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Brian L

New Pro

Toronto, ON, Canada

My name is Brian and I am a Canadian travel enthusiast with a passion for exploring new cultures and cuisines. I've been traveling for 15+ years, and I have been fortunate enough to make annual trips to Japan for vacation and have fallen in love with the country's rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and, of course, its delicious food. As a frequent traveler, I have traveled to many other places in the world, I am excited to share my experiences and insights with you, and help you plan your own unforgettable adventures. I have been planning trips for friends & family for years, and I am happy to combine my experience and my organizational skills as a product manager to create the best travel guides for you.

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Waiyan | Japan Travel Diaries @dearorla

Tokyo, Japan

Welcome! 🌸 I’m Waiyan, a Brit living, exploring and learning about the culture in Japan since 2017 🇯🇵🇬🇧 Since then, my passion for Japanese food and culture has continued to grow. So far, I have explored 22/47 prefectures in Japan and I plan to conquer them all 🗾 I love finding and exploring off-the-beaten path locations and local food finds. My recommendations are always up-to-date 🤓 My guides always include a wide range of restaurants and cafes ☕️ 🍱 As well as popular (and hidden) parks, temples, shrines, museums, interesting finds, art, Instagram worthy spots, and more! ⛩️ I love helping travellers discover hidden gems and build connections through authentic experiences. I can also help you plan a trip from scratch to make your Japan vacation stress-free ✈️ Connect with me on social media (IG) 💌 Happy travels! 📍

Mochi_Travel

Tokyo, Japan

Konnichiwa! I'm a native Japanese with travel experience in 30 countries, and I'm here to introduce you to wonderful accommodations in Japan. As a tour guide, I've been guiding visitors to Japan, and I also offer virtual assistant services for booking reservations. Feel free to reach out to me anytime! :)

DIY your trip to Hokkaido with guides
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Natt

2024 Journey across Japan: Tokyo, Kyoto, Sapporo, Fukuoka

A hotel room with an epilepsy warning? An omakase course of tea-based cocktails? I can't say for sure these are hidden gems, but after months of seeing everyone and their moms go to Japan since COVID reopening, I can say these were some of my favorite spots that I seldom saw people visit. Hi! I'm a Brooklyn-based tech journalist-turned-corporate comms editor. Early in my career I spent a stint as a luxury travel planner and writer specializing in Asia, and if I can toot my own horn, I'm often the friend everyone says "wth Natt, how do you find all these cool spots, drop that itin." (Fine, they don't say it like that, but you get the point). Travel planning is a great hobby for me, and I am writing this as both a journal to remember my trip by and to share with friends, hence the overly familiar tone you might find below. If you discovered this on the Thatch platform, consider giving my guide a shot and hopefully you'll find it useful for an adventuresome visit to Japan! This guide includes: ✈️ Pre and post-arrival pro-tips 🛌 Hotel, restaurant, and activity suggestions with some personal anecdotes (we vetted any Instagram vs realities!) 📍 Resources, databases, and things to make your journey more efficient and economical It is not: 📆 A list of daily itineraries ❓ "Beginner's guide to Japan" i.e. how to book JR trains, basic etiquettes, how to transfer from airport to city 🔝 The absolute best of the bests - opinions here totally my own

Free

Free

A visit to Japan offers rich history and culture as well as blend of modern and traditional with wonderful food, sights, and people. I lived there for 12+ years and offer travel recommendations with friends and family who plan to visit! This introductory guide is especially helpful for first time visitors to Tokyo... and beyond. Japan is an archipelago of over 14,000 islands of which approximately 260 are inhabited. Japan's four major islands are Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku. Read on for information about when to visit, where to stay, and sights to see in Tokyo as well as ideas for other places to visit, foods to try, and useful Japanese travel phrases. * Save this guide for a future trip*

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Guide

Reasons to visit

Hokkaido

Exploring Hokkaido: Top Areas to Visit

Sapporo

Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, is a vibrant city known for its beer, ramen, and the Sapporo Snow Festival. Visitors can enjoy the bustling atmosphere of Tanukikoji Shopping Street or relax at the historic Sapporo Beer Museum. Odori Park is a central green space that hosts various events throughout the year, making it a must-visit for tourists.

Furano and Biei

Furano and Biei are picturesque towns famous for their lavender fields and rolling hills. Visitors flock to Furano in the summer to witness the blooming lavender fields, while Biei offers stunning landscapes dotted with colorful flowers and patchwork fields. The Shikisai no Oka flower fields in Biei are particularly popular for their vibrant displays.

Otaru

Otaru is a charming port city known for its historic canal district and glassblowing workshops. Stroll along the Otaru Canal to admire the stone warehouses and gas lamps that evoke a bygone era. The city is also renowned for its fresh seafood, so be sure to sample local delicacies like sushi and seafood rice bowls.

Niseko

Niseko is a renowned winter destination famous for its world-class powder snow and ski resorts. Ski enthusiasts from around the globe come to Niseko to experience the pristine slopes and unmatched powder quality. Aside from skiing and snowboarding, visitors can also relax in natural hot springs known as onsen, providing a perfect apres-ski experience.

Shiretoko National Park

Shiretoko National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a pristine wilderness area in eastern Hokkaido. The park is home to diverse wildlife, including brown bears and Steller's sea eagles, making it a paradise for nature lovers. Visitors can embark on cruises to explore the rugged coastline or hike along scenic trails while taking in breathtaking views of the Sea of Okhotsk.

Noboribetsu

Noboribetsu is a popular hot spring resort town known for its therapeutic waters and dramatic Hell Valley landscape. Travelers can indulge in rejuvenating hot spring baths while admiring the steaming vents and sulfurous fumaroles of Jigokudani, or "Hell Valley." The town's serene atmosphere and natural beauty make it a great destination for relaxation and wellness.

Asahikawa

Asahikawa is Hokkaido's second-largest city and serves as a gateway to the island's northern wilderness. The city is home to the Asahiyama Zoo, renowned for its innovative enclosures that provide up-close encounters with animals like polar bears and penguins. Asahikawa is also famous for its ramen culture, with numerous noodle shops offering delicious bowls of local Hokkaido ramen.

Hokkaido offers a diverse range of experiences, from vibrant city life in Sapporo to tranquil natural beauty in Shiretoko National Park. Whether you seek adventure on the slopes of Niseko or relaxation in hot spring resorts like Noboribetsu, Hokkaido has something for every traveler to enjoy.

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any trip to Hokkaido

Explore curated travel guides, itineraries and custom travel planning services for Hokkaido. Whether you are spending 4 days in Hokkaido or 2 weeks in Hokkaido, Thatch guides and itineraries can help you make the most of your trip with curated Hokkaido recommendations by locals and travel experts. Explore what to eat in Hokkaido, the best things to do in Hokkaido and the must sees in Hokkaido. From a long weekend in Hokkaido to a trip of a lifetime, let Thatch local experts help you plan the perfect vacation.