Travel Tips– category –

Here's something that tends to confuse people when they first visit Yamanashi: someone will tell you to try the horse sashimi. Basashi is thinly sliced raw horse meat, usually eaten with soy sauce and things like ginger, garlic, or scall...

There’s something living in the forests around Mount Fuji that most people probably don’t think about when they picture the mountain: Asiatic black bears. The bears here aren’t simply part of one large population spread across central Ja...

Hi! it's Daichi. If you have been looking at the weather forecast for Lake Kawaguchiko this August 2026, you might be scratching your head. Take a look at the actual daily forecast for this month so far: almost every single day shows rai...

Quick heads up if you're anywhere in the Fuji Five Lakes area this week — the Yoshida Himatsuri, one of Japan's most famous fire festivals, takes place right at the base of Mt Fuji on August 26th and 27th. If you have any flexibility in ...

If you're anywhere near Kawaguchiko this week, you're about to see something that looks less like a festival and more like a small city deciding to burn itself down on purpose. On August 26th and 27th, Fujiyoshida holds the Yoshida Fire ...

Hi, it's Daichi from KOKO Journey. If you're visiting the Mt. Fuji area this June, you may have noticed that Fuji has been playing hide-and-seek quite a bit. As of today (June 13, 2026), to tell the truth, we haven't had a single day wit...

Hi, it's Daichi from KOKO Journey! When you're traveling in Japan, catching a glimpse of the majestic Mount Fuji is probably right at the top of your bucket list, right? But what if I told you that you could see Mt.Fuji while munching on...

Hi, it’s Daichi from KOKO Journey! A lot of people assume there are no bears around Kawaguchiko. I understand why. It is a popular sightseeing area, and many visitors only see the calm side of it. "There aren't bears around here, right?"...

Hi, it's Daichi from KOKO Journey. The other day, I decided to go for a walk along the northern shore of Lake Kawaguchiko. My route started around the Ubuyagasaki area to Oishi Park. It takes about 50 minutes to an hour to walk the whole...

Hi, it's Daichi from KOKO Journey! If you are looking for the ultimate, crowd-free view of Mt. Fuji, I’ve just found the greatest spot. Today, I hiked Ryugatake Mountain(竜ヶ岳/ Mt. Ryugatake), located right next to Lake Motosu (one of t...