In Japan, while spring is the time for viewing “sakura” (cherry blossoms), Autumn is Japan’s most colorful season. It is the season for a good long walk to take in and enjoy the colourful scenery, bathe in secret or exotic “onsen” (hot springs) to relax body and soul and explore the autumn flavours at the [...]

The Historic Villages of Shirakawa-gō and Gokayama are one of Japan’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The site is located in the Shogawa river valley stretching across the border of Gifu and Toyama Prefectures in northern Japan. Shirakawa-gō (白川郷, “White River Old-District”) is located in the village of Shirakawa in Gifu Prefecture. The Gokayama (五箇山, “Five [...]

Yakedake, 焼岳 (with the height above sea level of 2455m) is a volcano that erupts most actively in Northern Japanese Alps in recent years. It erupted many times until 1963 in the Meiji era. Nowadays, white smoke can be seen from far which consists of steam that contains hydrogen sulfide.