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

OSAKA EXPO 2025 CONCERT IDEA

Today, we received a comment from the guys of "Roast Apple" a German based Indie-Pop band letting us know they will be performing two nightly concerts at the German Pavilion at Osaka Expo 2025 the nights from April 22nd to April 26th.  Not being familiar with them,...

A $19 Strawberry??!!

Its all over social media these days.......the $19 Japanese strawberry being sold at upscale grocer Erewhon in Los Angeles.  Japan is no stranger to high priced fruits.  When we are traveling throughout the country, we often seen $10, $20 and $30 melons and such.  I...

Formula One In Japan!

In early April, Nagoya will host the Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit.  This is the only Formula 1 event in Japan and happens once a year.  We just posted a new video on the event along with some of the many other amazing things to do while in Nagoya other...
Sailing Back In Time in Yokohama

Sailing Back In Time in Yokohama

Yokohama is a wonderful town with an abundance of things to see and do.  One of the nicer points is that although it is a very short train ride from the heart of Tokyo, it isn’t nearly as packed with tourists.  Therefore, we highly recommend making a stop or even...

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The Sistine Chapel In Japan?

The Sistine Chapel In Japan?

Is the Sistine Chapel in Japan?   Of course not, but an incredible replica is, along with more than 1,000 other works of the great masters through history.  They can be found in the Otsuka Museum of Art.  When I first saw the website for this museum, I thought perhaps...

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Building Castles In The Sand

Building Castles In The Sand

Most folks don't realize it, but Japan actually has sand dunes.  On the west coast of the Sea of Japan near the town of Tottori, you'll find the Tottori Sand Dunes covering more than 360 acres with the tallest rising nearly 150', and they are literally right at the...

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