Blog
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[Cat Inn in Ehime] A dreamlike one-night stay surrounded by 13 cats. Matsuraku Ryokan Accommodation Report
I recently stayed at a "cat inn" in Ehime Prefecture. Amazingly, 13 cats live there, and you can freely interact with them from check-in until 6 PM. I'd like to share my two-day experience, where I was completely soothed by the adorable ... -
[Showa Era Heritage] It still exists in Japan. Experience a time slip in “Showa Town” in Bungo-Takada, Oita.
I heard that a world reminiscent of the Showa era still exists in Bungo-Takada City, Oita Prefecture, and I went to check it out. It's a strange town that evokes a sense of nostalgia, even though it was my first time visiting. This time,... -
Riding the Shinkansen’s $10 Private Room — It Felt Like a Moving Internet Café
Most people picture the Shinkansen as rows of reclining seats and a snack cart rolling by. However, on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines, a different option exists: the S Work car, a business-focused carriage built for calls, video ... -
Cat Village: Inside Japan’s Only Free-Roaming Cat Sanctuary
A Cat Paradise Inside a Safari Park I once heard about a cat paradise hidden inside a safari park. Naturally, I had to see it for myself. On March 24, 2026, a brand-new attraction called "Neko Mura" (Cat Village) opened inside Akiyoshida... -
Aboard Japan’s Newest Ferry: A 21-Hour Voyage on the Keyaki
Japan's newest ferry set sail for the first time in November 2025, and we booked a cabin on its very first weeks in service. The Keyaki, operated by Shin Nihonkai Ferry, is the first new ship on the Otaru–Maizuru route in 21 years. It co... -
Riding Japan’s Most Luxurious Sightseeing Train Through Snow Country: The Setsugekka
Deep in the snow country of Niigata Prefecture runs one of the most exclusive sightseeing trains in Japan. The Setsugekka (雪月花), operated by Echigo Tokimeki Railway, carries just 38 passengers at a time on a roughly 3.5-hour journey b... -
【Station Hotel】We Stayed at a Japanese Station Hotel Built Right Above the Platform
Some hotels sell you a view. This one sells you the platform itself. Tagawa-Ita Station Hotel sits directly on the second floor of JR Tagawa-Ita Station in Fukuoka Prefecture. Getting there couldn't be simpler. Walk through the... -
Japan’s Only Cave Ryokan: We Stayed at Mado Onsen Ryofuso in Tsu, Mie Prefecture
Hidden in the countryside of Tsu City, Mie Prefecture, sits one of the strangest and most memorable ryokan (traditional Japanese inns) in the country. At Mado Onsen Ryofuso (磨洞温泉 涼風荘), both the dining hall and part of the hot spri... -
Japan’s Penny Arcade: Retro Games That Still Cost Just 10 Yen (About 7¢)
A Retreat From Modern Life Sometimes modern life just gets exhausting, and the cure is stepping into a place where time seems to have stopped. That's exactly what led me to Sagamiko Boat, a quietly extraordinary Showa-era amusement spot ... -
Irori Sanzoku: Inside Japan’s Wildest Mountain Restaurant
A Mysterious World Deep in the Mountains Some restaurants are worth a detour. Irori Sanzoku is worth an entire road trip. Tucked deep in the mountains of Yamaguchi Prefecture, this legendary drive-in restaurant looks less like a place to...
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