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Stories Beyond the Journey


Discover the Best Onsen Areas in Hakone: A Complete Guide for International Travelers
If you are searching for Hakone onsen , Hakone ryokan recommendations , one night two meals (kaiseki dinner) , or Hakone kaiseki cuisine , this guide will help you understand the differences between Hakone’s major hot spring areas in the most practical way. We also introduce several traditional ryokan with historic architecture , so you can enjoy both authentic Japanese bathing culture and refined kaiseki dining in one unforgettable journey. Luxury traditional Japanese ryokan
5 min read


Mount Fuji Golf – East Side (Gotemba Highlands):Why This Is the Most Reliable Starting Point from Tokyo
Taiheiyo Club Gotemba West Course with Mount Fuji View When people talk about playing golf around Mount Fuji, the first question is almost always the same: “Can you see Mount Fuji from the course?” In reality, across the east, south, west, and north sides of Mount Fuji, well over ninety percent of golf courses offer at least partial views of the mountain when weather conditions allow. Visibility alone is rarely the real deciding factor. What truly separates one area from anot
4 min read


Mount Fuji Golf Overview: How to Plan an East–West–South–North Golf Route from Tokyo
Mount Fuji Golf Overview: Planning an East–West–South–North Route from Tokyo When planning a trip from Tokyo, Mount Fuji almost always appears on the itinerary. For many travelers, it is a symbol, a view, a place to take photos before moving on. But for those who actually operate travel itineraries in Japan, repeatedly guide clients, and spend long periods playing golf themselves, Mount Fuji represents something very different. It is not a single destination, but a structural
3 min read


How Much Does a Private Car Cost in Japan?
When people ask how much a private car costs in Japan, they are usually not just looking for a number. What they really want to know is whether hiring a private car makes sense for their trip, and what kind of experience that price represents. Toyota Alphard private car service Japan city In practical terms, a full-day private car service in Japan usually means a vehicle with a professional driver for around 10 hours. In popular travel areas such as Tokyo, Mt. Fuji, and Hakon
3 min read


How to Choose Golf Courses Around Mt. Fuji
When choosing golf courses around Mt. Fuji, the real challenge is not the number of courses available, but how to balance pedigree, actual playing difficulty, and the flow of a three-round itinerary. Anyone who has practical experience running golf trips in Japan will quickly realize that course level and difficulty often shape the rhythm and overall enjoyment of the journey far more than price alone. Choosing golf courses around Mt. Fuji is ultimately about balancing prestig
4 min read


Why Mt. Fuji Is the Best Base for a Japan Golf Trip
One-sentence takeawayThe Mt. Fuji area is widely considered the best base for a Japan golf trip thanks to its high concentration of golf courses, short transfer times, flexible accommodation options, and a travel pace that is especially suitable for first-time golfers visiting Japan. The Mt. Fuji region stands out as the most practical and reliable base for planning a Japan golf itinerary. Compared with Tokyo or Kansai, it offers a better balance of golf quality, transportati
3 min read


Japan Private Car Service Guide: Legal Green Plate vs Illegal White Plate – Why Cheap Quotes Can Be the Highest Risk
Fleet of legally licensed green plate charter vehicles in Japan, operated by professional drivers and covered by commercial passenger insurance for safe airport and city transfers. When travelers search for “Japan private car service,” “Tokyo airport transfer safety,” or “Is white plate car legal in Japan,” they are often comparing prices without realizing that they are actually comparing two completely different legal systems. On the surface, both options look the same: a va
2 min read


How I Actually Plan a Trip in Japan: It’s Not About Doing More, It’s About Doing It Right
A sunset view of Mount Fuji, reflecting a Japan travel philosophy that values rhythm, atmosphere, and how a day feels—rather than filling an itinerary with destinations. I’ve always believed that planning a trip to Japan has very little to do with how many places you visit. The real difference between a trip that feels rewarding and one that feels exhausting usually comes down to whether you understood the rhythm of Japan before you ever booked a hotel or marked a sightseeing
3 min read


How Japanese Really Enjoy Onsen Travel: Ryokan Rhythm, Kaiseki, and the Art of Slowing Down
Japanese onsen ryokan with a private open-air bath, reflecting the quiet rhythm of traditional onsen travel in Japan For many international travelers, an onsen trip in Japan is often imagined as a highlight-filled itinerary—famous hot springs, scenic photos, and multiple destinations packed into a short stay. Yet for Japanese travelers, onsen travel has never been about accumulation. It is about reduction. Fewer places, fewer decisions, fewer distractions. At its core, an ons
3 min read


Playing Golf in Japan: A Complete Guide to the Full Golf Course Experience
For many first-time visitors, playing golf in Japan can feel a little intimidating. People often worry that there will be too many rules, complicated procedures, or unspoken etiquette that they might accidentally break. But once you actually step onto a Japanese golf course, the feeling is usually the opposite. It is not strict — it is thoughtfully designed. Golf in Japan is not just about the swing itself, but about a full day that has been carefully planned from start to fi
5 min read


Japan Golf Chauffeur vs Self-Drive Complete Guide
This guide explains how to plan a golf trip in Japan, comparing chauffeur service and self-drive for visitors. It outlines real vehicle capacities, routing around Mt. Fuji, luggage considerations, the ideal three-round sequence, and provides a practical five-day itinerary plus FAQ answers. Mt. Fuji viewed from a suburban street in Shizuoka, Japan, showing clear winter skies and local traffic. How to choose the right vehicle, plan efficient routing, manage golf bags and luggag
5 min read


Japan Golf Booking Guide: How to Secure Tee Times, Understand Course Groups, and Plan a Perfect Mt. Fuji Golf Trip
Japan is widely regarded as one of Asia’s most sophisticated golf destinations—not only for its dramatic landscapes, but also for its precision, etiquette, and highly organized course operations.However, Japan’s reservation system is far more complex than in Europe or Southeast Asia. Different course groups follow different rules, many top-tier clubs require member introductions, and seasonal demand can drastically limit availability. This guide explains everything an oversea
11 min read


How to Plan a 5-Day Japan Golf Trip
The Best Mt. Fuji → Gotemba → Tokyo Route for 3–4 Rounds リバー富士カントリークラブ Most golfers who message us for the first time begin the same way:“I’ve got five days. I want to play three or four rounds, see Mt. Fuji, stay somewhere relaxing, and still have time to enjoy Tokyo. How should I plan it?” Behind that question is excitement, but also uncertainty.Japan golf is unlike golf in any other country. The scenery is breathtaking, the courses are beautifully maintained, and the servi
5 min read


First Time Staying at a Japanese Onsen Ryokan: Complete Tips, Etiquette & Guide
First Time Staying at a Japanese Onsen Ryokan: Complete Tips, Etiquette & Guide
3 min read


Japan Golf Guide2025 |The Complete Playbook for Courses, Itineraries & Costs
Playing golf in Japan is more than a round—it’s a bucket-list experience.Tee off beneath Mount Fuji, enjoy immaculate fairways near Tokyo, and discover a golf culture that is welcoming, refined, and unforgettable. If it’s your first time planning a Japan golf trip, you may be wondering:How do I book tee times? Do I need Japanese? How much does it cost?This guide gives you everything you need to plan your trip with confidence. Kawana Fuji Course 1. Tokyo or Osaka — Which is Be
3 min read


Tokyo Autumn & Winter Maple Leaves and Onsen Tour
Mount Fuji · Hakone · Kamakura · Lake Kawaguchi|Private 2-Day or 3-Day Chauffeured Trip Japan in autumn feels slower.The air turns crisp, the sun sets low, and red leaves drift through temple courtyards.From Tokyo, the road winds past mountain forests, hot-spring towns, and Fuji’s snowcap reflected on Lake Kawaguchi.Whether you choose two days or three, every stop holds a different color of the season. 3-Day 2-Night Itinerary | Full Maple & Onsen Experience Day 1 – Tokyo → Mt
4 min read


Fujizakura Country Club | Championship Golf at the Foot of Mt. Fuji
If you want to experience world-class championship golf at the foot of Japan’s most iconic mountain, Fuji Sakura Country Club is an irreplaceable destination. As the official home of the Fujisankei Classic, this course has become a sacred ground for golfers who dream of teeing off beneath the gaze of Mt. Fuji. 富士桜カントリー倶楽部 1. The Story Behind the Course Fujizakura Country Club was founded in 1975 in Kawaguchiko Town, Yamanashi Prefecture, by Fuji Kanko Kaihatsu Co., Ltd.Desig
3 min read


The 70-Yen Coffee That Cost a Career: Integrity and Dignity in Japan
A recent news story in Japan has sparked heated debate at home and abroad: A 59-year-old junior-high school principal in Hyogo Prefecture was dismissed after paying for a “regular” self-serve coffee but dispensing the “large” amount. The price difference was only 70 yen, yet he lost his position—and the retirement payout he was expected to receive, reportedly in the tens of millions of yen. The incident occurred toward the end of 2023 and was found to have happened multiple t
2 min read


A Golfer’s Shopping Adventure in Tokyo and Mt. Fuji
If you’re coming to Japan for golf, chances are you’ll want to sneak in some shopping too. Tokyo is basically the golf shopping capital of Asia, and even on the way out toward Mt. Fuji you’ll bump into some pretty handy stores. Whether you’re new to the game or chasing that perfect forged iron, there’s plenty worth checking out. In the Heart of Tokyo Start with Golf5 . It’s Japan’s biggest chain, and the Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, and Ochanomizu branches are loaded with everything
3 min read


Team USA Gets Paid, Rory Roasts Bryson: Ryder Cup Drama Unfolds
The 2025 Ryder Cup hasn’t even teed off, but the drama is already swirling. This year’s clash at Bethpage Black in New York is shaping up to be more than just a test of golf — it’s also about money, pride, and personality. Two stories are stealing the spotlight: Team USA’s new paycheck policy and the latest round of Rory McIlroy vs. Bryson DeChambeau fireworks. Team USA Gets Paid for the First Time Traditionally, the Ryder Cup has been all about honor, not money. But in 2025,
2 min read
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