Travel Highlights 2025
Having lived in Japan for many years traveling around the country, you would think that I would have covered pretty much everything Japan has to offer. But, on the contrary, I had a fair number of first time experiences in 2025. This goes to show that there are still many more things to discover and find out about Japan.
In 2025, I visited 30 out of the 47 prefectures, one less compared to last year T.T But it is not about the quantity, but the quality of the visits right? Here are my seven most memorable trips and experiences this year.
#7: Visiting Shikoku
I have a soft spot for Shikoku as all my trips there have always been memorable. This year I only went to Ehime and Kagawa prefectures, visiting Matsuyama and Takamatsu, their respective capital cities, and went to the islands of Ogijima and Shodoshima, both in Kagawa Prefecture. This year I got see the cherry blossoms in the cities as well as see some art on the islands!
#6: Ikebana experience
Of the traditional arts in Japan like tea ceremony, calligraphy and flower arrangement, I did flower arrangement or ikebana for the first time this year. More than just arranging flowers, the art of ikebana brings cut flowers to life and livens up the space it is placed in. I initially found the experience slightly stressful instead of feeling zen, but this was due to me overthinking the philosophy and placement of things. Under my instructor's expertise and reassurance, I managed to arrange some flowers successfully, and I was very pleased with the outcome.
#5: Noto Peninsula
In January, Aimee and I filmed a video in the Noto Peninsula. We were there about a year after the devastating earthquake that hit on New Year's Day 2024, and the purpose of the video was to show that the Noto Peninsula is fine to visit albeit with a few adjustments. The most sobering sight for me was the site of the Wajima Morning Market, which was completely burnt down in a horrible fire that raged after the quake. It was hard to see the once bustling market street now flattened.
#4: Cherry blossom research trips
Before the start of the cherry blossom season this year, the japan-guide team went on multiple research trips to study and learn more about the progress and process from buds to flowers. There were lots of conversations about tips and buds, how to identify and predict their growth. All of this helped us make more informed and accurate predictions in our cherry blossom reports, but more study is needed. I'm looking forward to the 2026 research trips already.
#3: Alpen Route
Any trip to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is always a highlight for me, and this year, I actually went three times ^^; Perhaps it is somewhat of an overkill (or maybe a flex?), but all three visits were highlights for me. The first was to report on the opening of the snow corridor in April, a humorous and scary experience where I was first stuck in the snow at the car park, then arrived to a blizzard at the top. The second was a revenge trip to see the snow wall in better weather. Finally, the third trip was for an autumn color report in October.
#2: Fukui
Fukui is truly one of my favourite prefectures in the Hokuriku region. The prefectural capital, Fukui City is so easy to access since the Hokuriku Shinkansen goes there directly from Tokyo. This year, I visited Fukui City during the cherry blossom season, which was absolutely lovely with none of the crowds like in neighbouring Kanazawa. On a separate trip, I got to revisit some of my favourites spots like the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, Heisenji Hakusan Shrine and of course, eat all the delicious food in Fukui. This year, I also visited Eiheiji Temple for the first time.
#1: Sado Island
This year, I finally got to cross Sado Island off my island to-go list. I am not sure why I put it off for so long when access to the island is relatively straightforward - take the bullet train to Niigata, then go to the ferry terminal and take a one-hour jetfoil to Sado. I finally took my first steps on Sado soil and experienced the three Ts: taiko (Japanese drum), taraibune (wooden tub boat) and toki (crested ibis bird). I definitely want to go back to Sado Island again!
