Travel

Continuing on my journey past Maizuru, a port city heavily influenced by its naval history, and Amanohashidate, known to be one of the three most scenic spots in Japan, I arrived at the north end of Tango Peninsula.

An early, two-hour ride on the bullet train brought me to one of the most postcard-worthy cities in the world. After hastily dropping off the bags at the hotel, I set off to enjoy the first rays of sun sipping through the bamboo forest of Arashiyama and wrapped up the day savoring matcha in a tea house of Gion.

There are endless reasons to go to the small resort town of Hakone, although for me personally it was an urge to spend some time in nature and breathe fresh mountain air. Close proximity to Tokyo makes is a perfect escape for a day trip, or overnight stay. I soaked up a lot of sun, took long strolls in the woods and took tons of photos. Duh.

On a fine day in February, my wife and I went hiking in Chichibu to see the yellow plum blossoms. But as it turned out, we saw much more than blossoms.

When François Verny and other French engineers founded Yokosuka Iron Works in 1871, it became Japan’s first Western-style shipyard with dry docks.

Sakura, that quintessentially Japanese flower that blooms but for a short time then fades away on the wind, can draw crowds to even the most humble city park or riverside to enjoy their beauty, but when paired with some of Hiroshima’s most famous landmarks gives visitors a chance to see these places at their most idealized.