Japan, beyond the usual
Take the
scenic detour.
Little-known places. Thoughtful travel notes. A slower way to discover Japan, starting in Tohoku.
Read our latest detour ↗
Field notes
Start somewhere unexpected.

03 · Iwate · Tanohata Village
A Coastal Detour: Kitayamazaki Cliffs
200-meter sea cliffs on Iwate's Sanriku coast: three viewpoints, a level first deck, 736 steps to the sea and how to plan the trip from Morioka or Tanohata.
Read the travel notes →
02 · Aomori · Tsugaru City
Red Torii in Aomori: Takayama Inari Shrine
Winding red torii gates on Aomori's Tsugaru coast: what the official guides say, how to plan the drive from Goshogawara and what to check before you go.
Read the travel notes →
01 · Yamagata · Yamagata City
Beyond Yamadera: Tarumizu Ruins
A quieter side of Yamagata's Yamadera: a short forest walk to honeycomb rock, a torii gate and a former mountain-ascetic site, with access notes and winter closure.
Read the travel notes →Inspiration, with the details that matter.
Practical information is linked to official local sources, with a visible check date. Photos are credited; any illustration is labelled as one.
How we put our guides together →