Terence

Tour guide in Japan

As an English-speaking guide living in Japan, I lead travelers across Honshu, crafting tailor-made itineraries adapted to everyone's pace and preferences. I love revealing Japan in all its diversity: the energy of its futuristic megacities, the serenity of its ancient temples, the charm of its coastal villages, and the grandeur of its volcanic mountains and lakes.

Articles by Terence

Exploring Kyoto

Beyond Shimogamo shrine: exploring northern Kyoto on two wheels

Riding north along the riverbank path past Demachiyanagi opens up an uncrowded side of northern Kyoto that most travellers miss during their first journey. Beyond Shimogamo Shrine, the city's busy avenues quickly give way to quiet residential lanes, historic samurai duel grounds, and peaceful mountain reservoirs set against the clear ridgeline of Mount Hiei. This route covers the northern loop through Ichijoji, Takaragaike, and Iwakura, offering concrete details on practical cycling distances, hill gradients, and temple parking rules for a smooth day on two wheels.

By TerenceOctober 22, 20267 min read

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Around Tokyo

How to plan a day trip to Kamakura from Tokyo: a guide route

A day trip to Kamakura from Tokyo takes under an hour on the direct JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line, placing you between wooded coastal ridges and the open water of Sagami Bay. This walking route bypasses standard crowd bottlenecks by steering you to Sasuke Inari Shrine first thing in the morning, followed by the outdoor bronze Daibutsu at Kotoku-in, the temple grounds of Hasedera, and the shoreline of Yuigahama Beach. With clear transit instructions from major Tokyo stations, realistic walking times between sites, and vetted dining stops in quiet side alleys, this guide gives you everything required for a balanced, self-guided day out.

By TerenceOctober 14, 20266 min read

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a street panel indicating rules of respect in Kyoto

Culture

Visiting Kyoto in 2027 Respectfully: Practical Manners for First-Time Travellers

Travelling in Japan often brings quiet anxiety about making social mistakes, yet everyday customs become simple once you understand the practical logic behind them. Residents across Kyoto do not expect foreign visitors to master every traditional nuance, focusing instead on whether you demonstrate basic care and mutual awareness in shared public spaces. Learning how to line up properly on train platforms, handle your footwear at an entryway, and navigate historic neighborhood streets with confidence will help you explore the city smoothly without worrying about causing friction.

By TerenceOctober 7, 20267 min read

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Exploring Kyoto

Exploring West Shimogyo & Mibu: A Self-Guided Walk Through Hidden Kyoto

West Shimogyo offers a peaceful look into local life and the Bakumatsu era, well away from the crowds of Higashiyama. Living in this neighborhood, it is an area I am particularly fond of, which inspired me to write this article. This flat itinerary links Nishi Hongan-ji, the former Shimabara district and its Sumiyoshi Shrine, the hidden traces of Heian-kyo, the Nishi-Shinmichi shopping street, and the Shinsengumi sites in Mibu. This guide details the walkthrough and key landmarks for an independent exploration.

By TerenceOctober 1, 20268 min read

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Culture

In the footsteps of legends: where to find Sengoku era figures in Kyoto

Walking through Kyoto in search of sixteenth-century history requires a careful eye, because civil war and repeated fires reshaped the imperial city. Between quiet residential lanes, forgotten stone markers beside schools, and mausoleums hidden under mountain cedars, the true sites tied to Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu are rarely where standard guidebooks put them. This route helps you pin down the graves, cenotaphs, and physical traces left by major figures of the Sengoku era across Kyoto and Kansai.

By TerenceSeptember 25, 20266 min read

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A view of the popular Glico Sign in Dontobori

Exploring Osaka

How to Spend 2 to 3 Days in Osaka: A Neighborhood Itinerary

A 2 or 3-day stay in Osaka works best with a route between the north and south. This article breaks down how to move easily between wide avenues, backstreets, and quiet shrines, targeting local street food and optimizing transit along the way.

By TerenceSeptember 19, 20266 min read

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Clear view of Mt. Fuji from Sengen Arakura shrine viewing platform

Around Tokyo

Mount Fuji day trip from Tokyo: scenic views and sacred shrines

Taking a day trip to the Five Lakes area to see Mount Fuji takes careful planning from Tokyo, especially on public transit. A well-timed morning departure links Fujiyoshida to Fujikawaguchiko across a full day, combining photo stops, forest walks, and quiet shrines. This overview walks through a complete day on the ground, featuring clear viewpoints and practical stops along the northern side of the volcano.

By TerenceSeptember 11, 20267 min read

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Exploring Kyoto

Model trains and giant dioramas in Kyoto

Kyoto reveals its urban planning best when seen from above, and four detailed scale model exhibits across the city give travelers a rare view of its geography. From 8th century imperial street grids to massive working train layouts, these detailed dioramas display how ancient court planners and modern railway engineers built the regional infrastructure. Whether you need an indoor break on a rainy afternoon in Kansai or want to trace historical neighborhoods before exploring them on foot, these specific locations provide immediate practical context for your trip to Japan.

By TerenceSeptember 3, 20265 min read

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Exploring Kyoto

What are 3 excursions that you can take in Kyoto to escape the city crowds?

Central Kyoto becomes packed with travelers by mid-morning, especially around popular landmarks like Kiyomizu-dera and the main Arashiyama bamboo grove. If you want to experience the quiet side of the region, head toward the outer edges of the Kyoto basin. These excursions offer forest trails and elevated views away from heavy tourist traffic. Each location is easily reachable by local train lines or dedicated bike paths, giving you space to walk and explore at your own pace while enjoying clear perspectives over the surrounding hills.

By TerenceAugust 27, 20265 min read

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Health

Health in Japan: finding medication and handling minor ailments

Getting sick on a trip to Japan can feel stressful due to the language barrier and kanji packaging. Finding basic pain relief, cold remedies, or stomach medicine is simple once you know how local drugstores work and which common brands to look for. Here is what you need to navigate drugstores in Kyoto and buy over-the-counter medicine without a prescription.

By TerenceAugust 10, 20265 min read

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View from north eastern hills, Ginkaku-ji temple

Exploring Kyoto

How to Visit Kyoto Without the Crowds: Major Spots & Quiet Alternatives

Visiting Kyoto without the crowds means rethinking your route. Combine major temples early in the morning with quieter nearby spots, and you’ll move through the city at a relaxed rhythm, whether on foot or by bicycle. This neighborhood pairing approach lets you experience Kyoto comfortably.

By TerenceAugust 1, 20264 min read

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A city bus driving through a residential area in Kyoto

Getting around in Japan

Kansai transport made easy: a practical guide

Traveling to Japan for the first time brings surprises, especially when figuring out the different transit networks in Kyoto and the surrounding area. With private train lines, unique bus boarding rules, and recent price hikes for national passes, planning your route can get confusing. This practical guide gives you clear answers and on-the-ground tips to make daily travel around the Kansai region easy in 2026. You will learn how to set up transit cards on your phone, why the famous train pass is no longer worth it, and how to get around without getting stuck in crowds on the main tourist lines.

By TerenceJuly 10, 20267 min read

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