts and stores that have been handed down for generations. For an American that has seen many traditional stores run out of small towns to be replaced by the usual big chains, it is inspiring to see not just old shops continuing their business but even new operations flourishing in an area that feels both out of step with modern times and yet very much connected and flourishing.

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Himeji Castle is justly famous and sees visitors from around the world. But for many, Himeji is a short trip from Osaka or elsewhere, and no sooner have they seen the castle than visitors head right back to the station. In a way, Himeji is a victim of its own success in designing around the castle, with it being directly in view the second visitors step out of the station, and the castle being so famous that it overshadows everything else the city has to offer. Well, that's fair. Koko-en garden and Engyo-j on Mt. Shosha are also well worth your time, but for someone who would only like to focus on the castle, there is one minor detour I would recommend, and that is the Senhime Trail. Directly running along the moat of Himeji Castle itself, it is surrounded on both sides by water, with excellent seasonal tree foliage at any time of year. The path is named after Princess Senhime, the granddaughter of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who lived at Himeji Castle in the early Edo period. Strangely, just a fraction of those who wish to see the castle go here and so it is not a very busy trail. It feels much more quiet and peaceful than the main castle approach, and shops and crowds give way to maple trees, waterfowl, and reflections of the castle in the water. Best of all, in light of Himeji Castle fees being newly raised for visitors, the trail is completely free! It is a hidden gem beautiful and well worth the time in any season, but especially spring or fall. For those with time to enjoy beauty, I highly recommend making a stroll of it before turning back to Himeji Station.
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Feb. 2, 2026
Toyooka, on the Sea of Japan, is a lovely city that feels rather old fashioned. A very long history of bagmaking craftsmen can be found here, which suits the image of the city with its traditional architecture and sedated atmosphere. Since it is on the Sea of Japan, Toyooka is very cold in winter, and the Kinosaki area of Toyooka does a roaring trade with Onsen and crabs. Many people come up to brave the winter cold for the crab found here, and some look forward to it all year! More touchingly, Toyooka is the heart of Japan's stork revival. As Japan, Inc. proceeded and manufacturing altered landscapes, there were less and less homes in Japan for the Oriental White Stork, before finally being declared extinct in 1971. Even the few surviving captive storks had been rendered infertile by exposure to chemicals. Not giving up, Toyooka worked tirelessly to restore the stork population before the first live birth finally took place in 1989. After a painstaking process by which they were reintroduced to the wild and a safe habitat was made for them, today the Oriental White Stork, auspicious since ancient times, once again flies above the wilds of northern Hyogo prefecture. If you see one, it is sure to be good luck!

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