Is Japan Getting Worse? (Honest thoughts)

@Abroad in Japan

Abroad in Japanyoutubethe post

Chris Broad shares his candid thoughts on Japan, covering everything from quirky products and travel safety to the challenges of rural living and essential travel tips like avoiding Golden Week.

9 places · 3 experiences

1
Daiso
Asian household goods store · Fayetteville
4.2Closed · opens 9 AM
Creator's voice
A popular 100-yen store where you can find a variety of items, including quirky Japanese English marketing products. It's a great place to find unique treasures.
Daiso - Japanese Household Goods, 3180 N College Ave #1, Fayetteville, AR 72703
- Kitchen mat with rabbit design — A kitchen mat featuring a cute rabbit and an amusing English phrase: 'cute rabbit and the universe is born from egg and it'll be heaven for the upper part of the body of a shell and it shows that a lower part was a place'.
- Skin cream — A skin cream with a rather alarming description: 'fractional CC targeting the areas of concern a cocktail of needles and five vitamins'. The creator is not keen on the 'cocktail of needles'.
- Beg Skin Science skincare — A skincare brand humorously named 'Beg Skin Science', which the creator jokes will make your skin 'beg you to avoid it'.
Experience · 1 place
Visit Hie Shrine early for quiet torii gates
morning
Get to Hie Shrine early in the morning because it's quite quiet then. Be advised, there's a bit of a climb to get there, but it's worth it to experience the torii gates in peace before the crowds.
2
Hie Shrine
Shinto shrine
4.4 (12,536)Open · until 5 PM
Creator's voice
A really cool shrine located right in the middle of Tokyo, raised on a hill and surrounded by towering skyscrapers, almost like a castle. It features about 100 torii gates, reminiscent of a mini Fushimi Inari Shrine. It's free to enter and a great alternative if you can't make it to Kyoto.
Hie-jinja Shrine, 2 Chome-10-5 Nagatachō, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0014, Japan
3
Shimanami Kaido
Sea · Seto Inland Sea
Inland sea surrounded by the Japanese main islands of Honshu, Kyushu, & Shikoku.
Seto Inland Sea, Japan
Experience · 1 place
Evening drinks at Onomichi Port
evening
The night before starting the Shimanami Kaido cycle, my friend and I went down to Onomichi Port, had a few cans of beer, and sat looking over the docks at sunset. The cool summer breeze and the anticipation of the journey ahead made it a memorable experience. Just be careful, you might encounter Japan's most knowledgeable fisherman!
4
Onomichi Port
Ferry terminal · Onomichi
3.7 (192)
Creator's voice
A beautiful port town where the Shimanami Kaido cycle route begins. It's a great place to stay overnight before starting the cycle.
Onomichi Port Terminal, 9-1 Higashigoshocho, Onomichi, Hiroshima 722-0036, Japan
5
Nakasendo Trail
Creator's voice
A historic trail through picturesque rural Japanese villages in Gifu and Nagano prefectures. It's described as what you imagine the Japanese countryside to look like, but better.
Nakasendo, Japan
Experience · 4 places
Hike the Nakasendo Trail through historic villages
3-4 days
Spend 3 or 4 days hiking the Nakasendo Trail, going through villages like Magome, Tsumago, Nagiso, and Aruku. Stay at traditional inns, eat local fresh food, and enjoy daily hikes through fields, forests, and mountains. It's an incredible, rejuvenating experience and one of the most beautiful places in Japan. If you do one hike in Japan, make it this one.
6
Magome-juku
Nakatsugawa
Creator's voice
One of the traditional villages along the Nakasendo Trail, offering a glimpse into historic Japan.
Magome, Nakatsugawa, Gifu 508-0502, Japan
7
Tsumago-juku
Tourist attraction · Nagiso
4.3 (211)Closed · opens tomorrow 8:30 AM
Creator's voice
Another traditional village on the Nakasendo Trail, known for its preserved Edo-period atmosphere.
Tsumago-juku, 2196-1 Azuma, Nagiso, Kiso District, Nagano 399-5302, Japan
8
Nagiso
Nagiso
Creator's voice
A town located along the Nakasendo Trail, part of the hiking experience.
Nagiso, Kiso District, Nagano, Japan
9
Aruku
Tourist attraction · Nagano
4.4
Creator's voice
A village along the Nakasendo Trail, offering traditional inns and local food.
Japan, 〒381-2346 Nagano, Shinkomachi Yasuniwa, １９−国道 ARC OF NAGANO