solo travel

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

Travel Walks: Miyajima and Itsukushima Shrine (November 2025)

An hour's queue for anago rice, a low-tide Itsukushima Shrine with mysterious rows of timber, and the noh stage on the sea. A solo stroll around Miyajima that ended with a new ambition: to see Funa Benkei performed right there.

2025.11.24

Travel Walks

Travel Walks: Miyajima and Itsukushima Shrine Route Map (November 2025)

From anago rice at Miyajimaguchi to Itsukushima Shrine at low tide and an okonomiyaki finale. A photo route map tracing my walk, spot by spot.

2025.11.24

Travel Walk Route

Inujima Seirensho Art Museum (November 2025)

On Inujima, a tiny stone fragment on my palm looked like an island in the Seto Inland Sea. Quarry stories from the guided tour, the island magic that turns fallen things into art, and a lemon squash to finish: a solo island stroll.

2025.11.06

Museums