Greencaviar Travel

  Onward to Toyama via Fushiki After immersing myself in Kakunodate’s past, I boarded the bullet train back to Akita and journeyed west to Toyama Prefecture, passing through Fushiki, a coastal port town with a long history of trade. This leg of the trip was quieter and less touristic—but deeply satisfying in its simplicity. A Summer Visit to Shirakawa-go: Heatwaves, History, and Heavenly Views From the small port town of Fushiki, I boarded a bus for an almost two-hour ride into the mountains. My destination: Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Gifu Prefecture, famous for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses with steep thatched roofs designed to shed heavy snow. The journey itself was beautiful — winding roads through serene mountain landscapes, lush greenery in every shade imaginable. I visited in the height of summer, under a heatwave warning. The local advice was simple but essential: drink plenty of water. Once in the village, I wandered through narrow paths and op...

🚅 From Yokohama to the Samurai Spirit of Northern Japan My recent journey through northern Japan took me from the bustling port city of Yokohama to the tranquil, history-soaked landscapes of Akita and Toyama—with a powerful stop in Kakunodate, Japan’s famous Samurai village. Each destination revealed a different layer of Japan’s spirit, from modern vitality to centuries-old tradition. Strolling Through Yokohama Despite the sweltering summer heat, I was determined to walk the city and soak in its character—and I’m glad I did. Yokohama offers a lot for a traveler willing to brave the sun. I started with a peaceful escape to Yamashita Park, a green space that stretches along the harbor. The breeze off the water helped offset the rising temperatures, and the views of the bay dotted with ships made for a calming pause in the middle of the city. From there, I wandered into Yokohama’s Chinatown—one of the largest in the world. The streets were alive with colorful signs, steam rising from d...