Category: Hokuriku

The Hokuriku region of Japan: Kanazawa, Toyama, Takayama, Tateyama, and the Sea of Japan coast. Underrated, under-touristed, and where I lived for nearly three years.

Kanazawa to Shirakawa-go: Is This Day Trip Actually Worth?

Planning a trip from Kanazawa to Shirakawa-go? Get the honest truth on buses, crowds, and if this iconic village is worth precious time on your Japan itinerary.

Toyama Onsen: Which one is Worth a Day on Your Japan Trip?

Kanazawa vs Takayama: The Honest Verdict for Your Japan Trip

Takayama to Shirakawa-go: Is This Day Trip Worth Your Day?

Takayama to Shirakawa-go: real bus and driving logistics, costs, and an honest verdict on whether this day trip is worth one of your precious Japan days.

Kanazawa’s Ninja Temple (Myōryū-ji): Is It Worth Your Day?

Is Kanazawa's Ninja Temple (Myōryū-ji) worth your precious day in Japan? An honest worth-it-or-skip verdict from someone who lived in Hokuriku.

Kanazawa’s Kenrokuen Garden: Worth Your Day in Japan?

Thinking about Kanazawa's Kenrokuen? Get William's honest verdict on if this famous garden is worth a precious day on your Japan itinerary.

Kanazawa: What to Do and What to Skip on Your First Trip

How to Get from Tokyo to Toyama: What I Wish I’d Known

Your Tokyo to Toyama trip, sorted. An honest breakdown of trains, buses, and flights from someone who lived there, plus what's worth your time and what to skip.

Takayama Itinerary: How Many Days Are Worth Your Japan Trip?

Deciding on Takayama? William, who lived in Hokuriku, breaks down how many days are truly worth your Japan trip, what to see, and what to skip.

Kanazawa: How Many Days Do You Really Need Travel Itinerary

Takayama, Japan: Is This Mountain Town You Need to Visit?

Kanazawa Japan: The Complete Travel Guide (From a Local)

Toyama Glass Art Museum Guide: Award-Winning Architecture

Toyama Itinerary: 1–5 Day Travel Guide to Japan’s Nature Gem

Toyama vs Kanazawa: Which Japanese City Should You Visit?

Get the Da Nang First-Timer's Cheat Sheet

One page with everything I wish I’d known before landing: getting a SIM, fair taxi and Grab prices, where to eat, how to rent a bike, and the stuff guidebooks skip. Plus weekly stories from the road across Japan and Vietnam.