Uncharted Japan

Exploring places most visitors never see

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Why Uncharted Japan

I’m John Haynes and my wife, Josephine is the fourth generation in her family to have been born in Japan with her great, great-grandparents having arrived in September 1861 from New York only a few years after Japan opened to the west. Her ancestors served as missionaries there when Ronin (former Samurai) still roamed the countryside.  It was very much unlike today’s Japan.  Therefore her family has a very long history retaining many contacts and the family still keeps the family home there north of Nagano.  No one of whom I’m aware in the Japan travel community online or on Youtube has such a background.  We both love Japan and enjoy sharing our experience with others.  Read on to learn more.

From The Blog

Driving the Kiso Valley

We recently published a video of our trip through the Kiso Valley from Nagoya to Matsumoto.  It was a spectacular trip as we followed the Kiso River through the valley making an overnight stop in Agematsu. We started the trip (after a short train ride from Nagoya to...

Godzilla Or Hello Kitty!

We enjoyed a day trip to Awaji Island also known by many as "Godzilla Island" because Awaji Island is where the legend of Godzilla was born in 1954.  Its here where the giant lizard arose from the depths to terrorize Japan and the world ever since. The "Godzilla...

A Fast Tour of Seven Amazing Places!

Uploaded a short, fast paced video yesterday featuring seven of our favorite cities with things to do in them.  Most of them are little known places in these areas, while a couple are very popular spots.  Nice thing about most of these is that they are not overrun...
Driving the Kiso Valley

Driving the Kiso Valley

We recently published a video of our trip through the Kiso Valley from Nagoya to Matsumoto.  It was a spectacular trip as we followed the Kiso River through the valley making an overnight stop in Agematsu. We started the trip (after a short train ride from Nagoya to...

read more
Godzilla Or Hello Kitty!

Godzilla Or Hello Kitty!

We enjoyed a day trip to Awaji Island also known by many as "Godzilla Island" because Awaji Island is where the legend of Godzilla was born in 1954.  Its here where the giant lizard arose from the depths to terrorize Japan and the world ever since. The "Godzilla...

read more
A Fast Tour of Seven Amazing Places!

A Fast Tour of Seven Amazing Places!

Uploaded a short, fast paced video yesterday featuring seven of our favorite cities with things to do in them.  Most of them are little known places in these areas, while a couple are very popular spots.  Nice thing about most of these is that they are not overrun...

read more

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