Guides
Japan Nature & Outdoors
Mountains, rivers, gorges and hot springs — where to go, when they actually look like the photos, and how to get there.
Why Mount Fuji Is Classified as an Active Volcano
Mount Fuji is an active volcano under official monitoring, not an extinct peak. Here's what that classification means for hikers and residents day to day.
Onsen Etiquette for Shaving and Grooming: What's Allowed
Where you can and can't shave or groom at a Japanese onsen, from the washing stations to the changing room, and why the rules exist.
Mount Fuji Hike: Trails, Huts and Pacing for First-Timers
A practical guide to choosing a Mount Fuji trail, planning rest stops at mountain huts, and pacing yourself to avoid altitude sickness on the climb.
Onsen Etiquette During Your Period: A Practical Guide
Clear guidance on bathing in an onsen during your period, handling tampons and menstrual products, and deciding when to sit a soak out.
Mount Fuji Hike: Best Season, Gear and Hut Planning
A first-timer's guide to the Mount Fuji hike: when to climb, what to pack, how mountain huts work, and how to train beforehand.
Onsen Etiquette for LGBTQ+ Travelers: What to Know
A practical guide to Japanese onsen customs for LGBTQ+ travelers, covering changing rooms, gender-segregated baths, and ways to avoid awkward moments.
Onsen Etiquette at Hotels and Ryokan vs Public Baths
How hot spring manners change once you're staying at a hotel or ryokan, from towel handling to timing, compared with visiting a public bathhouse.
Onsen Etiquette with Kids: A Family Guide to Japan's Baths
A practical guide to onsen etiquette with kids: mixed-bathing age limits, house rules that vary by facility, and when a private family bath makes sense.
Onsen Mixed Bathing Etiquette: What First-Timers Should Know
A plain guide to onsen mixed bathing etiquette: what to wear, how to use your towel, and how to behave so you don't stand out as a first-timer.
Private Onsen Etiquette for Couples: Which Rules Still Apply
A guide to what changes and what stays the same when couples book a private onsen, from bathing suits to towel use and booking manners.
Onsen Etiquette for Women: What to Expect Before Your First Visit
A practical guide to what women should know about clothing, body hair, and periods before stepping into a Japanese onsen for the first time.
Hiking the Japan Alps: Which Trails Suit a First Visit
A guide to choosing between valley day hikes and mountain-hut treks in the Japan Alps, plus the seasons and gear that make the difference.
Onsen Tattoo Rules: How to Find a Bath That Lets You In
A practical guide to Japan's onsen tattoo rules, why baths refuse ink, and how to use private baths, tattoo-friendly onsen, or cover seals instead.
Onsen Etiquette: What to Actually Do, in Order
A step-by-step guide to onsen etiquette in English, covering tattoos, gender-separated baths, kake-yu, and towel rules from changing room to exit.
The Onsen Towns You Can Actually Bathe In Without Booking a Room
Most onsen town rankings assume you are staying the night. These six towns are ranked by something you can check before you go: whether a day visitor can get into the water, what it costs, and what time the door shuts.
When Japan's Autumn Leaves Actually Peak (73 Years of Official Data)
Most autumn foliage guides give you a fortnight that is a fortnight too early. Here are the average colour dates from Japan's own meteorological record, city by city, with the spread you should plan around.