Japan - 15-Day Slow Trip Thru West-Central Japan

This is the INDEX PAGE of our 2nd Japan Trip, with links to approximately 30 posts covering a wide region.

Presented here is a self-guided trip through Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kobe, Uji, Himeji, Nagoya, Kanazawa, Hida Takayama, Shirakawago, Matsumoto, Kamikochi, Tsumago, Magome and more, with in-depth focus on regional food and local culture.


Broiled Unagi with a Twist - Nagoya's Hitsumabushi
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Traveling the Ancient Nakasendo Highway - Part 4: Magome-juku
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Traveling the Ancient Nakasendo Highway - Part 3: the Hike towards Magome
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Traveling the Ancient Nakasendo Highway - Part 2: Tsumago-juku
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Traveling the Ancient Nakasendo Highway - Part 1: Narai-juku
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Curious About Horse Meat in Matsumoto
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Hotspring Hopping in Oku-Hida Onsengo
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A Day-Trip to the National Park at Kamikochi
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Hida Takayama - Restaurant and Hotel Reviews
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Wish We Had More Time in Hida Takayama!
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Shirakawago - Guesthouse and Restaurant Reviews
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The Photographer's Paradise of Shirakawago
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Gokayama - Japan's Shangri-La in the Mountains
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Kanazawa - Restaurants, Budget Hotel and Transportation
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Kanazawa - the Beauty of Japan's Other Side
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The Ultimate Kyoto Experience - Renting the Eco-House Machiya
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Northwest Kyoto's Hidden Gems
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Kyoto - Restaurant Reviews
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Kyoto - Practical Trip-Planning Mini-Guide
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Festive Kyoto - the Aoi Matsuri
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Savouring the Tea Capital of Japan - Uji
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Nara: Part 2 - The Insider's Nara
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Nara: Part 1 - The Tourist's Nara
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Kobe Beef in Kobe -- A Step-By-Step Photo Sequence
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Taking the Long Way up Himeji Castle
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The Old Master of Osaka Style Broiled Unagi
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A Random Review of Osaka's Local Cuisine
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Osaka's Flamboyant Alleys
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We're Back from Japan
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PRE-TRIP POSTS

Last Update Before the Big Trip!

Tentative Itinerary

Kansai Wins the Poll -- We Will Go To Kansai!