Exploring the mountainous region where Tottori, Okayama, and Hiroshima prefectures meet in the San’in area. The autumn leaves haven’t quite turned yet, but the traditional Japanese landscapes were breathtaking. It was a peaceful escape, immersed in the beauty of Japan’s timeless countryside.

Tonight’s stay is at a lovely Japanese inn in Dogashima,West Izu, with a beautiful ocean view right outside. The hot spring has this amazing silky texture, and dinner is a feast of seafood like lobster and turban shells. Of course, I enjoyed it all slowly in my room with some sake. In the evening, fireworks…

After watching the movie starring Kenji Sawada, which was based on the essay “The Zen Diary “ by the writer TsutomuMizukami , I felt compelled to visit the abandoned village of Suge in Hakuba. From the Nohira settlement, I nervously made my way along a rugged path that was hardly a road, and finally, I…

Tonight’s stay is at the ‘Slanted House’ in Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture! This was the final work of architect Yoji Watanabe, often called the ‘mad architect.’ We’re here as a thank-you gift for supporting its restoration through crowdfunding. What an experience!