Japan off the beaten path

Things to Do in Gokayama: Ainokura & Suganuma — A Complete Guide (2026)

by

Gokayama doesn’t make a lot of noise. There are no neon signs, no souvenir arcades, no buses idling in a queue. What it has are two small, mountain-locked villages — Ainokura and Suganuma — where gassho-zukuri farmhouses have stood for centuries under some of the heaviest snowfall in Japan. If you are here, you already … Read more

Is Takachiho Gorge Worth It? An Honest Look at the Boat Ride, the Crowds, and the Long Trip There

by

If you are planning a trip to Kyushu and wondering whether Takachiho Gorge is worth the long drive—or whether the famous boat ride lives up to the photos—you are not alone. This is one of the most-asked questions in Japan travel forums, and for good reason: Takachiho is remote, requires a car (or a tour), … Read more