solo travel

Castle Hopping: Uwajima Castle (May 2026)

One of Japan's 12 surviving original keeps, and the first castle Tōdō Takatora built for himself. Battling 31°C heat with sour dried plums, I marveled at the castle's oldest stone walls and its compact keep.

2026.05.31

Castle Hopping

Castle Hopping: Uwajima Castle Route Map (May 2026)

A photo walk-through of the route I took around Uwajima Castle, from the shopping arcade by the station to the climbing entrance, the Nagatomaru stone walls, the surviving keep, and back down past the Daiuemon-maru and Shikibumaru walls.

2026.05.31

Castle Walk Route

Kabukiza Gallery (May 2026)

Still glowing from the matinee of the May Dangiku Kabuki Festival, I dropped by Kabukiza Gallery on a whim. An elevator mishap, a refreshing rooftop garden, and a model of the second-generation Kabukiza that stole my heart — a solo outing after the show.

2026.05.06

Kabuki

Travel Walks: Hokkaido University (April 2026)

I ended up at Hokkaido University after an internet rabbit hole that started at Upopoy. A vast campus in the city, the University Museum's architecture and dinosaurs, and a little forest that won my heart over the famous poplars.

2026.04.29

Travel Walks

Travel Walks: Upopoy (April 2026)

An evening with Lake Poroto all to myself. Guided by Ainu-language signposts, lost in video exhibits, watching inaw being made in a cise, and then a flat-out dash to catch my train.

2026.04.28

Travel Walks

Travel Walks: Upopoy Route Map (April 2026)

From Shiraoi Station to Lake Poroto, a photo route map tracing my walk through Upopoy in order, with a bonus stop for soup curry back in Sapporo.

2026.04.28

Travel Walk Route

Castle Hopping: Fukuoka Castle (April 2026)

No keep, no problem. Fukuoka Castle's nozurazumi stone walls, a newly restored turret, plus a clear gojo-in stamp — all part of a memorable solo visit.

2026.04.21

Castle Hopping

Castle Hopping: Edo Castle (March 2026)

Slipping into the Imperial Palace East Gardens to fill an empty morning. Awed by a keep base that has stood brand new for 370 years, replaying Chushingura at the Great Pine Corridor, and failing to buy a single stamp or castle seal.

2026.03.14

Castle Hopping

Castle Hopping: Edo Castle Route Map (March 2026)

In through Hirakawa-mon, out through Ote-mon. A solo walking route through Edo Castle (Imperial Palace East Gardens), past the keep base and the Great Pine Corridor site.

2026.03.14

Castle Walk Route

Castle Hopping: Inuyama Castle (March 2026)

A quick side trip from Nagoya turned into a full-on crush. After spotting Inuyama Castle on a TV drama, I went to see Japan's oldest surviving keep, got the jitters on its scary top-floor balcony, collected castle cards and seals, and accidentally fell head over heels for castle hopping.

2026.03.04

Castle Hopping