Tomorrow we go to Japan.
I’ve been visiting Japan annually for several years as a solo traveler. I’m grateful my recently post-work partner now has the time to travel with me.
We’ve managed to duck Typhoon Hagibis, Japan’s most powerful typhoon in decades. Hundreds of thousands of people have been affected.
Last year I managed to duck a major earthquake in Hokkaido. At the time I found myself wondering if I should visit that island, but quickly learned tourists were cancelling their visits to the detriment of Hokkaido’s economy. I feel the same way about our current visit: nearly all Japan’s tourist infrastructure is up and running and welcoming visitors.
When I go to Japan I like to discover new places, as well as revisit places I’ve enjoyed on previous trips. I try to be a B-List traveler, finding places that are not heavily recommended in the guide books. Days can go by before I see another westerner.
The blue pins on this map mark some of the places I’ve visited over the years.
I would love to go back to Hokkaido in the North, but it’s cooling down fast. We’ll probably focus on southern areas where palm trees grow. As the concentration of blue pins suggests, we won’t run out of options.
